The Latin word sacramentum means "a sign of the sacred." The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. That's what theologians mean when they say that sacraments are at the same time signs and instruments of God's grace.

If you learn more about the sacraments, you can celebrate them more fully. To learn more about the individual sacraments, please follow the links below. You'll find easy-to-understand articles and a good sample of common questions and answers.

Share your sacrament reflections

In April 2009, St. Anthony Messenger magazine will publish a special issue on Catholics as a sacramental people. The articles will celebrate the richness of the seven sacraments in the everyday lives of today’s Catholics.

Here’s a chance for you to contribute your experiences to the magazine! We are seeking your special memories about how the sacraments of reconciliation, marriage and anointing of the sick have touched you.

Click here to submit your reflections of the sacraments of reconciliation, of marriage and of anointing of the sick. See the reflections of other Catholics on each of three sacraments—reconciliation, marriage and anointing of the sick.

We’ll select the best of those submissions and, with your permission, use them in the magazine or be posted on the Web site soon after receiving them. They may be edited to fit.

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