Catholic Church

==Sacraments==
{{Anchor|Celebration of the sacraments|Doctrine of the sacraments}}
{{Main|Sacraments of the Catholic Church}}
[[File:Mass at Lourdes.jpg|thumb|left|Mass at the Grotto at [[Lourdes]], France. The [[chalice]] is displayed to the people immediately after the consecration of the wine.]]
The Catholic Church teaches that it was entrusted with seven sacraments that were instituted by Christ. The number and nature of the sacraments were defined by several [[ecumenical council]]s, most recently the Council of Trent.<ref name="1113_14">{{Cite CCC|2.1|1113–1114,1117}}</ref>{{refn|group=note|Other councils that addressed the sacraments include the [[Second Council of Lyon]] (1274); [[Council of Florence]] (1439); as well as the [[Council of Trent]] (1547)<ref name=1113_14/>|}} These are [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation]], the [[Eucharist]], [[Sacrament of Penance (Catholic Church)|Penance]], [[Anointing of the Sick (Catholic Church)|Anointing of the Sick]] (formerly called Extreme Unction, one of the "[[Last Rites]]"), [[Holy Orders]] and [[Catholic marriage|Holy Matrimony]]. Sacraments are visible rituals that Catholics see as signs of God's presence and effective channels of God's [[Grace (Christianity)|grace]] to all those who receive them with the proper disposition (''[[ex opere operato]]'').<ref>Kreeft, pp. 298–299</ref> The ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'' categorizes the sacraments into three groups, the "sacraments of Christian initiation", "sacraments of healing" and "sacraments at the service of communion and the mission of the faithful". These groups broadly reflect the stages of people's natural and spiritual lives which each sacrament is intended to serve.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1210–1211}}</ref>

The liturgies of the sacraments are central to the church's mission. According to the ''Catechism'':

{{Blockquote|In the liturgy of the New Covenant every liturgical action, especially the celebration of the Eucharist and the sacraments, is an encounter between Christ and the Church. The liturgical assembly derives its unity from the "communion of the Holy Spirit" who gathers the children of God into the one Body of Christ. This assembly transcends racial, cultural, social—indeed, all human affinities.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1097}}</ref>|}}

According to church doctrine, the sacraments of the church require the proper form, matter, and intent to be validly celebrated.<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Sacraments}}</ref> In addition, the [[Canon Law]]s for both the Latin Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches govern who may licitly celebrate certain sacraments, as well as strict rules about who may receive the sacraments.<ref name="CoCC291">{{cite news |title=''CoCC'' 291 |publisher=Vatican.va |quote=To receive Holy Communion one must be fully incorporated into the Catholic Church and be in the state of grace, that is, not conscious of being in mortal sin. Anyone who is conscious of having committed a grave sin must first receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before going to Communion. Also important for those receiving Holy Communion are a spirit of recollection and prayer, observance of the fast prescribed by the Church, and an appropriate disposition of the body (gestures and dress) as a sign of respect for Christ.}}</ref><!--<ref name="CCC, 1399"/>--> Notably, because the church teaches that Christ is [[real presence#Catholic and Orthodox|present]] in the Eucharist,<ref name="Kreeft326">Kreeft, p. 326</ref> those who are conscious of being in a state of mortal sin are forbidden to receive the sacrament until they have received absolution through the [[sacrament of Reconciliation]] (Penance).<ref name="Kreeft331"/> Catholics are normally obliged to abstain from eating for at least an hour before receiving the sacrament.<ref name="Kreeft331">Kreeft, p. 331</ref> Non-Catholics are ordinarily prohibited from receiving the Eucharist as well.<ref name=CoCC291/><ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1400–1401}}</ref>

Catholics, even if they were in danger of death and unable to approach a Catholic minister, may not ask for the sacraments of the Eucharist, penance or anointing of the sick from someone, such as a Protestant minister, who is not known to be validly ordained in line with Catholic teaching on ordination.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/general-docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_19930325_directory_en.html |title=Principles and Norms on Ecumenism – 132 |work=vatican.va |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816040600/https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/general-docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_19930325_directory_en.html |archive-date=16 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1400}}</ref> Likewise, even in grave and pressing need, Catholic ministers may not administer these sacraments to those who do not manifest Catholic faith in the sacrament. In relation to the churches of Eastern Christianity not in communion with the Holy See, the Catholic Church is less restrictive, declaring that "a certain ''communion in sacris'', and so in the Eucharist, given suitable circumstances and the approval of Church authority, is not merely possible but is encouraged."<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1399}}</ref>

===Sacraments of initiation===
{{Main|Sacraments of initiation}}

====Baptism====
[[File:Baptême Cathédrale de Troyes 290308.jpg|left|thumb|Baptism of [[Augustine of Hippo]] as represented in a sculptural group in [[Troyes Cathedral]] (1549), France]]
As viewed by the Catholic Church, Baptism is the first of three sacraments of initiation as a Christian.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1275}}</ref> It washes away all sins, both [[original sin]] and personal actual sins.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1263}}</ref> It makes a person a member of the church.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1267}}</ref> As a gratuitous gift of God that requires no merit on the part of the person who is baptized, it is [[infant baptism|conferred even on children]],<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1282}}</ref> who, though they have no personal sins, need it on account of original sin.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1250}}</ref> If a new-born child is in a danger of death, anyone—be it a doctor, a nurse, or a parent—may baptize the child.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lazowski|first=Philip|year=2004|title=Understanding Your Neighbor's Faith: What Christians and Jews Should Know About Each Other|publisher=KTAV Publishing House|url={{googlebooks|HIhIPIYLQ6QC|page=157|plainurl=y}}|isbn=978-0-88125-811-0|page=157}}</ref> Baptism marks a person permanently and cannot be repeated.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1272}}</ref> The Catholic Church recognizes as valid baptisms conferred even by people who are not Catholics or Christians, provided that they intend to baptize ("to do what the Church does when she baptizes") and that they use the [[Trinitarian formula#Use in baptism|Trinitarian baptismal formula]].<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1256}}</ref>

====Confirmation====
{{Main|Confirmation in the Catholic Church}}
The Catholic Church sees the sacrament of confirmation as required to complete the grace given in baptism.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1285}}</ref> When adults are baptized, confirmation is normally given immediately afterwards,<ref name="cann883">{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P31.HTM|title=Canon 883|website=1983 Code of Canon Law|publisher=Intratext.com|date=4 May 2007|access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref> a practice followed even with newly baptized infants in the Eastern Catholic Churches.<ref name="cceo695">{{cite web|url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_PJB.HTM|title=''CCEO'', Canon 695|publisher=Intratext.com (English translation)|date=1990|access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref> In the West confirmation of children is delayed until they are old enough to understand or at the bishop's discretion.<ref name="cann891">{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P33.HTM|title=Canon 891|website=1983 Code of Canon Law|publisher=Vatican.va|access-date=30 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628184246/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P33.HTM|archive-date=28 June 2011}}</ref> In Western Christianity, particularly Catholicism, the sacrament is called ''confirmation'', because it confirms and strengthens the grace of baptism; in the Eastern Churches, it is called ''chrismation'', because the essential rite is the anointing of the person with [[chrism]],<ref name="Chrism">{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html#The%20Seven%20Sacraments%20of%20the%20Church|title=Compendium of the CCC, 267|publisher=Vatican.va|access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref> a mixture of [[olive oil]] and some perfumed substance, usually [[Oleoresin|balsam]], blessed by a bishop.<ref name="Chrism"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/councils/florence.htm#3|title=Council of Florence: Bull of union with the Armenians|publisher=Ewtn.com|access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref> Those who receive confirmation must be in a state of grace, which for those who have reached the [[age of reason (canon law)|age of reason]] means that they should first be cleansed spiritually by the sacrament of Penance; they should also have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to show in their lives that they are Christians.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1310}}</ref>

====Eucharist====
{{Main|Eucharist in the Catholic Church}}
[[File:BentoXVI-51-11052007 (frag).jpg|thumb|[[Pope Benedict XVI]] celebrates the Eucharist at the [[canonization]] of [[Frei Galvão]] in São Paulo, Brazil on 11 May 2007.]]
For Catholics, the Eucharist is the sacrament which completes Christian initiation. It is described as "the source and summit of the Christian life".<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1322–1324}}</ref> The ceremony in which a Catholic first receives the Eucharist is known as [[First Communion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=601|title=Catholic Activity: Preparing for First Holy Communion|publisher=Catholicculture.org|access-date=25 March 2015}}</ref>

The Eucharistic celebration, also called the [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] or [[Divine liturgy]], includes prayers and scriptural readings, as well as an offering of bread and wine, which are brought to the [[altar]] and [[consecration#Eucharist|consecrated]] by the priest to become the body and the blood of Jesus Christ, a change called [[transubstantiation]].<ref>{{Cite Catholic Encyclopedia|wstitle=The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist|first=Joseph|last=Pohle}}</ref><ref group="note">For an outline of the Eucharistic liturgy in the Roman Rite, see the [[#Roman Rite of Mass|side bar]] in the "Worship and liturgy".</ref> The [[words of consecration]] reflect the words spoken by Jesus during the [[Last Supper]], where Christ offered his body and blood to his Apostles the night before his crucifixion. The sacrament re-presents (makes present) the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross,<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1365–1372|quote=Because it is the memorial of Christ's Passover, the Eucharist is also a sacrifice, thus, in the ritual text of the Mass, the priest asks of the congregation present, 'Pray, brothers and sisters, that this my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.' The sacrificial character of the Eucharist is manifested in the very words of institution: 'This is my body which is given for you' and 'This cup which is poured out for you is the New Covenant in my blood.' [Lk 22:19–20] In the Eucharist, Christ gives us the very body which he gave up for us on the cross, the very blood which he 'poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.' [Mt 26:28]}}</ref> and perpetuates it. Christ's death and resurrection give grace through the sacrament that unites the faithful with Christ and one another, remits venial sin, and aids against committing moral sin (though mortal sin itself is forgiven through the sacrament of penance).<ref name="ccc1392">{{Cite CCC|2.1|1392–1395}}</ref>

[[File:Convento de San Francisco - Ciudad de México - Creyente.jpg|left|thumb|upright|A Catholic believer prays in a church in Mexico.]]

===Sacraments of healing===
The two sacraments of healing are the [[Sacrament of Penance (Catholic Church)|Sacrament of Penance]] and [[Anointing of the Sick (Catholic Church)|Anointing of the Sick]].

====Penance====
{{Main|Sacrament of Penance}}
The Sacrament of Penance (also called Reconciliation, Forgiveness, Confession, and Conversion<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html#The%20Sacraments%20of%20Healing |title=''Compendium of the CCC'', 296 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref>) exists for the conversion of those who, after baptism, separate themselves from Christ by sin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html#The%20Sacraments%20of%20Healing |title=''Compendium of the CCC'', 297 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref> Essential to this sacrament are acts both by the sinner (examination of conscience, contrition with a determination not to sin again, confession to a priest, and performance of some act to repair the damage caused by sin) and by the priest (determination of the act of reparation to be performed and [[absolution]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html#The%20Sacraments%20of%20Healing |title=''Compendium of the CCC'', 302–303 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref> Serious sins ([[mortal sin]]s) should be confessed at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion, while confession of [[venial sin]]s also is recommended.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html#The%20Sacraments%20of%20Healing |title=''Compendium of the CCC'', 304–306 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref> The priest is bound under the severest penalties to maintain the "[[seal of confession]]", absolute secrecy about any sins revealed to him in confession.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html#The%20Sacraments%20of%20Healing |title=''Compendium of the CCC'', 309 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref>

====Anointing of the sick====
{{Main|Anointing of the Sick in the Catholic Church}}
[[File:Extreme Unction Rogier Van der Weyden.jpg|left|upright=1.35|thumb|The ''[[Seven Sacraments Altarpiece]]'' [[triptych]] painting of Extreme Unction (Anointing of the Sick) with oil being administered by a priest during last rites. [[Rogier van der Weyden]], c.&nbsp;1445.]]
While chrism is used only for the three sacraments that cannot be repeated, a different oil is used by a priest or bishop to bless a Catholic who, because of illness or old age, has begun to be in danger of death.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html#The%20Sacraments%20of%20Healing |title=''Compendium of the CCC'', 316 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref> This sacrament, known as Anointing of the Sick, is believed to give comfort, peace, courage and, if the sick person is unable to make a confession, even forgiveness of sins.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html#The%20Sacraments%20of%20Healing |title=''Compendium of the CCC'', 319 |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=30 June 2011}}</ref>

The sacrament is also referred to as ''Unction'', and in the past as ''Extreme Unction'', and it is one of the three sacraments that constitute the [[last rites]], together with Penance and [[Viaticum]] (Eucharist).<ref>{{cite CE1913| wstitle = Extreme Unction | first = Patrick | last = Toner }}</ref>

===Sacraments at the service of communion===
According to the Catechism, there are two sacraments of [[Koinonia|communion]] directed towards the salvation of others: priesthood and marriage.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1534}}</ref> Within the general vocation to be a Christian, these two sacraments "consecrate to specific mission or [[vocation]] among the people of God. Men receive the holy orders to feed the Church by the word and [[Grace (Christianity)|grace]]. Spouses marry so that their love may be fortified to fulfil duties of their state".<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1535}}</ref>

====Holy Orders====
{{Main|Holy orders in the Catholic Church}}
[[File:Priesterweihe in Schwyz 2.jpg|thumb|right|Priests lay their hands on the ordinands during the rite of ordination.]]
The sacrament of Holy Orders consecrates and deputes some Christians to serve the whole body as members of three degrees or orders: episcopate (bishops), presbyterate (priests) and diaconate (deacons).<ref name="cann10081009">{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3N.HTM |title=Canon 1008–1009 |website=1983 Code of Canon Law |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302172900/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3N.HTM |archive-date=2 March 2016}} (As modified by the 2009 [https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_letters/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apl_20091026_codex-iuris-canonici_en.html motu proprio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616013341/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_letters/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apl_20091026_codex-iuris-canonici_en.html |date=16 June 2011 }} ''[[Omnium in mentem]]'')</ref><ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1536}}</ref> The church has defined rules on who may be ordained into the [[Clergy#Catholicism|clergy]]. In the Latin Church, the priesthood is generally restricted to celibate men, and the episcopate is always restricted to celibate men.<ref>[http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/WCRB.htm Karl Keating, "What Catholics Really Believe: Setting the Record Straight: Chapter 46: Priestly Celibacy"]. ''ewtn.com''. Retrieved on 27 August 2015.</ref> Men who are already married may be ordained in certain Eastern Catholic churches in most countries,<ref>{{cite news |last=Niebuhr |first=Gustav |title=Bishop's Quiet Action Allows Priest Both Flock And Family |work=The New York Times |date=16 February 1997 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/16/us/bishop-s-quiet-action-allows-priest-both-flock-and-family.html |access-date=4 April 2008}}</ref> and the personal ordinariates and may become deacons even in the Latin Church<ref name="CCL1031">[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3Q.HTM Canon 1031] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221173442/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3Q.HTM |date=21 February 2008 }} Catholic Church Canon Law. Retrieved 9 March 2008.</ref><ref name="CCL1037">[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3R.HTM Canon 1037] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218110036/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3R.HTM |date=18 February 2008 }}, Catholic Church Canon Law. Retrieved 9 March 2008.</ref> (see [[Clerical marriage]]). But after becoming a Catholic priest, a man may not marry (see [[Clerical celibacy]]) unless he is formally laicized.

All clergy, whether deacons, priests or bishops, may preach, teach, baptize, witness marriages and conduct funeral liturgies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions About Deacons |url=http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/diaconate/faqs.cfm |author=Committee on the Diaconate |publisher=United States Conference of Catholic Bishops |access-date=9 March 2008}}</ref> Only bishops and priests can administer the sacraments of the Eucharist, Reconciliation (Penance) and Anointing of the Sick.<ref>[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_P16.HTM Canon 42] Catholic Church Canon Law. Retrieved 9 March 2008.</ref><ref>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1D.HTM Canon 375] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219141242/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1D.HTM |date=19 February 2008 }}, Catholic Church Canon Law. Retrieved 9 March 2008.</ref> Only bishops can administer the sacrament of Holy Orders, which [[ordination|ordains]] someone into the clergy.<ref name="OneFaith114">Barry, p. 114.</ref>

====Matrimony====
{{Anchor|Sacrament of marriage}}
{{Main|Marriage in the Catholic Church}}
{{See also|Catholic teachings on sexual morality}}
[[File:Jf9694Wedding San Nicolas Church Tolentine Marriage Pampangafvf 02.JPG|right|thumb|Wedding mass in the [[Philippines]]]]
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a social and spiritual bond between a man and a woman, ordered towards the good of the spouses and procreation of children; according to Catholic teachings on sexual morality, it is the only appropriate context for sexual activity. A Catholic marriage, or any marriage between baptized individuals of any Christian denomination, is viewed as a sacrament. A sacramental marriage, once consummated, cannot be dissolved except by death.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1601,1614|quote=The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.}}</ref>{{refn|Marriages involving unbaptized individuals are considered valid, but not sacramental. While sacramental marriages are insoluble, non-sacramental marriages may be dissolved under certain situations, such as a desire to marry a Catholic, under [[Pauline privilege|Pauline]] or [[Petrine privilege]].<ref name="Gantley"/><ref name="Doors"/>||group="note"}} The church recognizes certain [[Marriage (Catholic Church)#Conditions for a valid marriage of Catholics|conditions]], such as freedom of consent, as required for any marriage to be valid; In addition, the church sets specific rules and norms, known as [[Marriage (Catholic Church)#Canonical form|canonical form]], that Catholics must follow.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1631}}</ref>

The church does not recognize divorce as ending a valid marriage and allows state-recognized divorce only as a means of protecting the property and well-being of the spouses and any children. However, consideration of particular cases by the competent ecclesiastical tribunal can lead to declaration of the invalidity of a marriage, a declaration usually referred to as an [[annulment (Catholic Church)|annulment]]. Remarriage following a divorce is not permitted unless the prior marriage was declared invalid.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1629}}</ref>