Grace is God's own life and love that He gives us. It is a free gift: we cannot earn it or buy it. God gives it because He loves us.
Jesus gave His Church seven special signs called sacraments. Through them, Jesus really gives us His grace.
Each sacrament has something we can see and hear, like water, oil, bread and wine, or special words, and something we cannot see: God's grace working in us.
The seven sacraments come in three groups:
- Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. They welcome us into God's family and help us grow.
- Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. Through them Jesus forgives and heals.
- Sacraments at the Service of Communion: Holy Orders and Matrimony. They help people serve God's family.
This year you are getting ready for two of them: Reconciliation and your First Holy Communion. What a gift!