The sacraments are central to Catholic faith. Jesus Christ is the supreme sacrament. As Saint Paul wrote, “He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creatures” (Colossians 1:15). Saint John the Evangelist expresses this in another way: “No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, ever at the Father’s side, who has revealed him” (John 1:18).

Jesus, in his earthly ministry, made God known through signs. With a word and a touch, Jesus once snatched a little girl from death (Mark 5:22-23,35-43). With a mud salve, he gave sight to a blind man (John 9:1-7). With the encouraging words, “Your sins are forgiven,” he released a repentant woman from untold distress (Luke 7:48). Multiplying loaves, breaking bread, or passing a cup of wine, Jesus nourished multitudes with his very self, flesh and blood. With a deep breath, he bestowed the Holy Spirit on the first small community of believers (John 19:30; 20:22-23).

The glorified Christ sent his Spirit upon the Church to prolong these signs in every generation, time, and place, making them available to all. In these signs, which we call sacraments, we have a true encounter with God, through Jesus Christ, personally and in the community of the Church. The wonder of the sacraments is that what they signify, they also give: rebirth, mercy, healing, communion with God and others, grace, love, spiritual power, mission, and eternal life.