Sacraments are the life of the Catholic Church around which everything else, prayer, liturgy, meditations and daily living, revolves. There are seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
The Catholic Church believes and teaches that all seven Sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ during his life on earth.
Article by John Hardon, S.J., focuses on understanding the Sacraments. They are listed and briefly defined, then the responsibilities of believers are described in relation to our time. www.catholic.net/RCC/Periodicals/Faith/0506-96/article1.html
The official, definitive and in-depth instruction on the Sacraments of the Catholic Church from articles 1113 to 1134 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It elaborates the commonalities of all seven Sacraments. www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s1c1a2.htm
A thorough traditional treatment of the Sacraments from the Council of Trent in the form of anathemae in response to uncertainties amongst the faithful of the time. history.hanover.edu/early/trent/ct07sbc.htm
Legislation on the disposition and conditions for reception of the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church, as found in book 4 of the Code of Canon Law. Also includes sacramentals. www.deaconsplace.org/~canonlaw/code/book_4.htm
David J. Leigh, SJ, applies a modern theology approach to the Sacraments, bringing each one in turn under the light of modern cultural and social symbolism. www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/853714leigh.html
A Pastoral letter of Bishop John V. Daily of Brooklyn, New York, instructs on how the Sacrament of Penance leads to the Eucharist and brings one to the purification of souls. www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org/about/abt_letter_eucharist.html
This article in the Catholic Encyclopedia presents the necessity, the nature, the origin/cause, the number, the effects, the minister, and the recipient of the Sacraments. www.newadvent.org/cathen/13295a.htm
The seven Sacraments listed with links to articles about each: Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick www.americancatholic.org/Features/sacraments