What are the sacraments, and why are they so important?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states the sacraments are “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us” (1131). The seemingly simple acts that constitute the sacraments instill in us the life of God Himself! Since Catholics believe that the purpose of their existence is to come into union with God, the sacraments are vitally important for this end. There are seven sacraments, and each is categorized into one of three groups: initiation, healing and service.
+ The sacraments of initiation are Baptism, the Eucharist, and Confirmation. + Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick are the sacraments of healing. + Matrimony and Holy Orders are the sacraments of service.
Each sacrament is comprised of three elements: matter, the physical part through which the grace is bestowed; form, the words that accompany the actions; and minister, the one who performs the actions and says the words. Each sacrament has its own place in Christian life, and each one bestows grace upon us in its own way.
Source: clarifyingcatholicism.org