The difference between a sacrament and a sacramental
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Q: I am a fallen-away Catholic who has just recently returned to the Church after many years. Could you explain what a sacrament is and how many sacraments are there, and why they are necessary? I would also like to know what the difference is between a sacrament and a sacramental.
There are seven sacraments instituted by Christ that actually confer the grace they signify, namely Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. In each of these Christ Himself meets us and ministers to us through the ministry of His body, the Church. These sacraments are necessary because we desperately need God’s grace, and He has chosen to give us certain kinds of grace through the sacraments.
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