The sacraments are a gift from God the Father, Jesus, His Son and the Holy Spirit that provide us with Grace. The exact definition of a sacrament is that it is "an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace."
They are the divine helps which God gives us to enable us to:
The seven sacrements are a fundamental part of the Catholic faith. They are:
Preparation is required before receiving a sacrament to ensure that each person understands what this gift means in his or her life. Full knowledge of a sacrament provides us with faith, wisdom and strength to live as Jesus calls us to live.