The essential Catholic handbook of the Sacraments: a summary of beliefs, rites, and prayers : [with a glossary of key terms

Part 1. Discovering the Sacraments. Christ is the sacrament

Church is sacrament

Seven sacraments of the church

Sacraments are necessary for salvation

A process of revelation and discernment

The sacraments as sign and symbol

Sacraments celebrate a lived reality

Ex Opere Operato

The Council of Trent

The Second Vatican Council

Contemporary sacramental theology

The sacraments as experiences of grace

Part 2. The sacraments of initiation. Baptism: Jesus and Baptism

The practice of the early church

Before the Council of Trent

The Council of Trent

Contemporary practice

The rite of Baptism

The effects of Baptism

The rite of Christian initiation

The rights and obligations of the Baptized

Pastoral concerns

Confirmation: Jesus and the Holy Spirit

The practice of the early church

Before the Council of Trent

The Council of Trent

Contemporary practice

The rite of confirmation

The effects of confirmation

The rights and obligations of the confirmed

Pastoral concerns

Eucharist: Jesus and the Eucharist

The practice of the early church

Before the Council of Trent

The Council of Trent

The Tridentine mass

Other consequences of the Council of Trent

Contemporary practice

The Eucharistic liturgy

The effects of the Eucharist

Pastoral concerns

Part 3. The sacraments of healing. Penance and reconciliation: Jesus and sinners

The practice of the early church

Before the Council of Trent

The Council of Trent

Contemporary practice

The rite of individual reconciliation

The effects of penance and reconciliation

Pastoral concerns

Anointing of the sick: Jesus the healer

The practice of the early church

Before the Council of Trent

The Council of Trent

Contemporary practice

The rite of the anointing of the sick

The effects of the anointing of the sick

Pastoral concerns

Part 4. The sacraments of communion and mission. Holy orders: Jesus the priest

Ministry in the early church

Ministry before the Council of Trent

The Council of Trent

Contemporary ministry

The ministry of bishops

The ministry of priests

The ministry of deacons

The rite of ordination

The effects of ordination

Pastoral concerns

Essentials

Prayer of consecration for deacons

Prayer of consecration for priests

Prayer of consecration for bishops

Matrimony: Jesus and marriage

Marriage in the early church

Marriage before the Council of Trent

The Council of Trent

Contemporary understanding

The rite of matrimony

The effects of matrimony

Pastoral concerns

Essentials

Part 5. Traditional prayers and meditations. Prayers for the sacrament of Baptism: Bernard Häring's meditation on Baptism

The Apostles' creed

Your Baptism in Christ

A prayer for our catechumens

A catechumen's prayer

Baptismal prayer

A meditation on Baptism and faith

Life-giving water

Prayers for the sacrament of confirmation: Bernard Hr̈ing's meditation on confirmation

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

A traditional prayer of petition to the Holy Spirit

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit

The gift of the Spirit

A confirmation meditation

Prayers for the sacrament of the Eucharist: Bernard Hr̈ing's meditation on the Eucharist

A traditional prayer said by those who instruct children for first holy communion

A traditional prayer said before the reception of holy communion

Prayer of thanksgiving after the reception of holy communion

Anima Christi

Prayer of Saind Bonaventure

Prayer of Saint John Vianney

Prayer of Blessed Padre Pio

Prayer of Saint Thomas Aquinas

The divine praises

Eucharistic prayer

Service for bringing communion to the homebound

Saint Alphonsus Liguori's meditations on the Eucharist

Saint Alphonsus Liguori's visits to the most blessed sacrament

Prayers for the sacrament of penance: Bernard Häring's meditation on the sacrament of penance

Saint Alphonsus Liguori's prayer before confession

Saint Alphonsus Liguori's prayer after confession

Saint John of the cross's prayer before confession

Saint Catherine of Siena's prayer confession

Saint Francis de Sales's prayer after confession

Traditional act of contrition

Confiteor

Prayer to celebrate God's forgiveness

Examinations of conscience

A meditation for reconciliation

Prayers for the sacrament of the anointing of the sick: Bernard Häring's meditation on the sacrament of the anointing the sick

To Christ our healer

A prayer for healing

Prayer for the sick

Saint Teresa of Avila's prayer at the time of death

A traditional prayer for the sick, invoking Saint Camillus

A traditional prayer for those near death

A prayer for letting go of a loved one near death

Prayer to the divine physician

A healing and anointing service

Prayers for the sacrament of matrimony: Bernard Hr̈ing's meditation on the sacrament of matrimony

A traditional prayer to the sacred heart of Jesus

A prayer of letting go

Psalm 100 (adapted for married couples)

A prayer for couples

Our humanity

A prayer of thanks

Prayers for the sacrament of holy orders: Bernard Häring's meditation on the sacrament of holy orders

A traditional prayer of consecration of priests to the sacred heart of Jesus

A traditional prayer to be prayed before the celebration of mass

A traditional prayer to be prayed by the confessor before he hears the confessions of the faithful

A prayer for the people of God and their priest

A prayer of thanksgiving

Part 6. Scripture references: Baptism

Rite of Christian initiation of adults (RCIA)

Confirmation

Eucharist

Reconciliation and penance

Anointing of the sick

Matrimony

Holy orders

Part 7. Sacramentals. What are sacramentals?

Sacramental blessing prayers

Sacramental objects

Making use of the sacramentals

A listing of sacramental objects

A listing of sacramental blessings

Part 8. Glossary of terms.