New here? Join us in prayer! Click here to get novena reminders by email!
As Catholics, we are called to live a sacramental life– a life deeply intertwined with the sacred mysteries that Christ instituted for our sanctification.
The sacraments, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, are outward signs of inward grace given by Christ to the Church, and they play a central role in our spiritual journey.
But what does it truly mean to live a sacramental life?
Understanding the Sacraments
The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Each sacrament is a unique encounter with God’s grace:
- Baptism initiates us into the Christian community, washing away original sin and marking us as children of God.
- Confirmation strengthens the grace of Baptism, empowering us with the Holy Spirit to live out our faith boldly.
- Eucharist nourishes us with the Body and Blood of Christ, deepening our union with Him and with one another.
- Reconciliation offers us God’s mercy and forgiveness, restoring our relationship with Him and the Church.
- Anointing of the Sick provides healing and comfort to those who are suffering, uniting their pain with Christ’s own.
- Holy Orders consecrates individuals to serve the Church as deacons, priests, or bishops, acting in the person of Christ.
- Matrimony unites a man and woman in a lifelong covenant of love, mirroring the relationship between Christ and His Church.
Living a sacramental life means to regularly participate in these sacraments, allowing them to shape our lives and guide our actions.
Attend Mass frequently, participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly, and receive the Anointing of the Sick when needed. Embrace your vocation–whether you are called to marriage, priesthood, religious life, or single life– with faith and commitment, allowing it to be a means of grace.
It is through the sacraments that we encounter Christ in a tangible way and receive the grace needed to grow in holiness.
Saints Who Exemplified a Sacramental Life
The saints provide us with powerful examples of what it means to live a sacramental life. These saints are only a few of the many whose lives were marked by a deep devotion to the sacraments and an unwavering commitment to God’s will.
The precursor to Christ, St. John the Baptist lived a life of profound humility and dedication to God’s will. His role in baptizing Jesus highlights the significance of Baptism as a sacrament of initiation and conversion, calling all to repentance and a deeper relationship with God.
Known as the Curé of Ars, St. John Vianney was a parish priest who spent countless hours in the confessional, offering God’s mercy to those who sought it. His life was a testament to the power of the sacrament of Reconciliation, and he often encouraged his parishioners to receive the Eucharist frequently, recognizing it as the source and summit of the Christian life.
The “Little Flower” had a profound love for the Eucharist. Her deep, childlike faith and trust in God’s love were nourished by her frequent reception of Holy Communion. She saw every moment of her life as an opportunity to offer herself as a living sacrifice, united with Christ’s sacrifice in the Mass.
Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin made Church history by becoming the first married couple canonized together. This couple and their example of holiness through their vocation of marriage not only influenced the lives of their children, but also the Church up until today, as their youngest daughter St. Therese of Lisieux went on to become one of the most-well known and beloved saints.
You can find more Married Saints and Novenas to them here.
This Franciscan friar had a profound devotion to the Immaculate Conception and the Eucharist. He founded the Militia Immaculatae, a movement dedicated to evangelization through Marian consecration. St. Maximilian’s life, particularly his self-sacrifice in Auschwitz, was a powerful testament to his union with Christ through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa)
Mother Teresa’s life was a testament to living out the grace received in the sacraments. Her daily routine began with Mass and ended with Eucharistic adoration, which fueled her tireless work among the poorest of the poor. She saw Christ in everyone she served, embodying the sacramental vision that every person is a vessel of divine love.
A Capuchin friar known for his piety, charity, and the mystical phenomena surrounding his life, Padre Pio had a deep love for the Eucharist and spent many hours in prayer and hearing confessions. His life demonstrated the transformative power of the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
Known as the patroness of First Communicants, Blessed Imelda had a profound devotion to the Eucharist from a young age. Her life was marked by an extraordinary love for the Blessed Sacrament, culminating in a miraculous event during her First Communion.
When she was 11 years old, the nuns found a consecrated host in the air above Imelda’s head; taking it as a sign that God wished Imelda to receive Him in the Eucharist, the chaplain allowed it. She died in ecstasy and love of Jesus.
St. Philip Neri, an Italian priest, had a profound devotion to and encounter with the Holy Spirit. One evening while praying in the catacombs of Rome, the Holy Spirit entered his heart and filled him with the love of God. He brought much-needed spiritual renewal to Rome through his playful and loving spirit.
His pontificate was marked by a profound devotion to the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. He emphasized the importance of the Eucharist in the life of the Church and the faithful. His life and teachings highlighted the transformative power of the sacraments in fostering a personal relationship with Christ and living out the call to holiness.
Living a sacramental life is a journey of grace, drawing us ever closer to the heart of Christ. By following the example of the saints and embracing the sacraments, we can grow in holiness and become beacons of God’s love in the world.
Dear Jesus, Mary and St. Therese of Lisieux, please heal and protect my family, friends and I. Please Bless us 🙏 Spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally.
God is good.