Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ, and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.
The visible rites by which the Sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each Sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required disposition.
The Catholic Church recognizes seven Sacraments as having been established by Christ.
Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are the Sacraments of Initiation, which lay the foundations of the Christian life.
Reconciliation (or Penance or Confession) and Anointing of the Sick are the two Sacraments of Healing, which heal and strengthen the soul weakened by illness and sin.
Matrimony and Holy Orders are the two Sacraments of Service, directed toward the salvation of others.
Baptism in particular is the gateway of the Christian life. Through this Sacrament, the soul passes through Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection and experiences death of the old self and rebirth as a child of God.
The effects of Baptism include: (1) forgiveness of sins, including the forgiveness of Original Sin as well as all mortal and venial sins that the person may have committed; (2) being made into a new creature filled with Christ's Spirit; (3) being incorporated into the Church, which is the Mystical Body of Christ; (4) sealed with an indelible spiritual mark of his or her belonging to Christ, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship; (5) made citizens and heirs of Heaven; (6) participation in the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, through which the baptized person finds redemption; (7) and conferring of Sanctifying Grace.
Baptism fives us new birth into the life of Christ. Therefore, it is necessary for salvation.
Confirmation perfects the grace of Baptism and gives the Holy Spirit to root us more deeply in Christ and in His Church's mission. It strengthens the soul against temptation and gives us the strength to defend the Faith and to bear witness to Christ in the world.
Confirmation deepens baptismal grace and imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian's soul. It unites us more firmly with Christ, increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit, binds us to the Church, and gives the strength to spread the Gospel.
It is important to remember that the sacramental grace of Confirmation is not given to those who are in the state of mortal sin. While it is recommended that all confirmants receive the Sacrament of Penance before receiving Confirmation, it is essential for those who are aware of having committed mortal sin.