Encountering Christ Through the Sacraments
The sacraments are sacred encounters with Christ—visible signs of God’s grace at work in our lives. Through the sacraments, we are welcomed into the Church, strengthened in faith and sent forth to serve the world.
The Catholic Church celebrates seven sacraments, each marking an important moment in our spiritual journey and helping us grow closer to God and one another.
Sacraments of Initiation
These sacraments welcome us into the life of the Church and lay the foundation of our Christian faith.
- Baptism frees us from original sin and makes us members of the body of Christ.
- Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life, nourishing us with the body and blood of Jesus.
- Confirmation, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, strengthens and seals the grace received at baptism.
For more information on receiving these sacraments, visit our Become Catholic webpage.
Become CatholicSacraments of Healing
These sacraments bring God’s mercy, forgiveness and healing in times of need.
- Reconciliation, also known as confession, is where our sins are forgiven and relationships with God and the Church are restored.
- Anointing the Sick offers comfort, peace and strength to those who are ill, elderly or facing serious health challenges.
Sacraments of Service
These sacraments call individuals to serve the Church and the world through a lifelong vocation.
- Matrimony, also known as marriage, is a covenant of love between a man and woman that reflects Christ’s love for the Church.
- Holy Orders are for men who are called to serve as deacons, priests and bishops.
For couples preparing for marriage, visit our Marriage and Family webpage for preparation instructions and resources.
Are you considering religious life? Visit our Vocations webpage for more information.
Learn About VocationsCelebrating the Sacraments
The sacraments are celebrated in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Preparation for each sacrament varies and is guided by parish leaders, clergy and catechists who journey with individuals and families.
For more information about sacramental preparation, requirements and resources, please contact your parish.
Genealogy Research
Sacramental records more than 75 years old are open for genealogy research. The Office of Archives and Records will conduct genealogy research and provide the information to the researcher within four weeks of receiving the request. No appointments will be made to allow a researcher to conduct their own genealogy research.
The table below shows a list of the parishes for which we have sacramental registers available in the Office of Archives and Records. It provides the parish name, parish location, and the date range of the registers. Please note that not all sacraments are available for all date ranges and that some registers may contain dates that are not yet open for research.
Name of Parish | Location | Years |
|---|---|---|
Immaculate Conception | Atlanta, GA | 1846-1949 |
Our Lady of Lourdes | Atlanta, GA | 1913-1943 |
Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary | Sharon, GA | 1822-2013 |
Sacred Heart | Griffin, GA | 1910-1942 |
Sacred Heart | Milledgeville, GA | 1872-1971 |
Sacred Heart of Jesus | Atlanta, GA | 1880-1947 |
Saint Anthony of Padua | Atlanta, GA | 1903-1956 |
Saint Joseph (Saint Patrick) | Washington, GA | 1854-1954 |
Saint Mary | Rome, GA | 1883-1956 |
The Archdiocese of Atlanta has digitized their historical sacramental registers and made them available through ancestry.com. You can conduct research through our collection on their website (subscription may apply).
Please contact the Office of Archives and Records at archives@archatl.com for questions regarding genealogy research.
If your sacrament was performed on a military base, please contact the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.
