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The Seven
Sacaraments
(from the Baltimore
Catechism)
What is a Sacrament? A Sacrament is an
outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.
Are these
three things, namely: An outward or visible sign, the institution of that sign
by Christ, and the giving of grace through the use of that sign, always
necessary for the existence of a Sacrament? These three things,
namely: An outward or visible sign, the institution of that sign by Christ, and
the giving of grace through the use of that sign, are always necessary
for the existence of a Sacrament, and if any of the three be wanting, there can
be no Sacrament.
Why does the Church use numerous ceremonies or
actions in applying the outward signs of the Sacraments? The Church
uses numerous ceremonies or actions in applying the outward signs of the
Sacraments to increase our reverence and devotion for the Sacraments, and to
explain their meaning and effects.
How many Sacraments are
there? There are seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy
Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
Were all the Sacraments instituted by Our Lord? All the
Sacraments were instituted by Our Lord, for God alone has power to attach the
gift of grace to the use of an outward or visible sign. The Church, however,
can institute the ceremonies to be used in administering or giving the
Sacraments.
How do we know there are seven Sacraments and no
more or less? We know there are seven Sacraments and no more or less
because the Church always taught that truth. The number of the Sacraments is a
matter of faith, and the Church cannot be mistaken in matters of faith.
Why have the Sacraments been instituted? The Sacraments have
been instituted as a special means through which we are to receive the grace
merited for us by Christ. As Christ is the giver of the grace, He has the right
to determine the manner in which it shall be given, and one who refuses to make
use of the Sacraments will not receive God's grace.
Do the
Sacraments recall in any way the means by which Our Lord merited the graces we
receive through them? The Sacraments recall in many ways the means by
which Our Lord merited the graces we receive through them. Baptism recalls His
profound humility; Confirmation His ceaseless prayer; Holy Eucharist His care
of the needy; Penance His mortified life; Extreme Unction His model death; Holy
Orders His establishment of the priesthood, and Matrimony His close union with
the Church.
Do the needs of the soul resemble the needs of the
body? The needs of the soul do resemble the needs of the body; for
the body must be born, strengthened, nourished, healed in affliction, helped at
the hour of death, guided by authority, and given a place in which to dwell.
The soul is brought into spiritual life by Baptism; it is strengthened by
Confirmation; nourished by the Holy Eucharist; healed by Penance; helped at the
hour of our death by Extreme Unction; guided by God's ministers through the
Sacrament of Holy Orders, and it is given a body in which to dwell by the
Sacrament of Matrimony.
Whence have the Sacraments the power of
giving grace? The Sacraments have the power of giving grace from the
merits of Jesus Christ.
Does the effect of the Sacraments
depend on the worthiness or unworthiness of the one who administers
them? The effect of the Sacraments does not depend on the worthiness
or unworthiness of the one who administers them, but on the merits of Jesus
Christ, who instituted them, and on the worthy dispositions of those who
receive them.
What grace do the Sacraments give? Some
of the Sacraments give sanctifying grace, and others increase it in our
souls.
When is a Sacrament said to give, and when is it said
to increase, grace in our souls? A Sacrament is said to give grace
when there is no grace whatever in the soul, or in other words, when the soul
is in mortal sin. A Sacrament is said to increase grace when there is already
grace in the soul, to which more is added by the Sacrament received.
What sin does he commit who receives the Sacraments of the living in
mortal sin? He who receives the Sacraments of the living in mortal sin
commits a sacrilege, which is a great sin, because it is an abuse of a sacred
thing.
In what other ways besides the unworthy reception of
the Sacraments may persons commit sacrilege? Besides the unworthy
reception of the Sacraments, persons may commit sacrilege by the abuse of a
sacred person, place or thing; for example, by willfully wounding a person
consecrated to God; by robbing or destroying a church; by using the sacred
vessels of the Altar for unlawful purposes, etc.
Besides
sanctifying grace do the Sacraments give any other grace? Besides
sanctifying grace the Sacraments give another grace, called sacramental
grace.
What is sacramental grace? Sacramental grace
is a special help which God gives, to attain the end for which He instituted
each Sacrament.
Do the Sacraments always give grace?
The Sacraments always give grace, if we receive them with the right
dispositions.
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