123. The Seven Sacraments

The sacraments derive their efficacy from Christ, by Whose merits we possess them. They do not derive any merit from the person administering them. Therefore the sacraments give grace of themselves, even when the priest or person administering them is unworthy, as long as the recipient has the proper dispositions. Good medicine is good regardless of the druggist or physician.

What is a sacrament?

— A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

Thus, there are three things absolutely necessary to constitute a sacrament: (1) institution by Christ; (2) an outward sign, and (3) power to give grace.

1. Only Christ instituted the sacraments, because only God can endow signs with the power to give grace.

From the teaching of the Church, from tradition, and from Holy Scripture, we know that Christ instituted the seven sacraments. All the schismatic Eastern churches that separated from the Catholic Church in the early years of the Christian era continue to recognize the same seven sacraments that the Church does. The Church has no power to institute sacraments.

2. An outward sign is something perceived by the senses. The sign or ceremony is called the matter, and the words, the form of the sacrament.

For example, we see the water used in baptism: we hear the words pronounced as the water is poured. These are sensible signs perceived by the senses of sight and hearing.

3. The sacraments signify the graces they actually give. Thus the washing in Baptism signifies the inward, washing of the soul from sin. The sacraments always give the graces they signify, provided the recipient puts no obstacles.

It is principally through the sacraments that we obtain the grace of God. They are channels by which grace enters our souls, to feed and nourish them. God gives grace outside the sacraments, in answer to prayer. But only by worthily receiving sacraments can we know definite graces.

How many sacraments are there?

— There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

There are seven sacraments and only seven, no more, no less, for the simple reason that Our Lord instituted seven. These seven sacraments are a gift of love from the Son of God, a gift for which He paid His very life.

2. A sacrament administered to anyone against his will is invalid, and will have no sacramental effect.

One of the requisite dispositions for receiving a sacrament is the desire and will to receive it. For infants and those who are unconscious or do not have the use of reason, the intention is supplied by the Church. We take their consent for granted or at the word of their sponsors.

3. Ceremonies, although not necessary for the validity of the Sacraments, are used in their administration, in order to make the occasions more solemn and meaningful, and to increase the devotion of the recipient.

Our Lord Himself used ceremonies, as when He spat upon clay and moistened with it the eyes of a blind man.

From whom do the sacraments receive their power to give grace?

— The sacraments receive their power to give grace from God, through the merits of Jesus Christ.

The sacraments are seven great streams of grace flowing from the pierced Heart of Jesus Crucified, to nourish and strengthen our souls. Many men have to suffer, to find food for loved ones and keep them in health, let us think of Christ, dying on the Cross, suffering to buy grace for our souls!

1. Each sacrament possesses the power from God to make the soul of the recipient holy and pleasing to Him. This supernatural power is termed sanctifying grace.

Sanctifying grace is abiding and permanent and lost only by mortal sin. The sacrament that first gives this grace is Baptism. The sacrament that restores this grace to those who have lost it by sin is Penance. The other sacraments give an increase of sanctifying grace.

2. Each sacrament also gives a grace proper to itself, a special effect on the soul, distinct from the effects of other sacraments; this is called sacramental grace.

Sacramental grace consists in divine help towards the fulfilment of the duties imposed by the particular sacrament. For example, the sacramental grace of Matrimony gives a right to the assistance of God in fulfilling the duties of the married state.

3. If received with the proper dispositions, the sacraments always give grace. They derive their efficacy from Christ; consequently they give grace of themselves, as long as we have the right dispositions.

The sacraments are sure means of grace, certain means of salvation. By them we are united to Christ Our Lord. By them He gives us His hand to hold to, so that we may walk through life and all its trials without weakness and without fear.

What is the difference between sacraments of the living and sacraments of the dead?

— Sacraments of the living are those that may be received only by one living in the state of grace; sacraments of the dead aim to give sanctifying grace to one spiritually dead through sin.

1. The sacraments of the living are: Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. It is a sacrilege to receive these sacraments when one is in the state of mortal sin.

Those who receive sacraments of the living in mortal sin receive the sacraments but not the grace they bring, and commit a sacrilege. The sacramental grace they should receive is suspended until they recover their state of sanctifying grace. When worthily received, sacraments of the living increase the life of grace of the recipient.

2. The sacraments of the dead are: Baptism and Penance. Their chief purpose is to restore a soul dead in sin to the life of sanctifying grace.

Which are the sacraments that can be received only once?

— The sacraments that can be received only once are Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.

1. This is because these sacraments imprint on the soul a spiritual mark or character, which consists in a special dedication to Christ. This mark is indelible, and is not effaced by anything, not even mortal sin. It will be borne by the soul for all eternity, for its greater glory if in heaven, and for its greater shame if in hell.

The spiritual character imprinted is such that the soul of a baptised person is as different from the soul of the unbaptised as light is different from the dark. A priest will be known as a priest forever, by the mark on his soul, whether he be in heaven or in hell.

2. Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, and Matrimony leave no indelible mark, and may be received more than once.

Extreme Unction may be received only once in the time of sickness. Matrimony cannot be repeated until one of the parties dies. The more often Penance and Holy Eucharist are received, the better for the soul.