Part III, Section I, Chapter I — Sacraments in General

267. What are the sacraments?

The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Jesus Christ to sanctify us.

268. Why are the sacraments efficacious signs of grace?

The sacraments are signs of grace because, by the perceptible part they have, they signify or indicate the invisible grace they confer; and they are efficacious signs of grace because, signifying grace, they really confer it.

269. What grace do the sacraments confer?

The sacraments confer sanctifying grace and sacramental grace.

270. What is sanctifying grace?

Sanctifying grace is that supernatural gift, inherent in our soul and therefore habitual, which makes us holy — that is, just, friends and adopted children of God, brothers of Jesus Christ, and heirs of heaven.

271. What is sacramental grace?

Sacramental grace is the right to the special graces necessary to attain the proper end of each sacrament.

272. Who gave to the sacraments the power to confer grace?

Jesus Christ, the Man-God, gave to the sacraments the power to confer grace, which He Himself merited for us by His Passion and Death.

273. How do the sacraments sanctify us?

The sacraments sanctify us either by giving us the first sanctifying grace, which blots out sin, or by increasing in us the grace we already possess.

274. Which sacraments give us the first grace?

The sacraments that give us the first grace are Baptism and Penance, which are called sacraments of the dead, because they give the life of grace to souls dead through sin.

275. Which sacraments increase grace in us?

The sacraments that increase grace in us are Confirmation, the Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony, which are called sacraments of the living, because whoever receives them must already live spiritually by the grace of God.

276. Does one who receives a sacrament of the living, knowing he is not in the grace of God, commit a sin?

One who receives a sacrament of the living, knowing he is not in the grace of God, commits a most grave sin of sacrilege, because he receives a sacred thing unworthily.

277. What must we do to preserve the grace of the sacraments?

To preserve the grace of the sacraments we must correspond by our own action, doing good and avoiding evil.

278. Which are the sacraments most necessary for salvation?

The sacraments most necessary for salvation are the sacraments of the dead, that is, Baptism and Penance, because they give the first grace, or the spiritual life.

279. Are Baptism and Penance equally necessary?

Baptism and Penance are not equally necessary, because Baptism is necessary for all, since all are born with original sin; Penance, on the other hand, is necessary for those who, after Baptism, have lost grace by sinning mortally.

280. If Baptism is necessary for all, can no one be saved without Baptism?

Without Baptism no one can be saved; however, when Baptism of water cannot be received, Baptism of blood — that is, martyrdom suffered for Jesus Christ — suffices, or Baptism of desire, which is the love of charity, desirous of the means of salvation instituted by God.

281. How many times can the sacraments be received?

Some sacraments can be received many times; others only once.

282. Which sacraments are received only once?

Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders are received only once.

283. Why are Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders received only once?

Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders are received only once because they imprint on the soul a permanent character, working a perpetual consecration of the man to Jesus Christ, which distinguishes him from one who has not received them.

284. What is the character?

The character is a spiritual distinguishing sign that is never effaced.

285. What character do Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders imprint on the soul?

Baptism imprints on the soul the character of a Christian; Confirmation, that of a soldier of Jesus Christ; Holy Orders, that of His minister.

286. How many things are required to make a sacrament?

Three things are required to make a sacrament: the matter, the form, and the minister, who must have the intention of doing what the Church does.

287. What is the matter of the sacrament?

The matter of the sacrament is the perceptible element required in order to make it, such as water in Baptism.

288. What is the form of the sacrament?

The form of the sacrament is the words that the minister must pronounce at the very moment of applying the matter.

289. Who is the minister of the sacrament?

The minister of the sacrament is the qualified person who makes or confers it, in the name and by the authority of Jesus Christ.