Confirmation Prep #8

Sacraments #1

1. The sacraments are signs of Jesus taking care of His sheep; Jesus said: “I am the Good Shepherd……..”

2. Define “Sacrament”: “An outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace”.

3. How many sacraments are there? There are seven sacraments:

Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Holy Orders, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick

4. Do the sacraments give Sanctifying Grace? Yes, every sacrament increases sanctifying grace in our soul.

[Recall: sanctifying grace is the life of God within us].

5. Does each of the sacraments also give a special grace?

Yes, each of the sacraments also gives a special grace, called a “sacramental grace” [a particular grace].

6. Do the sacraments always give grace?

Yes, the sacraments, always give grace if we receive them properly [in the “state of grace”].

Explanation: a. Ex Opere Operato: the sacrament

is always effective in ‘producing’ grace if the proper matter, form, and minister are present.

- i.e. if the proper matter, form, and minister are present, the sacrament always produces grace. In itself it is always effective in ‘producing’ grace.

b. Ex Opere Operantis: the grace ‘produced’ by the sacrament is effective for the recipient to the degree that the recipient is open to it.

-i.e. the person receiving the sacrament receives grace only to the degree they are open to it.

7. Why are Baptism and Penance called “sacraments of the dead”?

Baptism and Penance are called “sacraments of the dead” because their chief purpose is to give grace to souls which are dead through sin.

Recall: if we commit a ‘mortal sin’, our soul is dead to the life of God’s grace, i.e. spiritually dead.

Baptism and Penance are capable of restoring the life of God’s grace to that soul which is dead through sin.

8. The rest of the seven sacraments are “sacraments of the living” because their chief purpose is to give more grace to souls already alive through grace.

9. If we knowingly receive the Holy Eucharist while we are in the state of mortal sin, we commit another mortal sin of sacrilege against the Eucharist (not good).

10. Why can Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders only be received once? Because they imprint on the soul a spiritual mark which lasts forever (“character”).

This mark is like a stamp on our soul which can never be taken away and which identifies us as belonging to Christ and His Church; we are ‘sealed’.

11. What is Baptism?

Baptism is the sacrament that gives our soul the new life of grace by which we become children of God.

12. What sin does Baptism take away? Baptism takes away Original Sin; and also all actual sins and all the temporal punishment due to these sins.

N.B. every sin has some temporal punishment which is due with that sin; served in life or in Purgatory.

13. Who is the ordinary minister of Baptism?

The ordinary minister of Baptism is a Catholic priest. Deacons and [of course] Bishops may also baptize.

In fact, in case of emergency (e.g. danger of death) literally anyone (other than the person themselves) may administer the sacrament of Baptism.

Explain: must have natural water [H2O], say the words, and “have the intention to do what the Church does when it baptizes”.

If all three conditions are present, anyone may perform the baptism, regardless if Christian or not.

14. What is the “Matter” of the sacrament of Baptism?

The “Matter” of Baptism is: ordinary water (H2O).

15. What is the “Form” of this sacrament?

The form of Baptism are the actions and words of the minister:

The minister should pour water on the person’s forehead three times [making sure some of the water touches the scalp] while repeating the words:

“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

This is the “Trinitarian Formula”.

16. The three “Sacraments of Initiation” in the Catholic faith are: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (BCE).