Xxiv. Of The Sacraments Of Jesus Christ: Of Their Nature And Number; Of Their Necessity; And Of Their Efficacy
XXIV. OF THE SACRAMENTS OF JESUS CHRIST: OF THEIR NATURE AND NUMBER; OF THEIR NECESSITY; AND OF THEIR EFFICACY
(A)
In what way did our Lord give to men the fruit of the mysteries accomplished in His person with a view to their salvation?
By instituting the sacraments (LX., Prologue).
What is meant by the sacraments?
They are certain outward signs or acts accompanied by certain words, which signify and produce certain graces in the soul (LX.-LXIII.).
How many sacraments are there?
There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (LXV. 1).
Is there any reason why our Lord instituted seven sacraments?
Yes. The reason is derived from the analogy between our spiritual life of grace and our natural corporal life. Our corporal life comprises two perfections according as one considers the life of the individual or the life of the society in which he lives. As regards the individual, his life is perfected both directly and indirectly: directly by the fact that he comes into life, that he is nourished and that he grows; indirectly by the fact that he recovers health if he has lost it, and is completely restored if he has been seriously ill. In like manner in the spiritual life of grace, there is a sacrament which gives us that life, and this is " Baptism"; there is another which makes us grow strong therein, and this is "Confirmation"; another which nourishes us in this life, and this is the "Holy Eucharist." If we have lost this life by sin after Baptism the sacrament of "Penance" gives us back this life; and "Extreme Unction" wipes out the last traces of sin. As regards the society in which this life is lived there are two sacraments that assure its well-being and its continuance: for the spiritual side of the society there is the sacrament of " Holy Orders"; and for its material and corporal side the sacrament of "Matrimony" (LXV. 1).
(B)
Which is the greatest and the most important of all these sacraments, and the one to which the rest are directed and whereby they are in some sort perfected?
It is the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. For in this sacrament, as we shall see later, our Lord Himself is present substantially, whereas in all the other sacraments there is only a power or a virtue which comes from Him. Further, all the other sacraments would seem to be directed to the Holy Eucharist, as Holy Orders which effect the sacrament; or as Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, and Extreme Unction, which make one worthy or more worthy to receive the Holy Eucharist; or as Marriage which signifies it, in so far as it is a union. Lastly, one ends other ceremonies that refer to the reception of the other saCraments, almost always, by the reception of the Holy Eucharist; even after Baptism, if the one baptized be an adult (LXV. 3).
(C)
Are the sacraments instituted by our Blessed Lord necessary for obtaining the grace which corresponds to each one in particular, or is the receiving of these sacraments of counsel only?
These sacraments are absolutely necessary, in this sense, that if through one's own fault one neglects to receive them, one will not receive the grace corresponding thereto; and there are three of them which produce a certain effect such as can never come to be unless the sacrament be received (LXV. 4).
What are these three, and what is this certain effect dependent upon them?
They are Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders; and the effect spoken of is the character which each of these sacraments impresses on the soul (LXIII. 6).
What is this character?
It is a certain quality of the spiritual order, constituting in the higher and intellectual part of the soul a sort of power or faculty which effects that he who receives it participates in the priesthood of Jesus Christ (LXIII. 1-4.).
Is this character impressed on the soul indelible?
Yes, it will remain for ever once it is received, to the glory of those who reach heaven who have therefore shown themselves worthy to bear it; and to the confusion of those in hell who have misused it (LXIII. 5).
Which character marks men according to the likeness of our Lord and makes them able to participate in His priesthood?
The sacrament of Baptism (LXIII. 6).