249. Why there are seven sacraments
249. WHY THERE ARE SEVEN SACRAMENTS
Is it just an accident that the number of sacraments is seven?
It is becoming that there should be seven sacraments. For spiritual life has a certain conformity with the life of the body, just as other corporeal things have a certain likeness to things spiritual. Now a man attains perfection in the corporeal life in two ways: first, in regard to his own person; second, in regard to the whole community of the society in which he lives, for man is by nature a social animal. With regard to himself man is perfected in the life of the body in two ways: first, directly, i.e., by acquiring some vital perfection; secondly, indirectly, i.e by the removal of hindrances to life such as ailments or the like.
Now the life of the body is perfected directly in three ways. First, by generation, by which a man begins to be and to live: and corresponding to this in the spiritual life there is Baptism, which is a spiritual regeneration, according to Titus 3:5: By the laver of regeneration, etc.
Secondly, by growth whereby a man is brought to perfect size and strength: and corresponding to this in the spiritual life there is Confirmation, in which the Holy Ghost is given to strengthen us. Wherefore the disciples who were already baptized were bidden thus: Stay you in the city till you be endued with power from on high (Lk 24:49).
Thirdly, by nourishment, whereby life and strength are preserved to man; and corresponding to this in the spiritual life there is the Eucharist. Wherefore it is said (Jn 6:54): Except you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you. . . .
But since man is liable at times to both corporeal and spiritual infirmity, i.e., sin, man needs a cure from his infirmity, which cure is twofold. One is the healing that restores health: and corresponding to this there is Penance, according to Psalm 11:5: Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee.
The other is the restoration of former vigor by means of suitable diet and exercise: and corresponding to this in the spiritual life there is Extreme Unction, which removes the remainder of sin and prepares man for final glory. Wherefore it is written (Jas 5:15): And if he be in sins they shall be forgiven him.
In regard to the whole community, man is perfected in two says. First, by receiving power to rule the community and to exercise public acts: and corresponding to this in the spiritual life there is the sacrament of (Priestly) Orders, according to the saying of Hebrews 7:27, that priests offer sacrifices not only for themselves only but also for the people.
Secondly, in regard to propagation. This is accomplished by Matrimony both in the corporeal and in the spiritual life, since it is not only a sacrament but also a function of nature.
We may likewise gather the number of the sacraments from their being instituted as a remedy against the defect caused by sin. For Baptism is intended as a remedy against the absence of spiritual life; Confirmation, against the infirmity of soul found in those of recent birth; the Eucharist, against the soul’s proneness to sin; Penance, against actual sin committed after Baptism; Extreme Unction, against the remainders of sins . . . Orders, against divisions in the community; Matrimony, as a remedy against concupiscence in the individual and against the decrease of numbers that results from death.
Some, again, gather the number of sacraments from a certain adaption to the virtues. . . . They say that Baptism corresponds to Faith . . . Extreme Unction to Hope . . . the Eucharist, to Charity . . . Orders, to Prudence . . . Penance, to Justice . . . Matrimony, to Temperance . . . Confirmation, to Fortitude (III,65,1).
Most of God’s works are neither necessary nor accidental but befitting, like great art. And as in art there are more schemas than one. The sacraments fit man’s basic needs both in general (the correspondence between the spiritual and the material) and in particular (the seven sacraments corresponding to man’s seven basic needs, both material and spiritual, in at least these three different ways).