The sacraments in general

Question 136

What is a Sacrament?

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

Question 137

How many Sacraments are there?

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

Question 138

Whence have the Sacraments the power of giving grace?

The Sacraments have the power of giving grace from the merits of Jesus Christ.

Question 139

What grace do the Sacraments give?

Some of the Sacraments give sanctifying grace, and others increase it in our souls.

Question 140

Which are the Sacraments that give sanctifying grace?

The Sacraments that give sanctifying grace are Baptism and Penance; and they are called Sacraments of the dead.

Question 141

Why are Baptism and Penance called Sacraments of the dead?

Baptism and Penance are called Sacraments of the dead, because they take away sin, which is the death of the soul, and give grace, which is its life.

Question 142

Which are the Sacraments that increase sanctifying grace in our soul?

The Sacraments that increase sanctifying grace in our soul are: Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony; and they are called Sacraments of the living.

Question 143

Why are Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony called Sacraments of the living?

Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony are called Sacraments of the living, because those who receive them worthily are already living the life of grace.

Question 144

What sin does he commit who receives the Sacraments of the living in mortal sin?

He who receives the Sacraments of the living in mortal sin commits a sacrilege, which is a great sin, because it is an abuse of a sacred thing.

Question 145

Besides sanctifying grace do the Sacraments give any other grace?

Besides sanctifying grace the Sacraments give another grace, called sacramental.

Question 146

What is sacramental grace?

Sacramental grace is a special help which God gives, to attain the end for which He instituted each Sacrament.

Question 147

Do the Sacraments always give grace?

The Sacraments always give grace, if we receive them with the right dispositions.

Question 148

Can we receive the Sacraments more than once?

We can receive the Sacraments more than once, except Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.

Question 149

Why can we not receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders more than once?

We cannot receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders more than once, because they imprint a character in the soul.

Question 150

What is the character which these Sacraments imprint in the soul?

The character which these Sacraments imprint in the soul is a spiritual mark which remains forever.

Question 151

Does this character remain in the soul even after death?

This character remains in the soul even after death: for the honor and glory of those who are saved; for the shame and punishment of those who are lost.

An outward sign through which Christ acts

Questions 136, 137, 138

The definition has three parts: a visible sign, institution by Christ, and the giving of grace. It does not describe a sign that merely reminds a spectator of an absent event. Catechism 1114–1116 connects sacramental action with Christ's saving life and the work of the Spirit. Learn the seven names while noticing their different settings: initiation, forgiveness and healing, and service through ordained ministry and marriage.

Life and death as spiritual terms

Questions 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144

Baptism and Penance are called sacraments of the dead because the lesson discusses release from sin and the gift or restoration of grace. It is not instructing someone to administer them to a dead body. Sacraments of the living assumes life in grace. The warning about sacrilege concerns the misuse of what is sacred. These general categories prepare for the particular sacraments; they should not replace the more precise teaching about each sacrament and its recipients.

Grace and disposition

Questions 145, 146, 147

Sacramental grace means the help proper to the purpose of a particular sacrament. The grace of marriage and the grace of ordained ministry serve different responsibilities. Catechism 1127–1129 explains that Christ acts in the sacraments and that their fruit also depends on the recipient's disposition. This avoids two mistakes: treating the ceremony as a mechanical guarantee of holiness, or imagining that its power originates in the minister's personal excellence.

The enduring sacramental character

Questions 148, 149, 150, 151

Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders are not repeated because they confer a lasting sacramental character. Character here does not mean a personality trait. It names an enduring relationship to Christ and the Church's worship and service. Catechism 1121 describes this seal. The permanence of the gift does not remove freedom or guarantee that a person lives faithfully. The lesson's final answer emphasizes the continuing responsibility attached to what has been received.

Romans 6:1–11

Paul explains baptism through participation in Christ's death and new life.

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 11:23–29

Paul joins the Eucharistic tradition with examination and the manner of receiving.

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

2 Timothy 1:6–14

The passage connects a gift received through the laying on of hands with courage and faithful stewardship.

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.