O Lord,

You called us to serve you

in your Mystical Body the Church.
Send us your Spirit
to purify our hearts and our minds
so that in our on-going formation
as your disciples and ministers,
we may seek not ourselves
but your praise and glory,
and manifest that glory to others
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
 Lesson 1.2

The Seven Sacraments

Background,
Biblical Sources,
Church Teaching
SACRAMENTS
seven most important
Christian Rites or
Liturgical Celebrations
 CLEAR, HISTORICAL & EXTANT DATA on the
SEVEN RITUAL SACRAMENTS
A.D. Sacraments Existing Documents
27 Baptism & Eucharist New Testament Writings
150 Reconciliation Shepherd of Hermes (140-150)

200 Orders & Anointing Apostolic Tradition (215)

400 Marriage Letter of Pope Siricius (+399)
Epistola 231 of Gregory of
Nazianzen (+390)
1000 Confirmation Romano-Germanic Pontifical
(as separate from baptism) (ca. 950-962)
1200 Seven Sacraments Council of London (1237)
Gen. Council of Lyons (1274)
1500 Seven Sacraments Gen. Council of Trent
(no more, no less) (7th session, 1547)
SACRAMENTS
New Testament
Is the word
“sacrament”
found in the Bible?
Do our
Sacraments
have biblical
foundation?
Is the word
“sacrament”
found in the Bible?
In some translations of the Bible
YES!
In the original text of the Bible

NO!
“sacrament”
only a translation
of the Greek word
What is
?
In the common usage of people
= something hidden
= a secret
Myein (the verb form)
= to close one’s mouth / lips
In the Mystery Religions

= a sacred ritual in which the

myth was symbolically
presented or re-enacted and its
hidden meaning was revealed.
In the Sacred Scriptures esp. Synoptic Gospels
Mk 4:11
Mt 13:11
= the secrets of the Lk 8:10
Kingdom of God or
Kingdom of heaven

This kingdom has come in Christ

revealed by him
esp. through parables.
JESUS CHRIST communicated thru his WORDS & DEEDS
The reign of God is at hand.
Repent and believe in the Gospel.
Mk 1:15
In the Sacred Scriptures esp. Pauline Letters
Eph 1:9-10
3:3-6
According to St. PAUL 5:32
= God’s secret plan of salvation;
this plan was revealed in Christ.

= CHRIST himself
revealed thru the Spirit;
= also the CHURCH, Christ’s Body
Greek

Latin Translation

God’s secret plan of salvation

fulfilled in Christ & his Church
In the Bible:
neither the Greek term MYSTERION
nor its Latin translation SACRAMENTUM
refers to
CHRISTIAN RITES
Do our
SEVEN
SACRAMENTS
have biblical
foundation?
SACRAMENTS
Patristic Period
This term

SACRAMENT
 Etymological Meaning:
to constitute

SACRAMENT
a thing or a person
as sacred

the person,
object or action
made sacred
 LAW: pledge of money or
property deposited in the
Common Usage temple by two contracting
or disputing parties
Its meaning was primarily taken
from the background of Roman
law and Roman military service.

MILITARY: oath of
allegiance made by a
soldier to the emperor
and the gods of Rome
Third Century

the first to introduce sacramentum

into the vocabulary of the w. Church
He called baptism a sacramentum. Why?

For the CHRISTIANS:

Baptism = a promise of
fidelity to Christ;
= a sacred commitment;
= seal is imprinted on
the soul
Because of

‘s
A general term for the
influence RITES of CHRISTIAN
INITIATION:
Baptism
Imposition of Hands
Eucharist
Fourth Century

took the term

gave it its proper Christian

definition and developed it
within the framework of
Christian Platonism.
Fourth Century

Things
Signs A sign is a thing which
causes something else to
come to thought
Sacramentum
 Things can be anything:

a cigarette on the floor

Some things can also be signs.

Some signs can be
natural signs.
Fourth Century

Things
Signs A thing which causes
something else to come
to thought
Those particular
Sacramentum signs/symbols that
pertain to divine
things or realities;
• a sign of a sacred
thing/reality;
• a sacred sign;
• a visible word.
Number of possible Sacraments
- infinite
Number of really important
Sacraments in the Church
- relatively few
Requirements to have a Sacrament

perceptible to interpretative
the senses word
Is Augustine’s
definition of a
SACRAMENT
satisfactorily
good?
 HOW MANY
EXACTLY ARE THE
SACRAMENTS?
SACRAMENTS
Scholastic Period
6th – 11th Century 12th Century
The liturgical practices of the The intellectual task of
Church began to center understanding religion was
around seven major rituals: revived, first in the monasteries,
baptism (infants & converts), then in the newly founded
confirmation of baptism by the bishop, schools and universities:
penance,
Paris
anointing of the dying, This was a time of
ordination (priests), Bologna
great discussion
marriage and Oxford
and prolific writing
Eucharist Salerno
on the sacraments.
Montpellier
Many other ritual practices:
entrance (of men/women) to Peter Damian (+1072)
monasteries,
daily chanting of prayers (by
Peter Abelard (+1142)
monks/nuns), Hugh of St. Victor (+1141)
blessings,
exorcisms, Peter Lombard (+ 1164)
veneration of martyrs & their relics,
pilgrimages to shrines
 12th Century

Libri Quatuor Sententiarum Book IV

Book I Book II Book III
On the
On On On Sacraments
God Creation Christ
Became the textbook on Theology for
many years…
Libri Quatuor Sententiarum
Something is properly called a
sacrament because it is a sign of God’s
grace, and is such an image of invisible
grace that it bears its likeness and exists
as its cause (Sentences IV, 1, 2).
based on Augustine’s definition
In other words he defines a sacrament as
a sacred sign,
which not only signifies grace
but also causes that grace.
signs of grace signs of grace
causes of grace
Baptism
Confirmation statues
crucifixes
Eucharist holy water & oils
Penance blessings and prayers
Extreme Unction religious promises and
(anointing of the sick) vows
Matrimony other church
Orders ceremonies
SECOND GENERAL COUNCIL of LYONS (1274)
Profession of Faith of Michael Palaeologus
“The same Holy Roman Church also holds and
teaches that there are seven sacraments of the
Church: one is baptism, which has been
mentioned above; another is the sacrament of
confirmation which bishops confer by the laying
on of hands while they anoint the reborn; then
penance, the Eucharist, the sacrament of
order, matrimony and extreme unction, which
according to the doctrine of Blessed James, is
administered to the sick.”
[Cf. Neuner & Dupuis, The Christian Faith, 28]
Expansion of the Roman Empire
Expansion of Christianity
Division of the Roman Empire
 Constantinople

Rome
Antioch

Alexandria Jerusalem

The Five Patriarchates in the Roman Empire

(or Centers of Christianity by the 5th Century)
SECOND GENERAL COUNCIL of LYONS (1274)
Profession of Faith of Michael Palaeologus
“The same Holy Roman Church also holds and
teaches that there are seven sacraments of the
Church: one is baptism, which has been
mentioned above; another is the sacrament of
confirmation which bishops confer by the laying
on of hands while they anoint the reborn; then
penance, the Eucharist, the sacrament of
order, matrimony and extreme unction, which
according to the doctrine of Blessed James, is
administered to the sick.”
[Cf. Neuner & Dupuis, The Christian Faith, 28]
 SACRAMENTAL
CONTROVERSIES
Controversial Issues:
ReBaptism & ReOrdination
SITUATION Diocletian Persecution in 303
Some clergy renounced their faith, and
so lost their clerical authority
PROBLEM Some of these apostate priests
continued to baptize, and some defecting
bishops continued to ordain.
SOLUTION Council of Arles in 314: VALID!
OBJECTION Donatus, Bp of Carthage: I object!

OUTCOME Stalemate for 70 years

Followers of Donatus Defenders of Arles
The Donatist arguments were not sound.
Premise 1: Only the one,
1. Regarding heretics: Catholic tradition has
holy, catholic Church had always been consistent.
the means of salvation, - In most places no re-baptism, no re-ordination!
since the Holy Spirit did not Heretics including those Christians whom they
act outside the true Church baptized had been received back into the Church
of Christ. after receiving forgiveness and reconciliation from
Premise 2: Apostates and their bishop.
heretics cut themselves off 2. Regarding sinners: the Donatist position could
from the Church, and lead to theological absurdities.
therefore from the action of - If the Church is holy, only those who are holy are
of Holy
Holy Spirit.
Spirit. in the Church. Hence, anyone who sins is outside
Conclusion: any
Conclusion: any the Church.
sacramental rite
rite they
they - If a priest were not holy, he is outside the Church
sacramental
perform is
is null
null and
and void.
void. and could not give the HS in baptism. But who
perform
Hence, the
the need
need for
for could be sure that a priest is holy and has not sinned
Hence,
re-baptism/re-ordination for secretly?
re-baptism/re-ordination - Since no one could be sure that the priest who
those
for whowho
those received the the
received baptized him was not a secret sinner, therefore, no
sacrament from
sacrament from
one could be sure that he was truly baptized - an
apostates/heretics.
apostates/heretics. absurd conclusion.
Controversial Issues:
ReBaptism & ReOrdination

the proprietor, author, real minister

Church, only depository, custodian!

Ministers, only vicars of Christ!
The state of the minister does not matter.
What matters is his will to baptize as
Christ-Church wills.
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT, 1547

Through the sacraments

grace is conferred by the
proper performance of the
rite. Canons on the Sacraments in General
8. If anyone says that through the sacraments
of the New Law grace is not conferred by the
performance of the rite itself (ex opere
operato) but that faith alone in the divine
promise is sufficient to obtain grace,
anathema sit. (ND 1318)
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT, 1547
Regarding the Ministers:
Canons on the Sacraments in General
11. If anyone says that the intention of at least
doing what the Church does, is not required
in the ministers when they are performing and
conferring the sacraments, anathema sit.
(ND 1321)
12. If anyone says that the minister in the
state of mortal sin, though he observes all the
essentials that belong to the performing and
conferring of the sacrament, does not perform
or confer the sacrament, anathema sit.
GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT
ex opere operato
VATICAN COUNCIL II
ex opere operantis
Controversial Issues:
ReBaptism & ReOrdination

BAPTISM has TWO EFFECTS

permanent

B
not permanent
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT, 1547

Three sacraments imprint an

indelible character on the
soul.
Canons on the Sacraments in General
9. If anyone says that in three sacraments,
namely, baptism, confirmation and Order, a
character is not imprinted on the soul, that is
a kind of an indelible sign by reason of which
these sacraments cannot be repeated,
anathema sit. (ND 1319)
Controversial Issue: 12th Century
Re al presence of Christ in the
Eucharist
Why were the medieval
theologians no longer
satisfied with Augustine’s
broad definition of
sacrament as a
sign of a sacred reality?
Controversial Issue: 12th Century

Berengar of Tours
Head of the school of St. Martin of Tours

Real Presence of
Christ in the Eucharist
TWO-FOLD DISTINCTION
Berengar of Tours
theof ritual
Head itself,
the school or the
of St. Martin visible
of Tours sign

the reality signified by the sign

 THE COUNCIL OF ROME (1079)
OATH OF BERENGAR OF TOURS

(On the eucharistic presence of Christ)

I, Berengar, believe in my heart and confess with my lips
that the bread and wine which was placed on the
altar are, by the mystery of the sacred prayer and the
words of the Redeemer, substantially changed into
the true and proper and life-giving body and blood of
Jesus Christ our Lord; and that after consecration,
they are Christ’s true body, which was born of the
Virgin and hung on the cross, being offered for the
salvation of the world, and which sits at the right hand of
the Father; and Christ’s true blood, which was poured
forth from His side; not only by way of sign and by the
power of the sacrament, but in their true nature and in
the reality of their substance…
Hugh of St. Victor, Peter Lombard
and other Medieval Theologians
THREE-FOLD DISTINCTION
the ritual itself, or the visible sign

both sign & reality

the reality signified by the sign

During At
consecration communion

signs of
bread & wine
Christ’s
Body & Blood
of what? Grace of
union w/
Christ
 TWO EFFECTS of a

SACRAMENT
on the soul:
character/seal
some adornment
of the soul

S
Grace
TWO EFFECTS of the RITE of

BAPTISM
permanent

B
not permanent
 BAPTISM
Sacramentum tantum

Matter triple immersion in water

triple pouring of water on the head
form I baptize you in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the H.Spirit.
Res et Sacramentum character or seal (indelible):
- configuration to Christ
- consecration for Christian religious worship

Res tantum (grace) forgiveness of all sins: both original and personal as well as all
punishment for sin;
regeneration/adoption as a child of God
member of Christ and co-heir with him
temple of the Holy Spirit
incorporation into the Church
sanctifying grace (grace of justification)
1.theological virtues: enabling one to believe in God, hope in
him, and love him
2.gifts of the Holy Spirit: empowering one to live and act under
the prompting of the Holy Spirit
3.moral virtues: allowing one to grow in goodness
i
 CONFIRMATION
Sacramentum tantum

matter Imposition of the hand and anointing of the forehead with chrism
form Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit
Res et Sacramentum character or seal (indelible):
- perfection of the common priesthood
Res tantum (grace) full outpouring of the Holy Spirit which yields to an increase
and deepening of baptismal grace:
1.roots us more deeply in the divine filiation,
2.unites us more firmly to Christ,
3.increases in us the gifts of the Holy Spirit,
4.renders our bond with the Church more perfect.
seven-fold gifts of the HS:
- wisdom and understanding,
- right judgment and courage,
- knowledge and reverence,
- holy fear in God’s presence.
mission to profess faith in Christ publicly;
to spread and defend the faith by word and deed;
to build up the Church;
 EUCHARIST
Sacramentum tantum

matter Bread and wine

form Words of consecration:
Res et Sacramentum
The Body and Blood of Christ
Res tantum (grace) Intimate union with Christ;
preserves, increases and renews the life of
grace received at baptism;
cleanses from past sins and preserves from
future sins;
revives our love and strengthens our charity;
renews, strengthens, deepens union with the
Church
mission to commit oneself to the poor and to recognize Christ in the
brethren
 PENANCE
Sacramentum tantum

matter Acts of the penitent: contrition, confession, reparation,

resolution
form I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Res et Sacramentum
Reconciliation with the Church
Res tantum (grace) Forgiveness of sins
Reconciliation with God (and with all
creation).
Peace, serenity of conscience with strong
spiritual consolation.
Remission of the eternal punishment due to
sin
 ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Sacramentum tantum

Matter Anointing with blessed olive oil (or with any plant oil)

Form “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy
help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.”
I

Res et Sacramentum State of physical precariousness;

- configuration to Christ’s redemptive passion.
i

Res tantum (grace) A particular gift of the Holy Spirit

1.strength, peace and courage to overcome the
difficulties connected with serious illness or old age;
2.healing of the soul and of the body
3.forgiveness of sins.
An ecclesial grace:
1.contribution to the sanctification of the Church and
to the good of all men
preparation for the final journey
1.strength for the final struggle before entering the
Father’s house
 MATRIMONY
Sacramentum tantum:

matter Man and woman exchanging consent

form Words of consent:
“I, N., take you, N., to be my wife/husband. I promise to be
true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in
health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
Res et Sacramentum
Conjugal bond
Res tantum (grace) Grace to perfect the couple’s love and to
strengthen their indissoluble unity.
Grace to attain holiness in married life and to
educate their children.
mission to support one another;
to procreate, provide children for the Church
and educate them;
to build up the (Domestic) Church
 HOLY ORDERS
DIACONATE, PRESBYTERATE, EPISCOPATE
Sacramentum tantum

matter imposition of hands upon a baptize man

form Prayer of Consecration
Res et Sacramentum Character or seal (indelible):
- configuration to Christ the Priest,
Teacher and Pastor
Res tantum (grace) grace to guide and defend his Church
with strength and prudence as a father
and a pastor
mission to act in the person of Christ:
in the service of the liturgy, of the gospel and of works
of charity
 GENERAL COUNCIL of FLORENCE (1439)
Decree for the union of Armenians
by Pope Eugene IV
Established the following for each
particular sacrament:

1. Matter
2. Form
3. Minister
4. Effects
5. Sacraments that imprint an indelible sign
Consequential Issue: 12th-13th Century

Se al or Character
What is its nature?
Thirteenth Century

What are
(+ 1274)

sacraments
for
St. Thomas
Aquinas?
DEFINITION:
SACRAMENT
The Sacraments of the
A sacrament isNew Law…of
a sign both
a contain
sacred grace
and confer it. The Sacr. of the New
thing so far as it makes men holy. Law is
aQ.visible
60, art. 2 form of an invisible grace
(Modified
(from “The Catechetical Augustinian
Instructions definition)
of St. Thomas Aquinas” p. 140).
 SACRAMENT
THAT WHICH IS SIGNIFIED IS THREEFOLD:

Christ’s
Grace &Passion
EternalVirtues
Life

cause of our sanctification

form of our sanctification
ultimate end of our sanctification
(Question 60, arts. 5-8)
REQUIREMENTS for a

SACRAMENT
matter + form
(sensible things) (words)
(Question 65, art. 1)
NUMBER of the

SACRAMENTS
The sacraments of the
Church were instituted
for a two-fold purpose:
1. to perfect man
spiritually, i.e., in
things pertaining to the
worship of God;
2. to remedy the
defects caused by sin .
1. From their being instituted to perfect man
spiritually
The spiritual life has a certain correspondence with bodily or corporeal life.
Two ways by which a man attains perfection in his corporeal life:
(1) in regard to his own person:
directly 1. by generation Baptism
by acquiring some (spiritual regeneration)
vital perfection: 2. by growth Confirmation
(strengthening by the HS)
3. by nourishment Eucharist
(spiritual nourishment)
indirectly 4. by healing Penance
by the removal of
some hindrances 5. by restoration of former vigor Extreme Unction
to life:
(2) in regard to the whole community:
6. by receiving power to rule the com- Orders
munity and to exercise public acts
7. by natural propagation Matrimony
2. From their being instituted
to remedy man’s defects
Remedy against… Sacrament
1. remedy against the absence of spiritual life Baptism
2. remedy against the infirmity of the soul found Confirmation
in those of recent birth
3. remedy against the souls proneness to sin Eucharist
4. remedy against actual sin committed after Penance
baptism
5. remedy against the remainders of sin Extreme Unction
6. remedy against divisions in the community Orders
7. remedy against concupiscence in the Matrimony
individual
Important Issue: 12th-13th Century

Se al or Character
What is its nature?
Patristic Understanding?
The sacramental seal was
reality
an invisible reality,
or more precisely,
spiritual image
a spiritual image of
of Christ
Christ
permanently and effectively
permanently
impressed on the soul of the
person receiving it
designating him as belonging
to the flock of Christ.
NATURE: (Question 63, arts. 1-6)

CHARACTER/SEAL
- a transformation of a person’s soul
- a spiritual conformation to the
redemptive, self-sacrificing priesthood
of Christ

It was as though the whole person were

cast into a new mold and emerged in a
new image, that of Christ
 It is clear that the
sacramental character
is specially the
character of Christ,
to whose character
the faithful
are likened…
(Q.63, art.3)

It was as though the whole person were

cast into a new mold and emerged in a
new image, that of Christ
NATURE:

CHARACTER/SEAL
- a transformation of a person’s soul
- a spiritual conformation to the
redemptive, self-sacrificing priesthood
of Christ
- a spiritual or supernatural power given
by God endowing the person a certain
degree of participation in the priesthoo
of Christ
(See John 14:12f)
 I cannot go on…
All that I have
written
seems to be like
so much straw
compared to what
I have seen
and what
has been revealed
to me.
SACRAMENTS
Reformation Period
Council of Trent
 St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
In 1506
Pope Julius II started
the restoration of
St. Peter’s Basilica,
“which had fallen
into decay.”
In 1626
Pope Urban VIII
consecrated it.
 Sixteenth Century

German
priest,
Augustinian
monk, who
launched the
Martin Luther Protestant
(1483-1546) Reformation
WORSHIP…
in the vernacular.

COMMUNION…
under both species ;
during the Mass .

Sale of indulgences
should be eliminated.
 His Only two of the
rites are
Heretical considered
Sacraments:
Teachings: Baptism and
Eucharist
Penance?
- a useful rite,
but not a
sacrament
strictly speaking
 His Sacraments:
not necessary
Heretical for salvation;
superfluous.
Teachings:
Only FAITH is
enough.

Sacraments were instituted

only for the sake of
nourishing this FAITH.
 More Heretical Teachings:
John Calvin Swiss humanist, died 1531

Sacraments
are not channels
neither of grace,
contained
only
nor conferred grace.
- reminders of God’s grace,
- signs of God’s favor;
- testimonies of God’s good
will toward men .
 More Heretical Teachings:
Ulrich Zwingli
French Theologian, + 1564
Sacraments are only
- social signs or simply
signs of Christian belief.
Faith was an inner
Salvation was the
experience that no direct work
of the Holy Spirit who
outward sign could cause .
needed no instrumental ritual
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT
summoned by three Popes:
Paul III (1545-47) Julius III (1551-1552)
Pius IV (1562-1563)
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT

No intention of saying everything that

could be affirmed about sacraments
except to take a stand on several
important issues attacked by the
reformers

SACRAMENTS
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT
Canons on the Sacraments in General
1. If anyone says that the sacraments of the

There are seven sacraments,

New Law were not all instituted by Jesus
Forwardour Lord; or that there are more or
Christ
nojustification
All more, no less.
fewer than seven, that is: baptism,
begins
confirmation, the Eucharist, penance, extreme
through the all
They were sacraments,
instituted once
by
unction, Order and matrimony; or that anyone
of these is not truly and properly sacrament,
begun
Jesusincreases
Christ ourthrough
1113. Adhering
There are to Lord.
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
anathema sit.
1114. seven
the teaching
sacraments
of the
in the
(ND 1311)
Holy
them, and when lost is
Scriptures,
Church: Baptism,
profess
Chrismation,
to the apostolic
that the
Confirmation
Eucharist,
sacraments
traditions...,
Penance,
or we
of the Anointing
new law
regained through them.
were… all instituted
of the Sick, by Jesus
Holy Orders, Christ our Lord.
and Matrimony.
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT
1545-63
Canons on the Sacraments in General
1. If anyone says that the sacraments of the

There are seven sacraments,

New Law were not all instituted by Jesus
Christ our Lord; or that there are more or
no more, no less.
fewer
1117.
than seven,
CATECHISM
…the Church,
confirmation,
OF that
THEis: baptism, CHURCH
CATHOLIC
by the power
the Eucharist, of theextreme
penance,
They were all instituted by
Spirit…
unction,has
treasure…
Order
of these is Thus
gradually recognized
and matrimony;
the and
not truly Church
or this
that anyone
has discerned
properly sacrament,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
anathema
over sit.
the centuries that among liturgical(ND 1311)
1114.
1113. Adhering
There are to seven
the teaching
sacramentsof the
in the
Holy
celebrations there are seven that are, in the
Scriptures,
Church: Baptism,to the apostolic
Confirmation
traditions...,
or we
strict sense of the term, sacraments instituted
profess
Chrismation,
that the Eucharist,
sacramentsPenance,
of the Anointing
new law
by the Lord.
were… all instituted
of the Sick, by Jesus
Holy Orders, Christ our Lord.
and Matrimony.
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT

The sacraments are

necessary for salvation.
4. If anyone says that the sacraments of the
New Law were not necessary for salvation,
but that they are superfluous; and that
without the sacraments or the desire of them
men obtain from God the grace of justification
But not all of them are
through faith alone, although it is true that not
all the sacraments are necessary for each
necessary for each person.
person, anathema sit. (ND 1314)
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT

The sacraments do more than

just nourish faith.
Canons on the Sacraments in General
5. If anyone says that the sacraments are
instituted only for the sake of nourishing the
faith, anathema sit. (ND 1315)
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT

The sacraments are not just

signs of grace.
They contain and confer grace
Canons on the Sacraments in General
6. If anyone says that the sacraments do not
they signify.
contain the grace which they signify or that
they do not confer that grace on those who do
not place an obstacle in the way, as if they
were only external signs of the grace or
justice received through faith…, anathema sit.
(ND 1316)
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT

Through the sacraments

grace is given by God
always and to all.
Canons on the Sacraments in General
7. If anyone says that, as far as God’s part is
concerned, grace is not given through these
sacraments always and to all, even if they
receive them rightly, but only sometimes and
to some, anathema sit. (ND 1317)
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT

Through the sacraments

grace is conferred by the
proper performance of the
rite. Canons on the Sacraments in General
8. If anyone says that through the sacraments
of the New Law grace is not conferred by the
performance of the rite itself (ex opere
operato) but that faith alone in the divine
promise is sufficient to obtain grace,
anathema sit. (ND 1318)
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT

Three sacraments imprint an

indelible character on the
soul.
Canons on the Sacraments in General
9. If anyone says that in three sacraments,
namely, baptism, confirmation and Order, a
character is not imprinted on the soul, that is
a kind of an indelible sign by reason of which
these sacraments cannot be repeated,
anathema sit. (ND 1319)
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT
Regarding the Ministers:

Not all Christians can preach

and administer the
sacraments.
Canons on the Sacraments in General
10. If anyone says that all Christians have the
power to preach the word and to administer
all the sacraments, anathema sit.
(ND 1320)
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT
Regarding the Ministers:
Canons on the Sacraments in General
11. If anyone says that the intention of at least
doing what the Church does, is not required
in the ministers when they are performing and
conferring the sacraments, anathema sit.
(ND 1321)
12. If anyone says that the minister in the
state of mortal sin, though he observes all the
essentials that belong to the performing and
conferring of the sacrament, does not perform
or confer the sacrament, anathema sit.
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT
Regarding the Ministers:

13. If anyone says that the accepted and

approved rites of the Catholic Church, which
are customarily used in the solemn
administration of the sacraments may be
despised or omitted without sin by the
ministers as they please, or that they may be
changed to other new rites by any pastor in
the Church, anathema sit. (ND 1323)
 GENERAL COUNCIL OF TRENT
Sacraments:
- objective means of grace
- instrumental causes of grace
at the disposal of the Church
- acts of the minister held inside Church
- instituted by Christ
Church-Sacrmnts: Christ-Sacrmnts:
- connection, very weak
Cf. Edward Kilmartin, Theology of the Sacraments: Towards a New Understanding of
the Chief Rites of the church of Jesus Christ, in Alternative Futures for Worship, vol. 1.
 Emphasis of Trent
Validity Fruitfulness

Signs Proper Matter

Proper Form

Minister Right Intention

Recipients No impediments Proper Disposition:

(Age, Sex…) - Right Faith

Effects Sacramental
Reality & (Sacramental
Grace Grace)
“ex opere operato” “ex opere operantis”
Shift in Emphasis: Trent Vatican II
Validity Fruitfulness

Signs Proper Matter Variations

Proper Form Adaptations
Creative Animation

Minister Right Intention Proper Disposition

Art of Presiding

Recipients No impediments Proper Disposition:

(Age, Sex…) - Right Faith
Lit.- Formation/Catechesis
Right Intention
Active Participation
Effects Sacramental
Reality & (Sacramental
Grace Grace)
“ex opere operato” “ex opere operantis”
SACRAMENTS acc. to VATICAN II
• sensible signs (outward/external)
instituted by Christ
to give grace (CFC 1519)
• efficacious signs of grace
instituted by Christ and
entrusted to the Church,
by which divine life is
dispensed to us (CCC 1131)
Jesus & Paul Tertullian Augustine

Mysterion Sacramentum Definition:

sign of a sacred thing
Number: infinite/few
Requirements: e & w

Peter Lombard Thomas Aquinas Lyons II

Definition: Definition: sign of
sign and a sacred thing
cause of so far as it
grace makes men holy
Number: seven Number: seven Number:
Requirements: m & f seven
 TRENT
• sensible signs (outward/external)
instituted by Christ
to give grace
Number:
exactly seven

Requirements for a valid administration:

proper matter, form, minister
 VATICAN II
• efficacious signs of grace
instituted by Christ and
entrusted to the Church,
by which divine life is
dispensed to us (CCC 1131)
 SACRAMENTS
according to the Catechism of Vatican II
Three General Classifications:
• Sacraments of Christian Initiation
1. Baptism
2. Confirmation 3. Eucharist
• Sacraments of Healing
4. Penance & Reconciliation
5. Anointing of the Sick
• Sacraments at the Service
of Communion 6. Holy Orders
7. Matrimony
SACRAMENTS
Twentieth Century
 Twentieth Century

Motu Proprio on Church Music

Pius X
1903 - 1914
“Tra Le Sollecitudini” (1903)
Twentieth Century
Benedictine
Abbey of
Maria Laach

Odo Casel
(1886-1948)
 Abtei Maria Laach
Benedictine Abbey of Maria Laach
 Abtei Maria Laach
Benedictine Abbey of Maria Laach
Twentieth Century

LITURGY AND SACRAMENTS

making present the Mystery of Christ
Liturgy is to be
regarded as a mystery
In the celebration
celebration of
in which
the
the liturgy & the
primordial
sacraments,
mystery, Jesus Christ,
Christians do not
becomes redemptively
simply
presentgain
withgraces
his but
saving experience
they activity.

Odo Casel the mysteries of

(1886-1948) Christ anew.
Twentieth Century

LITURGY AND SACRAMENTS

making present the Mystery of Christ

GRACE
Christ himself
and his whole
sacramental nature
or character of allredemptive
liturgical
Casel acts
Odo
They manifest and realize a grace event.
(1886-1948) work
Twentieth Century

Pius XII

Mystici Corporis (1943)

Mediator Dei (1947)
as actions of Christ thru
Sacraments his body the Church
Twentieth Century

Pius XII
This Mystical Body is endowed
with the sacraments, making
available for its members a
progressive series of graces to
sustain them from cradle to their last
breath, and abundantly providing
also for the social needs of the whole
Body. Mystici Corporis (1943)
Mediator Dei (1947)
as actions of Christ thru
Sacraments his body the Church
Twentieth Century
Christ acting thru
Pius XII his body the Church
• When the Church administers the
sacraments with external rites, it
is He who produces their effect
in the soul. He it is, too, who
feeds the redeemed with His own
flesh and blood…
• …it is indeed He who baptizes
through the Church, He who
teaches, governs, absolves,
binds, offers and makes sacrifice.
Twentieth Century

Pius XII Ways Christ is present

in the sacraments:
• in the august sacrifice of the
altar, both in the person of his
minister and especially under the
eucharistic species;
• in the sacraments by His power
which He infuses into them as
instruments of sanctification;
• finally in the prayer and praise
which are offered to God…
Twentieth Century

Pius XII The right disposition

required of recipients:
• To have their proper effect, they require
our souls also to be in the right
dispositions.
• …therefore, they (the members of this
Body) must deliberately set their lips to
this source of grace, absorb and
assimilate this food of life, and uproot
from themselves anything that may
obscure its efficacy. So the work of our
redemption, though in itself something
independent of our will, really calls for an
interior effort from our souls if we are to
 OVERVIEW OF
SACRAMENTS & LITURGY
PARALLELISM BETWEEN
SACRAMENTS and
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT GOD
Spiritual ReGeneration

CHURCH
CHURCH
CHURCH
LITURGY
LITURGY
SACRAMENTS
LITURGY
SACRAMENTS
SACRAMENTS

Eucharist
Baptism Confirmation

Birth Growth Maturity

Nourishment
Physical Generation
 GOD

CHURCH
CHURCH
CHURCH
LITURGY CHURCH CHURCH
LITURGY
SACRAMENTS
LITURGY LITURGY
SACRAMENTS LITURGY
SACRAMENTS SACRAMENTS

SACRAMENTS

Eucharist Matrimony
Baptism Confirmation Penance
H. Orders

Birth Growth Maturity Particular Sin/Error

Nourishment Vocation healing
 OVERVIEW OF THE
SACRAMENTS & LITURGY
as encounters between God and man GOD
through Christ and his body the Church
by the power of the Holy Spirit
TOGETHER
CHURCH
CHURCH
CHURCH
to get there
CHURCH
LITURGY CHURCH CHURCH
LITURGY
LITURGY
SACRAMENTS
LITURGY LITURGY
SACRAMENTS LITURGY SACRAMENTS

SACRAMENTS SACRAMENTS

SACRAMENTS

Anointing
Eucharist of the Sick/
Matrimony
Baptism Confirmation Viaticum
Penance
H. Orders

Life’s Milestones: SACRAMENTS

Birth Growth Maturity Particular Sin/Error Sickness/
Nourishment Vocation healing Old Age/Death
 OVERVIEW OF THE
SACRAMENTS & LITURGY
as encounters between God and man GOD
through Christ and his body the Church
by the power of the Holy Spirit
TOGETHER
CHURCH
CHURCH
CHURCH
to get there
CHURCH
LITURGY CHURCH CHURCH
LITURGY
LITURGY
SACRAMENTS
LITURGY LITURGY
SACRAMENTS LITURGY SACRAMENTS

SACRAMENTS SACRAMENTS

SACRAMENTS

Anointing
Eucharist of the Sick/
Matrimony
Baptism Confirmation Penance Viaticum
H. Orders

Life’s Milestones: SACRAMENTS

Years Liturgical Year
Weeks Sunday Mass
Days Daily Mass
Hours Liturgy of the Hours
Sacramentals & Popular Devotion
 OVERVIEW OF THE
SACRAMENTS & LITURGY
as encounters between God and man GOD
through Christ and his body the Church
by the power of the Holy Spirit
TOGETHER
CHURCH
CHURCH
CHURCH
to get there
CHURCH
LITURGY CHURCH CHURCH
LITURGY
LITURGY
SACRAMENTS
LITURGY LITURGY
SACRAMENTS LITURGY SACRAMENTS

SACRAMENTS SACRAMENTS

SACRAMENTS

Anointing
Eucharist of the Sick/
Matrimony
Baptism Confirmation Penance Viaticum
H. Orders

Life’s Milestones: SACRAMENTS

Years Liturgical Year
Weeks Sunday Mass
Days Daily Mass
Hours Liturgy of the Hours
Sacramentals & Popular Devotion