The 7 Sacraments of the Church

Compendium of the Catechism

. 224. What are the sacraments and how many are there?
. 1113-1131
. The sacraments are sensible and effective signs of grace,
instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, through the
we are granted divine life. There are seven: Baptism,
Confirmación, Eucaristía, Penitencia, Unción de los Enfermos,
Priestly Order and Marriage.

Introduction

. God has instituted the sensitive signs that we call

sacraments, to express the supernatural realities of
the grace
We are born to supernatural life through Baptism.
We are strengthened by Confirmation.
We sustain life with the food of the Eucharist.
If one loses it through sin, repentance recalls it.
And with the Anointing of the Sick, we prepare for the
a journey that will end in the sky.
The Priesthood seeks the ministers of the
Church.
And marriage, which with children perpetuates the
human society and makes the Church grow when they are
regenerated by Baptism.
What are the Sacraments

. The Sacraments are sensible and effective signs of grace.

instituted by Jesus Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which
we are granted divine life.
A sensible sign is a known thing that manifests another
less known; if I see smoke, I discover there is fire.
But we also say effective sign, because the
sacrament not only means, but also produces grace.
(the smoke only signifies the fire, but does not produce it).

2. The reason for the Institution of the Sacraments

. Cristoha dear, adjust to our way of being.

giving us the divine gifts through realities
materials we used, to make it easier for us
achieve it.
. Just as the Most Holy Humanity of Christ is the
instrument united to the Divinity that the Word uses to
to accomplish the redemption of men, thus the things or actions
the sacraments are the instruments separated by the
May God sanctify us, accommodating to our way of being.
and to understand.

3. Jesus Christ instituted the seven sacraments

. All the sacraments have been instituted by Jesus Christ.

He is the author of grace and can communicate it through
sensible signs - and there are seven: Baptism, Confirmation,
Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders
Priestly and Marriage. In the seven sacraments there are
 met all the needs of supernatural life
Cristiano.

4. The Sacraments of the Church

. Christ entrusted the sacraments to His Church and we can say

what are 'of the Church' in a double sense:
The Church makes or administers or celebrates the sacraments.
And the sacraments build the Church (Baptism
generate new children of the Church, etc.
. They exist, therefore for her and because of her.

5. The Sacraments of Faith

. The sacraments are ordered to the sanctification of the

men, to the building of the Body of Christ and ultimately
to worship God.
. As signs, they also have an instructive purpose. Not only
they suppose faith, they also strengthen it, nourish it, and express it
with words and actions; that is why they are called sacraments of the
fe.

6. Effects of the Sacraments

. The sacraments, if received with the right dispositions

required, produce as fruit:
a) Sanctifying grace: the sacraments give or increase the
sanctifying grace.
b) Sacramental grace: it is a right to receive God in the
opportune moment, the necessary help to fulfill the
obligations undertaken upon receiving that sacrament.
 c) Character. Baptism, confirmation, and holy orders
they also grant the character, which is a spiritual sign
and unforgettable, that grants a peculiar participation in
the Priesthood of Christ.

7. What is a Sacrament composed of?

. A sacrament consists of matter, form, and the minister.

that he carries out with the intention of doing what the Church does.
Matter is the reality or sensible action, like water.
natural in baptism, or the acts of the penitent in the
confession and sanctification.
The form is the words that are pronounced when doing so.
The minister is the person who makes or administers the
Sacramento.

8. Diversity of the Sacrament

. Three groups can be distinguished among the sacraments:

a) Sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism,
Confirmation and Eucharist.
b) Sacraments of healing: penance and anointing of
sick.
c) Sacraments at the service of the community: Ordination
Priestly and Marriage.

9. The Sacraments are necessary for salvation

. The sacraments are not only important but necessary, if

we want to live the Christian life and enhance it.
 . Give grace if received with due respect.
provisions, and if no further grace is received it is not due to fault of the

sacramento, but due to lack of preparation.

. Therefore, one must approach to receive the sacraments with the
better disposition, so that we can receive grace and
receive it in abundance.

Baptism makes us children of God and members of the Church

Compendium of the Catechism

. 252. What is the name of the first sacrament of the

initiation?
. 1213-1216 1276-1277
. The first sacrament of initiation receives, above all, the
baptism name, due to the central rite with which it
celebrate: to baptize means <<to immerse>> in water; who
receives baptism is submerged in the death of Christ
raised with Him <<as a new creature>> (2Cor 5:17). He
also called "bath of regeneration and renewal in the
Holy Spirit>>(Tt 3,5), and <<enlightenment>>, because the
baptized becomes <<child of the light>> (Eph 5:8).

Introduction

. Baptism is the 'sacrament of faith', 'door of the

sacraments", or "door of the Church", as it is called
since ancient times.

The Sacraments of Christian Initiation

. The sacraments of Christian initiation are:

 Baptism, which is the beginning of the new life in
Christ
The Confirmation, which gives strength and fullness to that
life.
And the Eucharist, which nourishes us with the Body and the
Blood of Christ to unite us to Him and transform us
until we identify ourselves with Him.

2. Meaning of Baptism

. Through baptism, we die to sin and rise to life.

new of grace (cf. Rom 6:3-11).
. We all are born with the inherited sin of the first ones.
parents and consequently deprived of grace; but
Christ freed us with his death and resurrection.
. Baptism is the sacrament that applies to each baptized person.
the fruits of Redemption, so that we die to sin and
let us revive the supernatural life of grace.

3. What is Baptism

. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them"

in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the
he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

. Baptism is the sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ, which

He makes us His disciples and regenerates us to the life of grace.
Baptism is the foundation of all Christian life, the
portico of life in the spirit and the door that opens access
to the other sacraments.
 . The matter of this sacrament is the ablution with natural water.
and the form consists of the words: 'I baptize you in the'
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

4. Effects of Baptism

a) Erase original sin.

b) It bestows sanctifying grace.
c) It confers a sacramental character.
d) Incorporates to Jesus Christ.
e) Incorporates into the Church.

5. Necessity of Baptism

Baptism is necessary for salvation "Truly, truly

I tell you that unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot.
enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Jn 3:5)
When it is not possible to receive baptism, one can
to attain grace through the so-called baptism of desire - a
perfect act of love for God, or the contrition of the
sins - and by the baptism of blood or martyrdom, which is
to give your life for Christ.

Children also need baptism.

understands the need to baptize children as soon as possible
before.

Who can administer baptism

. Usually the parish priest, or another priest or deacon baptizes.

with your permission, but in case of need, you can do it
anyone.
 . God has all the facilities in the administration of this
Sacramento; and thus, even an unbaptized person, as long as they have
intention to do what the Church does and make it happen
correctly, truly baptize.
. The reason is that it is always Christ who baptizes, as
Observe St. Augustine: "Does Peter baptize? Christ baptizes."
Does John baptize? John baptizes. Does Jude Thaddeus baptize? Christ

baptize.

7. Mode of administering baptism

. When administering the sacrament, natural water is poured over

the head saying, with the intention of baptizing: "I baptize you
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

In Confirmation, the Holy Spirit is received.

Compendium of the Catechism:

. 265. What place does Confirmation occupy in the design?

salvation?
. 1285-1288 1315
. In the Old Covenant, the prophets announced that the Spirit
the Lord would rest upon the expected Messiah and upon all
messianic people. All the life and mission of Jesus
they develop in total communion with the Holy Spirit. The
Apostles receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and proclaim
<<the wonders of God>> (Acts 2:11). They communicate to the new
baptized, by the laying on of hands, the gift of
same Spirit. Throughout the centuries, the Church has continued
living by the Spirit and communicating it to his children.
Introduction

. Before Pentecost, the apostles were afraid and

then they preach the word of God decisively; those who were
uncultured and ignorant, then they talk about the mysteries of God
and strange languages. This surprising change occurs
because on that day they received the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
. In a similar way, the faithful also receive fullness.
of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
. This topic can help to better understand nature and the
effects of the sacrament and if it has not yet been received, for
prepare well with the hope of receiving it as soon as possible.

The Apostles received the fullness of the Holy Spirit in

Pentecost; we in Confirmation

. On the afternoon of the resurrection, Jesus appeared in the

He breathed on them, saying
"Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22). But at Pentecost, it
filled with the Holy Spirit and exceptional gifts
(cf. Acts 2:1-4).
. We also receive the Holy Spirit in baptism.
together with grace, but the Lord has instituted the sacrament
of the confirmation that is necessary for the fullness of the
baptismal grace.
. We commit ourselves much more, as authentic witnesses of
Christ, to extend and defend the Christian faith, with our
words and deeds, to show ourselves to others as
true disciples of Christ.
2. Effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation

. Similarly to what happened to the Apostles on the day

of Pentecost, this sacrament produces in the soul these
fruits:
It increases the grace.
Print character.
It strengthens the faith.

He makes us witnesses of Christ.

3. Minister, Subject, Matter and Form of the Sacrament of

Confirmation

. The ordinary minister of this sacrament is the Bishop.

extraordinary, the presbyter who enjoys this faculty by
common law or by special concession of the authority
competent.
. The subject is any baptized person who has not received it.
To receive it, one must be in the grace of God, to know the
main mysteries of the faith and approach him with reverence
and devotion.
. The matter is the anointing on the forehead with chrism (a mixture of
oil and balm consecrated by the Bishop), which is made
while the hand is laid. The anointing means one of the
effects of the sacrament: strengthen faith.
. The formula consists of these words that the
minister "Name. Receive by this sign the Gift of the Spirit
“Holy”. One responds “Amen.”
 Compendium of the Catechism

. 271. What is the Eucharist?

. 1322-1323 1409
. The Eucharist is the sacrifice itself of the Body and Blood of
Lord Jesus, whom He instituted to perpetuate through the ages,
until the second coming, the sacrifice of the cross, confirming
thus to the Church the memorial of his Death and Resurrection. It is the
sign of unity, bond of charity and paschal banquet, in the
When one receives Christ, the soul is filled with grace and it is given to us.

a garment of eternal life.

Introduction

. The Eucharist is the 'Sacrament of sacraments', the most

most important of all, since it contains the grace of God–as
the other sacraments - and the author of grace, Jesus Christ
Our Lord.
. We know it, not by the senses, but by faith, which is based on the
testimony of God: "This is my Body which is given for
You; do this in remembrance of me (Lk 22:19).
. The Eucharist is 'the source and summit of all Christian life.
(...). "Participating in the Eucharistic sacrifice," the faithful
they offer to God the divine victim and offer themselves
together with her” (Lumen Gentium. 11).

The Eucharist, source and summit of the life of the Church

 . The Eucharist is the heart of the Church, "source and summit of
the whole Christian life (...). The Holy Eucharist contains everything
the spiritual good of the Church, that is, Christendom.
. This is the reason that "the other sacraments, as well as
all ecclesiastical mysteries and the works of apostolate are
united to the Eucharist and to it they are ordered” (Presbyterorum
Order 5).

2. The various names of this sacrament

. The inexhaustible wealth of the Eucharist is expressed through the

different names it receives, it is called:
Eucharist, which means thanksgiving to God.
Lord's banquet, because Christ instituted it on Thursday.
Saint at the Last Supper.
Holy Sacrifice, because it updates the only sacrifice of
Christ on the cross.
Communion, because we join together in the same Christ receiving

his Body and his Blood.

Holy Mass, because when the faithful are dismissed at
to finish the Eucharistic Liturgy, they are sent ("missio")
so that they fulfill the will of God in their daily lives.

3. The Institution of the Eucharist

. Jesus Christ instituted the Eucharist on Holy Thursday in the

Last Supper.
. He had already announced to the disciples in Capernaum (cf. Jn 6)
that he would give them to eat his Body and his Blood.
. He had also been preparing the faith of his own with
unassailable arguments.
 The miracle of Cana - turned water into wine.
And the multiplication of the loaves.
. Thus, upon hearing at the Last Supper: This is my Body (Luke 22:19),
they would have the firm persuasion that it was as he said; just like
the water had turned into wine by his words
omnipotent, and the rolls grew to satisfy a large
multitude.

4. The Liturgical Celebration of the Eucharist

. The Apostles received a commission from the Lord: 'Do this

in memory of me (Luke 22:19).
. It is not just a mere reminder but a real update of the memorial
of Christ: of his life, of his death, of his resurrection and of
his intercession with the Father, which takes place in the Eucharist.
. Since the middle of the 2nd century, and according to the account of the martyr

Justino, we have witnessed the main lines of

development of the Eucharistic Celebration, which have remained
unchanged to this day.

5. Jesus Christ offered to God the Father the sacrifice of his own
life dying on the cross

. But, although the value of Jesus Christ on the cross was infinite and
unique, the Lord wanted it to be perpetuated - to be present -
to apply the merits of redemption.
. Jesus Christ instituted the Mass not to perpetuate the dinner, but the
sacrifice of the cross. Thus, the Mass renews non-bloody the
the same sacrifice of Calvary; and the Eucharist is likewise
sacrifice of the Church, since the Church is the Body of
Christ, participate in the offering of His Head.
6. The sacrifice of the Mass and that of the Cross are essentially one
and the same

. Between the Mass and the sacrifice of the cross, there is essential identity.
and accidental differences:
The priest is the same: Christ, who on Calvary...
He offered alone, while in the Mass he does it for
middle of the priest.
The Victim is the same: Christ who in the sacrifice of the
the cross immolated itself in a brutal manner, while in the
Misa does it in a non-violent manner.
On the cross, Christ redeemed us from sin and won for
we the merits of salvation; in the Mass, we are
they apply the merits that Jesus Christ won then.