The Sacraments (in general)
A sacred sensible
sign instituted by Christ in perpetuity to signify sanctifying grace
and to confer that grace on the soul of the recipient. A sacrament
is not fulfilled by the fact that one believes in it but by the fact
that it is made. As sacraments cause grace it is obvious that they
must depend on God for their institution, for grace is the gift of
God alone. It is Catholic teaching that every one of the seven
sacraments of the New Law was instituted by Christ. A sacrament
consists essentially of three things; the matter, the form, and the
minister who makes the sacrament with the intention of doing what
the Church does; if any of these things be wanting, the sacrament is
not made (confected).
(Definition from A Catholic
Dictionary, 1951)
References
in Scripture:
- See the
pages for each individual Sacrament for specific verses on
each.
Church
Teaching on the Sacraments (in general):
- "CANON I.-
If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law were
not all instituted by Jesus Christ, our Lord; or, that they
are more, or less, than seven, to wit, Baptism,
Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction,
Order, and Matrimony; or even that any one of these seven is
not truly and properly a sacrament; let him be anathema."
Council of Trent, On the Sacraments in General
- "CANON
VI.- If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law do
not contain the grace which they signify; or, that they do
not confer that grace on those who do not place an obstacle
thereunto; as though they were merely outward signs of grace
or justice received through faith, and certain marks of the
Christian profession, whereby believers are distinguished
amongst men from unbelievers; let him be anathema."
Council of Trent, On the Sacraments in General
- "These
five sacraments -- Confirmation, Eucharist, Extreme Unction,
Holy Orders and Matrimony -- are on that account called
sacraments of the living, because those who receive them
must be free from mortal sin, that is, already alive through
sanctifying grace. Q: What sin does he commit who, conscious
that he is not in a state of grace, receives one of the
sacraments of the living?
A: He who conscious that he is not in a state of grace,
receives one of the sacraments of the living, commits a
serious sacrilege" Catechism of St. Pius X, The
Sacraments
- "However,
let not the faithful imagine that it is enough to receive
the body of the Lord once a year only, in obedience to the
decree of the Church. They should approach oftener; but
whether monthly, weekly, or daily, cannot be decided by any
fixed universal rule. St. Augustine, however, lays down a
most certain norm: Live in such a manner as to be able to
receive every day" Catechism of Council of Trent, The
Sacrament of the Eucharist (Sacraments of Confirmation,
Holy Orders and Matrimony are received only one time in a
person's life, and Extreme Unction only when in danger of
death. The Sacrament of Penance is the only other Sacrament
beside the Eucharist which is received regularly).
Church
Teaching on Changing of any Sacraments:
- "It is
well-known that to the Church there belongs no right
whatsoever to innovate anything on the substance of the
Sacraments" Pope St. Pius X, Ex quo nono, 1910
- "The
Church is forbidden to change, or even touch, the matter or
form of any Sacrament. She may indeed change or abolish or
introduce something in the non-essential rites or
"ceremonial" parts to be used in the administration of the
Sacraments, such as the processions, prayers or hymns,
before or after the actual words of the form are recited..."
Pope Leo XIII, Apostolicae Curae, 1896
Summary
Christ instituted seven
Sacraments through which we receive graces. The Catholic Church teaches
there are seven Sacraments and that these cannot be added to, removed
from, or changed.
The Sacrament of
Baptism is the minimum Sacrament required to be saved, and if one sins
mortally after Baptism, the Sacrament of Penance is also required to be
able to be saved. To say otherwise is NOT Catholic!
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