Sacrament

1. Q. 574. What is a Sacrament? A. A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. (Baltimore Catechism , 6/5/12)
2. Q. 575. Are these three things, namely: An outward or visible sign, the institution of that sign by Christ, and the giving of grace through the use of that sign, always necessary for the existence of a Sacrament? A. These three things, namely: 1.An outward or visible sign, the institution of that sign by Christ, and the giving of grace through the use of that sign, are always necessary for the existence of a Sacrament, and if any of the three be wanting there can be no Sacrament.(Baltimore Catechism , 6/5/12)
3. Q. 579. How do we know there are seven Sacraments and no more or less?
A. We know there are seven Sacraments and no more or less because the Church always taught that truth. The number of the Sacraments is a matter of faith, and the Church cannot be mistaken in matters of faith. (Baltimore Catechism , 6/5/12)
4. Q. 580. Why have the Sacraments been instituted?
A. The Sacraments have been instituted as a special means through which we are to receive the grace merited for us by Christ. As Christ is the giver of the grace, He has the right to determine the manner in which it shall be given, and one who refuses to make use of the Sacraments will not receive God’s grace. (Baltimore Catechism , 6/5/12)
5. Q. 588. Do the needs of the soul resemble the needs of the body?
A. The needs of the soul do resemble the needs of the body; for the body must be born, strengthened, nourished, healed in affliction, helped at the hour of death, guided by authority, and given a place in which to dwell. The soul is brought into spiritual life by Baptism; it is strengthened by Confirmation; nourished by the Holy Eucharist; healed by Penance; helped at the hour of our death by Extreme Unction; guided by God’s ministers through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and it is given a body in which to dwell by the Sacrament of Matrimony. (Baltimore Catechism , 6/5/12)
6. Q. 591. What grace do the Sacraments give?
A. Some of the Sacraments give sanctifying grace, and others increase it in our souls. (Baltimore Catechism , 6/5/12)
7. SACRAMENT: a Rite in which GOD (or Gods) is (are) uniquely active. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO defined a CHRISTIAN sacrament as "a visible sign of an invisible REALITY." The Anglican BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER speaks of them as "an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible GRACE." Examples of sacraments would be BAPTISM and the MASS.
8. (8/25/11) "sacraments are efficacious signs-that is, they are not mere symbols; they accomplished the very thing they signify."The Mass, page 42