The document discusses the definition and nature of sacraments according to Catholic theology. It defines sacraments as outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace, with seven sacraments recognized: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Jesus himself is described as the first and most important sacrament, with the sacraments finding their origin in his words and actions. They make Christ and his saving work present, bring about an encounter with him, and prefigure our glory in heaven.

1. „the word became flesh and lived among us‟
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2. What is a Sacrament?
Mystery is the term St. Paul used when he
referred to God‟s hidden plan of always wanting to
save, renew, and unite all things in Christ.
Sacrament is from the Greek word, “mysterion”
( mystery) that means “sacramentum” when
translated into the Latin bible that means „something
hidden or secret‟.

3. What is a Sacrament?
According to St. Augustine:
“an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace”
a. sacramentum tantum or the sign itself – concrete like bread and wine and the
words of consecration in the eucharist, or water in baptism
b. res et sacramentum or what it signifies – literally the „thing‟ or the reality –and the
sign; signified in the eucharist is the real presence of Christ; what is signified in
baptism is the baptismal seal or character, that indelible mark of God.
c. res tantum or the reality alone – This is the spiritual effect, grace. In the eucharist
this is God‟s grace and further incorporation into the Body of Christ. Just as one loaf
is made of many grains so we, the many, gathered at the eucharist become one body
in Christ. In baptism the spiritual effect is forgiveness of sins and entry into the Body
of Christ.

4. St. Thomas Aquinas define
that sacrament was an
efficacious symbol. A
sacrament though, is a
special sign that brings
about what it symbolizes
and symbolizes what it
brings about.
Sacraments are efficacious
sign of grace, originating in
Christ and confided to his
Church, by which the divine
life of grace is instilled or
deepened within us.

5. 1. ‘A Sensible Sign’
Sacraments, particularly, depend on
signs and symbols which signify a
sacred reality.
The seven sacraments are the signs and
instruments by which the Holy Spirit spreads the
grace of Christ the head throughout the Church
which is his Body. The Church, then, both contains
and communicates the invisible grace she signifies.
It is in this analogical sense, that the Church is
called a "sacrament."

6. 2. ‘Instituted by Christ’
Jesus in his humanity is the sacrament of
God’s saving love for all; the Church is the
sacrament of Jesus, and the seven ritual
sacraments are the sacraments of the
church.
If we understand Christ as the first and most
important sacrament, then we recognize that the sacraments
are always actions of Christ. They are rooted in experiences
in the New Testament where Christ uses specific symbolic
actions (words, gestures, signs) as visible signs of the life he
brings.

7. 3. ‘To give grace’
The church has always taught that the sacraments
give grace ‘ex opere operato’. This means that any lack of
holiness or the part of the minister does not prevent grace
from being offered.
The effect of the sacraments is two-fold:
1. To draw us into a closer relationship to the church.
2. To draw us into a closer relationship to Christ himself,
in the Spirit and to the Father.

8. Divisions of the 7
Sacraments
1. The Sacraments of Initiation
(Baptism, Confirmation & Eucharist)
2. The Sacraments of Healing
(Reconciliation & Anointing of the Sick)
3. The Sacraments of Service
(Holy Orders & Matrimony)

9. Jesus as the first & most
important sacrament.
Jesus was baptized with water in the Jordan and the Holy
Spirit descended upon him. Mk 1:9-10
Jesus' first miracle was to turn water into wine. Jn 2:1-11
Jesus multiplied bread and fish to feed the crowd. Mk
6:41-44
Jesus touched people to heal them. Mk 6:41-44
Jesus used his spittle to cure a blind man. Mk 8:23
Jesus breathed on his apostles to give them the Holy
Spirit. Jn 20:22
Jesus gave his apostles his own body and blood in the
form of bread and wine. Mk 14:22-23
The sacraments are always actions of Christ because they make Christ present, in his dying and rising.
They are always actions of Christ because they are celebrated by the body of Christ, the Church.

10. What does the sacrament do?
1. They celebrate the Paschal Mystery. Each
sacrament recalls the saving deeds of Jesus. In this
way sacraments keep us in touch with our Christian
heritage.
2. It demonstrate in the present that Jesus Christ lives.
The sacraments bring about an actual meeting
with Jesus through signs.
3. It prefigures our glorious future with Christ a the end
of time. This point to this day in the future and
because of the power of Jesus and Spirit they help
accomplish the union.

11. Purpose of the sacraments:
 To sanctify men and women,
To build up the Body of Christ, and
To give worship to God.
Sacrament for short is “a saving symbolic act or a
visible sign, arising from the ministry of Christ and
continued in, by and for the Church, which when
received in faith, fashions us into likeness to Christ in
his Paschal Mystery, through the power of the Holy
Spirit.”

12. “The other matters, I shall arranged when I come.” (1 Cor. 11:
34)

13. Definition:
Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church.
They prepare men to receive the fruit of the sacraments and
sanctify different circumstances of life.
"Holy Mother Church has, moreover, instituted
sacramentals.
These are sacred signs which bear a resemblance to
the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of
a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the
intercession of the Church. By them men are disposed
to receive the chief effect of the sacraments, and

14. Examples:
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Ashes
Candles
Incents
Sign of the Cross
Veil
Wedding Rings
Church Bells
Altar
Rosary
Processions
Holy Water
Holy Bible
Statues