Sacrament is defined as “an outward/visible sign instituted by Christ to give grace.” Here, we can readily see that there are three distinct ideas contained in this definition. Let’s examine exactly what each of these three ideas means:
- Outward/Visible Signs – A sacrament is an outward/visible sign of an invisible reality. For instance, in Baptism the visible sign is the water, the invisible reality is the coming of the Holy Spirit.
The outward signs are God’s way of treating us like the human beings we are. He conveys His unseen grace into our spiritual souls through material symbols which our physical bodies can perceive—things and words and gestures.
The outward signs of the sacraments have two parts: 1) Matter – the visible object used in performing the sacrament (water, oil, etc.); 2) Form – the formula used (the words or gestures) by the minister to celebrate the sacrament which give significance to what is being done.
- Instituted by Christ – According to Catholic doctrine: The sacraments are instituted by Christ himself. He instituted all seven sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Ordination, Marriage and Anointing of the Sick) as ways in which He could be present to His people even after His Ascension into Heaven. The Church does not have the power to establish any sacrament, but only to celebrate them in the name of Christ. Between the time Jesus began His public life and the time He ascended into heaven, Jesus fashioned the seven sacraments. When He ascended into heaven, that put an end to the making of sacraments.
Hence, the sacraments are always valid, even if the minister is in the state of mortal sin, because he acts in persona Christi, meaning “in the person of Christ.”
- To Give Grace – The sacraments are efficient signs of grace because they transmit the grace of God. What kind of grace do the sacraments give? First and most important of all, they give Sanctifying Grace which is the friendship and communion with God, and it is lost anytime we commit a mortal sin; and second, the Sacramental Grace, which is the one given by Each sacrament, helping us to fulfill our duties.
