UNIVERISTY OF THE ASSUMPTION

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Unisite Subdivision, Del Pilar
City of San Fernando, Pampanga

THE CHURCH
AS THE
SACRAMENT OF CHRIST

Prepared by:
AMORES, ALYANNAH LANE
DABU, TRICIA SHAYNE
DAVID, MIKAELA
MESAJON, RICHELLE
PALO, ANGELICA
RIVERA, CHRISTINE JOY

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Major in Marketing Management 2-A

Submitted to:
MR. KHERVIN DARREL B. DOMINGO
Professor
THE CHURCH AS THE SACRAMENT OF CHRIST

The Greek word mysterion was translated into Latin by two terms: mysterium and
sacramentum. In later usage the term sacramentum emphasizes the visible sign of the hidden
reality of salvation which was indicated by the term mysterium. In this sense, Christ himself is the
mystery of salvation: ‘For there is no other mystery of God, except Christ.’ The saving work of his
holy and sanctifying humanity is the sacrament of salvation, which is revealed and active in the
Church’s sacraments (which the Eastern Churches also call ‘the holy mysteries’). 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.’

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 has 2 purpose:

1. The sacrament of the inner union of men with God – wherein we start by our own connection
and faith with God as an individual.

2. Unity of the human race – As we all, profess our faith we become one as we are united with
no matter what nation, age and race you are from. As the Church is Universal it welcomes
everyone for redemption.

As sacrament, the Church is Christ’s instrument. ‘She is taken up by him also as the
instrument for the salvation of all,’ ‘the universal sacrament of salvation,’ by which Christ is ‘at
once manifesting and actualizing the mystery of God’s love for men.’ Christ’s uses Church as an
instrument for us to become one with him and to other people. Church is also the sacrament of
the unity of the human race. In her, this unity is already begun, since she gathers men ‘from every
nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues’; at the same time, the Church is the ‘sign and
instrument’ of the full realization of the unity yet to come. The Church ‘is the visible plan of God’s
love for humanity,’ because God desires ‘that the whole human race may become one People of
God, form one Body of Christ, and be built up into one temple of the Holy Spirit.'”
THE CHURCH AS SACRAMENT

Seeing the Church as a sacrament helps us to have a clearer grasp of the seven
sacraments within the framework of the Church itself. We can perceive more clearly how the
effects of sacramental participation go beyond the individual’s relationship with God and increase
the sanctity of the entire body. Catechism says, the concept of the Church as sacrament is
analogous, and does not mean that it is an eighth sacrament.

Christ’s fundamental saving action reaches the individual through the Church and her
sacraments, and at the same time the individual’s positive embrace of this saving action sanctifies
and builds up the Church.

“The Church makes the Eucharist and the Eucharist makes the Church.”

Therefore, the Church is also sacrament for the world — with each and every human
being, can lead us to understand that every good action we perform, and also our less positive
actions, have effects that are way beyond our immediate and not only extend from “the rising of
the sun to its setting” but can reach heaven itself through the communion of saints.