Issue 5: Sacraments and Grace

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A Frequently Asked Questions
Christian life revolves around
the sacraments, which act as
signs of faith, means of grace,
milestones of life, and corner-
stones of Christian community.
Jesus established the sacra-
ments so that all people would
experience his grace, even
after he returned to the Father.
The Church recognizes seven
sacraments: baptism, eucharist,
confirmation, reconciliation,
matrimony, holy orders, anoint-
ing of the sick. These sacra-
ments parallel the major stages
of human life, from birth to death.
Not surprisingly, since Catholicism is a religion that stresses the
body and the soul, all the sacraments are physical, outward signs of
grace. They can be perceived with the senses of our bodies, even
as they bring us spiritual assistance.
Above: an old holy card shows children confessing their sins to a priest, through whom Christ offers
absolution. This card would have been given to a child upon reception of his or her first confession.
1. Why are the sacraments neces-
sary?
Because God’s creation is good, the
sacraments use elements of the cre-
ated world to give us God’s grace.
Christianity is as much about the
physical as it is about the spiritual.
2. What makes a sacrament invalid?
A sacrament is invalid if one of the
four elements is missing (matter, form,
minister, intention). For example, there
is no Eucharistic without bread and
wine; there is no marriage without a
bride; there is no baptism without the
proper words.
3. Which sacraments can only be
received once?
Baptism, confirmation, and holy orders
can only be received once because
they leave a spiritual mark on the soul.
4. What is a sacrilege?
Sacrilege, treating a sacrament with
irreverence, is a serious sin because it
insults God’s gift to us.

Sacrament: An outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

Terms and

Grace: The supernatural gift of God to help us overcome our weakness and grow in Christian life.
Valid: Able to produce the desired results. Sacraments that are valid will give us grace. Sacraments
Ideas

that are invalid won’t give grace. To be valid, sacraments must have the following elements:
Matter: The physical stuff used in a particular sacrament. Eg: bread and wine used in the eucharist.
Form:The proper words and actions used in the administration of a sacrament. Eg: Saying, “I baptize
you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” while pouring water over a
baby’s head.
Minister:The person who does the sacrament. Eg: the priest who hears confession; the couple who
get married.
Intention:The reason the minister has for administering the sacrament.

© Notre Dame Regional Secondary. Design: Carlo Reyes. Banner image: Victoria Cieslik.