RE 103-2 REVIEWER: MIDTERM 2ND QUIZ

TOPIC: EARLY BEGINNINGS OF CHRISTIAN SACRAMENTS

3 part definition of Sacraments are:

1. Sensible sign
2. Instituted by Christ
3. To give Grace

 The church is the sacrament of Jesus and the seven ritual sacraments are sacraments of the
church
 By being the “ Primordial Sacrament Jesus Christ is much more than simply the originator of the
Sacraments.
 He is at once the SOURCE, the PRIMARY AGENT and the GOAL of all sacramental activity

SOURCE – Christ is the one in whom all the sacraments are rooted and from whom they derive their
efficacy

PRIMARY AGENT- He is the one who, through the actions and words of the minister celebrating the
various sacraments, baptizes, confirms, forgives and reconciles, heals, offers himself in sacrifice binds in
faithful love.

GOAL OF ALL SACRAMENTS- Christ is the perfection toward which our life on earth tends.

CHRIST is the PRIMORDIAL SACRAMENT

The SACRAMENTS exercise their special POWER to shape our imaginations, develop our affections and
direct our behavior in Childlikeness.

The primary focus of the early Church was on baptism and Eucharist. The grace produced was either that
of the new birth (BAPTISM) or of nourishment (the EUCHARIST).

PRIMORDIAL SACRAMENTS in reference to the seven ritual sacraments we mean that they:

 Arise from the saving ministry of Christ

 Are continued in by and for the church
 Form us likeness to Christ in his Paschal mystery

THE SACRAMENTS GIVE GARCE EX OPERE OPERATO – Means that any lack of holiness on the part of the
minister does not prevent grace from being offered

It is the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT that effects this gradual transformation into Christ way.
SACRAMENTS can affect this only if celebrated in FAITH for without faith no saving personal relationship
can be established or strengthened.
7 Sacraments:

1. Baptism
2. Confirmation
3. The eucharist
4. Penance
5. Holy orders
6. Matrimony
7. Anointing of the sick

In any sacraments, there must be 2 necessary Ingredients

1. Matter
2. Form

The Purpose of the sacraments is:

 To sanctify men and women

 To build up the body of christ
 To give worship to God

Furthermore:

Sacrament of Faith – They not only presuppose faith but by words and objects they also Nourish,
strengthen, and express it.

The Effects of the sacraments is twofold:

1. To draw us into a closer relationship to the church

2. To relationship to Christ himself in the spirit and to the father