Humanity

Sacraments

quick ideas on the sacraments. What are they? Are the sacraments real treasures? Effects of the sacraments.

EspañolEspañol →

1. What marks did Jesus leave behind when He was with us?

Thanks to Him, we have great gifts available; they can be classified into three types:
  • Spiritual Goods, like Redemption, Sanctifying Grace and the treasure of counting on the motherly protection of Mary.
  • Visible Gifts like the Pope, Peter’s successor and guarantee of safety in our way.
  • Gifts partly visible and partly spiritual, like the sacraments, which attract spiritual gifts or graces through visible signs.

2. What is “Grace”?

We call Grace any gift from God. But more particularly we give that name to the Sanctifying Grace. This is a supernatural gift which gives man his divine condition since man turns from sinner to child of God.

3. Is there a great difference between being in a state of grace and not being in one?

The difference is huge. On the one hand, there is separation from God and the path toward hell. On the other, there is friendship with God and divine sonship, which means becoming more like God and having Heaven’s doors open to us.

4. What are the chief means to obtain graces?

The main sources of grace are prayer and sacraments. Some sacraments bring about the Sanctifying Grace. Most sacraments increase this grace and obtain other divine aids.

5. What are the Sacraments?

Sacraments are outward signs of an invisible inner grace, instituted by Jesus Christ to give us His grace. There are seven of them, and they yield spiritual fruits which we will discuss later.

B. WHICH ARE THE SACRAMENTS?

6. Which are the first two sacraments?

  • The first sacrament is Baptism. It erases original sin, granting sanctifying grace for the first time. It is like birth into spiritual life.
  • The second is Confirmation. It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the soul and strengthens us spiritually.

7. How can one obtain God’s pardon for the sins?

God has given us the Sacrament of Confession or Penance to forgive our sins. In order to receive this sacrament fruitfully, we need to observe two conditions:
  • To be sorry for those sins. In addition, one must have the resolution or intention of not committing them again. The point is not to foresee the future, but to make the decision not to sin again.
  • It is necessary to tell those sins to a priest so that he may forgive them in God’s name. It is also necessary to mention all grave or serious sins and the approximate number of times they were committed.

8. What effects does the sacrament of Confession have?

In some way it works like medicine, which usually has two aims: healing and protecting. Confession achieves these two effects: it forgives sins and grants the necessary graces to overcome future temptations more easily.

9. What aspects does the Sacrament of Eucharist refer to?

This sacrament entails three great aspects:
  • In the Eucharist, Jesus Christ is really present, with all the consequences of worship, respect, desire to accompany Him in the tabernacle, material care, etc.
  • The sacrifice of the Cross is made present at Mass. It is the greatest offering men can give to God.
  • We receive Jesus Christ Himself in Holy Communion. This is the food that nourishes and restores the strength of the soul. It also unites us with Christ, allowing us progressively to become like Him.

10. What are the requirements to receive the Holy Communion worthily?

There are three conditions to observe in order to receive Holy Communion worthily:
  • Faith: to have received baptism and to know whom you are receiving under the appearance of bread.
  • To be in a state of grace, that is, to have received in confession the forgiveness of all serious sins committed. This is essential. No one must receive God without the right disposition.
  • A period of at least one hour must have elapsed since the last food taken.

11. What is the Anointing of the Sick?

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick aids those who are in danger of death due to sickness or old age. It strengthens them in those moments when eternal life is approaching. It is an important sacrament, and it is convenient not to wait until the last minute to confer it.

12. Who are the Priests?

They are Christian faithful who have received the sacrament of Order from the hands of a Bishop. This action confers them the power of celebrating Mass and administering the rest of the sacraments. Lastly, they can preach the Gospel with authority.

13. Is Marriage a Sacrament?

We call Marriage the permanent union of a man and a woman, thus making up a family. The betrothed, at the moment of marriage, commit themselves to love one another forever. Also, they firmly decide to receive and train the children that God may send them. God our Lord has willed to grant special graces to those who get married so that they achieve this mission to their best. Christ instituted for them the Sacrament of Marriage.