332. What is a sacrament?
A sacrament is a sensible or outward sign instituted by Christ to signify grace and confer it on our souls.
333. Whence have the sacraments the power of giving grace?
The sacraments have the power of giving grace from the merits of Christ, which they apply to our souls.
334. Do the sacraments always give grace?
To those who receive them worthily the sacraments always give sanctifying grace, and a special help to attain the purpose for which each sacrament has been instituted.
335. How many sacraments are there?
There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders and Matrimony.
336. Which are the sacraments of the dead?
Baptism and Penance are called the sacraments of the dead, because they forgive sin, and thus give the life of grace to souls that are dead in sin.
337. Which are the sacraments of the living?
All the other sacraments are called sacraments of the living, because they were instituted to give increase of spiritual life to souls already in the state of grace.
338. Which sacraments can be received only once?
Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders can be received only once, because they imprint on the soul a character or spiritual mark which lasts forever.
339. Is it a great sin to receive a sacrament unworthily?
It is a mortal sin of sacrilege to receive a sacrament unworthily.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment