1092. What are the seven sacraments? (CCC 1113) The seven sacraments are: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony.
Penance is usually called Confession; in the Eastern Churches, Confirmation is called Chrismation.

1093. Why are the seven sacraments called the sacraments of Christ? (CCC 1114) The seven sacraments are called the sacraments of Christ, because they have been instituted by Jesus Christ.

1094. Who instituted the seven sacraments? (CCC 1114) Jesus Christ instituted the seven sacraments.

1095. How do we know that Jesus Christ instituted the seven sacraments? (CCC 1114) We know that Jesus Christ instituted the seven sacraments through:
1. the teaching of the Holy Scriptures
2. the apostolic tradition
3. the consensus of the Fathers.
The “Fathers” are the holy theologians of the first millennium.

1096. Why are the mysteries of Christ’s life connected with the seven sacraments? (CCC 1115) The mysteries of Christ’s life are connected with the seven sacraments, because they passed over into them.
The “mysteries of Christ’s life” are His Incarnation, His words and actions during His hidden life and public ministry.

1097. Why are the sacraments works of the Holy Trinity? (CCC 1116) The sacraments are works of the Trinity, because they are:
1. powers coming forth from the Body of Christ
2. actions of the Holy Spirit at work in the Church
3. the Father’s masterworks in the everlasting covenant.

1098. In which double sense are the seven sacraments the sacraments of the Church? (CCC 1118) The seven sacraments are the sacraments of the Church in the double sense that they are:
1. “by the Church”: because they are performed by the Church through Christ’s action
2. “for the Church”: because the sacraments make the Church.

1099. Who said that the sacraments make the Church? (CCC 1118) St Augustine († 430) said that the sacraments make the Church.

1100. What two types of priesthood exist in the Church? (CCC 1119-1120) In the Church there exist:
1. the priesthood of all the faithful, conferred by Baptism and Confirmation
2. the ministerial priesthood received through the sacrament of Holy Orders.

1101. Why does the ordained priesthood guarantee that Christ is acting through the sacraments? (CCC 1120) The ordained priesthood guarantees that Christ is acting through the sacraments, because it constitutes the bond that ties the liturgical action to the apostles and through them to Christ.

1102. What do Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders confer in addition to grace? (CCC 1121) Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders confer in addition to grace a “sacramental character”.

1103. What is the “sacramental character”? (CCC 1121) The sacramental character is an indelible mark imprinted on the soul for all eternity and a configuration by which the Christian (1) shares in Christ’s priesthood and (2) is made a member of the Church according to different states and functions.
The sacramental character is also called a seal.

1104. What are the three characteristics of the “sacramental seal”? (CCC 1121) The three characteristics of the “sacramental seal” are that:
1. it is indelible
2. it is a positive disposition for grace
3. it is a deputation (vocation) to divine worship and service.
Since the sacramental seal (=character) is indelible, sacraments that confer it cannot be repeated.

1105. Why are the seven sacraments called the sacraments of Faith? (CCC 1123) The seven sacraments are called the sacraments of Faith, because:
1. they presuppose faith
2. they nourish, strengthen and express faith.

1106. What is the triple purpose of the sacraments? (CCC 1123) The triple purpose of the sacraments is:
1. to sanctify men
2. to build up the Body of Christ
3. to give worship to God.

1107. What does the Latin saying lex orandi lex credendi mean? (CCC 1124) The Latin saying lex orandi lex credendi is translated in English “the law of praying/ worship is the law of faith” and means that the Church believes as she prays.

1108. Why are priests or communities not allowed to change the Liturgy? (CCC 1124-1125) Priest or communities are not allowed to change the Liturgy, because the Liturgy is a constitutive element of the Tradition.

1109. Why is the lex orandi essential for reaching the unity of all Christians? (CCC 1126) The lex orandi (= the celebration of the sacraments) is essential for reaching the unity of all Christians, because the sacraments express the Church’s unity of faith.
“Lex orandi” is Latin and means literally: “the law of prayer/ worship”.

1110. Why can the sacraments be called the sacraments of Salvation? (CCC 1127) The sacraments can be called the sacraments of Salvation, because in them Christ, the Saviour, Himself is at work.

1111. What do the sacraments confer according to Trent? (CCC 1127) According to Trent the sacraments confer the grace that they signify.
The Council of Trent (AD 1545-63) followed the Reformation. It rejected Protestantism and reinforced orthodoxy.

1112. Why does the Holy Spirit work in the sacraments like fire? (CCC 1127) The Holy Spirit works in the sacraments like fire because, as fire transforms into itself everything it touches, so the Holy Spirit transforms into the divine life whatever is subjected to His power.

1113. Why do the sacraments act ex opere operato? (CCC 1128) The sacraments act ex opere operato (Latin: “out of the work being done”), because they work by the very fact of their being performed.
The sacrament is not wrought by the righteousness of either the celebrant or the recipient, but by Christ’s power alone.

1114. Does the validity of the sacrament depend on the personal holiness of the priest? (CCC 1128) No, the validity of the sacrament does not depend on the personal holiness of the priest, but on his intention to celebrate the sacrament in accordance with the intention of the Church.

1115. Why is the disposition of the one receiving the sacrament important? (CCC 1128) The disposition of the one receiving the sacrament is important, because the fruits of the sacrament depend on it.
The disposition of the one receiving the sacraments does not, however, influence on the validity of the sacrament.

1116. Are the sacraments of the New Covenant necessary for salvation? (CCC 1129) Yes, the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation.

1117. What is “sacramental grace”? (CCC 1129) Sacramental grace is the grace proper to each sacrament.

1118. What is the fruit of the sacramental life? (CCC 1129) The fruit of the sacramental life is that the faithful is made a partaker in the divine nature.
“Sacramental life” is the life of a Christian who receives the sacraments regularly and worthily.

1119. Why are the seven sacraments called the sacraments of Eternal Life? (CCC 1130) The seven sacraments are called the sacraments of Eternal Life, because in them the Church even now shares in everlasting life.

1120. How does St Thomas Aquinas sum up the three aspects of a sacrament? (CCC 1130) St Thomas Aquinas († 1274) sums up the three aspects of a sacrament by saying that a sacrament:
1. commemorates Christ’s Passion that precedes it
2. demonstrates the grace that is accomplished in us through the Passion
3. prefigures the future glory, that the Passion pledges to us.