Lesson 21: The 7 Sacraments
1. Who merited the Grace of the Holy Spirit that comes to us in the Sacraments?
Jesus merited the Grace of the Holy Spirit that comes to us in the Sacraments. He merited this Grace through his death and resurrection on the Cross.
2. What is a sacrament?
A sacrament is a sign of Christ. We do not see Jesus, but Jesus is really present giving us Grace in all the Sacraments. Jesus is present in every Sacrament, helping our soul.
3. How many sacraments are there?
There are 7 sacraments.
-The 3 Sacraments of Christina Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist.
-The 2 Sacraments of Healing: Confession and Anointing of the Sick.
-The 2 Sacraments of Service of Communion: Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders.
4. What does Jesus give us in all 7 Sacraments?
In all 7 sacraments Jesus, through the priest, gives us Sanctifying Grace, the life of Jesus in our souls. When we have Sanctifying Grace the Holy Trinity dwell sin us.
In each Sacrament Jesus gives us a different Sacramental Grace.
In three Sacraments Jesus gives us a character. A character is a spiritual mark on the soul that will never be destroyed. The three Sacraments that give a character are Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders.
BAPTISM
Baptism takes away all sin, both original and actual. It gives us Sanctifying Grace and the indwelling of the Holy Trinity.
-It makes us the children of God.
-It makes us members of the Church.
-It also gives a Character that will never be destroyed.
Because of Baptism we are all called to live holy lives, to bring the Faith to others, and to go to heaven when we die.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation gives us the fullness of the Holy Spirit and increases in our souls the grace of Baptism.
It also gives us a character that will never be destroyed.
Confirmation gives us the grace to defend and spread the faith. We do this by giving good example, by talking about Jesus, and even by suffering for Jesus.
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. The Eucharist is Jesus, who is loving us.
-Holy Communion increases our love for God and for the others, especially the poor.
CONFESSION
Through the priest in Confession Jesus forgives all the sins that we have committed after baptism. It also gives us the grace to avoid sinning in the future.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Anointing of the Sick is given to people who are beginning to be in danger of death because of sickness or old age.
It gives these persons spiritual strength to overcome temptation and to unite their sufferings to the suffering of Jesus for the salvation of the world.
It can also heal these persons physically if this is for their spiritual good.
HOLY MATRIMONY
Jesus gives a married couple the grace to love one another with His Own Love.
He also gives them the grace to love their children. He gives them the grace to help their children become holy.
HOLY ORDERS
Holy Orders makes a man a priest. He is given the power to change bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ; and to forgive sins.
Because of Holy Orders the priest is able to give the Sacraments. When he gives the Sacraments, it is really Jesus through him who is giving the Sacraments. It also gives a character that will never be destroyed.
