1. What is a Sacrament?
A Sacrament is an outward sign made by Jesus Christ which gives me grace.
The Sacraments are not to be confused with sacramentals, which are holy things or actions of which the Church makes use to obtain for us from God spiritual and temporal favors. Examples: holy water, the sign of the cross, various blessings, blessed candles, scapulars, medals, palms and ashes.
2. What is an “Outward Sign”?
An “outward sign” is anything which I can see (or hear), which tells me about something I cannot see.
For example: a barber pole is an outward sign which I can see in front of a store. It tells me that there is a barber inside the store whom I cannot see.
3. How are the Sacraments outward signs?
The outward sign of the Sacrament of Baptism, for example, is the pouring of water on the head of the person to be baptized and saying of the words “I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost”. I can see the Priest pour the water and can hear him say those words. This outward sign tells me that the person being baptized is getting grace which I cannot see.
4. How do the Sacraments differ from other outward signs?
The Sacraments not only tell me that I have grace in my soul, but they actually put the grace in it. All other signs only tell me about something I cannot see.
For example: a barber pole cannot give me a haircut; it only tells me that there is a barber inside the store. But when a Priest baptizes a person, the pouring of the water and the saying of the words “I baptize thee” and so on, actually put the grace in that person’s soul.
5. How many Sacraments did Jesus establish?
Jesus established seven Sacraments. They are:
1) Baptism, which gives me grace for the first time
2) Confirmation, which gives me the Holy Ghost to make me a strong Catholic.
3) Holy Communion, which is the Body and Blood of Jesus
4) Penance or Confession, which takes away the sins committed after Baptism
5) Holy Orders, which gives a man the powers of the Priesthood
6) Matrimony, which gives a husband and wife special helps for their married life
7) Extreme Unction, which prepares me for death.
6. Could the Pope or anyone else establish more Sacraments?
No, only Jesus Christ can establish an outward sign (like the pouring of water) able to put grace in the soul.
7. Do the Sacraments always give grace?
Yes, the Sacraments always give grace if they are received worthily.
8. Give some examples of receiving the Sacraments unworthily
a) I receive Holy Communion, Marriage, Holy Orders or Extreme Unction with a mortal sin on my soul.
b) I do not tell all of my mortal sins in Confession.
9. What kind of a sin is it to receive a Sacrament unworthily?
To receive a Sacrament unworthily is a special kind of mortal sin called a sacrilege.
10. What else do the Sacraments do for me?
Besides giving me grace, each Sacrament gives me special helps called Sacramental grace.
For example: Confirmation gives me the strength to be a loyal Catholic always.
The Sacrament of Matrimony gives me special grace to lead a holy married life according to the laws of God.
11. Can I receive the Sacraments more than once?
a) I can receive Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders only
once in my lifetime.
b) I can receive Holy Communion and Penance (Confession)
every day if I want
c) I can receive the Sacrament of Marriage only once, unless
my husband (or wife) dies.
d) I can receive Extreme Unction any time I am in danger of death from sickness, old age or accident.
12. Why can Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders be received only once?
Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders can be received only once because they imprint on the soul a spiritual mark called a character.
13. Does the character stay on the soul after death?
Yes, the character stays on the soul after death for the glory of those who are saved or for the shame of those who are lost.