Nature of the Sacraments

1 Q. What is treated of in the fourth part of the Christian Doctrine?

A. In the fourth part of the Christian Doctrine the sacraments are treated of.

2 Q. What is meant by the word sacrament?

A. By the word sacrament is meant a sensible and efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ to sanctify our souls.

3 Q. Why do you call the sacraments sensible and efficacious signs of grace?

A. I call the sacraments sensible and efficacious signs of grace because all the sacraments signify by means of sensible things, the divine grace which they produce in our souls.

4 Q. Show by an example how the sacraments are sensible and efficacious signs of grace.

A. In Baptism the pouring of water on the head of the person, and the words: "I baptise thee," that is, I wash thee, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," are a sensible sign of that which Baptism accomplishes in the soul; just as water washes the body, so in like manner does the grace given in Baptism cleanse the soul from sin.

5 Q. How many sacraments are there, and what are they called?

A. There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders and Matrimony.

6 Q. What is necessary to constitute a sacrament?

A. To constitute a sacrament it is necessary to have the matter, the form, and the minister, who must have the intention to do what the Church does.

7 Q. What is the matter of the sacraments?

A. The matter of the sacraments is the sensible thing made use of in effecting the sacrament; such as, for example, natural water in Baptism, oil and balsam in Confirmation.

8 Q. What is the form of the sacraments?

A. The form of the sacraments is the words which are pronounced in order to effect the sacrament.

9 Q. Who is the minister of the sacraments?

A. The minister of the sacraments is the person who administers or confers the sacrament.