DOMINICAN COLLEGE OF TARLAC

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Bachelor of Elementary Education
1st Semester | Prelims
THEO 22: SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL

What are the Seven Sacraments?

- The Seven Sacraments are, “Efficient Signs of God’s Grace, instituted by Christ for
Man’s Sanctification and Salvation.”
What are the three requirements to belong to the Church?
• SIGNS: The Sacraments are Signs because they are sensible symbols of God’s Grace; for
instance, in Baptism, the visible sign is Water, the spiritual Grace is the pouring of the
Holy Spirit.

• EFFICIENT: They are Efficient, as opposite to “Ineffective,” because they actualize the
spiritual reality they represent. Confirmation, actually imparts the Holy Spirit; and
Penance, really forgives sins.

• OF GRACE: They transmit the Divine Grace: the Sanctifying Grace, which is the
Communion with God, is conferred by Baptism and Penance; the Sacramental Grace,
which is the Divine Assistance in performing our duties, is bestowed by all Sacraments in
accordance with their specific purpose.
When Did Jesus Institute the Sacraments?

• BAPTISM: Before the Ascension, when He commanded to his Apostles: "Go, therefore,
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
• CONFIRMATION: After the Resurrection, when He breathed on the disciples gathered
in the Cenacle and said: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy
Spirit" (John 20:21-22).
• EUCHARIST: During the Last Supper, when He took bread and wine and proclaimed:
"This is my Body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me ... This chalice
is the new covenant in my Blood, which will be shed for you” (Luke 22:18-19).
• PENANCE: After the Resurrection, when He declared to his Apostles: "Whose sins you
forgive are forgiven, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:23).
• ANOINTING OF THE SICK: After the Resurrection, when He commanded the
Apostles: "You will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover" (Mark 16:18).

• ORDINATION: During the Last Supper, when He, having consecrated the Bread and
Wine, appointed his Apostles in these words: "Do this in memory of me" (Luke 22:19).
 • MATRIMONY: During the public ministry, when He declared: "A man shall leave his
father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate” (Mark 10:7-9).

What Are the Two Basic Purposes of the Sacraments?

1) SANCTIFICATION: The Sacraments augment Man’s Sanctification, which is the process of

becoming closer to God, by conferring the Divine Grace. Penance, for instance, restores the State
of Grace lost by Mortal Sin.

2) SALVATION: Each Sacrament, in its specific manner, aims for the Salvation of Man, which
is the act of entering Paradise. Anointing of the Sick, for instance, prepares us for a Holy Death.

What Are the Three Essential Elements of Each Sacrament?

Each Sacrament requires Three Essential Elements, without which it is null and void.

1. MINISTER:
- He is the Person administering the Sacrament; for instance, the Minister of the Eucharist
is the Priest.

2. MATTER:
- It is the Sensible Element used for the Sacrament; for example, in the Eucharist it is the
Bread and Wine.

3. FORM:

- It is the Formula used in the celebration, such as in the Eucharist: “This is my Body, this
is my Blood. “

What Are the Three Sacraments of Christian Initiation?

• Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are called the Sacraments of Christian Initiation
because they lay the foundations of Christian life.
• In the early centuries, these were received simultaneously; nowadays, Baptism is
celebrated as soon as possible after birth; the Eucharist, at the age of reason; and the
Confirmation after twelve.

What Is the Difference Between Sacraments and Sacramentals?

THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS - are the Seven Channels of Grace instituted by Christ for Man's
sanctification and salvation, and cannot be changed by human authority.

THE SACRAMENTALS - are Sacred Rites established by the Church to sanctify the different
circumstances, like Blessings and Rosaries, and may be changed or updated.
What is the Etymology of the Word, “Sacrament”?

The Word “Sacrament” derives from the Latin word Sacramentum, meaning, “Consecrated;”
since these consecrated the faithful to Christ.

The Greek translation of Sacrament is “Mystery,” intended as, “Sacred Rite.” Thus, the
Seven Sacraments, or the Seven Mysteries, are, “Sacred Rites that Consecrate to Christ.”