The Sacraments

(Plain Text Version)

Christ gave us seven sacraments to live a good life on earth and to gain Heaven.  Just as we have a life in the body, we must be born again into the life of grace.  

Although God rewards us with grace whenever we do something that pleases Him, we obtain tremendous graces by taking part in the sacraments.  We do not have the option of rejecting these gifts of God.

The seven sacraments are: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

We know for certain that each sacrament was instituted by Christ, from scripture and from the practice of the early Church.

What the Sacraments Do for Us

In learning the effects of the sacraments, we begin to understand that they have a power which is much greater than our natural abilities.  Here are the kinds of things which the sacraments give us:

Sanctifying Grace, which is the supernatural life in union with God.  Sanctifying grace makes our soul beautiful.  It makes us friends of God and children of God.  It makes us a temple of the Holy Spirit and gives us the right to enter Heaven.

Faith, Hope, and Charity are poured into our souls by the sacraments.  By Faith, we can accept everything God has revealed to us.  By Hope, we have confidence that we can reach Heaven.  By Charity, we love God, and we love our neighbor with God’s love.  “Our neighbor” means everyone, including those who do harm to us.  Charity is the way we will live in Heaven.  It is essential that we practice it now.

Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance are also given to us by the sacraments.  They give us the ability to live in a way pleasing to God and to those around us.  Prudence enables to make good choices.  By Justice, we respect the rights of God, our neighbor, and the just actions of our government.  By Fortitude, we can do difficult things and overcome fear of our own weakness.  Temperance enables us to use our desires in a truly constructive way.

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which urge us to follow the inspirations we receive from God: wisdom, understanding, counsel (ease in making good decisions), fortitude (strength in difficulty), knowledge, godliness, and fear of the Lord.

Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders make permanent supernatural changes in us. 

Actual Graces, which help us to be holy in our daily lives.    P

(To be continued)

Many thanks to:

Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., Pocket Catholic Catechism, 1989, Doubleday

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