Baltimore Catechism No. 2 – Lesson Thirteenth on the Sacraments in General

Q136: What is a Sacrament?

A136: A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

Q137: How many Sacraments are there?

A137: There are seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

Q138: Whence have the Sacraments the power of giving grace?

A138: The Sacraments have the power of giving grace from the merits of Jesus Christ.

Q139: What grace do the Sacraments give?

A139: Some of the Sacraments give sanctifying grace, and others increase it in our souls.

Q140: Which are the Sacraments that give sanctifying grace?

A140: The Sacraments that give sanctifying grace are Baptism and Penance; and they are called Sacraments of the dead.

Q141: Why are Baptism and Penance called Sacraments of the dead?

A141: Baptism and Penance are called Sacraments of the dead, because they take away sin, which is the death of the soul, and give grace, which is its life.

Q142: Which are the Sacraments that increase sanctifying grace in our soul?

A142: The Sacraments that increase sanctifying grace in our soul are: Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony; and they are called Sacraments of the living.

Q143: Why are Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony called Sacraments of the living?

A143: Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony are called Sacraments of the living, because those who receive them worthily are already living the life of grace.

Q144: What sin does he commit who receives the Sacraments of the living in mortal sin?

A144: He who receives the Sacraments of the living in mortal sin commits a sacrilege, which is a great sin, because it is an abuse of a sacred thing.

Q145: Besides sanctifying grace do the Sacraments give any other grace?

A145: Besides sanctifying grace the Sacraments give another grace, called sacramental.

Q146: What is sacramental grace?

A146: Sacramental grace is a special help which God gives, to attain the end for which He instituted each Sacrament.

Q147: Do the Sacraments always give grace?

A147: The Sacraments always give grace, if we receive them with the right dispositions.

Q148: Can we receive the Sacraments more than once?

A148: We can receive the Sacraments more than once, except Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.

Q149: Why can we not receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders more than once?

A149: We cannot receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders more than once, because they imprint a character in the soul.

Q150: What is the character which these Sacraments imprint in the soul?

A150: The character which these Sacraments imprint in the soul is a spiritual mark which remains forever.

Q151: Does this character remain in the soul even after death?

A151: This character remains in the soul even after death: for the honor and glory of those who are saved; for the shame and punishment of those who are lost.