Pius X Catechism – Nature of the Sacraments

Location: The Sacraments > Nature of the Sacraments

Q1: What is treated of in the fourth part of the Christian Doctrine?

A1: In the fourth part of the Christian Doctrine the sacraments are treated of.

Q2: What is meant by the word sacrament?

A2: By the word sacrament is meant a sensible and efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ to sanctify our souls.

Q3: Why do you call the sacraments sensible and efficacious signs of grace?

A3: 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. Show by an example how the sacraments are sensible and efficacious signs of grace. 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.

Q4: How many sacraments are there, and what are they called?

A4: There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders and Matrimony.

Q5: What is necessary to constitute a sacrament?

A5: 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.

Q6: What is the matter of the sacraments?

A6: 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.

Q7: What is the form of the sacraments?

A7: The form of the sacraments is the words which are pronounced in order to effect the sacrament.

Q8: Who is the minister of the sacraments?

A8: The minister of the sacraments is the person who administers or confers the sacrament.