Sacraments
Roman Catholic theology recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (§1210).
The Roman Catholic Church defines a sacrament as “an efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit” (§774, §1131).
Sacraments (called “mysteries” in the Eastern Churches) are considered special rites that mediate divine grace. Rome claims that sacraments “contain” grace and are not merely symbolic, but are instrumental in conferring grace through the proper performance of the ritual (§1084). To receive grace from a sacrament, Rome teaches that recipient must be properly prepared, which often includes being in a state of grace (except for baptism and penance), having a believing heart, reflection, prayer, and sometimes acts of penance. The amount of grace received is believed to be proportional to the individual's preparation and God's generosity.
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the sacraments are necessary for salvation (§1129). Baptism, or at least the desire of it, is necessary for initial justification (§1257–1261, §1277). Penance is necessary for restoration to the life of grace should a Catholic forfeit grace through serious sin. Confirmation, anointing of the sick, and especially Holy Eucharist provide grace needed to avoid sin and do good.1
The sacramental system was no side issue at the Reformation. It was the means by which the medieval church administered salvation itself:
Sacraments were the tangible means for the church to channel God’s grace to the people. But grace was then conceived in the likes of a substance rather than a personal, relational expression of love. The whole economy of salvation was thought of in measures of goodness imparted through sacraments. Indeed, the Roman Catholic Church had seven sacraments, serving as the levers by which sinners could obtain tokens of grace needed to save their souls.2
That is why the recovery of the gospel shook the whole structure. “Vital to Rome’s teaching on salvation is the use of sacraments for the distribution of God’s grace. God’s meaning of ‘grace’ had been terribly corrupted and effectively lost.”3
Sacraments were representative of the medieval means of a justification. But with the rediscovery of justification by faith alone, the whole economy of church controlled merit distribution via sacraments collapsed. The Reformation transformed the church’s understanding of grace and the purpose of Christ’s ordinances. It also transformed the people’s view of Christ’s church and her roles and responsibilities.4
Luther opened his attack on the system in 1520 with a plain denial: “I must deny that there are seven Sacraments, and must lay it down, for the time being, that there are only three, baptism, penance, and the bread.”5 Before long the Reformers acknowledged only two, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, because Christ instituted only these with a sign and a promise. Calvin stated the principle: “A sacrament is not of earth, but of heaven; not of men, but of God only.”6 Grace comes to sinners through Christ, received by faith, and “lives are changed and souls are sanctified through the hearing and believing of the Gospel preached, not by ritual, sacrament, or deed.”7
Each of the seven sacraments is summarized below, with a link to a fuller article. For the medieval roots of the system, see Sacraments in the article series, and for the Reformation’s recovery of grace, see The Reformation and the Sacraments.
The first sacrament of initiation, Baptism, is regarded as the gateway to the Christian life. Through the ritual of immersion in or pouring of water, the individual is cleansed of original sin and incorporated into the Church. This sacrament marks the beginning of a person’s journey in faith and is usually administered to infants, though it can be received at any age.
Building upon the grace received at Baptism, Confirmation strengthens and deepens the candidate’s commitment to the faith. Through the laying on of hands and anointing with chrism (a consecrated oil), Rome claims that the Holy Spirit is invoked to impart spiritual strength and gifts. This sacrament is often conferred upon adolescents but can be received later in life.
Central to Catholic worship, the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. In this sacrament, Rome teaches the real presence of Christ in the consecrated elements of bread and wine (see Transubstantiation). Participating in the Eucharist nourishes the soul and fosters union with Christ and the Church community.
Penance (also known as Confession or Reconciliation) provides the opportunity for reconciliation with God and the Church following sin. Rome calls it “the second plank” after the shipwreck of mortal sin. Through contrition, confession of sins to a priest, absolution, and the satisfaction the priest imposes, the penitent is forgiven and restored to the state of grace. Indulgences remit the temporal punishment that remains. The formation of this sacrament was one of the chief means of the medieval departure from the gospel.
Formerly called Extreme Unction, this sacrament offers spiritual and potentially physical healing to those who are gravely ill or suffering. By anointing the sick person with holy oil and offering prayers, the sacrament provides comfort, strength, and forgiveness of sins, preparing the individual for recovery or their passage into eternity.
The sacrament of Holy Orders consecrates individuals to the ministerial priesthood, diaconate, or episcopate. Through the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, candidates are ordained to serve the Church by ministering teaching, administering sacraments, and overseeing the Church.
Matrimony sanctifies the union between a man and a woman, elevating their marital bond to a sacramental level. Through the exchange of vows and the mutual consent of the spouses, the sacrament establishes a lifelong covenant, calling the couple to live out Christian love and raise children in the Roman Catholic faith.
