The sacraments reveal that (1) God desires to make mankind holy, and that (2) mankind desires to receive this holiness. In this way the sacraments give us God’s grace. 1. The sacraments reveal that God desires to make mankind holy. The sacraments are sensible signs, instituted by Jesus Christ to signify and give His gifts of grace. God’s intention to …
The sacraments are referred to as actions of Christ because (1) by means of them, Christ gives His Spirit to all who believe in Him, and (2) it is from Christ that the sacraments receive the power to make men holy. 1. Sacraments are called actions of Christ because, by means of them, Christ gives His Spirit to all who …
Jesus instituted the sacraments to (1) sanctify mankind, (2) build up the Church, His Mystical Body, (3) render worship to God, and (4) instruct. 1. Jesus instituted the sacraments to sanctify mankind. God uses the sacraments as the ordinary channels to impart His grace; therefore, they are necessary to keep and nourish the life of grace in our souls. St. …
The Church encourages Catholics to receive the sacraments often and with great faith and eagerness because Christ instituted the sacraments to nourish Christian life. Christ Himself made the sacraments the instruments through which He gives His grace to us. This is what we mean when we say that Christ instituted the sacraments. There are references in the Bible to Christ’s …
The sacraments serve: (1) as sources of grace for individuals and communities and (2) as remedies for sin and the effects of sin. The sacraments are also signs of faith, as explained in question 192. 1. The sacraments serve as sources of grace for individuals and communities. All the sacraments produce sanctifying grace. In addition, each sacrament gives its own …
The Church Triumphant consists of all the souls of the blessed in Heaven. It is the Church of all those in heavenly glory who have triumphed over their evil inclinations, the seductions of the world, and the temptations of the evil spirit.
The Church honors the canonized saints who are already with the Lord in Heaven because they inspire us by the good example of their lives, and because they can help us by their prayers. We must honor the saints not just because they can and will pray for us, but also because our love for God demands it. The saints …
When we say, “I believe in the forgiveness of sins,” we mean that we believe in the pardon, not only of original sin, but of all personal sins, mortal and venial. Christ died for all men. By the infinite value of His sacrifice, the sin of Adam, which we inherit, is erased. Jesus appeared to the Apostles on Easter Sunday …
The Church is catholic or universal because Christ established it to proclaim all of His teaching to all men, at all times, and in all places. Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be …
The Church has been in existence since the sacrificial Death and Resurrection of Jesus. This took place about 33 A.D. The Catholic Church has had a continuous existence of more than two thousand years, and it is the only Christian institution of which this is true.