By instituting the sacraments (LX., Prologue).
What is meant by the sacraments?
They are certain outward signs or acts accompanied by certain words, which signify and produce certain graces in the soul (LX.-LXIII.).
How many sacraments are there?
There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (LXV. 1).
Is there any reason why our Lord instituted seven sacraments?
Yes. The reason is derived from the analogy between our spiritual life of grace and our natural corporal life. Our corporal life comprises two perfections according as one considers the life of the individual or the life of the society in which he lives. As regards the individual, his life is perfected both directly and indirectly: directly by the fact that he comes into life, that he is nourished and that he grows; indirectly by the fact that he recovers health if he has lost it, and is completely restored if he has been seriously ill. In like manner in the spiritual life of grace, there is a sacrament which gives us that life, and this is " Baptism"; there is another which makes us grow strong therein, and this is "Confirmation"; another which nourishes us in this life, and this is the "Holy Eucharist." If we have lost this life by sin after Baptism the sacrament of "Penance" gives us back this life; and "Extreme Unction" wipes out the last traces of sin. As regards the society in which this life is lived there are two sacraments that assure its well-being and its continuance: for the spiritual side of the society there is the sacrament of " Holy Orders"; and for its material and corporal side the sacrament of "Matrimony" (LXV. 1).
Next - The Catechism of the Summa - Tertia Pars - XXIV. OF THE SACRAMENTS OF JESUS CHRIST: OF THEIR NATURE AND NUMBER; OF THEIR NECESSITY; AND OF THEIR EFFICACY (B)
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