What is a Sacrament?

A. Definition of a sacrament

1. A Sacrament is an efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life of grace is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit. (cf. CCC, 1131)

2. Eastern Churches use the word “Mystery” for Sacrament and celebrate them in a similar but not essentially different way.

3. Sacraments confer the grace they signify.

B. The Church and the sacramental economy of salvation (CCC, 849)

1. Jesus Christ is the living ever-present Sacrament of God (CCC, 1088-1090)

2. The Church as Universal Sacrament of Jesus Christ (CCC, 774-776)

C. Redemption is mediated through the seven Sacraments

1. Christ acts through the Sacraments (CCC, 1084-1085)

2. The Church at prayer (CCC, 1073)