The Sacraments

(from the Catholic Encyclopedia)

[The sacraments are] an outward sign of inward grace--a sacred and mysterious sign or ceremony, ordained by Christ, by which grace is conveyed to our souls.

In every sacrament three things are necessary: the outward sign, the inward grace, and Divine institution. A sign stands for and represents something else ... Sacraments do not naturally signify grace; they do so because they have been chosen by God to signify mysterious effects.

St. Thomas's antiphon on the Eucharist: "O sacrum convivium, in quo Christus sumitur, recolitur memoria passionis ejus, mens impletur gratia, et futurae gloriae nobis pignus datur -- O sacred banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of the passion is recalled, the soul is filled with grace, and a pledge of future life is given to us".