The seven sacraments in general

The seven Sacraments have some things which they all hold in common, and 

some things which are proper to each one. That which is common to all the 

Sacraments is that they confer grace. It is also common to all the 

Sacraments that a Sacrament is made up of words and physical acts. And so 

also Christ, who is the Author of the Sacraments, is the Word made flesh. 

And just as the flesh of Christ was sanctified, and has the power of 

sanctifying because of the Word united to itself, so also the Sacraments 

are made holy and have the power of sanctifying through the words which 

accompany the action. Thus, St. Augustine says: "The word is joined to the 

element, and the Sacrament is made." Now, the words by which the 

Sacraments are sanctified are called the form of the Sacraments; and the 

things which are sanctified are called the matter of the Sacraments. Water, 

for example, is the matter of Baptism, and the holy chrism is the matter of 

Confirmation.

In each Sacrament there is required a minister, who confers the Sacrament 

with the intention of doing that which the Church intends. If any one of 

these three requirements is lacking, the Sacrament is not brought into 

being, viz., if there is lacking the due form of the words, or if the 

matter is not present, or if the minister does not intend to confer the 

Sacrament.

The effect of the Sacrament is likewise impeded through the fault of the 

recipient, for example, if one feigns to receive it and with a heart 

unprepared to receive worthily. Such a one, although he actually receives 

the Sacrament, does not receive the effect of the Sacrament, that is, the 

grace of the Holy Spirit. "For the Holy Spirit of discipline will flee from 

the deceitful." On the other hand, however, there are some who never even 

receive sacramentally, yet who receive the effect of the Sacrament because 

of their devotion towards the Sacrament, which they may have in desire or 

in a vow.

There are some things which are characteristic of each individual 

Sacrament. Certain ones impress a character on the soul which is a certain 

spiritual sign distinct from the other Sacraments. Such are the Sacraments 

of Orders, Baptism, and Confirmation. The Sacraments which give a character 

are never repeated in the same person who has once received it. Thus, he 

who is baptized need never again receive this Sacrament; neither can he who 

has been confirmed receive Confirmation again; and one who has been 

ordained need never repeat his ordination. The reason is that the character 

which each of these Sacraments impresses is indelible.

In the other Sacraments, however, a character is not impressed on the 

recipient, and hence they can be repeated as far as the person is 

concerned, not however as far as the matter is concerned. Thus, one can 

frequently receive Penance, frequently receive the Eucharist, and can be 

anointed more than once with Extreme Unction, and likewise he can be 

married more than once. Yet, regarding the matter, the same Host cannot be 

frequently consecrated, nor ought the oil of the sick be frequently 

blessed.