Unit 1: Lesson 5

The Sacraments Are Not Merely Symbols

The Sacraments are holy mysteries that reveal invisible grace and truth.

Catechism Connections

CCC 774

CCC 1115

CCC 1118

CCC 1131

CCC 1996-1999

Lesson Topics

Sacraments of Initiation

Sacramentals

LESSON VOCABULARY

Ex Opere Operato: 

Latin for “from the work having been done.” Jesus has literally already “done the work” of the Sacraments to give us the grace of God. There is nothing we do to bring about God’s grace in the Sacraments, rather, it has already been done by Christ. We simply have to receive it. (1111, 1131)

Sign: 

Something that stands for or represents something else. Often, a sign is a visible symbol of something that is invisible or difficult to understand. The Sacraments are signs of the grace they give to us. (1131)