Defining Moments

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Sacramentals – Sacred signs, whether objects (e.g., scapulars, holy water) or actions (e.g., blessings), possessing a likeness to the sacraments. The sacraments were instituted by Christ and effect grace by virtue of themselves; the sacramentals are instituted by the Church and impart grace according to the disposition of the recipients and the intercession of the Church.

Sacraments, Seven – The unique signs instituted by Christ that give the grace they signify. They are Baptism, Penance, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. As long as taught by the Church, the sacraments produce grace.

Salvation History – The entire way in which God has acted in creating the world and bringing it to fulfillment. God unfolds His plan gradually and through human persons. He created humans, who sinned; the Savior, Jesus Christ, was sent to suffer, die, and rise. Then the Holy Spirit was sent at Pentecost to continue the saving action of God. The Lord works in mysterious ways, yet His goal is obvious: to bring humanity to experience the beatific vision forever.

Sin – The deliberate, free, knowledgeable transgression of Divine Law, which is a refusal to strive for sanctity and may either drive all charity from one’s soul (“mortal sin”) or partially expel charity (“venial sin”). The O.T. considers sin to be “missing the mark,” while sin in the N.T. is viewed as straying from the loving Father.