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Question

Dear Father Angelo,

still on the subject of the divine institution of the sacraments, in what sense do we say that it is Jesus Christ (and not the Church) who instituted all 7 sacraments (and not just the Eucharist)?

Thank you in advance. I offer you my most sincere wishes.

Davide

Response from the priest

Dear Davide,

1. The Church has defined that all 7 sacraments are of divine institution.

The Council of Trent stated that “if anyone says that the sacraments of the new Law were not instituted by Our Lord Jesus Christ or if anyone says that the sacraments of the New Law are more than seven or less than seven, namely: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Order and Marriage; or that any of these seven is not truly and properly a sacrament, be excommunicated ”(DS 1601).

The Bible does not describe the Sacraments as in a theological treatise, nor does it speak of the number seven.

The divine institution of the sacraments is inferred from time to time with regard to each sacrament when Christ institutes them.

It would take too long to review them here. By inserting the name of each individual sacrament in the search engine of our website, it is quite easy to see when Christ instituted them.

Your specific question is: “in what sense do we say that it is Jesus Christ (and not the Church) who instituted all 7 sacraments”.

2. That only Christ can institute them is evident from the nature of the sacraments.

They have been instituted to communicate divine life and grace to men.

Now it is obvious that only God can communicate His divine life.

It would be necessary to be God to be able to communicate it.

Therefore, the author of the sacraments is God, indeed Christ. And it is always Christ who celebrates them.

The Church is the instrument that Christ uses.

As the container does not cause water and is not its source, but only communicates it, so too is the relationship between the Church and Christ as to the Sacraments.

3. Here is St. Thomas’ explanation: “Let us recall what has already been said, that is, that the sacraments instrumentally produce spiritual effects. Now, the instrument receives its virtue from the principal agent.

However, there are two agents to whom the sacrament refers, that is, who instituted it and who uses it.

But the virtue of the sacrament cannot come from the one who uses it, because he acts only as a minister.

It remains therefore that the virtue of the sacrament emanates from the institute.

But since the virtue of the sacrament in turn cannot come other than from God, it is clear that only God is the creator of the sacraments “(Sum theological, III, 64, 2).

4. St Thomas says again: “The Apostles and their successors take the place of God in the government of the Church constituted on the faith and on the sacraments.

Therefore, just as it is not in their power to found another Church, so they cannot teach another faith or institute other sacraments “(Sum theological, III, 64, 2, ad 3).

5. The Church determines the rites for the celebration of the sacraments.

And it exercises its power only on these rites.

St Thomas writes: “What is found in the sacraments by human institution is not necessary for the validity of the sacrament, but confers a certain solemnity, useful in the sacraments to excite devotion and respect in those who receive them.

Instead, what is indispensable for the validity of a sacrament was instituted by Christ himself, who is God and man.

Now, although not everything has been handed down to us from the Scriptures, nevertheless the Church has learned it from the tradition born of familiarity with the Apostles, as is clear from the words of St. Paul: “At my coming I will regulate other things” (Sum theological, III , 64, 2, ad 1).

I wish you all the best, including in administering the Sacraments of the Church if you are called, and I remind you to the Lord and I bless you.

Father Angelo