Thomas Aquinas and The Sacraments - What Are The Sacraments?

What Are The Sacraments?

There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction (Anointing of the Sick), Holy Orders, Matrimony. From Dionysius (Eccl. Hier. iii): "No one receives hierarchical perfection save by the most God-like Eucharist." Therefore, the Holy Eucharist is the greatest of the sacraments. This is because it is the real presence of the Body and Blood of Christ. It perfects the other sacraments. From Summa Contra Gentiles Book 4, Chapter 58: The spiritual remedies of salvation have been given to men under sensible signs. In bodily life we find a twofold order: 1.) For some propagate and order the bodily life in others. 2.) Some are propagated and ordered in the bodily life. In a bodily life three things are necessary of themselves, and a fourth is incidental. 1.) Generation by birth. 2.) Growth to arrive at due size and strength. 3.) Nourishment is necessary. These three are assigned to the vegetative soul. 4.) Healing of the sick living thing. These are mirrored in the spiritual life of the sacraments. 1.) Baptism: spiritual generation. 2.) Confirmation: spiritual growth. 3.) Eucharist: spiritual nourishment. 4.) Penance and Extreme Unction (Anointing of the Sick): spiritual healing.