Sacramentals

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta once said, "Don't look for big things, just do small things with great love."That's just what one Catholic school community has done in its efforts to place Jesus in the Eucharist as the center of its students' daily lives, and in the process, boost the school's Catholic identity.

The storm approached the campground and, as evidenced on the weather radar, surrounded the area like a pair of mighty hands on the verge of clasping each other.

Instead, the rain held off, and the Boy Scouts and Venture Crew members attending last year's Encounter Weekend retreat were able to continue with their Saturday night tradition: spending time in front of the Lord outside in eucharistic adoration. And as fate would have it, the storm finally closed in on the campground just as the staff were packing away the last of the equipment after adoration.

From St. Louis Review archives

Question:

Could you explain what a sacrament is and how many sacraments are there, and why they are necessary? I would also like to know what the difference is between a sacrament and a sacramental.

Father Lombardi's answer:

Q: I am a fallen-away Catholic who has just recently returned to the Church after many years. Could you explain what a sacrament is and how many sacraments are there, and why they are necessary? I would also like to know what the difference is between a sacrament and a sacramental.

There are seven sacraments instituted by Christ that actually confer the grace they signify, namely Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. In each of these Christ Himself meets us and ministers to us through the ministry of His body, the Church. These sacraments are necessary because we desperately need God’s grace, and He has chosen to give us certain kinds of grace through the sacraments.