Sakraments and sacramentals.

During our lives we receive the sacraments, but also the sacraments. Let us look generally at the difference between sacraments and ordinances.

On the feast of the Three Kings we bless water. On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, at the Feast of the Holy Sepulchre, we bless the tapers of the Feast of Trumpets in a special ceremony. Afterwards, the blessing of the blessed lamb is bestowed. At the beginning of Lent, our foreheads are marked with consecrated ashes. Each of us should begin and end the day with blessing and prayer. Many of us wear a cross or medal around our necks. At home we have a cross on our walls, some even have holy water. What are the rites, what are the acts and things that make our worship more beautiful, that affect our civil life as well? We call them sacraments. Is there a difference between sacraments and sacramentals? Yes, and a big one!

Sacraments are sacred acts instituted by the Lord Jesus for the sanctification of our souls. There are seven of them: baptism, confirmation, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Sacrament of Penance, the anointing of the sick, the sanctification of the priesthood, and marriage. Some can only be received once in a lifetime (baptism, confirmation, priesthood ordination).

Sacraments are sacred acts and things by which the Church entrusts us to God’s protection.

The difference is that:

– Sacraments instituted by Christ – Sacraments by the Church;
– the sacraments are seven – the sacraments many;
– the sacraments operate by their act – the sacraments only according to the disposition of the one receiving them.

The aim of a sacrament is always the sanctification of the human soul. The sacraments have different destinations. Some are used in worship, e.g. the church, the bell on the tower, the liturgical vestments, the holy oils… Others are for the exclusive use of the faithful, e.g. the crucifixes.

The goal of the sacrament is always the sanctification of the human soul. Sacraments have different purposes. Some are for use in worship, e.g. the church, the bell on the tower, liturgical vestments, holy oils… Others are for the use of the faithful only, e.g. crosses, consecrated rings, thunders, holy water, etc. It is not only the priest who is to be the consecrator of the sacraments, but every Christian is to be a consecrator of the sacraments. Blessings are performed by fathers and mothers when they bless their children, when we bless others, when we bless ourselves, when we bless ourselves, when we bow before the cross on the road.

The sacraments are not only to sanctify the soul of man, but they are to permeate our life so that the environment in which the Christian lives is Christianized, sanctified. That is why crosses and small chapels were built along the roads and in the fields. But let us not forget that the sacraments are much more important than the saints. Nevertheless, we had better notice the cross by the roadside, or the chapel in the field, or the created things, so that we may better understand that the sun above us is a gift of God, that out of pure water, out of the fragrance of flowers, God speaks. In all things the power of the Creator can be seen. Everything is sanctified by his hand and everything is meant to serve our happiness. Let us receive these gifts and open our souls to his blessing with holiness.