October 30, 2011 – Catechism 1113-1121

The Sacraments are such an important part of the Catholic faith. They are the ordinary means to receiving sanctifying Grace. Not only to they give that Grace, but they strengthen us against sin and help us to lead lives according to God’s will. Obviously, the Sacrament that stands out above the other is the Eucharist in which we receive Christ Himself, body, blood, soul, and divinity, but the other Sacraments all play their important roles leading and guiding us to the Eucharist and to Christ.

I don’t know if people realize that the three Sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders are indelible or permanent. Once baptized into Christ, you can never remove that mark from your soul. You can ignore it and try to cover it up, but it will always be there. Similar with priest. Even if a priest is found to be guilty of something and told not to say Masses, you cannot take away his mark of ordination. I guess I don’t know why marriage isn’t up there. Divorce is not allowed and has not effect on the marriage act, annulment means that there was not marriage act. I guess if you spouse dies then you are free to be ordained or marry again, so it is only permanent as long as you both live.