Sacraments - Part 1

Vatican Council II expressed the purpose of the sacraments

and the relationship between Christ acting and the reception

of the sacraments.

Constitution On the Sacred Liturgy, 59

"The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify, to build up the

Body of Christ and, finally, to worship God. Because they are

signs, they also instruct. They not only presuppose faith, but

by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen, and

express it."

Constitution On the Sacred Liturgy, 7

"He (Jesus) is present in the sacraments by his power, in such

a way that when someone baptizes, Jesus himself baptizes. "