What is the concept of sacramental grace and how it is conferred?

• A. Each sacrament conferred grace through its matter and form only if the recipient is deserving
• B. Each sacrament confers a specific grace connected to its sign (matter and form) and minister; grace is received through proper matter, intention, and proper celebration by an ordained minister.
• C. Grace is a symbolic reminder, not actual grace
• D. Only baptism confers grace; others do not

Answer: (B)

The concept tested is that sacramental grace is actual, specific grace given by Christ through each sacrament, tied to its signs and minister, and received through proper matter and form celebrated by an ordained minister with the intention to do what the Church does. Each sacrament has a particular grace that corresponds to its sign (the matter and the form) and the minister who acts in the person of Christ’s Church. Grace is conferred by the sacramental act itself, not earned by the recipient’s worthiness, and while the recipient’s disposition helps receive and mature that grace, the validity of the sacrament depends on using the proper matter and form and on the minister’s legitimate celebration. In short, the outward signs and the authorized minister together convey a real grace that is specific to each sacrament, rather than grace being merely symbolic, limited to baptism, or contingent on the recipient’s merit.