The following comes from a September 29 Orange County Catholic article by Michael J. Medley:
There are few things more fundamental to the Catholic faith than the seven sacraments: baptism, Eucharist, reconciliation, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, and anointing of the sick. The Church teaches that these sacraments were instituted by Jesus during his public ministry as a means by which God could continue to bestow His grace on human beings.
Father Robert Spitzer, S.J., president of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith in Garden Grove, compares the effect of receiving the sacraments, especially reconciliation and the Eucharist, which can be received repeatedly, to the effect of a good, positive friendship. “If you spend a lot of time with a friend, a part of them rubs off on you, especially if we are open and loving with that person,” Fr. Spitzer says. “The Lord starts to rub off on you through the sacraments. The more you receive the sacraments, the more you are going to be transformed into the heart of Christ.”
It should also be known that the God-given gift of free will plays a role in the reception of the sacraments. Although the amount of grace flowing from God through the sacraments is infinite, the amount of grace that each person receives can be affected by each person’s attitude, the “required dispositions” mentioned in the catechism. For example, the greater the sense of sorrow and contrition brought to the sacrament of reconciliation or the greater the sense of joy and love when receiving the Eucharist, the greater will be the grace received from those sacraments. Free will can work in the other direction, as well. A willful attitude to refuse the grace being offered can prevent a sacrament’s grace from entering the soul.
As to the person administering the sacrament, there are three requirements. He must have the power to administer the sacrament, the intention of administering the sacrament, and properly perform the ceremonies of the sacrament.
All of the sacraments give God’s sanctifying grace and, as Fr. Spitzer points out, were instituted by Jesus for four distinct reasons—to touch and transform us, to deliver God’s healing light, strengthening the sense of community with the mystical body of the Church, and relief from sin.
Father Robert Spitzer, S.J., (one of the good priests in the S. J.), can be seen every Wednesday on EWTN. Praise be to God for Fr. R. Spitzer! Somehow he is able to explain: how God IS everywhere, if you know how to ‘see’ Him. Great speaker if you like science & religion.
Thank you for the information, From the Pew and CCD. Fr. Mitch Pacwa is another good Jesuit on EWTN. He is orthodox, very knowledgeable about the Bible, Biblical cultures and Church History, so there are good Jesuits out there — including Fr. Joseph Fessio.
Anne T,
Surely there must be more then these 3 good priests in the S.J.? Fr. Mitch Pacwa is so well versed in bible translations, languages, as you said, everything. Not that familiar with Fr. J. Fessio. He needs a TV show, radio program or blog so we can all know him better!
Yes, there are more. I knew a good Jesuit who is now deceased and know another one who is not so well known and is probably in his eighties. He was a teacher of Catholic history and is now semi retired. The deceased priest was of Asian descent. Neither one of them was ever on the media as far as I know. Fr. Joseph Fessio runs Ignatius Press and has done so for years. He is interviewed on Immaculate Heart Radio occasionally. He say both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Latin Masses. You can look him up on line if you wish to do so.
To clarify: Fr. Fessio says the Ordinary Mass, too.
My life was also changed by Fr. John Powell, S.J. after I read his book “Abortion the Silent Holocaust”. May Fr. John Powell, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
I greatly admire good Jesuits, like Fr. Spitzer, and Fr. Fessio! I also admire Fr. Spitzer, because he is almost blind, and yet, he gives so much to the world! He is remarkable!
I greatly admire Fr. Fessio, as he has lifelong, stood up for the True Church, even though his religious order became corrupt, dishonest, heretical, and morally bankrupt, betraying and persecuting true Catholic Jesuits!