outward sign
and the grace given in each Sacrament?
A. There is a great likeness between the thing used in the outward sign
and the grace given in each Sacrament; thus water is used for cleansing;
Baptism cleanses the soul; Oil gives strength and light; Confirmation
strengthens and enlightens the soul; Bread and wine nourish; the Holy
Eucharist nourishes the soul.

Q. 587. What do we mean by the "matter and form" of the Sacraments?
A. By the "matter" of the Sacraments we mean the visible things, such as
water, oil, bread, wine, &c., used for the Sacraments. By the "form" we
mean the words, such as "I baptize thee," "I confirm thee," &c., used in
giving or administering the Sacraments.

Q. 588. Do the needs of the soul resemble the needs of the body?
A. The needs of the soul do resemble the needs of the body; for the body
must be born, strengthened, nourished, healed in affliction, helped at
the hour of death, guided by authority, and given a place in which to
dwell. The soul is brought into spiritual life by Baptism; it is
strengthened by Confirmation; nourished by the Holy Eucharist; healed by
Penance; helped at the hour of our death by Extreme Unction; guided by
God's ministers through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and it is given a
body in which to dwell by the Sacrament of Matrimony.

Q. 589. {138} Whence have the Sacraments the power of giving grace?
A. The Sacraments have the power of giving grace from the merits of
Jesus Christ.

Q. 590. Does the effect of the Sacraments depend on the worthiness or
unworthiness of the one who administers them?
A. The effect of the Sacraments does not depend on the worthiness or
unworthiness of the one who administers them, but on the merits of Jesus
Christ, who instituted them, and on the worthy dispositions of those who
receive them.

Q. 591. {139} What grace do the Sacraments give?
A. Some of the Sacraments give sanctifying grace, and others increase it
in our souls.

Q. 592. When is a Sacrament said to give, and when is it said to
increase, grace in our souls?
A. A Sacrament is said to give grace when there is no grace whatever in
the soul, or in other words, when the soul is in mortal sin. A Sacrament
is said to increase grace when there is already grace in the soul, to
which more is added by the Sacrament received.

Q. 593. {140} Which are the Sacraments that give sanctifying grace?
A. The Sacraments that give sanctifying grace are Baptism and Penance;
and they ar