Treatise — Gury-Ballerini, Compendium of Moral Theology (8th ed., 1884)
Treatise On the Sacraments in General
Since every part of Christian doctrine requires the Pastor's knowledge and diligence, so especially the discipline of the Sacraments, which both by God's command is necessary and is most abundant in utility, demands a singular faculty and industry of the Parish Priest, so that by an accurate and frequent perception of it the faithful may become such that the most excellent and most holy things may be imparted to them worthily and salutarily, and that Priests may not depart from that rule of the divine prohibition: Do not give what is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine. Catechism of the Council of Trent, part 2, on the Sacraments, c. 1, n. 1.
- Since there is such dignity and utility of the Sacraments for the sanctification of souls, for whom Christ the Lord did not hesitate to pour forth His Blood and to undergo the torment of the cross, it is especially helpful that preachers of the divine word frequently have discourse to the people concerning them, namely by explaining their institution, necessity, pre-eminent dignity, and wonderful efficacy, and by accurately teaching the faithful concerning the dispositions necessary for receiving abundant graces through them. - Hence the Council of Trent, sess. 24, c. 7, on Reform, has these words:
That the faithful people may approach the receiving of the Sacraments with greater reverence and devotion of soul, the holy Synod commands all Bishops that not only, when these are to be administered to the people by themselves, they first explain their force and use according to the capacity of those receiving them, but also that they take care that the same be piously and prudently observed by individual Parish Priests...; and also that during the solemnities of Masses, or the celebration of divine things, on individual feast or solemn days, they explain the sacred utterances and admonitions of salvation, and strive, useless questions having been put aside, to insert the same into the hearts of all, and to instruct them in the law of the Lord.
We must treat 1º of the nature and division; 2º of the matter and form; 3º of the Minister; 4º of the subject of the Sacraments.