Chapter — Merkelbach, Summa Theologiae Moralis
Chapter I: On the Principal Effect: Grace
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29. The doctrine of the Church attributes a twofold effect to the sacraments: one principal, which is conferred by all, namely, grace; the other secondary, which is found in some: character. Concerning grace the Council of Trent teaches three things, which we are going to explain in three questions:
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- it defines that the sacraments of the New Law truly contain the grace which they signify and confer it ex opere operato (sess. 7, can. 6 and 8);
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- it teaches the mode of causality: Baptism, say the same of the other sacraments, is the instrumental cause of justification (sess. 6, c. 7);
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- it defines when the sacraments cause grace: namely, in those not placing an obstacle, that is, in all, so far as is on God's part, if they receive them rightly (sess. 7, can. 6 and 7).