Includes bibliographical references and index.

pt. 1 Fittingness of the sacramental economy

Fittingness of the sacramental economy

What are sacraments? Development of the definition of sacrament

The seven sacraments

Christ instituted sacraments

pt. 2 The outward sacramental sign

Matter and form of the sacraments

The subject and the minister of the sacraments

pt. 3 The effects of the sacraments

Sacramental character

Rest et Sacramentum

The gifts of grace communicated by the sacraments

Sacramental graces proper for each sacrament

pt. 4 The instrumental causality of the sacraments

Causality of the sacraments as instruments of Christ: The theological tradition to Aquinas

St. Thomas Aquinas on Sacramental causality

Causality of the sacraments Ex Opere Operato: The Reformation and Post-Tridentine theories

pt. 5 Grace given through desire of the sacraments

Sanctification through the sacramental rites of the Old Covenant

Sacramental grace received through desire

The desire of the church for the salvation of infants who die without baptism