What Are the purpose & effects of the Catholic Sacrament Of Reconciliation?
Aquinas argues it is a sacrament ( and as such “confers holiness” and is an outwards sign of inward grace) I answer that, As Gregory says [Isidore, Etym. vi, ch. 19, “a sacrament consists in a solemn act, whereby something is so done that we understand it to signify the holiness which it confers.” Now it is evident that in Penance something is done so that something holy is signified both on the part of the penitent sinner, and on the part of the priest absolving, because the penitent sinner, by deed and word, shows his heart to have renounced sin, and in like manner the priest, by his deed and word with regard to the penitent, signifies the work of God Who forgives his sins. Therefore it is evident that Penance, as practiced in the Church, is a sacrament. http://www.newadvent.org/summa/4084.htm He argues it is also a virtue in the following chapter. You should know to reference here 😉 good luck on your test Don’t fo
