What are sacramentals and how do they differ from the seven sacraments?
Sacramentals are sacred signs (such as blessings, holy water, blessed salt, crucifixes, palms, ashes, and rosaries) instituted by the Church rather than directly by Christ. Unlike the seven sacraments which confer grace 'ex opere operato' by their own power, sacramentals prepare the soul to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with God's Holy Spirit ('ex opere operantis Ecclesiae'). They sanctify every circumstance of daily human life and protect against demonic influences.
Sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1667-1679
- 1 Timothy 4:4-5
Awaiting review by the chaplaincy. Written in our own words; the Church's own texts are the authority.