Were Jesus' sacraments efficacious before the Paschal Mystery?

[augustinegirl]

All Sacraments are rooted in the economy of salvation and the saving act of the Paschal Mystery, correct? Or is that not correct? I had always been told that it was. And if that is true, then were the Sacraments that Jesus instituted before the Paschal Mystery efficacious? Was Jesus’ Baptism a sacrament or a symbol? What about the Eucharist at the Last Supper? We say that the Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper, but that was before the Paschal Mystery…so how does that work?

PS it would be awesome if you could cite your answers, at least generally! Thank you!

 

[itsjustdave1988]

All Sacraments are rooted in the economy of salvation and the saving act of the Paschal Mystery, correct? Or is that not correct? I had always been told that it was. And if that is true, then were the Sacraments that Jesus instituted before the Paschal Mystery efficacious? Was Jesus’ Baptism a sacrament or a symbol? What about the Eucharist at the Last Supper? We say that the Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper, but that was before the Paschal Mystery…so how does that work?

The Council of Trent defined that the seven sacraments of the New Law were instituted by Christ (Sess. VII, can.i). However, the manner in which the sacraments were instituted (e.g., whether immediately or mediately) remains a matter of theological discussion.

See here for detailed discussion:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13295a.htm#III

Nonetheless, we should note too, that the power Paschal Mystery is not limited by time.

God bless,
Dave

 

[FrDavid96]

We would have to look at each Sacrament individually.

For example, Confirmation did not exist until Pentecost, so that one answers itself. Same with Ordination and Unction.

As for Eucharist, we see the events of the Passion as being a single, continuous moment in time, over a period of 3 days. So, Eucharist was not instituted “before the Passion” but instead “during the Passion.” Nevertheless, the Apostles received the fullness of the Eucharist (Summa Question 81 article 3)

That leaves Baptism and marriage. I need to leave the desk for a while.