d Penance give this sanctifying grace when there is not any of
it in the soul. But the other Sacraments are received while we are in a
state of grace, and they therefore increase the quantity of it in our
souls.

*140 Q. Which are the Sacraments that give sanctifying grace?
A. The Sacraments that give sanctifying grace are Baptism and Penance;
and they are called Sacraments of the dead.

"Of the dead." Not of a dead person; for when a person is dead he cannot
receive any of the Sacraments. It is only while we live upon earth that
we are on trial, and can do good or evil, and merit grace. At death we
receive simply our reward or punishment for what we have done while
living. Therefore, Sacraments of the dead mean Sacraments given to a
dead soul, that is, to a soul in mortal sin. When grace--its life--is
all out of the soul it can do nothing to merit Heaven; and we say it is
dead, because the dead can do nothing for themselves. If a person
receives--as many do--the Sacrament of Penance while his soul is not in
a state of mortal sin, what then? Then the soul--already
living--receives an increase of sanctifying grace, that is, greater
spiritual life and strength.

*141 Q. Why are Baptism and Penance called Sacraments of the dead?
A. Baptism and Penance are called Sacraments of the dead because they
take away sin, which is the death of the soul, and give grace, which is
its life.

*142 Q. Which are the Sacraments that increase sanctifying grace in the
soul?
A. The Sacraments that increase sanctifying grace in the soul are:
Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and
Matrimony; and they are called Sacraments of the living.

*143 Q. Why are Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy
Orders, and Matrimony called Sacraments of the living?
A. Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and
Matrimony are called the Sacraments of the living because those who
receive them worthily are already living the life of grace.

*144 Q. What sin does he commit who receives the Sacraments of the
living in mortal sin?
A. He who receives the Sacraments of the living in mortal sin commits a
sacrilege, which is a great sin, because it is an abuse of a sacred
thing.

"Sacrilege." There are other ways besides the unworthy reception of the
Sacraments in which a person may commit sacrilege. You could commit it
by treating any sacred thing with great disrespect. For example, by
making common use o