The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-17
MASSES ARE VERY
 LARGELY ATTENDED
Father Kerrlgan Gives Instruc-
 ton on the SacramentS
EXPOSITION OF DOCTRINE
The Effect and the Efficacy of sacra- ment Explalned--Notes of Father Meurer's Sermon = Requiem
 Masses Next Thursday.

At St. Paups church yesterday the Rev. Father OReilly was the celebrant and preacher at first mass and the Rev Father Kerrigan was the celebrant of the second and third masses The con- gregations at all the services were large and at the late mass the church was filled At the latter service Father Ker- riEan delivered the third lecture of his series on the sacraments which was his concluding instruction on the sacraments in general Next Sunday he will give instruction on baptism in particular. A synopsis of Father Kerrigan's lecture yesterday follows:
 Effects of the Sacraments.
 The effects of the sacraments are three -sanctifying grace, actual graces and character or sacramantal mark.
 All the sacraments give sanctifying grace; some the first, as Baptism and penance others the second sanctifying grace. The first sanctifying grace changes soul from a state of mortal sin to that of holiness. The second sanc- tifying grace Is given to souls already sanotified and augments their grace.
 All the sacraments give actual graces, enabling the recipient to secure the end of the sacrament received The actual graces of baptism are the helps the bap- tized persoh will need to preserve his baptismal innocence and lead Christian life
 Three sacraments-baptlsm, confirmation and holy orders-imprint on the soul a character, spiritual. indelible mark. making their second reception impossible.
 Efficacy of sacraments.
 As regards the efficacy of the sacra- ments or the manner in which they pro- duce their effects, this takes place of their own power independently of the disposition of the minister but dependent ly on that of the subject They act by virtue of the act done, not by virtue of ner, as do the natural agents, fire and water. They are causes in the spiritual order and, like natural causes always produce their effect by whatever minis ter conferred Their effect is, however, dependent on the disposition of the sub ject. Two kinds of dispositions are re- quired-those necessary for validity and those necessary for fruit or grace. Ac- cording as the disposition of the subject Is good or defective the reception of the sacrament will be valid, null, fruitful or informal. It is valid when the subject is capable and has the intention. Null when either of these be lacking. Fruitful when both valid and efficacious; that is, when the subject is capable, has the in- tention and all the disposition required as faith, sufficient instruction and sorrow for sin It is informal when valid but not fruitful, as happens when one is bap- tized without faith or sorrow for sin The sacrament is valid but devoid of sanctifying grace. The obstacle retard- ing grace being afterward removed by wives or the interrupted grace flows in on the soul.
 The more or less elaborate ceremonies investing the sacraments are not essen- tially necessary for their validity. They are necessary only by necessity of precept. They are to the sacrament what the gold or silver setting of the diamond is to the precious jewel encased in it. They are sacred and symboical ornaments clothing the sacraments that they may be admin istered with greater dignity and respect and that the faithful may better under stand their effects and mysteries.
 Our Lady of Sorrows.
 At the church of Our Lady of Sorrows the Rev. Father Meurer delivered a short but impressive sermon on the gospel in St. Mark. chapter '; 31 to 36 verses. He spoke of the deaf and dumb man being made to hear and talk. Although Christ asked the man not to tell of the miracle but the man was so grateful that he could not keep quiet. but went about praisine God all the more. Are we as grateful as this man? the priest asked. Was not oul tongues given us that we might also praise God? Instead of asking Gods blessings some men blaspheme. Men should love God and never blaspheme His holy name; fear Him and never offend His divinity. Father Meurer closed by exhorting his hearers to follow their religion closely to love their neighbors. to sever the ties which hold them from God before 1t Is too late.
 Requiem masses will be said in all the Catholic churches on August 20 for the re- post of the soul of Leo XIII.