Which principle emphasizes that the 'work' of the sacrament depends on the recipient’s disposition?

Which principle emphasizes that the 'work' of the sacrament depends on the recipient’s disposition?

• A. ex opere operato
• B. In persona Christi
• C. The grace through the minister
• D. ex opere operantis

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is that a sacrament communicates grace, but the extent or fruit of that grace depends on the recipient’s interior response. This dependence is captured by the principle ex opere operantis, which emphasizes that the effect of the sacrament is shaped by the recipient’s disposition and cooperation with grace (and, to some extent, the minister’s integrity). In contrast, ex opere operato teaches that the sacrament conveys grace by the rite itself regardless of how the recipient responds, which is not what this statement is focusing on. The other options refer to different aspects—the priest acting in Christ’s person (in persona Christi) and the ministerial act delivering grace—without addressing how the recipient’s disposition affects the outcome.

The key idea here is that a sacrament communicates grace, but the extent or fruit of that grace depends on the recipient’s interior response. This dependence is captured by the principle ex opere operantis, which emphasizes that the effect of the sacrament is shaped by the recipient’s disposition and cooperation with grace (and, to some extent, the minister’s integrity). In contrast, ex opere operato teaches that the sacrament conveys grace by the rite itself regardless of how the recipient responds, which is not what this statement is focusing on. The other options refer to different aspects—the priest acting in Christ’s person (in persona Christi) and the ministerial act delivering grace—without addressing how the recipient’s disposition affects the outcome.