ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Aquinas and the Sacraments

Aquinas was a very smart man who lived a long time ago. He wanted to understand how God works in the world and how people can connect with God. He thought a lot about something called sacraments, which are special things that Christians do to show their love for God and to get closer to him.

Aquinas believed that there are seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders, and matrimony. Each sacrament is like a special way to be with God and to feel his love.

For example, during baptism, a person is washed with water to show that they are being cleansed from old sins and starting a new life with God. During the Eucharist, Christians eat bread and drink wine to remember Jesus and his love for them, and to feel closer to him.

Aquinas thought that the sacraments were really important because they help people feel loved and connected to God. He believed that by doing these special things, people could become better and more holy, and that they would receive God's grace and blessings.

So, in short, Aquinas was a smart man who thought a lot about special things called sacraments, which are ways that Christians can show their love for God and get closer to him. He believed that these sacraments were really important because they help people feel loved and connected to God, and they can make people better and more holy.