Roman Catechism 15.5

Chapter 15 — Part II: The Sacraments — Introduction on the Sacraments in General

Section 5. The Latin Doctors, therefore, deemed the word a very appropriate term to express certain sensible signs which at once communicate grace, declare it, and, as it were, place it before the eyes. St. Gregory, however, is of the opinion that such a sign is called a Sacrament, because the divine power secretly operates our salvation under the veil of sensible things.