The Catechism in Questions & Answers

377. How do we experience the invisible side of the church of Jesus Christ?

Among other things, we experience the invisible side of the church in its effects of salvation. These are invisible to human beings and can only be grasped in faith.
For example, we experience effects of salvation

  • when God forgives sins,
  • when original sin is washed away through baptism,
  • when God grants the gift of the Holy Spirit,
  • when the body and blood of Christ are given in Holy Communion,
  • when the sacraments are dispensed to the departed,
  • when acts of blessing (confirmations, ordinations, etc.) are performed,
  • when God acts through the human words of the sermon,
  • when the blessing of God is laid upon the congregation.