Dear Leon:

Quoting from Ott's Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, "The Sacraments of the New Covenant contain the grace which they signify, and bestow it on those who do not hinder it... The Sacraments work ex opere operator." This is a De Fide dogma. This means that sacramental grace is not "conferred by reason of the subjective activity of the recipient", rather that the "sacramental grace is caused by the validity of operated sacramental sign [the valid Sacrament itself]... the subjective disposition of the recipient is not the cause of grace."

Ott continues, "The measure of the grace effected ex opere operato even depends on the grade of the subjective disposition.... 'we receive grace according to the measure given by the Holy Spirit as He wills and according to each one's own dispositions and co-operation'" (Paul III, Council of Trent).

I believe that "hinder it" refers to a person refusing the grace, not intending to receive the sacrament and its grace.

Thus, I would disagree with the Fr. Canalamessa a little, if I understand him correctly. It seems to me from reading the dogma cited above, that the Sacrament is valid, thereby the grace is conferred upon the recipients regardless of their personal dispositions. It is not the disposition of the recipients that causes the grace, but the Sacrament itself.

With that said, the fruit of the Sacrament is certainly hindered and cannot be in full flower until the recipient is properly disposed. As St. Paul says (1 Thess 5:19) "Do not quench the Spirit" and (2 Tim 1:6) "Hence I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands." The "laying on hands" here is in conferring of Holy Orders upon St. Timothy (and also applies to Confirmation in which there is a laying on of hands). It is not referring to what Charismatics do.

While the phrase "tied sacrament" appears to be an invention of Fr. Canalamessa, one can certainly quench (suppress) the grace given to them.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary