Lap 3 Jesus and His Church Study Guide

Know how Baptism is prefigured in the Old Testament -

• Genesis creation story - waters represent new creation and spiritual life brought by Baptism

• Noah’s Ark

• Crossing the Red Sea - signifies a transition from slavery to sin to freedom in Christ

Know what the plunging of the baptist symbolizes.

Symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, marking the death of a person’s old sinful life to their rebirth into righteousness

Describe the rite of Baptism -

Rite = the set of words, actions, and symbols, used in a religious ceremony

• White garments

• Candle Light of Christ

Typical steps -

• welcoming and naming/ presented and named + community gathers

• Reading and Scriptural prayer

• Parents/godparents reject sin and profess core beliefs

• Water is applied, and the Trinitarian formula is spoken

• Anointing oil, white garment, candle, and prayers of blessing

• Sending forth of new baptized person

Know 3 elements of Baptism. -

• Water

• Trinitarian Formula Words Spoken

• A Minister and the Faith Community

State 3 reminders of Baptism at Easter -

• Blessing and Sprinkling with Holy Water

• Renewal of Baptismal Promises

• The Paschal (Easter) Candle and Baptismal Candles

Know the sacramental character of Baptism -

- Baptism leaves a permanent spiritual mark on the soul

• shows the person belongs to Christ and is configured to share in Christ’s mission

• Baptism is only received once since mark is permanent

Summarize the origin of Confirmation using an Old Testament example -

- Does not contain Confirmation as a sacrament, but includes signs that point toward it

• Kings were anointed, receiving authority and God’s help

Pentecostc - HS comes down onto the apostles

Summarize the history of Confirmation in the early church -

Was a unified process

• Baptism is new life in Christ

• Laying on of the Hands and prayer for the Spirit

• Sharing the Eucharist

Early Christians understood as receiving forgiveness and new life

Describe the difference between East and West Confirmation -

Main difference is timing and ordinary minister - not whether the HS is truly given

EAST -

• normally celebrated immediately after Baptism

• keeps initiation as a unified celebration

• minister is often a priest using chrism blessed by the Bishop - showing unity with Bishop and the wider Church

WEST -

• often celebrated years after Baptism

• typically ministered by the Bishop (Priests can confirm in special cases)

• moment of public strengthing for mature Christian witness

• Western practice still teaches Confirmation is part of initiation and completes batismal grace

Know the significance of laying on of hands -

Foundational biblical act symbolizing the transfer of blessing, authority, or spiritual gifts, and the setting apart of individuals for ministry

Know the significance of anointing with the sacred chrism -

• highlights the authority and unity of the Church

• reminds Catholics that the bishop is a successor of the apostles

Know why special emphasis is placed on the Word of God during the Confirmation liturgy?

to invoke the HS, who flows through Scripture to strengthen the baptized for their mission

make God’s will known, deepening their commitment to live as witnesses of Christ in the Church

Know when does the renewal of baptismal promises take place during the Confirmation liturgy -

occurs before the candidates are confirmed as the publicly restate the faith of Baptism - immediately after the homily

Know the essential rite of Confirmation -

The candidate is anointed with sacred chrism on the forehead while the minister speaks the words commonly - “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit”

Know why the sacred chrism used in Confirmation reminds Catholics of the authority of the bishop as a successor of Apostles

Sacred chrism highlights

• Authority and unity of the Church

• Because the chrism is consecrated by the Bishop, reminding Catholics that the Bishop is a successor of the apostles

• The Church’s continuity from the apostles to today is one faithful mission under the Holy Spirit

Name and briefly describe each of the effects of Confirmation -

• Increases Baptismal Grace

• Unites more firmly to Christ

• Increases gifts of the HS

• Strengthens bonds with the church

• Empowers to spread and defend the Church

Name the 7 gifts of the HS -

• Wisdom

• Understanding

• Counsel

• Fortitude

• Knowledge

• Piety

• Fear of the Lord

Know how is Confirmation connected to Baptism -

perfecting and strengthening the grace received at Baptism - completion of the initiation

Know why a person can be confirmed only once -

permanent mark of the HS which cannot be erased or repeated

Know how the Eucharistic signs of bread and wine prefigured in the Old Testament -

Bread - earlier event/person/thing - points forward to a fuller reality later

Eucharist as spiritual food for the journey of faith

Passover meal - new covenant meal

Wine - represents life poured out and shared in communion

Melchizedek

OT worship and covenant signs prepare for Christ’s gift

Know why the fundamental structure of the Eucharistic celebration has not changed over time -

Church is bound by Christ’s command at the Last Supper

Know 3 ways that the Eucharist is a sacramental sacrifice -

It makes present the sacrifice of the Cross (not repeated, but re-
presented).

It is an offering to the Father: the Church offers Christ—and itself with
Him—in thanksgiving and worship.

It unites us to Christ’s self-gift: we join our prayers, struggles, and lives to
His perfect offering.

Know the Tridentine Mass -

• Tridentine Mass: The form of the Roman Catholic Mass
  standardized after the Council of Trent (16th century).

• celebrated in Latin

• specific prayers, readings, and gestures in a particular order

Know the 2 main parts of the Mass and what takes place in both of them

• 1) Liturgy of the Word

  • Focus: God speaks; we respond in
    faith.

• 2) Liturgy of the Eucharist

  • Focus: Christ’s sacrifice is made
    present; we receive Communion.

Know epiclesis and anamnesis -

Epiclesis: The calling down of the Holy Spirit
upon the gifts (and the people), asking God to
make the bread and wine the Body and Blood of
Christ.

Anamnesis: “Remembrance” that makes present;
the Church recalls Christ’s Passion, Resurrection,
and Ascension in a way that participates in the
saving event.

Know the high point of the Mass -

The high point is the Eucharistic Prayer, especially the
consecration and the offering of Christ to the Father.

Know 2 important beliefs regarding the Eucharist that the petition prayers are to remind you of -

• Belief 1: The Eucharist unites the Church.

• Belief 2: The Eucharist sends us on mission.

Know the effects of the Sacrament of the Eucharist -

• Deeper union with Christ

• Strengthening of grace (spiritual strength to live as a
  Christian)

• Building up the unity of the Church (the Body of Christ)

• Commitment to the poor and to love in action

Know the type of sin forgiven in the Sacrament of the Eucharist -

• The Eucharist forgives venial sin and helps protect against
  future sin.

• It does not forgive mortal sin; someone conscious of
  Mortal sin should receive Reconciliation before
  Communion.

Name 2 ways reception of Holy Communion helps Catholics “be Eucharist” for others -

• Service and self-gift: Treating others with Christ-like generosity—
  giving time, attention, and help.

• Being a peacemaker and builder of unity: Forgiving, listening, and
  working for reconciliation in family, school, and community.

Know the proper disposition to receive Holy Communion -

• Be in a state of grace (not aware of unconfessed mortal sin)

• Approach with faith, reverence, and attention

• Observe the Church’s Eucharistic fast (as applicable)

• Desire to be transformed and to live what you receive

Where would you begin with the story of Baptism if you were telling it to someone who didn’t know?

What is a gift of the Holy Spirit that you see lived out in your life?

How might your increasing understanding of the Eucharistic liturgy influence your understanding and participation in your next Mass?