Understanding the Sacraments and Catholic Teachings

Sacramental Awareness

The ability to recognize God's presence and grace in all aspects of life, both ordinary and extraordinary.

Sacramental Dullness

The inability or unwillingness to perceive the sacred in daily life, stemming from distractions, indifference, sin, or a lack of faith.

Sacrament

Efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.

Permanent Seal

Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders.

Paschal Mystery

Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus.

Kingdom of God

Previewed by the Sacraments.

Incarnation

The act by which the Father sent his Son into the world, resulting in the Son of God assuming human nature.

Efficacious

Means 'capable of producing a desired effect.'

Jesus as the sacrament of God

He is the visible sign of God's invisible grace, revealing God through His life, death, and resurrection.

The Church as the sacrament of Jesus

It continues His mission and makes His presence known through the sacraments and the Christian community.

How God is revealed to us

Through Scripture, creation, Jesus Christ, tradition, and the sacraments.

Importance of symbols in faith

They express deep spiritual truths in ways words cannot and connect the visible and invisible.

Experience of God through sacraments

Sacraments are physical signs of God's grace, allowing us to encounter God in tangible ways.

Importance of symbols in sacraments

They help us see and feel God's presence, making God's grace real and understandable.

Why God loves us

Because He is love, and His love is unconditional, based on who we are as His beloved children.

Reasons for sacramental dullness

Distractions, indifference, sin, or a lack of faith.

Solutions to sacramental dullness

Opening your heart, reflecting on life's blessings, and seeking God in the sacraments and the world.

Too busy/distracted

Make time for silence and prayer​

Pain and suffering

Look for God in healing, support, and community​

Don't know where to look

Pay more attention to surroundings and reflecting on blessings

7 sacraments

Rooted in the life and ministry of Jesus. Through His actions—like healing, forgiving, blessing, and teaching—He showed us how God shares grace.

Jesus' resurrection

Love is stronger than death, and God brings new life out of suffering. It gives us hope in eternal life and teaches us that God's power can transform even the darkest moments.

Necessary for sacrament transformation

Faith and open disposition. The sacrament itself always carries grace, but for it to truly transform us, we must participate sincerely, ready to receive and respond to God's presence.

Godparents

Have an essential role in continuing the development of the faith of the child; witness child's baptism and encouraged to serve as confirmation sponsor.

Original Sin

The sin of the first man and woman that is passed on to all people.

Personal Sin

Sins that a person freely chooses to commit. These sins hurt our relationship with God and others.

Easter Vigil

The holiest night of the Church year, celebrated the night before Easter Sunday. It includes baptisms, confirmations, and welcomes new members into the Church.

Sponsor

Catholic adult who supports someone preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, or RCIA. They guide and pray with the person during their faith journey.

RCIA

The process by which adults become Catholic through a series of steps, including learning the faith, participating in liturgy, and receiving the sacraments.

Catechumenate

A period of study and preparation for those becoming Catholic (especially in RCIA). It includes learning about the faith and growing closer to God.

Mystagogia

The final period of RCIA, after receiving the sacraments at Easter. It's a time to reflect more deeply on the meaning of the sacraments and living as a Christian.

Inquiry

The first stage of RCIA, where someone interested in becoming Catholic asks questions and explores the faith without making any commitment yet.

Baptism of Desire

When someone wants to be baptized and live a faithful life, but dies before receiving the sacrament.

Baptism by blood

When someone dies for their faith in Jesus before being baptized.

Chrism

Special blessed oil used in Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.

Period of Inquiry/Precatechumenate

The interested person learns about the Catholic faith and the call to discipleship. This is a period of evangelization.

Period of Catechumenate

A time of formation and instruction in the Catholic faith that includes catechesis, spiritual development, participation in the liturgy, and engaging in apostolic witness.

Period of Purification

The elect participate in three scrutinies. They also participate in two optional presentations—the Apostles' or Nicene Creed and the Lord's Prayer.

Sacraments of Initiation

The catechumens receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

Period of Mystagogia

This is a period of postbaptismal catechesis lasting from Easter Vigil until Pentecost or sometimes Advent.

Neophytes

Newly initiated Catholics who continue to deepen their grasp of the Paschal Mystery.

Early Church Catechumenate

A long, structured process involving deep spiritual preparation, moral conversion, and close mentoring by the Christian community, typically lasting several years.

Necessity of Baptism for Salvation

Baptism is necessary for salvation because it washes away original sin, initiates a person into the Body of Christ, grants sanctifying grace, and is the ordinary means for salvation as taught by Jesus.

John the Baptist's Baptism

Jesus chose to be baptized by John to model for others and to prefigure his death on the cross.

Purpose of the Initiation Process

To prepare individuals through formation, spiritual growth, and community involvement to fully enter into the Christian life.

Symbolism of Immersion in Water

Represents death to sin, rising to new life, and cleansing, expressing the inner transformation through God's grace.

Water Symbolism in the Red Sea

The water symbolizes the Israelites fleeing slavery, protecting them and representing Baptism as escaping sin.

Baptism's Permanence

A person is only baptized once because Baptism leaves a permanent spiritual mark on the soul that signifies belonging to Christ forever.

Inquiry Stage

A time of asking questions and exploring the faith.

Mystagogia Stage

A post-baptism period of reflection and growth in the community.

Catechumenate Stage

A period of learning and spiritual development.

Purification and Enlightenment Stage

Focused on prayer and readiness, including scrutinies and presentations.

Holy Spirit

The third person of the Holy Trinity who strengthens the grace received at Baptism and gives the confirmed person the gifts needed to live out their faith boldly and maturely.

Faith Journey

A lifelong process of growing in relationship with God, involving constant learning, responding to challenges, and ongoing transformation through prayer, service, and community.

Confirmation

A personal decision to publicly affirm your belief in Christ and the teachings of the Church, requiring faith and commitment.

Eucharist

The source and summit of Christian life, where Confirmation is always celebrated to show its deep connection to the whole life of the Church.

Separation of Confirmation from Baptism

The historical development where Confirmation became delayed until a bishop could administer it, leading to its separation from Baptism.

Role of the Sponsor

Being a spiritual role model and active participant in the candidate's faith life, offering support, prayer, and encouragement.

Transubstantiation

The change of the substance of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ during the Consecration at Mass, while the appearances of bread and wine remain.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Gifts given to the confirmed person to empower them to witness to Christ and grow in holiness.

Lifelong Promise

The commitment to follow Christ actively and intentionally, which is not just a ceremony.

Baptism

The sacrament where the gifts of the Holy Spirit are planted.

Public Affirmation

The act of publicly declaring one's belief in Christ and the teachings of the Church during Confirmation.

Active Participation

The involvement in prayer, service, worship, and moral choices as part of living out one's faith.

Apostolic Connection

The link maintained by bishops through the administration of Confirmation.

Eastern Churches

Churches where Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are still celebrated together.

Roman Catholic Church

The Church where Baptism and Confirmation are celebrated separately.

Witness to Commitment

The role of the sponsor standing with the candidate during the rite.

Ongoing Growth

The responsibility of the confirmed person to continue to grow in their faith after receiving the sacrament.

Grace

A gift from God that is never taken away but must be tapped into and used.

Life of the Church

The communal aspect of faith that is strengthened through the sacrament of Confirmation.

Challenges and Graces

The experiences in life that require a response in faith and contribute to spiritual growth.

Transformation

The ongoing change in a person's life through prayer, service, and community involvement.

Consecration

The part of the Mass when the priest speaks the words of Jesus at the Last Supper, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.

Eucharist (Thanksgiving)

The sacrament in which Jesus is truly present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. The word 'Eucharist' means 'thanksgiving' because it is a celebration of gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice and ongoing presence.

Agape

A Greek word meaning selfless, unconditional love. In Christian tradition, it refers to the kind of love God has for us and that we are called to share with others. It's often associated with the Eucharistic meal.

Passover Seder

A Jewish ritual meal that remembers the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Jesus celebrated the Last Supper (which instituted the Eucharist) as a Passover meal with His disciples.

Exodus

The biblical story of how God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. It is symbolically linked to the Eucharist as Jesus leads us out of sin and into new life through His sacrifice.

Tabernacle

The sacred container in a Catholic church where consecrated hosts (the Body of Christ) are stored after Mass for prayer, adoration, and for bringing Communion to the sick.

Emmaus

A town mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. After the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread, a sign of the Eucharist.

Lamb

A symbol of Jesus Christ, referred to as the 'Lamb of God' because He sacrificed Himself for our sins, just as lambs were sacrificed in Jewish tradition during Passover.

Great Amen

The strong affirmation said by the congregation at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, proclaiming belief in everything that has just been prayed. It expresses unity with the Church and Christ.

Viaticum

The Eucharist given to a person who is near death. It means 'food for the journey' and provides spiritual strength and comfort as they prepare to meet God.

Vernacular

The common, local language of the people. After Vatican II, the Mass began to be celebrated in the vernacular rather than Latin so that people could participate more fully and understand the prayers.

Saint (Pope) John XXIII

The pope who convened the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) in the 1960s. He initiated major reforms in the Church, including changes to the Mass that allowed for greater lay participation and use of the vernacular.

Eucharist Lists

4 main parts of the mass: memorial acclamation, when is first & second reading, consecration - most important part of mass, readings from scripture.

Eucharist Concepts

1. How often Catholics are encouraged to receive the Eucharist: Encouraged as often as possible, required at least once a year.

Absolution

The forgiveness of sins given by the priest in the name of Jesus during the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Repent

To feel true sorrow for sins and commit to turning away from sin and toward God.

Penance/Satisfaction

An act assigned by the priest to help repair the damage caused by sin and express a desire for change.

Seal of Confession

The absolute secrecy priests must keep about anything confessed, which they can never reveal.

Reconciliation

The sacrament that offers forgiveness of sins, restores our relationship with God and others, and gives peace and healing.

Role of the priest in Reconciliation

The priest acts in the person of Christ to hear confessions, offer absolution, assign penance, and guide the penitent back to God.

Conversion of heart

A change that comes about through the Holy Spirit, prompting our conscience and moving us to seek God's mercy.

Who is affected by sin

Sin affects not only the sinner but also others, damaging relationships and distancing us from God.

Individual Reconciliation

A one-on-one confession with a priest, involving private confession and absolution.

Communal service

A group prayer and reflection where each person still confesses privately to a priest.

Genuine repentance

Showing true sorrow, making a firm decision to change, confessing honestly, and doing penance sincerely.

Jesus forgave St. Peter

Jesus said to forgive 'seventy times seven times' (Matthew 18:22), meaning limitless forgiveness.

Domestic Church

The Christian family, where faith is first taught and lived out, known as the 'church at home'.