re sacraments pt.1

sacraments

the parallel between the stages of our natural, physical/social life, and those of our Christian spiritual life

Baptism

our spiritual regeneration; between our growth

Confirmation

in which we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit

Baptism

It is this sacrament which gives life to those who lie in death and corruption.

Confirmation

it perfects those so born by giving them the energy that goes with this life

Eucharist

it preserves what has been received and keeps it alive. Thus, we live by this Bread, we are strengthened by this Anointing, after we have received our being in the bath of Baptism

1. new life in Christ through water and the Spirit, and by dying/rising with Christ in sharing his Paschal Mystery

2. incorporation into the Church through the sacrament of Faith

3. sharing the Trinitarian divine life in an on-going, progressive way that looks ever to the future.

Baptism is presented here under three major headings:

Original sin

the sinful condition into which all human beings as descendants of Adam and Eve are born, with the exception of Jesus and Mary Most Holy

1. Pre-Catechumenate Period of evangelization

2. Catechumenate Period

3. Period of Purification and Enlightenment

4. Period of Deepening (Mystagogia)

four major periods, each separated by a particular liturgical ritual:

Pre-Catechumenate Period of evangelization

leading to the Rite of Enrollment as Catechumens;

Catechumenate Period of catechetical instruction

leading to the Rite of Election

Period of Purification and Enlightenment

preparatory for the Reception of the Sacraments

Period of Deepening (Mystagogia)

the time of developing the Christian experience by entering more fully into the life and communion of the faithful.

closer union with the Church, and strengthening and empowerment by the Holy Spirit to actively spread the Faith

The sacrament of Confirmation is described by Vatican II in terms of its two essential characteristics:

N., be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit

The sacrament of Confirmation is conferred by “anointing with holy Chrism on the forehead, done while imposing the hands and by these words:

Bishop

The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the

to strengthen and confirm the grace of Baptism

main effect of Confirmation is

1. witness to the Kingdom of God and God’s power present in the new age begun in Christ

2. witness to Jesus the Christ, as the unique Savior of all

3. witness to Christ’s real presence in the Christian community, the People of God, the Church

The main effect of Confirmation is to strengthen and confirm the grace of Baptism. This means a more intense sharing in the mission of Christ and of the Church, empowering the confirmed to be public witnesses of the Faith:

• personal knowledge, awareness, and experience of Christ in their daily lives

• a basic grounding in Scripture, Church teaching and fundamental human experience

• the courage to suffer and risk for the Kingdom of God

To be effective witnesses to Christ and the Church demands certain basic qualities:

• the Spirit of HOLINESS who makes present the All-Holy One

• the Spirit of LOVE who enables his followers to love as he loves

• the Spirit of TRUTH who sets us free

The Spirit in Christ our Lord is:

• we are freed from the power of darkness by being baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection

• receive the Spirit

What are the effects of the sacraments of initiation?

• through the biblical symbol of water and the Holy Spirit

• by making us share in Christ’s “baptism” of his Paschal Mystery

Baptism unites us to the Risen Christ:

Baptismal Seal” or Character

it imprint a permanent spiritual seal or “character” on the soul, marking a specific relationship to Christ and to the Church.

• a free gift of God, not something merited by us

• the beginning of our faith-life

• a gift given through the parents’ Christian faith-life.

Infant baptism highlights the truths that baptism is:

Confirmation

is the sacrament in which, through the power of the Holy Spirit, a baptized person is drawn into closer union with the Church and endowed with strength to actively spread the Gospel

Eucharist

the source and summit of the whole Christian life

Eucharist

It is the memorial of Christ’s sacrifice, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and the center of his sacramental presence, uniting the “People of God,” the Church.

• a Memorial of his death and resurrection

• a Sacrament of love, a sign of unity and bond of charity

• a Paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace

• a Pledge of future glory is given to us.

At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church:

• Introductory Rites

• Liturgy of the Word

• Liturgy of the Eucharist

• Communion Rite

• Concluding Rites

The whole Eucharistic celebration consists of:

thanksgiving (eucha-ristein) to the Father, a memorial (anamnesis) of Christ’s Pasch, and an invocation (epiclesis) of the Holy Spirit

the Eucharist is essentially an act of:

“He took (Preparation of the Gifts), blessed (Eucharistic Prayer), broke (Breaking of the Bread), and gave (Communion) to his disciples”

the Liturgy of the Eucharist are patterned on the four solemn actions of Christ at the Last Supper:

• when she prays, since Christ prays for us and with us;

• as she performs her works of mercy

• when she offers the Eucharist.

Christ is present in the Church:

• sacramental

• personal

• in his glorified body

• dynamic and lasting

Christ’s presence is:

• perfect worship to the Father,

• making present the sacrifice of his Incarnate Son on the Cross

• through the power of their Holy Spirit

The Eucharist celebration is “prayer” because it offers:

thanksgiving, praise and adoration, contrition, petition and offering.

The five goals of authentic prayer are thus realized in the Eucharist:

• unites us with Christ

• separates us from sin

• reconciles us with one another

• builds up the Christian community, the Church.

Receiving Holy Communion worthily:

• the assembly

• the person of the priest celebrant

• the Holy Scriptures

• substantially and unceasingly under the Eucharistic species of bread and wine.

In the Eucharistic celebration, Christ is present in:

• personal significance (trans-signification)

• purpose or finality (trans-finalization), both based on the new

• reality of bread and wine (trans-substantiation)

In the Eucharist, bread and wine, as food and drink, take on a new:

• to save us from our sins

• from the many evils that flow from sin

Christ came with his “healing ministry”:

• Confession

• Sacrament of Penance

• Sacrament of Reconciliation

What is the Sacrament of forgiving sins called today? It is called:

Confession

when stressing our need to acknowledge our sins and ask for forgiveness

Sacrament of Penance

to focus on the conversion process of contrition, repentance and satisfaction

Sacrament of Reconciliation

to bring out the restoring of our graced relationships of love and friendship with God and our neighbor.

Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation

It is the sacrament through which we obtain pardon from God for sins committed after Baptism and for which we are truly repentant

Triune God

Who forgives sin in Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation

• we are sinners, needing God’s merciful forgiveness,

• which comes to us through Christ and his Church,

• in the sacramental ministry of the priests

By “going to Confession” we affirm our Faith-convictions that:

• a certain conflict, followed by

• an encounter, which brings

• self-discovery, and leads to

• personal transformation through God’s grace.

What steps make up the conversion process?

1. sacramental means

2. non-sacramental means

The Christian process of conversion includes both:

sacramental means

starting with Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, Penance itself, and the fervent celebration of the Eucharist

non-sacramental means

prayer, almsgiving and fasting, penitential services, and especially our daily acts of sacrifice, loving service, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness

• true sorrow for sin with purpose to amend;

• confession of sins, and priestly absolution; and

• being restored to fellowship in the community

factors in the history of the Sacrament of Penance are essential today:

• moral conversion

• affective conversion

• intellectual conversion

• religious conversion

types of conversion

moral conversion

turning away from sin toward genuine love

affective conversion

ordering our imagination, feelings and emotions toward the good

intellectual conversion

re-directing our understanding and judgment

religious conversion

a “falling in love” with God