Semester 2 Final Study Notes
Sacraments
Three Sacraments received only once: Holy Orders, Confirmation, and Baptism.
Some Sacraments are received only once because they leave an indelible mark.
Sacramentum: Oath.
Sacrament: Efficacious sign of grace instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, sharing divine life with us.
Efficacious: Producing an effect.
Sacraments are efficacious because Christ works through them to give us grace.
Jesus Christ instituted the sacraments.
Three categories of Sacraments: Initiation, Healing, and Service.
Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation.
Sacraments of Healing: Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.
Sacraments of Service: Matrimony and Holy Orders.
Proper Dispositions for receiving Sacraments: Desire and being in a state of grace.
Matter: Physical sign of a particular Sacrament.
Form: Necessary ritual words.
Minister: Person administering or celebrating the Sacrament.
Sacraments are necessary for Christian Life:
Necessary for salvation.
Means by which God nourishes holiness and cleanses sin.
Draws us closer to God and the Trinity.
Constitutes three Divine calls:
Live a life of personal holiness.
Worship God as He intends.
Conform to His moral teachings.
Unites us to the Christian community.
Sanctifying Grace: Grace received in Sacraments, gift of the Holy Spirit, receives divine life and theological virtues.
Actual Grace: Grace that strengthens us when tempted or desiring virtue.
One source of Sacramental Grace: Paschal Mystery of our Lord.
Actual minister of each Sacrament: Jesus Christ.
Sacraments are a preparation for full union with Christ in Heaven.
Baptism
Baptism: Vitae spiritualis ianua, "the gateway to spiritual life."
Sacrament by which someone becomes a member of the Church.
Forgiven of Original and Actual Sin.
Receives Sanctifying and Actual Grace.
Gains access to other Sacraments.
Rite of Baptism: Immersion or effusion with water three times, using the Trinitarian Formula, with the right intention.
Rite: Religious ritual or act.
Affusion: Sprinkling of water, water poured over the head three times.
Immersion: Dunked in the water.
Who can receive Baptism:
Age of Reason: Unbaptized, intention to receive, instructed in the Faith, tested in Christian life by the Catechumenate.
Not Age of Reason: One parent consents, hope child grows up Catholic.
Is Baptism necessary for Salvation: Yes, but non-baptized people can stil l get to Heaven through God's mercy and justice
Christ instituted Baptism after his Resurrection: "Go therefore and make disciples of al l nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son… "
Why Baptize Infants: It produces an effect in our souls which you would not want to deny infants
Matter of Baptism: Water.
Form of Baptism: Trinitarian Formula.
Minister of Baptism: Usually a Bishop, Priest, or Deacon, but can be anyone in extreme circumstances with the right intention.
Effects of Baptism:
Forgives and cleanses the soul of Original and Actual sin.
Incorporates us into the Church.
Divine Filiation: Makes us children of God.
Infuses us with the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love.
Makes it possible to go to Heaven.
Confirmation
Confirmation: Sacrament of Initiation that confirms, completes, and strengthens the gifts of the Holy Spirit first given at Baptism.
Age of Reason: 7 years old.
When Christ instituted Confirmation: Pentecost when he fulfil led the promise of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit into the Apostles.
Matter of Confirmation:
Sacred Chrism oil
The laying on of hands
Form of Confirmation: "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" while anointing with oil.
Minister of Confirmation:
Ordinary - Bishop (Latin Rite)
Extraordinary - Any priest in an emergency (danger of death) or if they are delegated
Effects of Confirmation:
Increases and deepens the baptismal graces
Imprints an indelible character or seal
We are more deeply rooted in divine filiation, thus sharing more deeply in the life of the Trinity
Increases the (7) gifts of the Holy Spirit
Enables us to spread and defend the faith more courageously
Strengthens us to live as a witness to Christ in both word and deed
Role of a sponsor: Helps to prepare the confirmand to receive the Sacrament and ensures that the confirmed person lives as a true witness to Christ
Eastern Rite Catholics: Are in union with the pope
Eastern Orthodox: Are not in union with the pope
Confirmation in West: Takes place later to emphasize the role of Bishop as an Apostle's successor and al lows the confirmand to freely choose to be part of the Church
Confirmation in East: Cal led Chrismation, occurs right after Baptism to show unity between the two Sacraments
Eucharist
Eucharist:
Third Sacrament of Initiation.
The very Body and Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
Given to us by Him for spiritual nourishment.
Fil ls us with Sanctifying Grace.
Unites us more ful ly to Himself and to His Mystical Body, the Church
What was at the heart of ancient Israelite life: Sacrifice
Who called Jesus the Lamb of God: John the Baptist
Lamb of God: Connects Jesus to the Passover lamb as a sacrificial offering
Todah: Thank offering
Who instituted the Todah: David
What was sacrificed in the Todah: Bread and wine
When Christ instituted the Eucharist: Last Supper
What type of meal the Last Supper was: Passover
In persona Christi: In the person of Christ, refers to how priest/bishop acts in Christ's place in the administering of the Sacraments
Who may receive the Eucharist: People who are baptized Catholics, in a state of grace, have sufficient knowledge of the Sacrament, and fast one hour before the Eucharist
Why non-Catholics cannot receive Eucharist: The Eucharist is a sign of ful l communion which separated brethren do not have
Bread made from wheat flour and wine from grapes
Matter of Eucharist: Bread made from wheat flour and wine from grapes
Form of Eucharist: The Words of Consecration
Minister of Eucharist: Bishop or Priest
What the West uses for the Eucharist: Unleavened bread, as Jesus used
What the East uses for the Eucharist: Leavened bread, symbolizing Resurrection
Words of Consecration: "This is my Body…This is the chalice of my Blood"
Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist: None
Structure of the Mass: Liturgy of the word and Eucharist
Proper ways of receiving Holy Communion in the Latin Rite: On the tongue, or in some jurisdictions, in the hand, bow beforehand out of reverence for the Holy Eucharist
Proper ways of receiving Holy Communion in the Eastern Rite: Receive Leavened Bread soaked in the precious blood (using a spoon)
Spiritual Communion: What one must pray for if they have an inability to receive the Eucharist. Spiritual Communion ` Holy Communion An expressed desire to receive that ful l communion with Christ found ONLY in the Eucharist
Effects of receiving the Eucharist:
Strengthens union with Christ
Increases graces
Reinforces unity with Church and Her members
Pardons venial sins
Tabernacle: Where the consecrated hosts are placed in a reserve vessel (container) cal led a "ciborium" One can adore Christ in it anytime a chapel or church is open Jesus is present in it when the sanctuary lamp (candle) is lit
Sacrament of Penance
Sacrament of Penance: The Sacrament in which Jesus Christ Himself, through the actions of the priest, forgives personal sins committed after Baptism, reconciling us to God and the Church
When Christ instituted Penance: During one of his post-resurrection appearances
Three different names for Penance: Penance, Reconciliation, and Confession
Dual aspect of sin and reconciliation:
Sin separates the sinner from both God and the Church community
The forgiveness of sins reconciles the sinner to both
Sin: An utterance, a deed, or desire contrary to eternal law
Venial Sin: An act that transgresses the moral law and weakens our relationship with God
Mortal Sin: A grave offense against God that destroys a person's relationship with him by severing him or her from divine love
Culpability: Degree of personal responsibility
Requirements for a mortal sin:
A grave or serious matter
The sinner must have ful l knowledge of its seriousness
Deliberate consent
Why we should go to Confession if we are unaware of mortal sins:
We are better able to recognize venial sins
Receive Actual Grace to resist temptation and avoid sin Strengthens our union with Christ
Sin of commission: Acts in violation of God's law
Sin of omission: Failing to perform acts required by God's law
Matter of Penance:
Contrition - True sorrow for one's sins
Confession - verbal disclosure of one's sins to a priest
Satisfaction - doing the "penance" assigned by the priest
Form of Penance: The words of absolution uttered by the priest, "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father… "
Minister of Penance: ONLY a Bishop or Priest
Rite of Penance: Before going to Confession, you should have true sorrow for your sins, known as Contrition
What you should disclose to the priest: Al l sins in name and number
St. John Nepomucene death: Tied up and drowned by King Wenceslaus IV
Effects of Penance:
Forgives mortal sins
Forgives venial sins
Reconciles us to God and the Church, restoring the divine life within us.
Strengthens us to avoid sin in the future.
Seal of Confession: The vow of the confessor to not tel l anyone or act differently due to the penitent's sins
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick: Sacrament of Healing that gives health to the soul, and sometimes to the body, by prayer and anointing with oil
When Anointing of the Sick was instituted: Sometime during Jesus's ministry
St. James on anointing: If someone is sick they should cal l the Church elders and let the elders pray over them, being anointed with the oil in the name of the Lord
Who may receive Anointing of the Sick: Any Catholic who has attained the age of reason and is in danger of death due to il lness, old age, or serious injury
Matter of Anointing of the Sick: Sacred oil and laying on of hands
Form of Anointing of the Sick:
Words of the priest (While anointing on the forehead): Through this holy anointing may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit
(While anointing on the hands): May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.
Minister of Anointing of the Sick: Only a bishop or priest
Three Holy Oils of the Church:
Oil of the Sick
Sacred Chrism
Oil of Catechumens
Viaticum: Eucharist before one dies, means "food for the journey"
Effects of Anointing:
Unites the suffering person to the passion of Christ
Forgives sins
Provides strength, peace, and courage to endure sufferings
Restore physical health (sometimes)
Spiritual ly prepares one for death
Sacrament of Holy Orders
Sacrament of Holy Orders: The Sacrament by which the mission entrusted by Christ to the apostles is passed down through apostolic ministry
When Christ instituted Holy Orders: Last Supper
Different stages of development of the priesthood of the Old Testament:
Father acted as priest
Aaron was the first priest
Levi became a priestly tribe
Priest-king Melchizedek
Who ended, ful-filled the Old Testament Priesthood: Jesus Christ
Ministerial priesthood: Exercised only to serve the common priesthood of the faithful; the means by which Christ builds up and leads his Church
Common priesthood: Exercised by the laity when they offer themselves, their work, and their activities to God in union with the one sacrifice of Christ
Three degrees of Holy Orders:
The Episcopacy (bishops)
The Presbyterate (priests)
Diaconate (deacons)
Episcopacy
Characteristics of Episcopacy:
The ful lness of the ministerial priesthood
Comes from the Greek word Episkopos meaning "overseer"
Bishops are successors to the Apostles and have offices (duties) of teaching, governing, and sanctifying (making holy) the Christian faithful
They possess the ful lness of Holy Orders and thus can celebrate al l (7) sacraments
United with the Pope, the "Col lege of Bishops" has ultimate authority to govern the Church and teach in Christ's name (Magisterium)
The Pope appoints bishops to govern each diocese (local, particular Church)
There are a little over 5,000 Catholic bishops in the world
Presbyterate
Characteristics of Presbyterate:
Priests are ordained by bishops to be co-workers in preaching the Gospel, guiding the faithful, and sanctifying the Church
A priest celebrates many sacraments (except Holy Orders) but only in cooperation with a bishop
The priest offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He does this, as the bishop, in persona Christi or "the person of Christ"
Presbyteros literal ly means "elder"--the word used in the New Testament to refer to those who assisted the bishops in their ministry
Diaconate
Characteristics of Diaconate:
Ordained to assist their local bishops and priests
Acts 6: 1-6, the Apostles cal l seven men to become "deacons" (diakonos, means servant) in order to assist them in charitable service
One of these deacons was St. Stephen, who is the first martyr of the Catholic Church
They are al lowed to preach the Gospel at Mass, Baptize, preside at weddings or funerals
Two types of Priests:
Diocesan priests: those that live and work in a particular diocese and promise obedience to their individual bishop
Religious priests: those that take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to their religious superior and live in community with fel low members of their congregation/order
Two types of Deacons:
Permanent Deacons: expected to live their whole lives as deacons
Transitional deacons: men training to become priests who spend several months serving as a deacon
Mitre: Head covering worn by the Pope since the 10th century Customary for bishops to be worn by the 12th century
Crosier: Shepherd's staff
Symbols of Deacon:
Dalmatic: sleeved outer garment worn since early Church
Stole: long band of cloth worn by deacons over the left shoulder
Book of Gospels: symbol of Deacon's ministry, deacon is proper minister of the Gospel at Mass
Symbols of Priest:
Stole: long band of cloth worn over the shoulders which was a sign of office in the Roman Empire. Sign of priestly authority and worn during Sacraments
Chasuble: Original ly outer garment for warmth, symbolizes the yoke of Christ, colors correspond to liturgical season or particular Church season celebrated
Chalice: Ornate cup made of fine material which holds the cup of wine soon to become the Blood of Christ
Paten: Smal l plate on which bread soon to become the Body of Christ is placed
Who may receive Holy Orders:
Baptized male of mature age and excel lent character
He must have an inner cal l from God and an exterior cal l from a bishop or religious superior
Who has a right to Holy Orders: No one, it has to be received as an unmerited gift from God
May be married before Ordination: East
May be married after Ordination: None
Matter of Holy Orders: Laying on of hands by the ordaining bishop
Form of Holy Orders: A specific consecratory prayer asking God for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the gifts particular to the degree of the man ordained Different for each degree of Holy Orders
Minister of Holy Orders: Always a validly ordained bishop
Effects of Holy Orders:
Configures a man to Christ so he may serve the Church as Christ's instrument
Confers (bestows) a specific office: Deacon, Priest, Bishop
Imprints an indelible seal or character on the soul that can never be removed
Grants Bishops Strength, prudence, and love in leadership that impels him to proclaim the Gospel to al l, even if it costs him his life
Bishops and Priests are given grace to proclaim the gospel, offer spiritual gifts and sacrifices, to celebrate the Sacraments (especial ly the Eucharist), and to preside over other liturgies
Deacons are given grace to dedicate themselves to the faithful "in the service (diakonia) of the liturgy, of the Gospel, and works of charity"
Only priests and bishops act in persona Christi while deacons are ordained to Christ the servant.
Three vows a person in consecrated life takes: Chastity, poverty, and obedience
Three main Vocations in the Catholic Church: Priesthood, matrimony, and consecrated life
Matrimony
God's original plan for Matrimony: A lifelong union for the good of the spouses and for procreation
How God's original plan was affected by Original Sin:
Rift between humanity and God and between man and woman Tolerated
Polygamy, permitted Divorce and Remarriage, permitted Concubines, al l of which fal l short of God's plan for marriage
How Christ restored Matrimony to its original purpose:
Christ obeyed and listened to his parents (primary purpose of marriage is to educate children)
Mary and Joseph taught through examples (we are taught through examples)
Christ proclaimed after the first miracle that marriage wil l be an efficacious sign of God's grace
Christ elevates natural marriage to a Sacrament to provide grace
Graces help combat Original Sin and active sin in the world
Matter of Matrimony: The Couple themselves
Form of Matrimony: The Vows, aka, the Consent of the Couple, who must also consent to a permanent, faithful (exclusive) union and declare openness to children
Minister of Matrimony: The Couple themselves (priest or deacon is ONLY the official witness (receives the vows) for the Church)
Intentions must the couple have in order to have a valid marriage:
Openness to children
Permanent, exclusive union (faithful to one another)
Married for life
Properties of marriage: Unity of the spouses in spiritual communion and indissolubility of marriage
Purposes of marriage: Union (unitive) and procreation (procreative)
Who can receive the Sacrament of Matrimony:
Baptized man and a baptized woman
Legal age of consent
Not currently married in any way
Not under constraint or impeded by natural or Church law
Consummation of Marriage: Conjugal act
Adultery and Polygamy: Cheating on your spouse and having many spouses Violates the exclusive nature of marriage
Contraception: Use of birth control or condoms Lack of openness to the gift of life
Divorce: The legal separation of a married couple Violates marriage's indissolubility
Cohabitation: Living together on a trial basis before marriage Violates the unitive aspect of the conjugal act, which demands a marriage commitment
Annulment: A sacrament that the Church has determined that a valid marriage did not exist in the first place
Aristotle's three types of friendship:
Friendship based on Utility (Usefulness) - e.g., a relationship between business partners or a study group. Friendship is over once the need is over
Friendship based on Pleasure - i.e., those that enjoy the same things, such as music or "hanging out" . Things get old after a while and often devolves friends into using each other, with negative results.
Friendship based on Goodness - those who wish the good of their friends for their friends' sake and are friends in the ful lest sense. Both strive to be better and help one another become better. Marriage based on the couple striving together after the unique goods of marriage are chal lenging but the only way to a rewarding marriage.
Freedom: The ability and power to use one's wil l to choose what is good, i.e., what is in accord with God's wil l
What is of-ten mistaken for freedom: Doing whatever you want
What freedom must be grounded in: Truth or objective reality
Conscience: Judgement of reason made by the intel lect regarding the good or evil of a particular act in light of objective moral standards
Who speaks to us in our Conscience: God
Two kinds of Truth:
Objective Truth: always true, universal, absolute, true independently of anyone's opinion, true for al l people in al l circumstances
Subjective Truth: varies, personal, examples: preferred colors, favorite foods
Which truth our Conscience be directed: Objective Truth
Two obligations to Conscience:
Form wel l-developed consciences
Fol low our consciences
Right Conscience: Makes correct moral judgements based on the moral law
Erroneous conscience: Makes a false moral judgement
Doubtful conscience: We are not sure of the morality of a choice
Invincible Ignorance: Ignorance that cannot be overcome by ordinary diligence
Vincible Ignorance: Ignorance that can be overcome by ordinary diligence
Moral Act: Personal act that has moral content and deliberate choice
Three elements of a Moral Act: Intention, object act, and circumstances
Intention: The end, i.e., the motive for which a person commits an action
Object act: The act itself, or what you did or did not do.
Circumstances: The factors that occur with and contribute to the morality of an act
Prudence: The ability to discern the most suitable and moral course of action
Justice: Observance of the divine Law; it demands the rendering to God and each person his or her due
Fortitude: "Courage"-ensures firmness and strength in difficulties and constancy in doing good
Temperance: Aims at the moderation of pleasures and the use of material goods in light of man's ultimate good; it al lows us to control instinct and to regulate natural desire
Universal Call to Holiness:
Live the Beatitudes
Go beyond the 10 commandments
Lead us to perfection
Reveal the goal of human existence
God cal ls us to his own beatitude, his own self-sacrificing love
Relationship between the Old Law and Christ: Christ elevated the Old Law into the New Law
Greatest Commandment: Love the Lord your God with al l your heart and with al l your soul and with al l your mind; love your neighbor as yourself.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven Detached from worldly goods, to have spiritual poverty, recognition that material goods wil l not bring us happiness, and using our excess to help others
Blessed are those who mourn: For they shal l be comforted Only those who love can mourn; we should unite our sufferings to Christ and realize that good can come from them
Blessed are the meek: For they shal l inherit the earth Spiritual power requires a humble and meek heart, we should be grateful, respond to difficulties with love, humility, and forgiveness
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: For they shal l be satisfied Desire for al l to enjoy peace, happiness, justice, and healing, become great in the eyes of God, and hunger and thirst wil l only be satisfied by Christ
Blessed are the merciful: For they shal l be shown mercy Share the mercy of Christ to others, love others as we wished to be loved, love begets love, mercy begets mercy
Blessed are the pure of heart: For they shal l see God Aligning intel lect and wil l to God's holiness-charity, chastity, and truth, purity al lows us to see Christ in our lives and view others as Christ does
Blessed are the peacemakers: For they shal l be cal led sons of God Peace is about the internal and external fruit of holiness, begins with a humble heart and sharing this peace with others by acting as another Christ, resolving conflicts by witnessing to truth.
Blessed are those who hunger and For theirs is the kingdom of God Dry Martyr: lives for and with Christ
thirst for righteousness' sake Red Martyr: sheds blood for Christ Choose virtue and good over evil, especial ly when it is difficulty
Overall implication of the Beatitudes: Al low us to live the Law of Love, detach from material possessions, have a humble disposition, and a pure and meek heart
Moral Law is not about: Rules, precepts, and human sexuality
Moral Law is about: Happiness, personal holiness, and perfecting oneself
Vocation of the laity:
Sanctify the world
Witness of the faith
Live according to the teachings of Christ and the Church
Strive to fulfil l our duties as excel lently as we can (with hard work and joy)
Raising their children in an authentic practice of the faith
Subsidiarity: A community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, i.e., lowest organization should try to solve problems before bringing them to a higher one.
Solidarity: Stresses the fundamental unity of al l human beings and the duty to help others when the individual or local community cannot effectively fulfil l the need