The Sacraments in the Catechism Diocese of Galloway Adult Faith Formation Workshop St. Quivox, Prestwick, 18 th Feb. ‘12
The Sacraments in the Catechism
Diocese of Galloway Adult Faith Formation Workshop
St. Quivox, Prestwick, 18th Feb. ‘12
Contents
• Experience of the Seven Sacraments
• “Sacramentality” and the Sacramental Economy
• The Seven Sacraments of the Church
• Sacramentals and other liturgies
Exercise: Experience of the 7 Sacraments
• When was the last time you experienced each of the 7 sacraments of the Church?
• Some you may have received, others will be celebrating as they are conferred on others
• How did you feel as you celebrated?
• Just in case ... Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Sacrament of the Sick, Marriage & Holy Orders
Part I – Sacramentality and the Sacramental Economy
• What does “sacrament” mean anyway?
• Classic definition: “an outward sign of an inward grace”
• Good – “sign”, “grace”, “inward/outward”
• Less good – more than the sign, the grace as well. Sign not always outward, grace not always inward (in its effects)
“Sacrament”
• A sign but more than a sign
• A sign which contains something of the reality which it signifies
• Every sign evokes something, otherwise it has no meaning
• A sacrament actually effects, at least partially, what it points towards
The Sacramental Economy
• Oikounome – “housekeeping”
• God operates & makes things happen sacramentally
• Marvels of creation
• “signs and wonders” worked for his people
• Through his chosen agents
• Above all, through his Son
Sacramental “Pyramid”
• Jesus Christ is the Sacrament of God
• The Church is the Sacrament of Jesus Christ
• The Seven Sacraments of the Church take their place within this Sacramental Economy
• How to Survive Being Married to a Catholic cartoon
• [Lunch?]
The Seven Sacraments of the Church
• Divided into 3 groups by the catechism: Initiation, Healing and Service (... of communion and the mission of the faithful)
• All instituted by Christ
• Have their place and time in an organic fashion resembling the stages of life
• All sacraments “ordered to” the Eucharist which is the “sacrament of sacraments”
Baptism
• “The basis of the whole Christian life”
• Gateway to life in the Spirit, door to other sacs
• Frees from sin, gives rebirth as sons of God, members of Christ, incorporated into the Church and sharers of her mission
• Baptism is by Water, Spirit, Word
• Other themes: enlightenment, clothing oneself, anointing
Issues around Baptism
• Infant baptism
• Baptism as sacrament of faith – but who’s?
• Trinitarian formula
• Necessity – “The Church does not know of any other means than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beattitude” (CCC 1257)
• “God has bound salvation to Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments”
• The one-ness of baptism
Confirmation
• Strong OT & NT support. Ancient symbols – laying on of hands, anointing on the head
• History – East/West, Last century
• Always linked to Baptism
• “Seal of the Holy Spirit” – brand/mark conferring ownership and authority of person
• CCC downplays idea of “sacrament of maturity”
• Must be in a state of grace to receive (penance)
Eucharist
• Completes initiation – Source & Summit
• Whole separate course
• Take
• Bless
• Break
• Give
• Unity of the Mass – esp. Word & Sacrament
Sacraments of Healing
• We carry the “New Life of Christ” only in earthen vessels, subject to suffering/illness and temptation/sin
• In the sacraments of healing Jesus continues his ministry of being physician of our bodies and our souls
• Through the power of the Spirit, the Church acts on Christ’s behalf to bring Healing
Reconciliation
• With God & the Church – Priest represents both
• Multiplicity of names
• Practical evolution to deal with the reality of post-baptismal sin. On-going conversion.
• Many forms of penance but also a Sacrament
• Classic structure: Confession, Contrition, Absolution, Satisfaction (a penance)
Sacrament of the Sick
• Reality of illness in the human condition – “Lord the man you love is ill” (Lazarus)
• Preach & Heal – Jesus & the Apostles
• Elements – “Call for the priest”, prayer of faith, laying on of hands, anointing with oil
• Not only healing of soul at moment of death but also mind or body during illness
• A particular grace of the Holy Spirit
Sacraments of Service
• “The Sacraments at the Service of Communion”
• Marriage & Holy Orders – directed towards salvation of others
• “If they contribute to personal salvation, it is through service of others that they do so”
• These sacraments represent particular consecrations alongside the common consecrations of Sacraments of Inititiation
Holy Orders
• “prefigured” in the OT priesthood
• The “one” priesthood of Jesus Christ
• Two participations in that one priesthood – baptismal and ministerial
• In the person of Christ/in the name of the Church
• Three degrees – Episcopacy, Presbyterate, Diaconate
• Confers a “character” and grace of the Spirit
Matrimony
• Sacrament by which a man and woman enter a covenant of life and love
• Marriage in God’s plan from “the beginning”
• Marriage as a Sacrament to confer the grace for this vocation from which all life comes
• Couples marry each other – priest witnesses
• Indissolubility, openness to possibility of life, fidelity & exclusivity
Sacramentals
• Many other moments are occasions of grace
• Some pious practices, many “non-religious” events too
• God’s grace not restricted to the Seven Sacraments
• Non-sacraments: Christian Funerals; Religious Profession; Election of a Pope etc.