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THE SACRAMENTS:CELEBRATING THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY

SESSION 2: THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION

Welcome!

If the Sacraments of Initiation are the foundation for the Christian life, how can I let them transform my daily life?

Session Schedule

Opening PrayerPaired ActivityTheme #1: Baptism and ConfirmationStanding Activity Theme #2: The Eucharist-

Source and Summit of the Christian LifeSmall Group ActivityClosing Prayer

Opening Prayer:From the Baptismal Rite

Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of the wonders of your unseen power.In baptism we use the gift of water,which you have made a rich symbolof grace you give us in this sacrament. At the very dawn of creationyour Spirit breathed on the waters (Gen 1:2),making them the wellspring of all holinessThe waters of the great floodyou made a sign of the waters of baptismthat make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness (1 Peter 3:21).

Baptismal Prayer

Through the waters of the Red Seayou led Israel out of slaveryto be an image of God’s holy people,set free from sin by baptism.In the waters of the Jordanyour Son was baptized by Johnand anointed with the Spirit.Your Son willed that water and bloodShould flow from his sideAs he hung upon the cross.After his resurrection he told his disciples:“Go out and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19-20)….

Baptismal Prayer

May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptismRise also with him to newness of life (Rom 6:3-5).We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Glory be to the Father…

•WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEENOF CELEBRATING BAPTISM AND/OR CONFIRMATION?

•HOW HAVE THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BEEN A PART OF YOUR LIFE?

Paired Activity

Theme #1: Baptism and Confirmation

“No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of

water and Spirit.” (Jn 3:5)

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“Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance

with the Lord’s will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we

enter by Baptism.” (CCC, n. 1277)

Baptism: Dying and Rising with Christ

Scripture Mt 28:19-20; Jn 3:5; 4:1-2; Acts 2:28; 22:16; Rom 6:3-4; Mk 16:16; Tit 3:5; Eph 5:26;

1 Pt 3:21

Form “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

(Mt 28:18-19; CCC, n. 1240)

Matter Water--immersion, infusion, or sprinkling(CCC, n. 1278)

Effect Rebirth, Purification from Sin, Membership in the Body and the Church

(CCC, n. 1213)

Baptism: Configured to Christ (CCC, n. 1272)

Effects of BaptismForgiveness of sinsAdopted children of GodInitiated into the ChurchBonded to other ChristiansMarked or sealed for Christ

Baptism and the Call to Holiness

Ongoing conversion and mission to transform the world in light of the Gospel.

“[the baptized] . . . must participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God.” (CCC, n. 1270)

“Let us be permanently in a state of mission.” (Pope Francis, EG, n. 25)

Sacrament of Baptism

Confirmation:

The Sacrament of the Holy Spirit

Scripture Act 8:14-17; 9:17-19; Heb 6:1-6

Form “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”(CCC, n. 1300)

Matter Holy Chrism (blessed oil) and the laying on of hands (CCC, nn. 1288, 1294, 1300)

Effects “Pentecostal” Spirit; deeper filial adoption; deeper union with Christ; increase in gifts of

Spirit; perfects bond with the Church(CCC, n. 1303)

Sealed & Sent to Give Witness

“The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace… “By the sacrament of Confirmation [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.” (CCC, n. 1285)

Gifts of the Holy Spirit WisdomUnderstandingRight JudgmentCourageKnowledgePiety/ ReverenceWonder and Awe/ Fear of the Lord

Receive the gifts of the Spirit…Go and bear fruit that will last

Consecration: “to associate with the sacred”

Confirmation: Inspiration-4-Life

Standing Activity:

Sacraments within Scripture

Read and discuss one of the following texts:

Baptism: Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:16; Jn 3:5; Acts 22:16; Rom 6:3-4

Confirmation: Act 8:14-17; Acts 9:17-19; Heb 6:1-6

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What does it reveal about the Sacrament? What question(s) would it help answer?

Theme #2: The Eucharist—Source and Summit of the Christian Life

The Revelation of the Eucharist:“My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.” (Jn 6:55)

Real Presence and John 6

We must receive the body of Christ, in order to become the body of Christ for the world.

The Last Supper

Passover of the New Covenant: Jesus is both the High Priest

and the Perfect Sacrifice offered to the Father

A Sacrifice: the memorial “makes present” Jesus’ saving death, sacramentally

A Holy Meal: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”

The Real Presence: it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present

THE MASS

The Real Presence of Christ

The whole Christ is substantially present in the bread and wine

Transubstantiation: the substance of the bread and wine is changed into the substance of the Body and Blood of Christ

Appearances remain the same, but the underlying reality is changed

The presence of Christ continues in the consecrated elements even after Mass has ended….

Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Christian Life

Scripture Jn 6:1-71; Mt 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:7-20; 24:13-53; Acts 2:42-47;

20:7; 1 Cor 10:16-21

Form Words of Institution (CCC 1412; 1 Cor 11:24-25)

Matter Wheat bread and grape wine(CCC 1333)

Effect Personal union with Christ; Separation from Sin; Union with the

Church(CCC 1391-1401)

Participating in the Paschal Mystery

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” (Jn 6:56)

Spiritual sacrifice by the assembly of the faithful: offering ourselves to the Father in union with Christ…

Christ transforms us into himself, so we can transform the world with his presence

Small Group Activity:

Eucharistic Question & Quandaries

1. In groups of three, compile a list of commonly asked questions about the Eucharist—or questions which people might raise about this Sacrament.

2. Brainstorm possible responses and/or Role Play “real life” conversations in which they are addressed.

Consider these as possible conversation starters:

50% of self-identified Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist…

Over 75% of Catholics stay away from the Mass each Sunday…

How can we help fellow Catholics embrace the mystery, reflect on the reality of Transubstantiation, and encounter Christ anew in the Blessed Sacrament?

If the Sacraments of Initiation are the foundations for the Christian life, how can I let them transform my daily life?

Follow-up Reflection and Resources

www.dioceseofjoliet.org/layformation

2) Recommended follow-up: US/CCA, ch. 15-17,

on Baptism, Confirmation andThe Eucharist

Catholicism, Episode VII:“The Eucharist, Communion and the Real

Presence”

4) Additional links and resources:

3) For Catechists & Catholic School Teachers:

“Record of Formation,” includingrequired reflection & documentation

1) Session Evaluation & Feedback

Closing Prayer: Anima Christi

Jesus, may all that is you flow into me. May your Body and Blood be my food and drink.

May your passion and death be my strength and life. Jesus, with you by my side enough has been given.

May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your Cross. Let me not run from the love which you offer,

but hold me safe from the forces of evil. On each of my dyings shed your light and your love.

Keep calling to me until that day comes, when, with your saints,

I may praise you forever. Amen!