Our Catholic Faith Living What We Believe

OurOur Catholic Catholic FaithFaith Living What We BelieveLiving What We Believe

CHAPTER 5CHAPTER 5Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins,

Eternal LifeEternal Life

Eternal DestinyEternal Destiny

Communion of SaintsCommunion of Saints

One Baptism for the Forgiveness of SinsOne Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins

The Last Things: Eschatology The Last Things: Eschatology

Ch. 5 Ch. 5 Communion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal LifeCommunion of Saints, Forgiveness of Sins, Eternal Life

Eternal Destiny Eternal Destiny

The single most important goal in life here on The single most important goal in life here on earth is to get to Heavenearth is to get to Heaven

The single most important goal in life here on The single most important goal in life here on earth is to get to Heavenearth is to get to Heaven


Communion of Saints Communion of Saints

In God’s family, each person shares in the spiritual benefits of the other members:In God’s family, each person shares in the spiritual benefits of the other members: The Catholic faithThe Catholic faith The graces of the sacramentsThe graces of the sacraments The spiritual benefits of the The spiritual benefits of the charismscharisms of the Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit The material goods shared among allThe material goods shared among all The fruits of a just society The fruits of a just society The communion that results from charityThe communion that results from charity

In God’s family, each person shares in the spiritual benefits of the other members:In God’s family, each person shares in the spiritual benefits of the other members: The Catholic faithThe Catholic faith The graces of the sacramentsThe graces of the sacraments The spiritual benefits of the The spiritual benefits of the charismscharisms of the Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit The material goods shared among allThe material goods shared among all The fruits of a just society The fruits of a just society The communion that results from charityThe communion that results from charity



EUCHARIST

Pilgrim Church

Those of us who are living on earth today

Church Suffering

Those undergoingpurification in

Purgatory

Church TriumphantThe blessedin Heaven

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Devotion to the SaintsDevotion to the Saints Every member of Christ’s Body has a call to holinessEvery member of Christ’s Body has a call to holiness The example of canonized saints can help all friends The example of canonized saints can help all friends

of Christ on the path to holinessof Christ on the path to holiness By imitating their virtues and honoring By imitating their virtues and honoring

them through prayerful devotion them through prayerful devotion Devotion involves Devotion involves venerationveneration, not , not

worshipworship True devotion involves studying their True devotion involves studying their

lives and imitating their virtueslives and imitating their virtues

Devotion to the SaintsDevotion to the Saints Every member of Christ’s Body has a call to holinessEvery member of Christ’s Body has a call to holiness The example of canonized saints can help all friends The example of canonized saints can help all friends

of Christ on the path to holinessof Christ on the path to holiness By imitating their virtues and honoring By imitating their virtues and honoring

them through prayerful devotion them through prayerful devotion Devotion involves Devotion involves venerationveneration, not , not

worshipworship True devotion involves studying their True devotion involves studying their

lives and imitating their virtueslives and imitating their virtues



Mary, the Greatest SaintMary, the Greatest Saint Mary plays a special role in Salvation HistoryMary plays a special role in Salvation History Mary fully cooperated with our Lord’s work of Salvation Mary fully cooperated with our Lord’s work of Salvation The Church honors Mary with many The Church honors Mary with many

titles which tell us something about titles which tell us something about what we believe about herwhat we believe about her

Mary intercedes on our behalf, just as Mary intercedes on our behalf, just as she did for the married couple at the she did for the married couple at the wedding in Canawedding in Cana

Mary, the Greatest SaintMary, the Greatest Saint Mary plays a special role in Salvation HistoryMary plays a special role in Salvation History Mary fully cooperated with our Lord’s work of Salvation Mary fully cooperated with our Lord’s work of Salvation The Church honors Mary with many The Church honors Mary with many

titles which tell us something about titles which tell us something about what we believe about herwhat we believe about her

Mary intercedes on our behalf, just as Mary intercedes on our behalf, just as she did for the married couple at the she did for the married couple at the wedding in Canawedding in Cana



Titles for Mary Titles for Mary Titles for Mary Titles for Mary

OurLady

Motherof the

Church

Helper

EverVirgin

Mediatrix

Queen ofHeaven &

Earth

Advocate

BlessedMother

Motherof God



Truths about Mary Truths about Mary Truths about Mary Truths about Mary Immaculate ConceptionImmaculate Conception

From the first moment of her From the first moment of her conception, Mary was conception, Mary was preserved immune from preserved immune from Original SinOriginal Sin

Virgin MaryVirgin Mary

Mary remained a virgin Mary remained a virgin “before, in, and after” “before, in, and after” the birth of Jesus. the birth of Jesus.

Mother of God & Mother of the ChurchMother of God & Mother of the Church

Because Jesus is Because Jesus is oneone Divine Person Divine Person possessing both a divine nature and a possessing both a divine nature and a human nature, Mary was the Mother of God.human nature, Mary was the Mother of God.

Mary is a spiritual mother whose love for her Mary is a spiritual mother whose love for her Son and for us helps bring birth to believers Son and for us helps bring birth to believers in the Churchin the Church

AssumptionAssumption

At the completion of her At the completion of her earthly life, Mary was earthly life, Mary was assumed body and assumed body and soul into heavenly soul into heavenly gloryglory


One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins One Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins

Forgiveness of sins was an essential part of Forgiveness of sins was an essential part of Jesus’ earthly ministry Jesus’ earthly ministry

Jesus instructed his disciples to continue to Jesus instructed his disciples to continue to forgive sins in his name. forgive sins in his name.

Baptism is the primary sacrament of Baptism is the primary sacrament of forgiveness and is the complete remission forgiveness and is the complete remission of both Original Sin of both Original Sin and personal sin.and personal sin.

“Receive the Holy Spirit.Whose sins you forgive are

forgiven them, and whose sinsyou retain are retained.”

John 20:22-23



Types of SinTypes of SinSin

an offense against God through a violation of truth,

reason, and conscienceOriginal Sin

the prideful disobedience of Adam and Eve and the

effects of this disobedience that all humans inherit

Actual Sinpersonal, individual sin;an act, word, or desire contrary to eternal law

Degrees of SinVenial sin – “lesser sins” that are a stumbling block on the path to following JesusMortal sin – the most serious kind of sin that kills our relation to God and others

Types of Sin 1. freely chosen bad attitudes or inordinate desires 2. failure to act (omission) 3. actions directed against God, neighbor, or self (commission)

Conditions for Mortal Sin

● Grave matter ● Sufficient reflection ● Full consent of the will



The Sacrament of PenanceThe Sacrament of Penance Christ forgives mortal sins Christ forgives mortal sins

through this sacrament through this sacrament It is a “second baptism” in which the It is a “second baptism” in which the

Church proclaims once again Christ’s Church proclaims once again Christ’s forgiveness of the contrite sinnerforgiveness of the contrite sinner

Three signs of true contrition:Three signs of true contrition:

(1) a sincere intention to avoid sin in the future(1) a sincere intention to avoid sin in the future

(2) avoid the “near occasions” of sin(2) avoid the “near occasions” of sin

(3) as far as possible, repair any harm (3) as far as possible, repair any harm our sins have caused our sins have caused

The Sacrament of PenanceThe Sacrament of Penance Christ forgives mortal sins Christ forgives mortal sins

through this sacrament through this sacrament It is a “second baptism” in which the It is a “second baptism” in which the

Church proclaims once again Christ’s Church proclaims once again Christ’s forgiveness of the contrite sinnerforgiveness of the contrite sinner

Three signs of true contrition:Three signs of true contrition:

(1) a sincere intention to avoid sin in the future(1) a sincere intention to avoid sin in the future

(2) avoid the “near occasions” of sin(2) avoid the “near occasions” of sin

(3) as far as possible, repair any harm (3) as far as possible, repair any harm our sins have caused our sins have caused



DeathDeath Scripture teaches that death is a Scripture teaches that death is a

penalty for sinpenalty for sin Jesus’ own acceptance of his Death Jesus’ own acceptance of his Death

is a model for allis a model for all Death is a profound mystery, but Death is a profound mystery, but

Christian faith reveals that Jesus Christian faith reveals that Jesus Christ conquered deathChrist conquered death

If we die in union with Christ, we If we die in union with Christ, we will rise on the last day with will rise on the last day with Christ in his gloryChrist in his glory



The Resurrection of the Body The Resurrection of the Body When Christ comes again the most Blessed When Christ comes again the most Blessed

Trinity will raise our bodies which will be Trinity will raise our bodies which will be made incorrupt and will rejoin our soulsmade incorrupt and will rejoin our souls

The most important quality of the The most important quality of the resurrected body will be immortalityresurrected body will be immortality

Other attributes listed by St. Paul: Other attributes listed by St. Paul: imperishable, glorious, powerful, spiritual imperishable, glorious, powerful, spiritual

The resurrected body will shine brightly, The resurrected body will shine brightly, reflecting the glory of the Beatific Vision reflecting the glory of the Beatific Vision

The Resurrection of the Body The Resurrection of the Body When Christ comes again the most Blessed When Christ comes again the most Blessed

Trinity will raise our bodies which will be Trinity will raise our bodies which will be made incorrupt and will rejoin our soulsmade incorrupt and will rejoin our souls

The most important quality of the The most important quality of the resurrected body will be immortalityresurrected body will be immortality

Other attributes listed by St. Paul: Other attributes listed by St. Paul: imperishable, glorious, powerful, spiritual imperishable, glorious, powerful, spiritual

The resurrected body will shine brightly, The resurrected body will shine brightly, reflecting the glory of the Beatific Vision reflecting the glory of the Beatific Vision



Particular JudgmentParticular JudgmentThe individual judgment that determines The individual judgment that determines

if we go to Heaven immediately, need if we go to Heaven immediately, need purification in Purgatory, or must purification in Purgatory, or must suffer the punishments of Hellsuffer the punishments of Hell

Particular JudgmentParticular JudgmentThe individual judgment that determines The individual judgment that determines

if we go to Heaven immediately, need if we go to Heaven immediately, need purification in Purgatory, or must purification in Purgatory, or must suffer the punishments of Hellsuffer the punishments of Hell

HeavenHeavenOur union with the loving, Our union with the loving,

Triune God, the Blessed Triune God, the Blessed Mother, and all the angels Mother, and all the angels and saintsand saints

HeavenHeavenOur union with the loving, Our union with the loving,

Triune God, the Blessed Triune God, the Blessed Mother, and all the angels Mother, and all the angels and saintsand saints

PurgatoryPurgatoryThe state of being of the final The state of being of the final

purification of those who die purification of those who die in God’s grace and friendship. in God’s grace and friendship.

PurgatoryPurgatoryThe state of being of the final The state of being of the final

purification of those who die purification of those who die in God’s grace and friendship. in God’s grace and friendship.

HellHell

Remaining separated from


forever by one’s own


free choicefree choice

HellHell





free choicefree choice

“What eye has not seen,and ear has not heard,

and what has not entered thehuman heart, what God

has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Cor 2:9



Death

Personal Judgment

Hell

Heaven

Purgatory



The Last or General JudgmentThe Last or General Judgment Events of the last day of human history when Events of the last day of human history when

the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the just and unjust will take place and the unjust will take place and the Risen, Glorified Lord will come Risen, Glorified Lord will come againagain

Christ, who is Truth itself, Christ, who is Truth itself, will reveal each person’s will reveal each person’s relationship with Godrelationship with God

Everyone will recognize God’s Everyone will recognize God’s saving plan in Christ Jesussaving plan in Christ Jesus

The Last or General JudgmentThe Last or General Judgment Events of the last day of human history when Events of the last day of human history when

the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the just and unjust will take place and the unjust will take place and the Risen, Glorified Lord will come Risen, Glorified Lord will come againagain

Christ, who is Truth itself, Christ, who is Truth itself, will reveal each person’s will reveal each person’s relationship with Godrelationship with God

Everyone will recognize God’s Everyone will recognize God’s saving plan in Christ Jesussaving plan in Christ Jesus



AmenAmen Means “so be it, I agree, certainly, it is firm”Means “so be it, I agree, certainly, it is firm” When we says Amen, we are making an act When we says Amen, we are making an act

of faith, proclaiming the truth of what we of faith, proclaiming the truth of what we pray and celebrate. pray and celebrate.

Jesus often said Amen to stress that what he Jesus often said Amen to stress that what he was about to teach was trustworthy, that it was about to teach was trustworthy, that it came from his Father. came from his Father.

AmenAmen Means “so be it, I agree, certainly, it is firm”Means “so be it, I agree, certainly, it is firm” When we says Amen, we are making an act When we says Amen, we are making an act

of faith, proclaiming the truth of what we of faith, proclaiming the truth of what we pray and celebrate. pray and celebrate.

Jesus often said Amen to stress that what he Jesus often said Amen to stress that what he was about to teach was trustworthy, that it was about to teach was trustworthy, that it came from his Father. came from his Father.

Communion of SaintsCommunion of Saints (127)(127)

EschatologyEschatology (127) (127) HeavenHeaven (127) (127) CharismsCharisms (127) (127) PurgatoryPurgatory (128) (128) SaintSaint (129) (129) Immaculate Immaculate

ConceptionConception (130) (130) AssumptionAssumption (131) (131) Theo-tokos Theo-tokos (131)(131) SinSin (135) (135)

Venial sinVenial sin (136) (136) VicesVices (136) (136) Capital sinsCapital sins (136) (136) Mortal sinsMortal sins (137) (137) HellHell (137) (137) Resurrection of the bodyResurrection of the body

(140)(140) Beatific VisionBeatific Vision (141) (141) Particular judgmentParticular judgment (142) (142) Last (General) judgmentLast (General) judgment

(146)(146) AmenAmen (147) (147)


VOCABULARY VOCABULARY

O God Jesus, Whose loving heart was O God Jesus, Whose loving heart was

ever troubled by the sorrows of ever troubled by the sorrows of

others, look with pity on the souls others, look with pity on the souls

of our dear ones in Purgatory. O of our dear ones in Purgatory. O

Thou Who didst “love Thine own” Thou Who didst “love Thine own”

hear our cry for mercy, and grant hear our cry for mercy, and grant

that those whom Thou hast called that those whom Thou hast called

from our homes and hearts may from our homes and hearts may

soon enjoy everlasting rest in the soon enjoy everlasting rest in the

home of Thy Love in Heaven. Amen.home of Thy Love in Heaven. Amen.

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d Chapter 4 Chapter 4 The Church: The Body of ChristThe Church: The Body of Christ

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Our Catholic Faith Living What We Believe