SACRAMENTS, SYMBOLS, & RITUAL

Symbol & Ritual

Lion King Baptism Scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXj

I2kuNkhE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y

HzhevY1Jk What symbols and actions are there

and what do you think is the deeper significance?

Symbol & Ritual

Sign An object that refers to a specific thing.

Symbol an object or action that points us to another

reality. It leads us to look beyond our senses to

consider a deeper mystery. Ritual

The established form of words and actions for a ceremony that is repeated often.

The actions often have a symbolic meaning.

Importance of Symbols & Rituals

Unify Tangible way of expressing intangible

realities Transcend everyday experience and

point toward deeper meaning Transition rituals – new states in life Intensification rituals – reinforce

community beliefs and practices.

Importance of Symbols & Rituals

Sacred Space Sacred Time Sacred Meaning

Significant places, moments, and ideas Both Personal and communal

significance Beyond explanation – mysterious

Homework

Read article 7 & write a definition of sacrament to share with the class.

Group worksheet – Identifying symbols and rituals (from textbook)

Does the fact that all religions and all people have sacraments (sacred symbols and rituals) diminish or enhance the Catholic Sacraments?

What makes the Catholic Sacraments unique?

Symbols, Rituals, & Sacraments Sacraments, Symbols, & rituals =

language of communication with God. Paschal Mystery – core of every Sacrament

It is what we celebrate and participate in by letting go of our former self (dying) and living a life in Christ (rising)

Jesus – great sign and symbol of God’s love for us

Church – sacrament of God’s life and love Communicates God’s presence to the world.

Sacrament sacramental – when tangible symbols and

rituals are used to reveal a deeper meaning Stations of cross, holy water, crucifix

The Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each Sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required disposition.

Experiences of Grace

Grace – gift of life and relationship with God offered freely to us.

Sanctifying grace – permanent disposition enabling us to live in relationship with God given through Baptism and renewed in the other Sacraments

Actual graces – God’s interventions in our lives. Example – Mission trip to New Orleans

Redemption – “to buy back; rescue” - given the power through Christ over sin and death.