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.