Transcript Summer of Grace

“We Believe”
Sacraments of Initiation:
Baptism, Confirmation,
Eucharist
Week 5
April 23, 2008
Sacraments

What is a Sacrament?
A sacrament is an effective sign of grace, instituted by
Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine
life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy
Spirit. (CCC #1131)
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In Latin, Sacramentum = sacra (holy) mentum (thing)
In Greek, “Sacrament” is a musterion “musterion” (mystery)
Sacraments

What is sacramental (“sanctifying”) grace?
Sacramental grace is the grace of justification which:
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Enables one to believe in God, love God, and hope in God,
Gives one the ability to live and act by the promptings of the
Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and
Allows one to grow goodness through the moral virtues.
(CCC 1266)
Sacraments
Seven Sacraments:
Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Penance
Anointing of the Sick
Matrimony
Holy Orders
Sacraments
Initiation
Healing
Vocation
Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Penance
Anointing of the Sick
Matrimony
Holy Orders
The Sacrament of Baptism
Sacrament of Baptism
•we
are freed is
from
 Baptism
thesin
basis of
•reborn
as sonsChristian
and daughters
the whole
life, of
God
 the gateway to life in the
•weSpirit,
become
members of Christ
and
•we
aredoor
incorporated
into the
 the
which gives
Church
access to the other
•made
sharers of the Church’s
sacraments.
mission
(CCC 1213)
(CCC 1213)
The Importance of Baptism

Baptism comes to us from the Lord himself and
was practiced in the earliest days of
Christianity.
Rite of Baptism for Children
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The Rite of Baptism for Children is one
of the ways that the Church celebrates
baptism.
The most ancient liturgical form comes
down to us from the celebrations at the
Easter Vigil.
The Rite of Baptism for Children retains
many of the features found in the
baptism of adults, but it is adapted to
particular needs and modern practice.
Rite of Baptism
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Baptism is celebrated at Mass in many places, but it
may also be celebrated as its own liturgical rite.
Children presented for baptism are to have sponsors–
a Godfather and Godmother.
In the Roman Rite, children presented for baptism are
anointed, but they do not receive Confirmation. They
also wait for the Eucharist until they have been
prepared by later catechesis.
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This is not the same everywhere in the Church!
Older children and adults come into the Church by way
of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) or the
Rite of Christian Inititation of Children (RCIC).
Rite of Baptism for Children
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Many fundamentalist groups criticize the practice of
baptizing infants, contending that baptism can only follow
a conscious choice and ‘born-again’ experience.
This, of course, counters centuries of theological wisdom
and tradition rooted in:
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good common sense,
the practices of ancient Israel,
the earliest of the Church Fathers,
Church councils, and
the Word of God itself.
This practice is consistent with the Church’s teaching of
the value of all life.
Baptism

Ministers of Baptism
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Ordinary Ministers – Bishops, Priests, Deacons
Extraordinary Ministers – Anyone
Formula: I baptize you, in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
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Post-conciliar form mandated in 1980’s, following years
of mostly ‘private’ preparation for candidates.
Restores ancient practice, prepares person to profess
and live faith.
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Inquiry & Pre-catechumenate
Catechumenate – “followers”/“students”
Elect
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Scrutinies (“exorcisms”)
Reception of Lord’s Prayer, Creed, Anointing
Reception of Sacraments (typically at the Easter Vigil)
Mystagogia
Sacrament of Confirmation

Confirmation is a sacrament which has had a lot of
titles and ideas attached to it…
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“Sacrament of Christian Maturity”
“Ratification of Baptism”
“Sacrament of Christian Service”
“Confirmation/Acceptance of Baptismal Vows”
“Christian Soldiers”
There is an element of truth to each of these
viewpoints, but Confirmation is more…
The Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is a sacrament which
increases and deepens baptismal grace.
•Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ
•Intensifies our adoption as children of God
•Increases the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
•Makes our bond with the Church more perfect
•Increases in us the strength to spread
and defend the faith
“…Born again in water and the spirit…” – John 3: 5
Sacrament of Confirmation

Gifts of the Holy Spirit
(Is 11:2)
– Wisdom
– Knowledge
– Understanding
– Fortitude
– Piety
– Fear of the Lord
– Counsel
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Fruits of the Holy Spirit
(Gal 5:22)
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Charity
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Generosity
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Self-Control
Modesty
Chastity
The Holy Eucharist
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“Completes” Christian Initiation
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Bread and Wine become the Body and Blood of Christ
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All other sacraments relate to this “source and summit”
What has been handed on to me, I hand on to you: the night
he was betrayed, he took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread
and said, “This is my body; do this in remembrance of me.” In
the same way after supper, he took the cup and said, “This
cup is the New Covenant in my Blood. Do this, whenever you
drink it, in memory of me.
1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
“Liturgy” of God & “Liturgy” of the Church
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leos (leos) = people, public,
(“laity”)
ergon (ergon) = work
(“energy”, “synergy”, “ergo”-nomic)
The Holy Eucharist
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Eucharist: Verb or Noun??
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Active sense of celebration:
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“Holy Mass” – “Sacred Liturgy” – “Eucharistic Celebration”
“Representation of Calvary” – “Un-bloody Sacrifice”
“Memorial meal” – “The Lord’s Supper”
Stable sense of presence:
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Adoration of the “Blessed Sacrament”
“Real Presence”
Transubstantiation
(vs. consubstantiation or transsignification?)
Tabernacle
To deny either sense is to deny something
essential about the Eucharist!
The Holy Eucharist
O
O sacrum
sacred convivium!
banquet!
ininwhich
quo Christus
Christ issumitur:
received,
therecolitur
memorymemoria
of his Passion
passionis
is renewed,
ejus:
the mens
mind impletur
is filled with
gratia:
grace,
and
et afuturae
pledgegloriae
of future
nobis
glorypignus
to us is
given.
datur.
Alleluia.
-- St. Thomas Aquinas
Next Week
Mary, the Saints, and
the Ministry of the Pope