USCCA Chapter Notes
USCCA Chapter/Title : 22 - Sacramentals and Popular Devotions.
CCC Paragraph Reference : CCC #1667-1679 – Forms of Popular Piety.
Doctrinal Premise . What is the underlying truth behind the doctrine of this chapter ? Connecting it to Christ, summarize the chapter in 1-2 sentences.
Sacramentals, sacred signs that resemble the Sacraments, dispose believers to receive the chief effects of the Sacraments. Popular devotions (prayers and practices) help us grow in intimacy with God through meditation on eternal truths.
Three questions adults might have about this topic. What life-issues do I need to connect with in the people at my session?
1. What is the difference between a sacramental and a Sacrament?
2. Are sacramentals forms of supersitition?
3. The Rosary can be very monotonous. How can I pray it with faith? What am I supposed to ‘get’ from praying the Rosary?
Points from the Story of Faith/Testimony. How is the underlying truth taught in this chapter brought to life?
Person of Faith : Fr. Patrick Peyton
1. Fr. Patrick Peyton was born in Ireland on January 9, 1909. After moving to the United States, he entered seminary at the University of Notre Dame. He eventually contracted tuberculosis, and through prayer, especially devotion to Mary, Patrick was able to trust God. Patrick was healed, and grew deeper in his love for Mary and her intercession. He was moved by the quiet, unsensational way she works.
2. Fr. Peyton was ordained to the priesthood in 1941. He began the Family Rosary Crusade as a means to foster solidarity with others, appreciation of the gift of Christ’s mother, and total dependence on God. He traveled for fifty years as an apostle of prayer. He died on June 3, 1992, leaving a legacy of fervor and devotion to Mary, the Rosary and strengthening family life through prayer.
Essential Points from the Teaching Section. Add in sub-points as needed. What points need to be made explicit and cannot be left to chance?
1. Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church that bear resemblance to sacraments. Sacramentals:
a. Dispose (or help) the believer receive the chief effects of the Sacraments.
USCCA Chapter 22 1 Sacramentals and Devotions b. Include blessings , actions such as processions, prayers such as the Rosary, and objects , such as Holy water, palms, ashes, candles and medals.
2. Blessings invoke the Holy Trinity and give God praise for His gifts. Blessings can be applied to objects or people.
3. Exorcisms are prayers that remove a person from the power of evil, from satan and the devils.
a. There are both minor exorcisms, as done in the RCIA process, and major exorcisms.
b. Only a priest who has the permission of the bishop can do major exorcisms.
c. Before major exorcisms are performed, the person is diagnosed in order to distinguish psychological illness from actual demonic possession.
4. Popular devotions of prayer and piety among the faithful have proven to be powerful forms of prayer, attracting and directing our souls to God. (For a list of many examples, please refer to page 297 in the USCCA.)
5. The Rosary is a unique form of Scripture-based prayer.
a. The Blessed Virgin Mary has urged the praying of the Rosary in her apparitions, especially Lourdes and Fatima.
b. The popularity of the Rosary has often been attributed to St. Dominic.
c. The Rosary is divided into Mysteries, events from the life of Jesus and Mary. It encourages prayerful meditation and contemplation on these events.
Scriptural Foundation. List the two to three primary Scripture passages that support the teaching. How is this teaching rooted in the saving events of Scripture?
Scriptural Foundations of the Rosary
Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation
"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary." (Lk 1:26-28)
2. The Visitation
"In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her
USCCA Chapter 22 2 Sacramentals and Popular Devotions womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!'" (Lk 1:39-42)
3. The Birth of the Lord
"When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." (Lk 2:15-16)
4. The Presentation
"And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord." (Lk 2:22)
5. The Finding in the Temple
"After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers." (Lk 2:46-47)
Luminous Mysteries
1. The Baptism of the Lord
"And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'" (Mt 3:16-17)
2. The Wedding at Cana
"On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.'" (Jn 2:1-3)
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
"Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.'" (Mk 1:14-15)
4. The Transfiguration
"He took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. And behold, two men talked
USCCA Chapter 22 3 Sacramentals and Devotions with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem." (Lk 9: 28-31)
5. The Institution of the Eucharist
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" (Lk 22:19)
Sorrowful Mysteries
1. The Agony in the Garden
"And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I pray.' And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.'" (Mk 14:32-34)
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
"So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas; and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified." (Mk 15:15)
3. The Crowning With Thorns
"And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe; they came up to him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' and struck him with their hands." (Jn 19:2-3)
4. The Carrying of the Cross
"And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus." (Lk 23:26)
5. The Crucifixion
"And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right, and one on the left. And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide his garments." (Lk 23:33-34)
Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection
"But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said.'" (Mt 28:5)
USCCA Chapter 22 4 Sacramentals and Popular Devotions 2. The Ascension
"So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God." (Mk 16:19)
3. Pentecost
"And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:2-4)
4. The Assumption
"Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple." (Rev 11:19)
5. The Coronation
"And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Rev 12:1)
Summary of the Sidebar material.
1. Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church that bear a resemblance to the sacraments.
2. Blessings (of persons, meals, objects and places) are the first among sacramentals.
3. Popular piety extends the liturgical life of the Church but never replaces it.
Relationship to Culture . What does the USCCA both challenge and affirm in our culture?
• Affirmations of US Culture :
Nothing from this chapter.
• Challenges to US Culture:
Nothing from this chapter.
Additional Questions for Discussion . Given what the USCCA has in its discussion questions, are there other questions to add to further the discussion?
1. See the above Scriptural foundations of the Rosary. Choose a set of mysteries, and look up the Scriptural roots in the context of their of their biblical passages.
USCCA Chapter 22 5 Sacramentals and Devotions 2. How has your participation in the devotional life of the Church strengthened and increased your faith in Christ?
3. How can you guard your devotional life in order to protect it from superstition?
Action/Ritual to add with the meditation/prayer. How can you help the participant respond to Christ’s invitation given in this chapter?
Finish your session by praying one or all five decades of one of the mysteries of the Rosary.
USCCA Chapter 22 6 Sacramentals and Popular Devotions