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.