Year 2 Confirmation – Key Learnings Chosen Chap. 8 1. Grace is God’s gift of his life to us. Without grace we are spiritually dead and unable to share in the eternal life of heaven. The word “grace” comes from the Latin word for “gift” because grace is a gift, we don’t earn it. CROSS with #76 2. Sacrament is a sacred sign that Christ gave to the Church to deliver grace to us, share his divine life with us, and make us holy. 3. The seven sacraments include the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist), the sacraments of healing (Penance or Confession and the Anointing of the Sick) and the sacraments of Service (Holy Orders, and Matrimony). REPEAT of #21 Chap. 9 4. Original Sin – the absence of grace in us at birth that was the result of our fist parents’ disobedience. 5. Personal Sin – intentional wrongdoing for which we are personally responsible, going against the Will of God, 6. Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments that takes away this original sin and leaves a permanent or indelible mark on your soul. It is the first step toward eternal life. 7. Besides water, which represents a washing away of original sin, other symbols of Baptism are a white garment representing purity and the sacred chrism oil that is also used at Confirmation. REPEAT of #66 8. The oil used at both Baptism and Confirmation is sacred chrism oil. REPEAT of #66 Chap. 10 9. The conditions of mortal sin are a. It must include a grave matter b. You must have full knowledge c. You must fully give your consent to committing it i. Culpability – refers to the degree to which we are responsible for the sin 10. Mortal sins must be confessed in both number and kind 11. In confessing our sins, we must repent of them (be determined not to commit them again) 12. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), four important things are happening: a. It gives us a direct encounter with God (as is true of all sacraments) b. It gives us power to stop sinning c. It reconciles us with God and the Church d. It eliminates any confusion about whether we’re forgiven Chap. 11 13. The Sacrament of the Sick confers a special grace on those who receive it, especially those in danger of death due to serious illness. 1 14. Suffering only has meaning when we allow ours to be joined with Christ’s. When we do this, our own suffering becomes redemptive. We cooperate with the Father who used Christ’s suffering to redeem our souls and bring us to salvation. 15. Emmanuel means “God is with us” – EVEN IN OUR SUFFEING. 16. God did not create suffering nor does He cause it. He allows it just as he allows us to choose to sin. Suffering is a direct result of sin, not just personal but original also. When Adam and Eve chose sin for all of humanity, they were removed from Eden or a permanent state of grace (life with God); aside from which suffering WILL exist. Chap. 12 17. The Holy Spirit a. Is the third person of the Trinity b. “Proceeds” from the Father and the Son (He was not created by them but is coeternal with them) c. Is the author of Holy Scripture d. Is called “the Lord the giver of life” e. Is called “the breath of life” f. Is the “Paraclete” or “Advocate” that Jesus promised to send when he ascended into heaven g. Transforms us through sanctifying grace (present in all the sacraments) as He is the pipeline or conduit of God’s grace h. Empowers us with His gifts i. Is the soul and therefore defender of the Church Chap. 13 18. The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit are found in Isaiah 11:2-3 a. Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel (Right Judgment), Piety (Reverence), Fortitude (Courage), Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe) b. REPEAT of #74 19. The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are qualities that define us as Christians and help us to grow in holiness and draw others into the Church (relationship with God) a. Charity (love), Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-control, Chastity b. REPEAT of #75 20. Charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit are those given to help serve the Church; some are more extraordinary a. Speaking in tongues, Prophesy, Healing, Preaching, Counsel, Teaching Chap. 14 21. Sacraments of Initiation are: Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation REPEAT of #3 22. Confirmation is often called the Sacrament of Christian Maturity. The word “confirmation” means strengthening 23. Confirmation makes us soldiers for Christ and equips us to spread and defend the faith by word and deed, as witnesses of Jesus 24. The bishop is the ordinary minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation 2 25. When we are anointed at Confirmation, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and this leaves an “indelible” mark on our souls much like a tattoo or brand that can never be undone Chap. 15 26. Transubstantiation is the miracle that happens at the consecration of the bread and wine being changed into Christ’s Body and Blood. 27. The Mass/Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, the beginning and the most important part of the Christian life, participating in it is the most important thing we can do on earth 28. The ancient Jewish feast of the Passover is a foreshadowing of the Mass 29. Eucharist means “thanksgiving”, Liturgy means “work”, and Mass means “mission” and was first celebrated by Jesus at the Last Supper 30. The two main parts of the Mass are the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist 31. Anyone who commits a mortal sin must first go to confession before receiving the Eucharist 32. In Persona Christi Capitis means “in the person of Christ the Head” and this term refers to the priest Chap. 16 33. The commitment of each spouse in marriage must be: free, total, faithful, and fruitful (life-giving). 34. The purposes of marriage is: the procreation of children, the education of children, the mutual sanctification of the spouses. 35. An annulment is a decree that states that the relationship in question was not a valid marriage. 36. The Church’s teaching on marriage is based on both Natural Law and Divine Law and cannot be changed as both come from God. Chap. 17 37. The priesthood was established when Jesus called the Twelve Apostles. 38. Holy Orders is the sacrament by which the mission entrusted by Christ to the apostles continues to be exercised within the Church. This is why the priest acts “in persona Christi” when he ministers to the people of God. He is not ministering in his own name but in the name/person of Christ. 39. Celibacy is a discipline (not a rule, law, dogma, or doctrine), by which the priest promises to remain free of marriage and chaste so that he can imitate the total love of Christ for his Church. Chap. 18 40. Prayer is the communication with God that sustains and deepens our relationship with him (Note communication is or should be two-way) 41. “Lectio Divina” means “Divine Reading.” Its four steps include: Read, Reflect, Relate, Rest 42. Contemplation is a type of prayer marked by simple silence in the presence of God; often considered the highest state of prayer because it includes a special closeness to God that is a taste of what it will be like in heaven 43. Meditation is a type of prayer in which we think about God and try to understand what he has said and is saying to us (listening is the key) – NOT vocal prayer. 3 44. Effective prayer requires 3 things of us: discipline, effort, patience Chap. 19 45. Communion of Saints refers to all who are part of God’s family; those on earth (Church Militant), those in Purgatory (Church Penitent), and those in Heaven (Church Triumphant) 46. Immaculate Conception refers to Mary’s conception within the womb of her mother, St. Anne. Mary was conceived without original sin. 47. Assumption refers to Mary being taken up to heaven at the moment her life on earth ended 48. Apparitions or the appearance of a heavenly being on earth, are considered by the Church to be private revelations and we are not required to believe (in) them. However, the Church HAS approved some apparitions and not approved others. 49. Mother of God is a title we use for Mary because she is the Mother of Jesus who is God. This was finalized at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. 50. Ever Virgin is a term we use to describe Mary’s perpetual virginity as demonstrated in the Bible when she responds to the Angel by saying, “How will this be since I know not man.” St. Jerome says this question betrays her vow of virginity since she was betrothed to Joseph. Chap. 20 51. Beatitudes – mean ultimate, true, and lasting happiness; they are among Jesus’ most fundamental teachings a. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. b. Blessed are then who mourn, for they will be comforted. c. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. d. Blessed are they who huger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. e. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. f. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.