Overview of the Sacraments and Baptism
Session Title: – The Sacraments
Opening Prayer
In your love you have called them to know you,
led them to trust you, and bound their lives with yours.
Surround your chosen ones, the elect, with your love, protect them from evil.
Fill them with the Holy Spirit and receive them into the family of your church…
that they may walk in the way of Christ, and grow in the knowledge of your love.
references/sources
- CCC Part Two The Celebration of the Christian Mystery
- Section I The Sacramental Economy
- Section II the Seven Sacraments of the Church
- The Catholic Vision Edward D. O'Connor, C.S.C
Content
Overview of the Sacraments
- Sacramentality means God clothing the spiritual with the sensible to make it accessible to humanity.
- The Christian sacrament is not merely a symbol of the sacred, it is a historical reality, chosen and used by God as an effective sign of his presence and action.
- ... the church in its entire being is a sacrament, the archetype of all others. It is the universal sacrament of salvation. The sacramental function of the Church, in turn, is realized chiefly in the seven official sacraments.
- 1. Christ is Sacrament
- The Catholic understanding of sacraments is rooted in the personal experiences and encounnters of the faithful with the person of Jesus. These encounters are experiences of normal, everyday people who witnessed the preaching of Jesus who interpreted this encounter as an "experience of God".
- We celebrate the presence of Jesus in our observance of the sacred liturgies and rituals... However the primary experience experience of God is found in our encounter with Jesus through the sacramental life of the Church.
- 2. Church as Sacrament
- Just as people came to understand and appreciate that Jesus was a sign of the presence of God in the world, people also came to understand that the community of believers, the Church, was also a sign of God in the world.
- 3. Seven Sacraments of the Church
- Each sacrament, each sign of God's presence in our lives, has been traditionally understood as a ritualistic celebration of God's saving activity and encounter with the people of God.
- 4. Sacraments are Necessary for Salvation
- It is only through the sacraments that a person is united "in a living union with the only Son, the Savior (CCC 1129) and experiences "life for God in Christ Jesus (CCC 1134)
- 5. A process Revelation and Discernment
- Holy Scripture
- Apostolic Traditions - Acts of the Apostles
- Consensus of the Fathers
- Tertullian (160-230 AD) introduced the term sacramentum to describe the rituals and practices
- Cyprian, Theodore, John of Chrysostom and Augustion (354-430)
- Second Council of Lyons in 1274 who declared that there are seven sacraments.
- 6. The Sacraments as a Sign and Symbol
- Signs of the old testament Covenant (CCC 1150) circumcision, anointing and consecration, laying on of hands, sacrafices
- Signs used by Christ bread, wine
- Signs of the Sacraments.
- 7. Sacraments Celebrate a Lived Reality
- In each of the sacramental encounters... is the desire, the openness, and the willingness of the people of God to encounter and enter into relationship with Jesus.
- During the 12th and 13th centuries the theology developed to an understanding that the seven sacraments were not only sand experience of the grace of God, but in a very real sense, they "caused" God's grace to be given.
- 8. Ex Opere Operato
- ...the belief that all that was necessary for the sacraments to "cause the grace" to be transmitted was that they be performed correctly. That is the proper "matter" of the sacrament was present and the proper "form" of the sacrament was celebrated, the sacrament automatically and, in some unfortunate sense, "magically" accomplished what was needed for salvation.
- This simple understanding of how the sacraments worked was never sanctioned or promoted by the "official" church.
- This "automatic" concept spilled over into other areas of Church practice and devotion. e.g. indulgences.
- 9. The Council of Trent 1545-1563
- ...was the Catholic answer to Martin Luther and other reformers who had posted a seres of questions and concerns beginning on October 31 1517
- addressed the churches understanding of the sacraments in general but it also addressed particular issues regarding each of the seven sacraments.
- Standardized training, Sacramentaries, specific rubrics, and directions for the celebration.
- 10. The Second Vatican Council
- 1962-1965
- Liturgical renewal
- Biblical renewal
- 11. Contemporary Sacramental Theology
- Contemporary sacramental theology emphasizes four essential components which are necessary to a proper understanding and appreciation of the sacramental life of the Church.
- Efficacious Signs of Grace (CCC 1131) The sacraments, instituted by Christ, are efficacious because it is in the sacrament that Christ is at work.
- Celebrated by a Priestly Community (CCC 1132)
- Formed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (CCC 1133)
- 12. Sacraments as Experiences of Grace
- Grace (charis) means the graciousness of God in turning the divine countenance to us. It is a sign of God's nearness, a word of love, which arouses in us an answering of love.
- On our part, it is received with the awareness that it is and undeserved gift of God, and this awareness energizes us, teaches us, disciplines us, and gives orientation to our whole lives.
- The sacraments are divine signs that provoke human initiatives of authentic love, true mercy and of new dimensions in personal relationships.
| Category | Sacrament | Biblical Basis | Central Words | Central Actions | Effects | Ministers | Can be received |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initiation | Baptism |
|
"I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (the "Trinitarian Formula," from Matt 28:19) [Note: Some Protestants baptize "in the name of Jesus"; see Acts 2 & 10) | The candidate is immersed in water, or water is poured over the candidate's head. | Becoming a member of the Church of Christ (Christian Initiation); also being forgiven of one's sins. | Bishops, Priests, Deacons; any Christian (in case of urgent need) | once |
| Eucharist |
|
"This is my body... This is my blood..." (the "Words of Institution" from the Last Supper) | The bread and wine are blessed/consecrated by the minister and received/shared by the communicants. | Being spiritually nourished by Christ's body and blood; being united ("in communion") with Christ and other believers. | Bishops or Priests | up to once a day. | |
| Confirmation | * John 20:22 - "(Jesus) breathed on them (the disciples) and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'";
|
"(Name), be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." | Laying on of hands (the bishop lays his hands on the head of the confirmand). | Being strengthened by the Holy Spirit; being "confirmed" in the fullness of the Christian faith. | Bishops; in some cases also Priests | once | |
| healing | Confession |
|
"I forgive you of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (the "Words of Absolution") | The penitent confesses his sins, expresses contrition, and proposes amendment; the confessor suggests a penance and speaks the words of absolution. | Being forgiven of one's sins; being reconciled to God the Church, and other people. | Bishops or Priests | often - required once a year |
| anointing of the Sick |
|
"Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up." | The minister anointing the sick persons forehead and hands with blessed oil | Being strengthened in time of illness. | Bishops or Priests | several | |
| Commitment | matrimony |
|
"I, (name), take you, (name), to be my husband/wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."
(or a similar formula) |
The husband and wife make these promises to each other publicly. (Rings are exchanged as a visible sign of this verbal commitment.) | Being united ("one flesh") in God's eyes; becoming a publicly and legally recognized couple. | the couple themselves! (clergy are just the official witnesses) | depends. |
| holy orders |
|
A long "Prayer of Consecration" | The bishop lays his hands on the ordinand's head; he also anoints his hands and performs several other symbolic gestures | Becoming a member of the "ordained" clergy, the church's official leadership "orders" | Bishops only | once |
This table edited from The Seven Sacraments by Felix Just, S.J.
Baptism
Show Busted Halo video on Baptism
- Cleansing from sin
- The principal gesture of baptism is that of bathing. e.g. Jesus in the Jordan River
- All sin is removed by this sacrament original and actual, mortal and venial - and not only the guilt from sin but also whatever pusishment is due for it. If we were to die immediately, we would be admitted into heaven, just as the "good thief" at Christ's death.
- Infusion of the Holy Spirit
- The cleansing form sin in baptism is brought about by the Holy Spirit who is poured into the recipient, making her the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19).
- Incorporation into the Church
- By this sacrament, a person becomes a member of the Body of Christ. Jesus saves by gathering us into a people:
- We receive a "sacramental character". The sacramental character is a spiritual imprint on of Christ on the soul, marking the person as a Christian.
- 8. The Rite of Christian Initiation
- 9. The Rights and Obligations of the Baptized
- The baptized are gifted with both the right and the obligation to offer the sacrifice that Christ offered: prayers, works, their very lives.
- Baptism calls the baptized to a life that is rooted in grace and which is marked by the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity.
Closing Prayer
Terms
- Liturgy
- 'the public worship of the Church: the Eucharist, the sacraments, and the Divine Office. Source: The Catholic Way to Pray
- ... Originally meant a "public work" or a "service" in the name of/on behalf of the people". In the Christian tradition, it means the participation of the People of God in the "work of God".
- XX
Cultural Applications
Homework for next session
Baptism
This isn’t something we just ‘made up’
Rom. 6:3-11 [Epistle for Easter Vigil]
Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as (being) dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.
Anonymous sermon – O of R, Wed. of Holy Week (p582)
Words associated with… (CCC 1214-ff) (Gk) Baptizein – to immerse or plunge (“taking the plunge”)
“the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit Jn 3:5 Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.
Enlightenment (CCC 1216) “Those who receive this [catechetical] instruction are enlightened in their understanding” (St. Justin, Apologia) “Having received in Baptism the Word, the ‘true light that enlightens every man,’ the person baptized has been enlightened, he becomes a ‘son of light,’ indeed, he becomes ‘light’ himself” (Jn. 1:9, Thess. 5:5, Hb 10:32, Eph. 5:8)
“Baptism is God's most beautiful and magnificent gift. . . .We call it gift, grace, anointing, enlightenment, garment of immortality, bath of rebirth, seal, and most precious gift. It is called gift because it is conferred on those who bring nothing of their own; grace since it is given even to the guilty; Baptism because sin is buried in the water; anointing for it is priestly and royal as are those who are anointed; enlightenment because it radiates light; clothing since it veils our shame; bath because it washes; and seal as it is our guard and the sign of God's Lordship.” (St. Gregory Nazianzen, Oratio 40)
Where did it come from? CCC 1217 Blessing of the water Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of the wonders of your unseen power.
In Baptism we use your gift of water, which you have made a rich symbol of the grace you give us in this sacrament. At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness. The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of Baptism, that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness. You freed the children of Abraham from the slavery of Pharaoh, bringing them dry-shod through the waters of the Red Sea, to be an image of the people set free in Baptism.
Melito of Sardis, Easter Homily (O of R Easter Monday, p.554) – on types and fulfillments
In the Church from the beginning Acts 2:38 Peter speaking at Pentecost Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, 7 every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit.
Acts 16:31-33 Conversion of Paul and Silas’ Jailer (infant baptism) And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved." So they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. He took them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized at once. He brought them up into his house and provided a meal and with his household rejoiced at having come to faith in God.
The rite is somewhat self-explanatory Welcome and the Sign of the Cross – Baptism and entry into the community of Christ’s death and resurrection Word of God Various readings explain how it is that we were justified St. Anastasius, Oratio 4 (O of R Easter Tuesday, p.568) Exorcisms and Annointing Forgiveness of Original Sin Healing of the Soul Blessing of the Water (see above) calls down the Holy Spirit Promises (creed) This is the stuff of our faith, our response to God’s love Jerusalem Catechesis (O of R Easter Thursday, p.596) Chrism Royal dignity Jerusalem Catechesis (O of R Easter Friday, p.609) The light and the garment Eph. 6:11-17 Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.