RE 011 Prelim

“a sign of the sacred.”

ceremonies thatis sacred & important for Christians.

special occasions for experiencing Christ’s saving presence.

Christ’s own gifts that strengthen our relationship with him

are signs of God’s love.

efficacious & visible sign of God’s grace.

outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

deeper relationship with God

God draws us closer to him through material symbols that our physical bodies can perceive—things and words and gestures.

The thing itself, gestures/words

No human power could attach an inward grace to an outward sign. Only God can do that.

Church cannot institute new Sacraments. Council of Trent: never be more than 7 Sacraments, the Sacraments Jesus has given us.

Sacraments give sanctifying grace.

A Sacrament gives grace of and by itself, by its own power. esus attached grace to the outward sign, so that the sign and grace always go together.But attitude does matter. Faith matters.

have an effect on our relationship with God through grace. more perfect our sorrow in Penance & Reconciliation = more ardent our love in receiving the Holy Eucharist.more lively our faith in receiving Confirmation = stronger our relationship with God will be.

There is a “character” imprinted on the soul by the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.

Baptism, confirmation, Holy order

gives us the power to absorb the grace of the other six Sacraments and participate in the Mass.

gives us the power to profess the faith fearlessly and to spread the faith.

gives the priest the power to celebrate Mass and to administer the other Sacraments.

basis of the entire Christian life.

first Sacrament of Christian Initiation.

We become members of Christ and of the Church and sharers in her mission. opens us to the flow of God’s love.

Initiation & adoption into christian church

Etymology means ceremonial washing

Kinds of Baptism:\

is a symbol of this mark or seal.

3 valid forms

Water,Chrism oil,Candle,White robe,Baptismal garment

3 fold mission of christ

restores the sanctifying grace that has been lost through sin.

removes the barrier to the action of the Holy Spirit in us

3 elements: of reconciliation

The other five Sacraments that give an increase in sanctifying grace.

deepens and strengthens baptismal gifts.

associated with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

culminating Sacrament of Christian Initiation.

both a sacrifice and a meal.

we receive Christ’s Body and Blood, we are also nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

sign of God’s covenant with his people

covenant of love & grace in Jesus Christ.

loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God’s values.

priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics

formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction ritual of healing

for physical ailment, mental & spiritual sickness.

are quite extraordinary they are ordinary signs that do God’s work.