RE Catholic Christianity Unit 2 - Practices

A sacrament is an outward sign of an inward gift, instituted by Christ, in order to give grace to a human being. It is:

• Visible to the senses
• Christ introduced the 7 sacraments
• God's life and presence o holiness

The sacrmental nature of reality - means finding God's grace in the world, Gid is invisible but Catholics believe he can communicate through creation e.g. bread, wine, songs, books etc, God uses these things to help buid a relationship with us. 

CCC - 'The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christians life of faith.

MEANING AND EFFECTS

• Baptism is a way for a Christin family to have their chid initiated in to the Christian faith.
• Marks the start of their journey of faith and becoming a menber of the Christian famil.
• Originates from Jesus' baptism - following his example
• All sins (original) are washed away and the person is left pure.
• 'I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit'
• The sacramental effect is the giving of grace, washing from sin and the presence of the Holy spirit.

Note the symbolism in the water, white garment, candle and oil of Chrism 

WHY IS BAPTISM IMPORTANT?

• You recieve the grace to lead a good Christian life
• CCC: 'Its the basis of Christian life and without is you cannot recieve the other sacraments'
• CCC: 'you need salvation to enter heaven'

MEANING AND EFFECTS

• Cofirmation is when a person becomes a full member of the church.
• In confirmation we complete our baptism by renewing the promises that were made on our behalf when we were babies
• The sacrament gives us srength through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are need to live a good Christian life
• The Bishop lays his hand on the candidates head - represents the Holy spirit coming down. He makes the sign of the cross with chrism using the words 'be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Catechism of the Catholic Church - 1285

MEANING AND EFFECTS

• It brings forgiveness of sins. It can be used for lesser sins but is necessary. Once they are forgiven Catholics can recieve the Eucharist.
• I allows someone to know they have been separated form God and they nedd God's help to not to commit sins again.
• Recieving this once a year is one of the precepts of the church (rules we are expected to follow), although people are encouraged to go more regularly.
• Gives people a chance to mend their relationship with God so they can achieve salvation

MEANING AND EFFECT

• Strengthening sacrament
• This sacrament gives grace and spiritual healing
• It allows for forgiveness of sins which help you attain salvation
• Unites them with the suffering of Jesus

Source of Wisdom and Authority

CCC- this sacrament isn't just for those at the 'point of death'

CCC-'fitting time to recieve this sacrament'

MEANING AND EFFECT

• God created man and woman for each other
• Marriage shoud be: 

1. Lifelong

2. Faithful

3. For having children and raising them in a Catholic family.

• It is a sacrament because it involves God and not just the couple

MEANING AND EFFECT

• It is given to men who recieve this vocation
• They are copying the work of te apostles and give up everything like they did
• Following Jesus
• They promise to serve God and others
• They are given the grace of God
• They have the authority to administer the sacraments and transubtantiation
• They can offer reconcilliation 
• Called to universal love
• Disciples were men - Priests are men 

Different Christian views on the sacraments in general include:

• Most protestant only accept 2 sacraments - Baptism and Holy Communion because these are the only 2 sanctioned by Jesus in the Bible
• Some Protestans, Baptists abd Pentecostals believe only adults shoul be baptised
• Salvation Army and Quakers no not believe in any of the sacraments at all, they belive Jesus is the only priest therefore nobody else has the authority to administer sacraments and perform transubstantion

• At the Last supper Jesus instituted the Mass – ‘Do this in memory of me’ – obligation to go to Mass as Jesus commanded us to.
• We receive the body and blood of Jesus, this is a reminder that Jesus is really present and with us in this sacrament (transubstantiation).
• Commanded by God  -keep the Sabbath day holy, going to Mass to receive the sacrament fulfils this commandment. Show our love of God.
• Come together as Gods family to show thanks for what he done for us – Eucharist means thanksgiving.                                                                                                               Divergent attitudes to liturgical worship –Evangelical Christians
• Protestant – Non Liturgical                                                                                            Worship without set prayer - believe worship comes through the Holy Spirit and so should be spontaneous – EXTEMPORE –without preparation. Music helps to express faith and connect with God (Gospel music).
• Protestant -Evangelical Christians                                                                                  Belief that Jesus is the only priest so there is no need for rituals – do not agree with Liturgical worship.  Much more participation from the congregation – expressing their approval of what the leader says – ‘Amen’ ‘Hallelujah’ ‘Praise the Lord’
• SOWA - Lumen gentium /‘source and summit of Catholic life’ - CCC

How can a funeral be a celebration?

• 'I look forward to the ressurecion of the dead and the life of the world to come'
• Earthly life is a pilgramage toward God, death is not the end but the start of eternal life
• Sad but also a celebration because the person has begun their journey to eternal life
• Participating in a funeral is a sigh of love and respect towards the person who has died.
• The church can be thought of as a mother handing one of her children back to the love of God the Father.

The funeral rite has 3 main aims:

• Communion with the deceased - support the person in their journey into the next life with efficacious prayer.
• Communion of the community - to show that the people gathered are still connected to the person in the church - the body of Christ
• Proclamation of Eternal Life to the Community - To remind people that death is not the end of life but the passage from this world to life with God

What happens at a funeral?                                                                                            

• The Vigil for the Deceased: this is a service of prayers, songs and homilies either at the home of the deceased or in church, before the day of the funeral.
• Introductory rites: the priest greets the congregation and says: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." He leads the coffin and congregation down the church aisle. Holy water is sprinkled and there is an opening song and prayer.
• Liturgy of the Word: sermons from the Bible are read out, as well as a homily (a practical rather than theological sermon) and a Psalm.
• Liturgy of the Eucharist: there is a preparation of gifts, a Eucharist prayer is said and Holy Communion is received.
• Final commendation: Mass ends, prayers are said and the coffin is taken out of the church.
• Rite of Committal: prayers are said by the final resting place (at the graveside for burial and before the curtains close for cremation).

• 'raising of hearts and minds to God', way of experiencing a relationship with God, tries to put thoughts feelings and requests before God

Different types of Prayer

• Formulaic
• Liturgical
• Extempore

• Vocal 
• Meditation
• Contemplation

• Adoration - Helps a person not to be selfish, to realise tey depend on others, an inspire them to actively help
• Thanksgiving - Helps get things into perspective and be thankful for life
• Confession - Helps face feelings, relieves their sin and learn from mistakes
• Supplication - Makes them feel like they are helping the less fortunate and inspire them to practically help.
• Contemplative and Meditative - Bring inner peace and makes them feel refreshed

• Get life into perspective - step aside and from life pressure and focus on God
• Brings us closer to God - enables us to talk with him and become closer to him
• Worship God - We can show our love of God through prayer - Jesus said 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind...'

Importace of:

• Worship in the Home: the heart of peoples lives and can bring family together
• Private Worship: communication one to one and express diffcult emotions
• Public Worship: gives a sense of belonging and community
• Prayer for different moods: sometimes people need to be joyful, sorrowful or serious.

Source of Wisdom and Authority - Matthew 6:5-14