THE SACRAMENTS SESSION 4: SACRAMENTS OF SERVICE WELCOME! Welcome!

How can we help people respond to their vocations— particularly if God calls them to priesthood or to marriage?

Session Schedule Opening Prayer Paired Activity Theme #1: Holy Orders Standing Activity Theme #2: Marriage Small Group Activity Closing Prayer

Opening Prayer: “We are Called” “We are Called” Refrain: We are called to act with justice. We are called to love tenderly. We are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God.

Prayer for All Vocations Heavenly Father, source of all life, We praise you for your abundant blessings. You sow your seed freely and generously among us. You nourish, protect, sustain, and strengthen us on our faith journey. By our Baptism you call us by name and commission us to sow your Word….

Prayer for All Vocations We join our hearts and voices in prayer that you enrich your Church with people who embrace the call to holiness and service. Bless each of us as we respond to your call. May we encourage and support one another in discerning and living out our Christian vocation. Help us to foster a culture of vocation in which your seed will bear much fruit. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit, with your blessing now and forever. Amen!

Paired Activity: A Vocation of Service Discuss examples of great priests who’ve touched your life. List the qualities, characteristics or virtues that they embody. How have they answered their call, and how can their example help others to do so?

Talk # 1: Holy Orders, at the Service of Communion Christ: the “anointed one,” the one High Priest All the baptized share in Christ’s priesthood The ministerial priesthood shares in Christ’s priesthood in a special way through Holy Orders

Holy Orders: Bishop, Priest, Deacon Three degrees or “orders” to the gift of sacred power, at service of Christ Christ is the perfect mediator between God and his people Bishops and priests serve the Church in the person of Christ, the Head of his Body “The ordained ministers exercise their service for the People of God by teaching (munus docendi), divine worship (munus liturgicum), and pastoral governance (munus regendi)” (CCC, n. 1592).

Steps and Rite of Ordination 1. Gathering 2. Calling of the Candidates 3. Presentation and Inquiry 4. Acceptance 5. Examination of the Candidate 6. Promise of Obedience 7. Prayer for the Candidates 8. Chanting of the Litany 9. Laying on of Hands 10. The one priesthood of Christ 11. Vesting the New Priest 12. Anointing of the Hands 13. Presentation of the Gifts 14. Liturgy of the Eucharist 15. Communion "The essential rite of the sacrament of Holy Orders for all three degrees consists in the bishop’s imposition of hands on the head of the ordinand and in the bishop’s specific consecratory prayer asking God for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and his gifts proper to the ministry to which the candidate is being ordained." (CCC, n. 1573)

Rite of Ordination Scripture Acts 6:5-6; 13:3; 14:23; 20:28; Jn 20:21-23; 1 Tim 3:1; 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6; Tit 1:5; Phil 1:1 Form Bishop’s Consecratory Prayer (CCC, nn. 1538; 1573) Matter Laying on of Hands by the Bishop (CCC, n. 1538) Effect Indelible Character; Configuration Christ as prophet, priest, and king (CCC, nn )

Who may be ordained? Christ chose the Twelve Apostles as the foundation of the ministerial priesthood The Church cannot change essential aspects of Christ’s Sacraments Priesthood is sacramental: signs represent what they signify; priests act in persona Christi Priests are “icons” of Christ, the Bridegroom of the Church

The Spirituality of the Priest Seeking Christ, and inviting others to follow him and to live in communion with him. Being nourished by the Word of God, and responding with faith. Laying down one’s life, at the service of the Church… Fishers of Men

Standing Activity: Marriage made in Heaven With a small group, discuss the Church’s vision of marriage. Brainstorm essential “talking points” and consider using symbols to summarize your responses to the following questions: What are some film or TV examples of true love in marriage? What advice would you give a young couple today? Who are couples you know that reflect this vision?

God is the Author of Marriage Marriage is written into both Creation and Scripture Christ confirms the sacredness and indissolubility of marriage Love of husband and wife reflects the love of Christ and the Church “The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator. Marriage is not a purely human institution despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centuries in different cultures, social structures and spiritual attitudes.” (CCC, no. 1603)

Matrimonial Covenant & Liturgical Celebration “Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church…” Christ raises this covenantal relationship to the dignity of a Sacrament. Spouses are ministers of Christ’s grace and express their free consent before the Church.

Dual Purposes of Marriage: Union of the Couple & Procreation of Children Scripture Gen 1:27-28; 2:18-25; Mt 19:3-12; Jn 2:1-11; Eph 5:25-32 Form Exchange of Consent; Consummation (CCC, nn ; 1640) Matter The Spouses Themselves Effect The Marriage Bond (“One Flesh”) and Marital Grace (CCC, nn )

Strengthening Marriage Family as a “domestic church”: “The Christian home is the place where the children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason the family is rightly called ‘the domestic church,’ a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity.” (CCC, n. 1666) Spouses’ total gift of love-- Sacramentally united with Christ’s love. Made for LifeMade for Life:

Small Group Activity: The Family as “Domestic Church” Which themes from the video did you find most compelling? What phrases and/or images from the video helped express idea of the family being the “domestic church”? How can we help people reclaim a sacramental understanding of marriage?

How can we help people respond to their vocations— particularly if God calls them to priesthood or to marriage?

Follow-up Reflection and Resources 2) Recommended follow-up: US/CCA, ch. 20: “Holy Orders” US/CCA, ch. 21: “Sacrament of Marriage” For questions on Same-sex Unions: 4) Session Course Lists & Powerpoints are available at : 3) For Catechists & Catholic School Teachers: “Record of Formation,” including required reflection & documentation 1) Session Evaluation & Feedback

“Christ has no body…” +St. Teresa of Avila Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours. Glory be to the Father…