The Lived Mission OF the Church (pp. 149-196) Section 4: The Lived Mission OF the Church (pp. 149-196)

Many Vocations to Holiness (pp. 168-185) Section 4, Part 2: Many Vocations to Holiness (pp. 168-185)

Introduction (p. 168) All are called to holiness, not just members of the hierarchy Do so through the evangelical counsels according to one’s vocation Poverty, chastity, and obedience Also through Christ’s three munera or offices—priestly, prophetic, and kingly Laity—parents in the family or domestic church through Marriage have a unique vocation Procreation and education of children Consecrated life—public profession of the counsels and a communal life centered around prayer Origins in Eastern desert monasticism New forms of consecrated life—secular institutes and consecrated virgins 5 Articles (A. 44) – The Evangelical Counsels (pp. 169-172) (A. 45) – The Mission of the Laity (pp. 172-175) (A. 46) – The Work and Vocation of the Laity (pp. 176-179) (A. 47) – The Consecrated Life: Religious Orders (pp. 179-182) (A. 48) – Other Types of Consecrated Life (pp. 182-184)

Article 44: The Evangelical Counsels (pp. 169-172) Diocesan priests make two vows (a freely made commitment to other persons, the Church, to God): Celibacy – promise to remain unmarried to devote oneself to the Church and God Obedience – promise to remain obedient to the local bishop Religious Order priests make three vows: Celibacy, Obedience, Poverty (a promise to focus on spiritual riches, rather than earthly wealth) Evangelical Counsels – A spiritual commitment to live the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience that all are called to make Consecrated life - A state of life recognized by the Church in which a person publically professes vows of poverty, chastity and obedience

Faith Exposed: The Evangelical Counsels https://youtu.be/3mu0xG0-Gek

A. 44 cont.: The Evangelical Counsels (pp. 169-172) Poverty Jesus told the rich man, “Sell everything, give the money to the poor, then come follow me.” (Mk. 10: 21) What is meant by Poor in Spirit? The Evangelical Counsel of Poverty, reminds us to commit to not focus on material wealth but on moderation Thomas Aquinas said all things are good in moderation Hard for the rich man to enter heaven (Mt. 19: 23)

A. 44 cont.: The Evangelical Counsels (pp. 169-172) Chastity A healthy integration of sexuality into ones life according to their state in life A virtue & one of the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit Chaste is positive and means to: Control ones sexual desires Understand and use sexual activity to express a love relationship Even married couples are called to be chaste (sexual fidelity) Natural Family Planning uses a full awareness of natural biological cycles to time births in a marriage

A. 44 cont.: The Evangelical Counsels (pp. 169-172) Abstinence – any self-restraint, self-denial, or self-control of a desire All pornography is a violation of chastity Self control is counter-cultural in a world that preaches YOLO Consider how Jesus lived, and expected his Apostles to live… Chastity requires discipleship and leads to respecting self and future vocation One lives a chaste life when making the vow of celibacy Celibacy is a unique & positive way of living chastity for diocesan & religious priests Celibacy is both a sign and a motive of pastoral care; and a sign for the world of the importance of another world (p. 171 shadow box)

A. 44 cont.: The Evangelical Counsels (pp. 169-172) Obedience All Christians are called to obey Christ Definition of being a disciple All Catholics also must obey the Magisterium—Vicars of Christ Bishops have been given divine authority to teach God’s revealed truths As Americans, it is counter-cultural to fully accept “the truth” from another Jesus did the same “becoming obedient to the Father, accepting death on a cross.” (Phil. 2: 8) Consecrated and clerics take as a vow or promise to bishop or superior

Homework Read pp. 172-179 in the e-book for discussion Monday Looking Ahead HW #11 and Q#11 on Section 4, Part 2 next Wednesday

A. 45: The Mission of the Laity (pp. 172-175) All baptized, non-ordained & non-religious Christians are part of the laity—special role The clergy’s (hierarchy) primary role is to lead the Church The laity’s primary role is to witness to God’s love in the world We are to be Christ’s hands, feet, voice, & ears in sharing the Good News Unique duty & responsibility since we live in the world Social, political, economic collaboration with the hierarchy Think about Drive – 1,000 kids doing something small makes a huge impact Laity participate in the Priestly, Prophetic, Kingly offices (munera) of Christ

A. 45 cont.: The Mission of the Laity (pp. 172-175) The Priestly Office of the Laity Through our daily spiritual sacrifice, we act as “priests” to live out Baptism & Confirmation Daily work & prayer, especially Eucharist and Reconciliation The Ministerial Priesthood Sacred power for teaching, sanctifying, & governing The Lay (Royal/Davidic) Priesthood – liturgical & daily roles Lectoring, EME, serving, music ministry (signing/playing) Laity and the Culture of Life (The Gospel of Life, JPII – shadow box) Caring for the weak; teaching NFP; supporting single mothers; encouraging those who care for the sick (doctors/nurses/aids); influencing political and legislative processes; rethinking “labor” and society’s economic policies Especially prophetic but also priestly & kingly--overlap

A. 45 cont.: The Mission of the Laity (pp. 172-175) The Prophetic Office of the Laity Jesus provides the laity with sensus fedei, a sense of faith A readiness to accept the true teaching of the Church in faith & morals A prophet shares God’s word with those that need to hear it (every person in every circumstance) through: Evangelization—witness & proclamation Catechists–capable & trained Catholic views via media, especially social media Making a Catholic opinion known—even respectfully to hierarchy

A. 45 cont.: The Mission of the Laity (pp. 172-175) The Kingly Office of the Laity The Kingly Office is about choosing what is right / wrong Self-discipline—begins with self, God, and others It is being committed to God’s Kingdom now Living a life of service; caring for those in need Christ is out example Exercising leadership roles with integrity & Christian values Assist in parish governance through committees Some at higher levels For us, school, parish, family, work, …

Faith Exposed: The Laity & The Christian Mission https://youtu.be/K-roDCs0eas

A. 46: The Work & Vocation of the Laity (pp. 176-179) The Work of the Laity All laypersons are called to live out their faith through their chosen life’s work— participate in Christ’s mission in a unique way Witness to the Kingdom of God For students, it is in being the best student they can be Honest, appreciative, friendly, respectful, spiritual, caring, joyful, … Witness in chastity and Marriage (Procreative & Exclusive Union) Civil servants should serve with truth, freedom, solidarity & justice for the common good—special and important role The work of Consecrated celibates (religious & lay) will be discussed in AA. 47-48 Lay singlehood is a valid vocation in the Church

A. 46 cont.: The Work & Vocation of the Laity (pp. 176-179) The Family: The Domestic Church A believing family is a “domestic church” Family is where children first hear about Jesus and God’s word Christian family’s share sin God’s Trinitarian love, moral living, & prayer In the early Church, an entire household would be baptized & 1st churches Parents have a unique & extremely special duty to teach & model a Christian lifestyle to their children Not only material but also spiritual Growth in holiness and discernment of vocation Example of St. Gianna Molla (1922-1962)

A. 46 cont.: The Work & Vocation of the Laity (pp. 176-179) Third Orders Associations of laypeople connected to a particular order in the Church Practice the Religious Order’s spirituality Do not take Evangelical vows Are involved in ministries and outreach of Order 3rd Order Religious Organizations: Franciscans, Capuchins, Dominicans, Carmelite Basilians, Christian Brothers, Maryknoll, … Consecrated Single Persons—Widows, Virgins, etc… Unconsecrated Single Persons

Homework Read pp. 179-184 in the e-book for discussion tomorrow Looking ahead HW #11 and Q#11 on Section 4, Part 2 this Wednesday

A. 47: The Consecrated Life: Religious Orders (pp. 179-182) Religious Orders – Basilian, Franciscan, Capuchin, Jesuit, Benedectine… Based on the charism of the founder Public profession of the evangelical counsels as vows = consecrated life Religious orders are most popular form but not the only one Religious Orders Men and women who live in community Profess a formal, public commitment to live evangelical vows (Poverty, Chastity, Obedience) Share a liturgical character Belong to an Institute recognized by the Church

Article 47: The Consecrated Life: Religious Orders cont. History of Religious Orders Monastic – derived from Greek “alone” Hermits – withdrew from society to the desert to “be” alone with Christ; committed to a life of prayer and solitude Hermits gradually formed communities—St. Pachomias These men were eventually called “monks” and “nuns” These communities eventually were called “Religious Orders” Members can be both Lay (Brothers & Sisters) and Ordained (Deacons & Priests) Bishops and pope are special cases Members follow a common religious “rule”, typically formed by the founder Catholic Religious Orders must be approved by the Pope

A. 47 cont.: The Consecrated Life: Religious Orders (pp. 179-182) Variety of Religious Orders (ROs) ROs have been formed to respond to needs in the world—Nano Nagle & the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary Dominicans – teachers & preachers to combat Albigensianism Franciscans – restore the Gospel life of simplicity and poverty Jesuits – missionaries and intellectuals during Catholic Counter Reformation in parishes and schools Basilians – Run Catholic Schools and priestly training Christian Brothers (French and Irish)--Schools ROs were the primary missionaries to foreign lands Some ROs are devoted to contemplative prayer (Cloister) vs. active apostolates Benedictines, Carthusians, Cistercians, …

A. 47 cont.: The Consecrated Life: Religious Orders (pp. 179-182) Prayer as the Rhythm of Religious Life Religious life is characterized by prayer Especially Liturgy of the Hours--The Divine Office Follow what St. Paul said, “Pray without ceasing” Morning (Lauds), Mid-day, Noon, Afternoon, Evening (Vespers), Office of Readings, & Compline (7 hours) The Office focuses on reading the Psalms, New Testament, Writings of Church Fathers & Doctors, Prayers & Response

Consecrated Life: Traditional & New Forms https://youtu.be/FYyk10yXeRs https://youtu.be/ade-9pMI32g

A. 48: Other Types of Consecrated Life (pp. 182-184) Hermits: The Eremitic Life Hermits separate themselves (varies)form the world to devote their lives to prayer, penance & purification Hermits are a witness to the interior aspect of the Church Their focus is on union with God to symbolize Church’s union with Christ Their prayer is for the universal Church St. Anthony is the best known desert father (eremitic) (250 AD) Consecrating a Bride of Christ (shadow box) Theresa Ivers “married” Christ in a “wedding” ceremony of commitment as a consecrated virgin

A. 48 cont.: Other Types of Consecrated Life (pp. 182-184) Consecrated Virgins and Widows Women who dedicate their state of life as a celibate to be married mystically to Christ for the Kingdom of God They are formally consecrated by a bishop, but remain active in the world working a secular job Frequently will be very involved in a parish or volunteer ministry Secular Institutes Secular communities dedicated to witnessing to the Gospel (Charitas Christi)--Pope Pius XII in 1947 Societies of Apostolic Life Lay and clergy who minister, but take promises not public vows (Maryknoll, Oblates of Phillip Neri, SOLT, Paulist)

Homework p. 185; 6-9 Section 4, Part 2 HW #11 (p. 185; 1-9) due tomorrow Section 4, Part 2 Q#11 (pp. 168-185; AA 44-48) tomorrow