1. Celebrating Sacraments
Sacramental Awareness, Symbols and Rituals

2. The Sacraments: Channels of Divine Grace
Sacraments are:
Highly symbolic rituals
Celebrations of Christian tradition, hope and life
Latin “Sacramentum” a sign of the sacred
Seven sacraments
Celebrate the coming of God’s Kingdom
Special occasions for experiencing God’s saving grace
Dimensions of the past, present and future
Relates to the stories and teachings of Christ
Outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace

3. The Seven Sacraments Sacraments of Initiation Sacraments of Healing
Baptism
Eucharist
Confirmation
Sacraments of Healing
Anointing of the Sick
Reconciliation
Sacraments of Vocation
Marriage
Holy Orders

4. Sacraments: A Definition
Sacraments may be defined as the following:
Signs of grace
Instituted by Christ
Entrusted to His Church
Give divine life to us
Sacraments are signs of grace in that it is Christ himself who is present in them and acting through them. Christ himself, introduced to his disciples the practice of using actions as signs of grace

5. Sacraments: A Definition
The Sacraments were entrusted to the Church in that he gave to St Peter the “keys to the kingdom” (Matt 16:18) and commissioned them to baptize people, forgive sins, celebrate the Eucharist and anoint the sick
Over the centuries, the Church gradually discerned that seven actions of it’s liturgy surpassed all others. These actions were then grouped under the following headings: Initiation, Healing, Service/Vocation
Finally a sacrament gives divine life to us. The communication of this comes directly from the Holy Spirit.

6. Sacramental Awareness, Dullness and Grace

7. Sacramental Awareness, Dullness and Grace
3. What does sacramental awareness reveal about God’s presence to us in creation
God speaks and can be seen through all things. At the same time, God is not identical with creation: God transcends creation- is beyond it as the loving source of it all
4. What is Sacramental Dullness 
Sacramental Dullness is the inability to perceive the sacred in life or in the world.
5. List the three reasons why people could have Sacramental Dullness 
1) People are too busy
2) The pain and suffering in the world clouds people’s vision
3) People do not know where to look or what to look for

8. Sacramental Awareness, Dullness and Grace

9. Sacramental Awareness, Dullness and Grace

10. Sacramental Awareness, Dullness and Grace

11. Essential Sacramental Skills

12. Essential Sacramental Skills

13. Sacramental Moments

14. Symbols

15. Symbols

16. Symbols

17. Different Kinds of Symbols and Thinking

18. Different Kinds of Symbols and Thinking

19. Different Kinds of Symbols and Thinking

20. Rituals: Actions serving as Symbols
1) What are Rituals
Rituals are symbolic actions that help us concretely or physically express our beliefs, values and deepest concerns
2) What are some easy and complex rituals
Easy- handshakes, waves or sign of the cross
Complex-Olympic games

21. Rituals: Actions serving as Symbols
3) Why are rituals important in celebrating sacraments
They help us express those entities that are hard to express any other way but through symbolic action or the consecration of a person for special ministry within the church
4) How can we distinguish an action from a ritual. Can they be combined.
Actions are only performed only for specific practical purposes are not rituals or symbolic actions. Rituals are symbolic only. Can they be combined- Yes

22. Rituals: Actions Serving as Symbols
5) How are rituals different from routine?
Routines do not have a deeper meaning like rituals do
6) Your opinion question
7) What are the 8 characteristics that rituals tend to involve
Movement and Gestures Significant Words
Repeated actions Linkages to the past
Symbolic Celebrations Communal Actions
Important events Participation not Observation

23. Ritual and Worship

24. Ritual and Worship

25. Ritual and Worship