1. Encounters with Christ
The Sacraments
Encounters with Christ

2. Sacraments Symbols & Rituals Sign and Mystery Signs of Christ
Signs of Redemption
The Church at Prayer

3. Symbols & Rituals Shared language that conveys a shared understanding.
An object of action that points us to another reality. It leads us to look beyond our senses to consider a deeper mystery.
Ritual
The established form of the words and actions for a ceremony that is repeated often. The actions often have a symbolic meaning

4. Common Symbols
…..

5. Humans are “Sensate” Bring flowers, cards, box of candy
Participate in ceremonies
Birthdays
Graduations
Honor assemblies
Thanksgiving rituals
Re-enactments
New Years Eve rituals

6. Sign & Mystery Points to a deeper reality
A way in which we enter into the greatest mystery, the mystery of Christ
The paschal mystery is the core of every sacrament
Mystery

7. Sacrament *Essential element – ritual- consists of words and actions
An efficacious and *visible sign of God’s grace, instituted by Jesus and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.
*Essential element – ritual- consists of words and actions

8. Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation
Ministry
Matrimony
Holy Orders
Healing
Reconciliation
Anointing of
The sick

9. Signs of Christ Visible sign of God’s grace
Jesus (The Original Sacrament)
Most basic way in which we encounter God and is the ultimate sign of God’s love.
Church
Commissioned by Christ to carry on His work and his presence in the world
Seven sacraments
Signify and make present the work of Christ in our lives, through grace
Sacramental economy
Jesus is accessible through the Church, through the celebration of the sacraments

10. Sacramental Economy
Sacrament
Grace
Love /service
Money
Goods
Sell

11. Grace What is grace? Types of grace:
The free gift of God’s life that brings with it that which is necessary to be holy or live in holiness
Types of grace:
Sanctifying
The supernatural gift of God that is infused in our souls by the Holy Spirit, that continues the work of making us holy. It heals our wounded nature and restores us to friendship with God.
Actual
God’s interventions and support in our everyday lives which are important for conversion and continued growth in holiness
Sacramental
God’s grace proper to each sacrament

12. Freedom What is freedom? Freedom through Law
The ability to choose and act upon that which is what will fulfill your destiny.
When we respond to grace it makes us free to attain our ultimate destiny- to be with God, now and eternally
Freedom through Law
You cannot be free without rules????

13. Signs of Redemption Redeem: to buy back or to trade for
Redemption: Christ buys back our freedom from sin and death by paying with his own life.
Reaches all people at all times
Resurrection transcends time
Christ is present all the time
We encounter him in the liturgy

14. The Praying Church The Sacrifice of the Mass The Liturgy of the Hours
Ritual prayer that has the Eucharist at its center
Tradition is taken from the form of prayer used by the Jewish people at the time of Jesus coupled with the command to “Do this in remembrance of me” given by Jesus at the last supper.
The Liturgy of the Hours
Church prayer that is prayed at certain hours of the day. It has its tradition in Jewish practice and then was continued by the first Jewish Christians
Communal and personal prayer
Praying outside of liturgy, either alone or with others
Our personal prayer prepares us for the Liturgy

15. The Praying Church Communal and personal prayer
Praying outside of liturgy, either alone or with others
Our personal prayer prepares us for the Liturgy
Some devotional prayers said in communion with others
Stations of the Cross
Rosary
Processions
Forms of prayer
Adoration and praise
Contrition
Thanksgiving
Supplication

16. Expressions of Prayer Vocal Prayer Mental Prayer/ Meditation
Uses words, aloud or silently
Prayed alone or with others
Memorized, own words or spontaneous
Mental Prayer/ Meditation
Reflections using thoughts, imagination and emotions
Rosary, scripture, pictures
Contemplative Prayer
Silent, wordless prayer
Opening your mind to God