Chapter 6Chapter 6

The Sacraments in History:The Sacraments in History:

Changing Church, Changing Changing Church, Changing SacramentsSacraments

Ichthus: Greek name for fish; Ichthus: Greek name for fish; acrostic for Jesus Christ God acrostic for Jesus Christ God Son Savior: IXOYCSon Savior: IXOYC

Anchor, Icthus, Chi-Rho:Anchor, Icthus, Chi-Rho:Catacomb of St. Catacomb of St. SebastianSebastian

Phase Two: Dark Ages:Phase Two: Dark Ages:A.D. 400 - 1000A.D. 400 - 1000

A.D. 330: Roman Empire’s headquarters A.D. 330: Roman Empire’s headquarters moved from Rome to Constantinoplemoved from Rome to Constantinople

A.D. 395: Roman Empire is split in two;A.D. 395: Roman Empire is split in two; Attacks by Huns (Central Asia) and Attacks by Huns (Central Asia) and

Vandals (North Africa) weaken the Vandals (North Africa) weaken the EmpireEmpire

A.D. 476: Last Roman Emperor killed; A.D. 476: Last Roman Emperor killed; collapse of Western Empire followedcollapse of Western Empire followed

Collapse of Roman Collapse of Roman Empire:Empire:

Resulted in political and cultural chaosResulted in political and cultural chaos Absence of strong leadership and Absence of strong leadership and

governmentgovernment Church and its popes play an increasing Church and its popes play an increasing

role in governing the Westrole in governing the West

St. Augustine, Bishop of St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, A.D. 395:Hippo, A.D. 395:

A time of controversy and division in the early Church;A time of controversy and division in the early Church; Baptism: Confers a permanent “seal” on the person;Baptism: Confers a permanent “seal” on the person; Used words “administered” and “received” about Used words “administered” and “received” about

Baptism;Baptism; Took a broad view of sacraments: “signs of a sacred Took a broad view of sacraments: “signs of a sacred

thing;” all creation was a reflection of Godthing;” all creation was a reflection of God ““Sacraments of the word” – sermons, prayer, ScriptureSacraments of the word” – sermons, prayer, Scripture ““Sacraments of action” – various symbols and rituals Sacraments of action” – various symbols and rituals

used in Christian worshipused in Christian worship

Other Developments:Other Developments:

A.D. 451, Council of Chalcedon (fourth ecumenical, or A.D. 451, Council of Chalcedon (fourth ecumenical, or general, council of the Christian Church), declared that general, council of the Christian Church), declared that the bishop of Rome was the highest authority in the the bishop of Rome was the highest authority in the ChurchChurch

The patriarch of Constantinople (head of the church in The patriarch of Constantinople (head of the church in the East), was named second in authoritythe East), was named second in authority

Eventually, a formal split between the Church in the East Eventually, a formal split between the Church in the East and the West (Rome) occurredand the West (Rome) occurred

Eastern RiteEastern Rite churches are still affiliated with Rome; churches are still affiliated with Rome; Eastern OrthodoxEastern Orthodox churches are not; however, each churches are not; however, each practices sacraments in its own unique waypractices sacraments in its own unique way

Eastern RiteEastern Rite churches: Byzantine Rite, Chaldean Rite churches: Byzantine Rite, Chaldean Rite are recognized by Rome, but different from the Latin or are recognized by Rome, but different from the Latin or Roman Rite of CatholicismRoman Rite of Catholicism

Developments in Developments in sacramental practices:sacramental practices:

Rite of Confirmation became separated from BaptismRite of Confirmation became separated from Baptism Public penance was replaced by private confessionPublic penance was replaced by private confession Lay involvement in the eucharistic liturgy (Mass) Lay involvement in the eucharistic liturgy (Mass)

decreased decreased significantlysignificantly Marriage came to be seen as a sacramental riteMarriage came to be seen as a sacramental rite Anointing of the Sick became Anointing of the DyingAnointing of the Sick became Anointing of the Dying Presbyters (priests) were ordained to preside at Presbyters (priests) were ordained to preside at

liturgical functions as the bishop’s representativesliturgical functions as the bishop’s representatives

Developments in Developments in Christianity:Christianity:

In A.D. 313, emperor Constantine lifted the ban In A.D. 313, emperor Constantine lifted the ban on Christian worship with the on Christian worship with the Edict of Milan.Edict of Milan.

Christianity moved its worship from Christianity moved its worship from “underground” to “above ground;”“underground” to “above ground;”

Christians could now practice their faith openly, Christians could now practice their faith openly, and built churches for worship;and built churches for worship;

Constantine financed the building of many Constantine financed the building of many beautiful beautiful basilicas (churches);basilicas (churches);

In A.D. 380, Christianity was declared the In A.D. 380, Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman Empire by official religion of the Roman Empire by emperor Theodosius.emperor Theodosius.

Sacraments are:Sacraments are:

Efficacious signs of grace Efficacious signs of grace (capable of (capable of effecting change in us and the world, effecting change in us and the world, because of God’s power, not our own);because of God’s power, not our own);

Instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by whichChurch, by which

Divine life is dispensed to us.Divine life is dispensed to us.(CCC #1131, text p. 92)(CCC #1131, text p. 92)

Sacraments:Sacraments:

Are celebrated by visible rites which Are celebrated by visible rites which signify and make present the graces signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament.proper to each sacrament.

Bear fruit in those who receive them with Bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions (the required dispositions (inner attitude inner attitude and readiness for a particular and readiness for a particular sacrament).sacrament).

(CCC, #1131, Text, p. 91 – 92)(CCC, #1131, Text, p. 91 – 92)

Jesus was a sacrament of Jesus was a sacrament of God:God:

He brought people to new life.He brought people to new life. He forgave people’s sins.He forgave people’s sins. He sacrificed himself out of love.He sacrificed himself out of love. He shared the power of his spirit with others.He shared the power of his spirit with others. He healed people’s illnesses.He healed people’s illnesses. He was faithful to the One he called Abba.He was faithful to the One he called Abba. He ministered to people’s spiritual needs.He ministered to people’s spiritual needs.

Each of these actions of Each of these actions of Jesus were eventually Jesus were eventually ritualizedritualized into what are into what are now the official sacraments now the official sacraments of the Catholic Church.of the Catholic Church.

Change: An inevitable Change: An inevitable fact of lifefact of life

The sacraments developed gradually in The sacraments developed gradually in the early Church.the early Church.

The Church’s understanding and The Church’s understanding and awareness of how God’s grace is awareness of how God’s grace is presented to us went through a gradual presented to us went through a gradual development.development.

Phase One: Church and Phase One: Church and Sacraments Before A.D. 400Sacraments Before A.D. 400

Christianity: a prohibited organization Christianity: a prohibited organization composed of small, secret communities.composed of small, secret communities.

Illegal to be Christian since the reign of Roman Illegal to be Christian since the reign of Roman Emperor Nero (A.D. 54-68).Emperor Nero (A.D. 54-68).

In Rome, Christians worshipped secretly in In Rome, Christians worshipped secretly in underground cemeteries called underground cemeteries called catacombs.catacombs.

Church spread throughout Mediterranean Church spread throughout Mediterranean region, beginning with the Apostles.region, beginning with the Apostles.

Formal elements present in Formal elements present in the Church’s worship and the Church’s worship and ministry by A.D. 250:ministry by A.D. 250:

Ritual meal, similar to today’s Mass;Ritual meal, similar to today’s Mass; Singing, reading from Scripture, a Singing, reading from Scripture, a

“homily” by the bishop, the ordained “homily” by the bishop, the ordained leader of the community;leader of the community;

Sharing of bread and wine, believed to Sharing of bread and wine, believed to be the body and blood of Christ, and be the body and blood of Christ, and shared only by baptized members;shared only by baptized members;

Initiation ritual was in place.Initiation ritual was in place.

““Sacramenta”Sacramenta”

A word used to describe Roman religious rites;A word used to describe Roman religious rites; Used by Christian writer, Tertullian, used the Used by Christian writer, Tertullian, used the

word “word “sacramentum”sacramentum” to describe the Christian to describe the Christian ritual of initiation;ritual of initiation;

Eventually, the word “Eventually, the word “sacramenta” sacramenta” was used to was used to describe a variety of religious rituals practiced describe a variety of religious rituals practiced by Christians.by Christians.

(Text, p. 101)(Text, p. 101)