The Sacramental Principle

Sacraments All sacraments are an act of worship.

- We give praise & thanks to God.

- Who is God, revealed in this sacramental encounter?

- Who are we who stand before God in

this sacramental encounter?

The sacraments are perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace they signify. [ccc 1084]

Rooted in our encounter with the creator God

Genesis

We are created by God for a purpose

Relationship broken is now restored

Hope of redemption

Christ the redeemer

Restored right relationship with God

The Incarnation

The visible sign: Water bath / immersion

New life

Death

Cleansing

Invisible reality: Relationship to God is begun

New life of grace

Immersed in a way of living in Christ

The paschal mystery

In our life every day, how do we see this saving pattern?

The sacraments help us to make the connection.

The Visible Sign The Bride and Groom express their consent before the

church. (ccc 1632)

The priest or deacon receives the consent of the spouses in the name of the Church…

The presence of the Church’s minister (and also of the witnesses) visibly expresses the fact that marriage is an ecclesial reality (ccc 1630)

They stand before the church representing humanity

They are part of God’s creation

The mirror God’s creative work

This union for the increase of the human race…

They are a sign of the covenant that exists between God and the human race

Invisible Reality: Relationship to God

New life, eternal life

Inseparable love, selfless love, fruitful love

A witness to charity

The daily lived deeds of the spouses