The sacraments

The sacraments SOURCES OF LIFE THAT FLOW FROM THE SIDE OF CHRISTWHAT DO THEY DO FOR ME? WHY THE SACRAMENTS? WHO?

THE SACRAMENTS! CHRIST INSTITUTED THE SACRAMENTS TO ENABLE US TO SHARE HIS DIVINE LIFE AND TO ASSIST US IN REACHING OUR HEAVENLY HOME. WHAT ARE SACRAMETNS?The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace instituted by CHRIST and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.

What are sacraments?Each sacrament gives a particular sacramental grace from the Holy Spirit. These graces enable their recipient to cooperate with the plan of God. The plan of godThe sacraments are associated with three divine calls: 1. A call to personal holiness:Baptism calls each recipient to a life of personal holiness to accomplish a mission known to God, which will be worked out over a lifetime. The plan of godII. A call to worship: A crucial aspect of this call is to worship God as his Church indicates, in order to acquire the graces necessary to accomplish this call. The plan of godIII. A call to a correct moral attitude:The moral teachings of the Church instruct the baptized about the will of Christ concerning their moral choices. Signs of gods powerThe Church was instituted by Christ to confer the graces he wishes to give us. The Church is the SACRAMETNAL key that opens the door to all the other sacraments.

Necessity of the sacraments

Necessity of the sacramentsBefore Adam sinnedAfter Adam sinnedGod determined that sacraments were the best and wisest means of us to attain our salvationGod chose the sacraments because of:God chose the sacraments, why?Mans nature- Dive wisdom gives sensible signs to appeal to the human nature of man. Mans sinfulness- They apply a spiritual remedy for sin through sensible signs.Mans inclinations- They apply sensible sanctified signs to enable man to avoid superstitious practices. Necessity of the sacramentsSacraments are a necessary component of our salvation: they indicate that this sacred thing sanctifies man here and now.Sacraments have a social value- they enable us to live in community with charity toward all others while binding us together. They also set us aside as worshippers of the true God. Gods graceEach sacrament confers graces upon us.The first grace is?Sanctifying grace The second graces is?Actual grace

Sacramental characters: Three of the sacraments imprint a perpetual mark on the soul. This mark or sign:Configures us to ChristDistinguishes us perpetually from those who do not have the signDisposes us to cooperate with grace Ministers of the sacraments:Act in the name of ChristCant be in moral sin still valid if they are but they commit a sinBaptism and Reconcilliation do not require the recipients to be free from moral sin others, yesSymbols and ritualsSymbol is based on a Greek word meaning to throw together or compare represents more than just a physical reality and often has multiple meanings. Rituals- are symbols that include actions and words (handshake, wave, sign of the cross)Covenant symbols Some of the symbols used in the Sacraments receive their meaning from salvation history. They remind us of Gods saving action in our lives. Consecrating with oil- symbolizes Gods blessing and being chosen by God for a special roleImmersion in water- symbolizes turning away from sin, dying, and risingLaying on of hands- symbolizes receiving the Holy Spirit and being designated for service. Kinds of graceSanctifying graceActual graceSacramental grace- are gifts specific to each of the Seven SacramentsCharisms- are special graces that are associated with ones state in life and are intended to build up the Body of Christ. Sacramentals These help prepare us for the Sacraments Established by the Church rather than by ChristUsually an action or an object, can be accompanied by a special prayerExHoly water, Easter (Paschal) candle, votive lights, crosses, medals and statues of saints, blessed palm branches, blessed ashes, icons, incense. Sacramental economyCCC 1076- The Church was made manifest to the world on the day of Pentecost by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

The sacramental economy is the communication of the fruits of Christs death and Resurrection through the sacraments. The gift of the Spirit ushers in a new era in the "dispensation of the mystery" the age of the Church, during which Christ manifests, makes present, and communicates his work of salvation through the liturgy of his Church, "until he comes."