Level 10 - The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Level 10 - The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Mr. Christopher J. Creed
Holy Rosary Catholic Church

Week Three - The Sacrament of Baptism and The Eucharist

The Sacrament of Baptism

This sacrament is called ‘baptism’ derived from the Greek baptizein which means "to plunge"; or "immerse", which symbolizes the catechumen’s burial into Christ’s death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him.
It is also called the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit for without it, no one can enter the Kingdom of God.
The Commissioning of the Disciples - Mt. 28:19-20 - Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
Why did Christ have John the Baptist baptize him? (Mt. 3:13-17)

- Note, that Baptism is intended for sinners, in order to fulfill all righteousness;

- It is a manifestation of his self emptying

Infant Baptism – the form in which Baptism is traditionally celebrated. By its very nature, infant Baptism requires a post-baptismal instruction.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults – Established by Vatican II as a way to instruct and welcome into the Church adults.
Water and Holy Chrism are used in the ceremony.

The Sacrament of The Eucharist

Origins – the last supper. "This is my Body, this is my Blood"
The Eucharist completes the unity of Christ and Man.
It is from the Greek eucharistein which roughly translated are verbs of action of thanksgiving to God.
The Last Supper, The Breaking of The Bread – from the Jewish traddition of the Master blessing and distributing the bread

Mass and The Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Mass is broken down into essentially two parts: The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Word

- The Gathering (Welcome, Blessings)

- The Readings - First Reading ("The writings of the Prophets")

- The Second Reading ("The memoirs of the apostles")

- The Gospel, which is the direct account of Jesus Christ derived from the Gospels…

- The homily – The exhortation to accept this Word as what it is, the Word of God, how to put them into practice.

- The Intercessions for … "all men, for kings, and all who are in high positions" (Tim 2:1-2)

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

- Presentation of the Gifts

- The Eucharistic Prayer – in the epiclesis the Church asks the Father to send his Holy Spirit on the bread and wine, so that by his power they may become the body and blood of Jesus - so that those who take part in the Eucharist may be one body and one spirit.

- In the institutional narrative the power of the words and the actions of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit make sacramentally present under the species of bread and wine Christ’s body and blood, his sacrifice offered on the cross once for all.

- In the anamnesis the Church calls to mind the Passion, resurrection, and the glorious return of

Christ Jesus, presenting to the Father the offering of his Son which reconciles us with him.

- In the intercessions the Church indicates that the Eucharist is celebrated in communion with the whole Church in heaven and on earth, the living and the dead, and in communion with the pastors of the Church, His Holiness the Pope, the diocesan bishop, his presbyterium and his deacons, and all the bishops of the whole world together with their Churches.

- The Lord’s Prayer - at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer, the Our Father is prayed, followed by the Lamb of God.

- Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed

- Distribution of Communion – emphasis on the Paschal Banquet to which we are all invited.