Chapter 6 The Sacraments in History: Changing Church, Changing Sacraments

Major Concepts Change and Opportunities for Renewal Phase One, Before A.D. 400 Phase Two, The Dark Ages Phase Three, The High Middle Ages Phase Four, After the Council of Trent Phase Five, the Twentieth Century

Change and Opportunities for Renewal Church’s understanding of the sacraments developed gradually. Change is a fact of life and an opportunity for growth and renewal. The church and the way it expresses itself, particularly in its sacraments, has changed throughout its history.

Change Activity Think about a major change that you or your family experienced. How did this change offer an opportunity for growth and renewal?

Phase One, Before A.D. 400 From the time of Nero (54 A.D.) until Constantine’s reign (AD 313), Christian Worship was illegal. Christians found models for their community life and ritual celebrations from St. Paul and the Acts of the Apostles. Worship gradually became more formal, and the church adapted and incorporated religious rites from cultural groups converting to Christianity.

Phase One Continued Tertullian was the 1 st to use the word Sacramentum to describe a Christian Ritual, Baptism. Eventually Sacramenta was used to describe a variety of Christian Rituals, and Christians came to recognize these rituals and symbols as true encounters with God. By the end of the 4 th Century, Christianity had become the official religion of the Roman Empire, which was in serious decline.

Activity If Christianity were illegal in this country today, do you think the church would be stronger or weaker than it is now? Explain your answers.

Debate!!!! Listen to Directions!

Phase Two, The Dark Ages The Dark Ages, brought about by the fall of the Roman Empire in the west, lasted from about AD St. Augustine narrowed the church’s understanding of what constituted a sacrament, teaching that Baptism confers a permanent “seal” upon a person and speaking of “administering” and “receiving” sacraments.

Continued St. Augustine also believed that almost anything could be a sacrament. He also believed “sacraments are the word” He also believed “sacraments of actions” What the two bullets above mean is that Augustine believed that sermons, prayers, Scripture Readings, various symbols and rituals used in Christian Worship were more important.

Continued For the rest of the Dark Ages after Augustines death, little new thinking about the sacraments emerged Although many developments in sacramental practices took place.

Developments from Dark Ages Confirmation became separated from Baptism Public Penance was replaced by Private Confession. Lay involvement in the Eucharistic liturgy decreased significantly Marriage came to be seen as a sacramental rite. Anointing of the sick became anointing of the dying. Presbyters (Priest) were ordained, to preside at liturgical functions as the bishop’s representatives.

Activity Focus on a time of chaos in the history of your own family, community or nation. Recall the changes in customs and practices that came about during that time of chaos. Explain how the chaos may have contributed to the changes.

Homework Review Notes for Quiz