Sacraments of Healing and Ministry Chapter 7 Sacraments of Healing and Ministry

Sacraments that help us live out Jesus’ Ministry: Christ for One Another Sacraments that help us live out Jesus’ Ministry: -Penance -Anointing of the Sick -Holy Orders -Matrimony

Discussion Questions 1. What concrete things do you imagine the parishioners of the small church did for one another that made their parish so attractive and inviting that visitors returned and brought friends? 2. How have you come to grips with the perennial question, “Why does God permit suffering?” 3. What are some questions you have about the sacraments of Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony as you begin study of this chapter?

-Penance - make satisfaction for the sins we have committed -A great help on our spiritual journey -Individual and integral confession followed by absolution -Sacrament is also called: - conversion - confession - forgiveness - reconciliation -Penance - make satisfaction for the sins we have committed

Penance Two essential elements of the sacrament are: 1. Acts of the Penitent - include: Contrition, Confession -Satisfaction 2. God’s Action - works through bishops and their priest co-workers who forgive sin in Jesus’ name

Discussion Questions 1. Why is it important for you to go to confession? 2. What are regular times during the year you can make for going to confession? 3. What would be a good penance for a priest to assign for the following sins: -cheating on tests -disrespect of one’s parents -racial slurs -making fun of a handicapped classmate -missing Sunday Mass -poor sportsmanship in a game

Anointing of the Sick -Jesus announced the coming of God’s kingdom - through his healing ministry -Commonplace in early Church -In the Middle Ages, it was usually administered to those who were dying -Anointing of the Sick is for those suffering from serious illness, for the elderly, for those facing major surgery, a well as for the dying

Anointing of the Sick -Only priests and bishops may administer this sacrament -Essential Elements: -Lay hands on sick person -Pray for them in the faith of the Church -Anoint their forehead and hands or other body parts with oil -In the rite, an act of repentance precedes the Liturgy of the Word

Anointing of the Sick Effects of the Sacrament: 1. Forgiveness of sin, if the sick person hasn’t been able to obtain it through Penance 2. Spiritual Healing 3. Physical Healing 4. Union of the Sick more closely to Christ 5. Strength of the anointing for their final struggle for those dying

Discussion Questions 1. How can you help care for family members and neighbors who are ailing? 2. How do the revisions of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick from Vatican II help to take the fear out of receiving the sacrament? 3. Name some appropriate (and inappropriate) times a person should receive the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

Holy Orders Bishops and priests must: -Sacramental ordination consecrates certain baptized men to one of three degrees: episcopacy (bishops) presbyterate (priests) diaconate (deacons) Bishops and priests must: -proclaim and teach God’s word to all -lead the Christian community in worship -guide and rule God’s people by imitating Jesus’ model of humble service

Holy Orders Episcopacy -Holy Orders make present Christ’s priesthood -Bishops receive the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders -Pope must approve the ordination of bishops -Each bishop is the visible head of a local Church -With the college of bishops, he serves the worldwide Church under the authority of the pope.

Holy Orders Presbyterate Diaconate -Priests work alongside bishops as their helpers and extensions. -Represent their bishops to their parishes Diaconate -Allows married men to be ordained as deacons -Can’t celebrate Eucharist forgive sins, anoint the sick. -Help at liturgies, distribute Holy Communion, proclaim and preach gospel, witness and bless marriages, preside at funerals

Holy Orders -Sacrament is administered within Mass -Church has authority to ordain only baptized men: -Because sacramental signs should represent what they signify by natural resemblence -Christ was a male, so the priest should also be a male -Essential sing for all three orders is the bishop’s laying his hands on the head of the one to be ordained, followed by a prayer

Holy Orders -Priests and bishops may not marry -Celibacy -state of being unmarried to dedicate their lives totally to Jesus Christ and God’s people Why? -Living sign pointing to eternal life when there will be no marriage -Frees a person from family obligations to give themselves totally to the Lord -Giving up the blessing of a family shows the powerful calling of some men

Discussion Questions 1. What is the name of your local bishop? Where does he live? 2. Name five qualities of a good priest. 3. Who is the best priest you know? What makes him such a good person? 4. Why might it be a good idea for priests and those in religious life to wear distinctive clothing? Explain.

Matrimony -God is the source of marriage -At first polygamy was tolerated -Divine truths about marriage revealed in Genesis: -God made us male and female in the divine image -Companionship between friends who share the same life and love -Jesus told us marriage should be permanent, exclusive love relationship. He condemned divorce, equivalent to adultery.

Matrimony -Church can administer this sacrament only to a couple who are: baptized, of mature age, unmarried, not closely related by blood or marriage, and are able to give their free consent to marriage -To have true consent - man and woman must commit to a lifelong covenant of love; be capable of sexual intercourse; and be open to raising a family -Engaged couples must attend marriage preparation classes

Matrimony -It is valid for life, until death separates the couple -Covenant of marriage involves total commitment that results in a deep unity of body, heart, and soul. -Practices like polygamy, divorce and refusal to have children are against Christian marriage -Children are God’s greatest gift to a married couple -domestic church

Matrimony -Marriage must be permanent and exclusive -Though civil authority may dissolve the legal aspects of a valid marriage, the state has no authority to dissolve a true Catholic sacramental marriage -Legally separated Catholics may not remarry while their spouses are alive -Annulment - official declaration of the Church that what appeared to be a valid Christian marriage was not