1. SACRAMENTS OF VOCATION
What’s this life for?

2. PRAYER:
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 29:11-14a

3. JOURNAL QUESTION:
Who, in your life, are good examples of people living out a holy life? Use “HOLY” in the broadest sense of the word. Explain your answer.

4. VOCATION
The English word vocation comes from the Latin root, “vocare,” meaning “to call”
Who is doing the calling?
Who is doing the responding?
In the Christian understanding, a vocation is a call to holiness by God.
EVERYONE has a vocation.

5. THE SACRAMENTS OF VOCATION
There are TWO sacraments of vocation:
Sacrament of Matrimony
Sacrament of Holy Orders
There are 3 “orders”
The episcopate (Bishops)
The presbyterate (Priests)
The diaconate (deacons)
There are TWO other “ways” to live a holy life [NOT SACRAMENTS]:
Single Life
Consecrated Life (nun, sister, brother)

6. BRIEF HISTORY OF MARRIAGE:
Since the time of Christ, marriages were seen as a civil ceremony
During the Early Middle Ages (7th-11th centuries) the Church enforced marriage rites & laws
By the 12th century, weddings took place in churches
By the 13th century it was considered a sacrament

7. CUSTOMS & THEIR HERITAGE
The Father of the Bride “giving away” the bride
Origin: The father actually owned his daughter in Greco-Roman times and literally was giving her away.
The Bride wearing a white garment
Origin: This symbolized that the daughter was pure and a “good gift.”

8. The groom “waiting” for the bride to process to him
Origin: The bride would process up to the groom’s house for him to take her over the threshold.
The bride wearing a veil
Origin: In early times, marriages were arranged and most grooms didn’t find out their brides until the ceremony itself.