1. Sacraments of Healing
Chapter 14

2. An Introduction

3. Christ’s Healing
We all need spiritual and physical healing- often more than we would like to admit.
Suffering is unavoidable, but it has redemptive value
Christ gave us these sacraments to mitigate our suffering, reconciling us to God and one another, and strengthening us in illness
The heart of Christ’s salvific mission– we should be eager for His healing.

4. The Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation
Penance: the sacrament in which Jesus (through the actions of a priest) forgives sins committed after Baptism.
Restores our communion with God.
Because of Original Sin, we have a tendency toward sin (concupiscence).
This sacrament offers forgiveness and allows us to experience a conversion of heart- recommitting ourselves to holiness.

5. What is sin?
“an utterance, deed, or desire contrary to the eternal law”; an offense against God
Mortal Sins: grave offenses which separate the sinner from God’s divine love.
Those who die in a state of deliberate and unrepentent sin will be separated from God for all eternity (Hell)
The conditions of Mortal Sin:
Grave matter, full knowledge, freely chosen (consent)

6. What is sin?
Venial Sins: an act that transgresses moral law, but doesn’t meet all three requirements for mortal sin.
Damages relationship with God, but doesn’t sever it
“slippery slope”
Receiving sacrament of Penance helps us combat venial sins by giving us actual grace and strengthening our union with Jesus.

7. Commission, Omission, Oh my!
“In what I have done and in what I have failed to do”
Commission  an action that is done!
Omission  failing to do an action required by God’s law OR failing to act virtuously in a given situation

8. Roots of the Sacrament Old Testament Instituted by Christ The “fall”
The 10 Commandments
Need for repentance and the promise of a Messiah
Instituted by Christ
Jesus forgave sins
Gave authority to his disciples to do the same
(Jn 20:22-23)

9. Why go to Confession? Jesus set the precedent
If he gave the authority to forgive sins to the ministers of the Church…
…we need to go to them to seek that reconciliation
Communal aspect– human nature– hearing the words from Jesus (through the priest)

10. Celebrating Penance
Ordinarily celebrated in a confessional or reconciliation room.
Any baptized Catholic may receive sacrament
Required to go once/year (precept of the Church)
Required to go before receiving 1st Communion

11. Matter, Form, Minister Matter: “Acts of the Penitent”
Contrition: true sorrow for having sinned (Sacrament is ineffective if contrition is not substantial)
Confession: disclosure of sins to the priest (especially mortal sins in kind and number)
Satisfaction: the penance itself (usu. Prayers, acts of mercy, etc.)

12. Matter, Form, Minister Form: the words of Absolution
Minister: a bishop or priest, who has been given authority through Holy Orders to forgive sins
A priest can’t divulge to anyone what he hears in the Sacrament– called the “seal of confession”

13. The Rite of Penance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjVck3euhWY
Originally celebrated publically
Penances were performed over a period of time
7th century: Sacrament became a private affair
Rites remained the same: Contrition, Confession, Satisfaction

14. Latin v. Eastern Rite LATIN RITE:
Can be anonymous or face to face
Begin with sign of the cross then ask forgiveness and state how long it’s been since the last time
List the sins
Act of Contrition
Priest offers absolution
Penance

15. Latin v. Eastern Rite EASTERN:
Penitent stands before Christ with bishop/priest standing by
Act of Contrition
Confess sins to the image of Christ and the minister
Minister gives penance, advice, and absolution

16. Effects of Penance
Forgives mortal sins, restores state of grace, allows us to return to Holy Communion, and removes eternal punishment for mortal sin (Hell)
Forgives venial sins, remits time in Purgatory
Reconciles us to God and the Church, restores grace, grants peace of conscience, provides spiritual consolation
Strengthens us, confers actual grace to avoid sin

17. Anointing of the Sick
Gives health to the soul (and sometimes the body) through prayer and anointing with oil.
Commends those who are ill to the Lord
The Old Testament linked suffering with sin
Instituted by Christ in examples of Him healing people
Christ’s healing ministry is perpetuated in the ministry of the Church (James 5:14-16)

18. Celebration of Anointing
May be received by a Christian who has reached the Age of Reason and is in danger of death, prior to serious operations, someone who has just died (conditionally).
May be given more than once
Matter: sacred oil and laying on of hands
Form: prayer, communal liturgy
Minister: bishop or priest ONLY

19. The Rite
In an ideal situation, Anointing will fall between the Sacrament of Penance and reception of the Eucharist
Effects of Anointing
Unites the suffering person to Jesus’ passion
Provides strength
Forgives sins
Can restore health
Preparation for death

20. A Summary