Precepts of the Church
- You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
- You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
- You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
- You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church
- You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church
What are sacraments?
Efficacious signs of grace, by which divine life is dispensed to us.
What is the highest form of prayer?
The Catholic Church teaches that the Holy Mass is the highest form of prayer for all Christians.
Define Penitent
A person who recognizes his or her sinfulness, and touched by the grace of God, seeks pardon/absolution through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Prayer is important because
- Prayer is important for Christians because traditional expressions and forms of Christian prayer support our Baptismal life in Christ, increase love, peace, and order in our souls,
- Praying regularly provides an opportunity to spend time with God,
- Frequent prayer positively affects both our mental and physical health.
Absolution
The priest absolves the penitent from their sins.
What happens to us through liturgy?
- God Gathers us: sense of community/unity
- God and creation exchange gifts: we praise and receive his grace
- Mystery of God’s love is known through ritual, symbol and word
- Liturgy achieves our salvation: makes us agents of love to go
- Liturgy promotes moral living: live faith in action by applying the teachings of Jesus
Define Penance
the virtue by which one repents of one’s own sins and is converted to God.
Define “In persona Christi”
This refers to the priest acting “in the person of Christ” during the sacraments.
Sacraments at the Service of Communion
Holy Orders and Matrimony. They are directed towards the salvation of others. They serve to build up the People of God.
What is Holy Orders?
Holy Orders is the ministerial priesthood. Ordination is the means by which a man is given the sacred powers and authority to serve God’s people in particular circumstances.
When was Holy Orders created?
Created by Jesus during the last supper, “do this in memory of me”
Lectio Divina
divine reading is a slow and meditative reading/praying of the word of God. It involves having the words “speak Lord, your servant is listening.” So we read the word of God, and then reflect upon it. So we meditate upon that, and ask what we’re going to do to bring your heart in line with Jesus.
What is prayer?
Prayer involves your heart, your mind, and your body. It allows you to have a living, intimate relationship with God because it is a direct dialogue or communication between you and God. It requires active listening and active responses.
5 types of prayer
- Petition: A prayer for yourself, asking God for something you want. It recognizes that you need help and there are things you cannot do on your own.
- Intercession: A prayer for others that leads us to pray like Jesus did.
- Thanksgiving: Thanking God for all things. It expresses gratitude for gifts of life and love and acknowledges appreciation for all God does for us.
- Blessing and Adoration: Admits God is God (above us) and we are His creation (below Him).
- Praise: Gives God glory for His own sake, simply because He is God. It involves understanding God’s nature as all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful, and all-loving.