The Sacred Liturgy and the Seven Sacraments

R.C.I.A.

Liturgy

• The word liturgy comes from the Greek word liturgia which means “public work”
• The liturgy is the Church’s official public worship
• Through it Christ continuers the work of Redemption
• This is different form private worship like the rosary, novenas, prayers to the Sacred Heart, or prayers to the saints
• The liturgy is the work of the most Holy Trinity
• The Father pours out his blessings in the Word and Spirit, and the paschal mystery of Christ is signified and made present by the power of the Holy Spirit
• 4 Aspects
• The Eucharistic Sacrifice
• 7 Sacraments
• Liturgy of Hours
• Sacramentals

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The Earthly and Heavenly Liturgy

• The liturgy is the action of both God and man; the “whole Christ” (head and members) acts in the liturgy
• As our High Priest Christ celebrates with his body, which is the Church in heaven and on earth
• The Heavenly liturgy which we lean of in the book of Revelation is celebrated by the angels, the saints of the Old and New Testament, Mary, the apostles, the martyrs, and the “great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue” (Rev 7:9)
• In the sacraments we participate in the heavenly liturgy
• Heaven truly comes to earth in the liturgy

Christ, the Church, & the Sacraments

• “What was visible in our Savior has passed over into his mysteries” (St. Leo the Great, d. 461)
• The mysteries of Christ’s life are the foundations of the sacraments
• Christ has entrusted the sacramental mysteries to the Church and they are dispensed by his ministers

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• We call these mysteries of Christ Sacraments of the Church because:
• They are “from her” in that they are actions of Christ’s mystical body, the Church
• They are “for her” in that they build and sanctify the Church

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Christ, the Church, & the Sacraments

• Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of His minister, … but especially under the Eucharistic species. By His power He is present in the sacraments, so that when a man baptizes it is really Christ Himself who baptizes. He is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church. He is present, lastly, when the Church prays and sings, for He promised: ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Mt. 18:20).” (Vatican II, Sacrosanctum Concilium, 7)

The Sacraments

• There are a total of seven sacraments
• Baptism
• Confirmation
• Eucharist
• Penance
• Anointing of the Sick
• Holy Orders
• Marriage

The Seven Sacraments

• There are different ways to categorize the 7 sacraments; one way is by looking at what they do
• Sacraments of initiation
• Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
• Sacraments of healing
• Penance, Anointing of the Sick
• Sacraments of vocation
• Holy Orders, Marriage

A Sacrament

• A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace
• Outward sign
• Form (words) and matter (sacred action)
• Instituted by Christ
• Scriptural foundation
• To give Grace
• Effect of the sacrament

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Outward Sign

• Every sacrament deploys the use of sensible things which constitutes its outward sign
• These signs and symbols come from creation (water, bread, wine, fire), social life (washing, anointing), and the history of salvation (sacrifices, laying on of hands)
• There are two inseparable aspects to the outward sign: matter and form
• Matter (actions)
• The concrete elements and actions necessary to bring the sacrament about, e.g. poring of water, anointing with oil, laying on of hands
• Form (words)
• The words necessary to specify the meaning of the sacrament
• The outward signs bring about what they signify
• E.g. in baptism the washing with water and the words bring about the cleansing of the soul from original and personal sin

Instituted by Christ

• There are references in the Scriptures to each of the seven sacraments
• At the time of their institution (baptism, penance)
• Leading up to their institution (marriage, holy orders)
• After their institution (confirmation, eucharist, anointing of the sick)

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The Upper Room in Jerusalem

To Give Grace

• Sacramental grace – is a grace of the Holy Spirit, given by Christ, that is proper to each sacrament
• Each sacrament has unique effects and gifts
• The Sacraments also give (or increase) sanctifying grace and many actual graces
• Sanctifying grace – God’s life within us
• Actual grace – gifts for specific actions and circumstances

Ex Opere Operato

• The Sacraments are effective ex opere operato, that is, by the very fact that the sacramental action is performed
• This is the case since it is Christ who acts in the sacraments and communicates the grace they signify
• Thus, the efficacy of the sacraments do not depend upon the personal holiness of the minister
• Yet, the fruits of the sacraments do depend on the dispositions of the one who receives them

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Sacramental Character

• Sacramental character - is a spiritual seal which confers an indelible (permanent) mark on the soul
• The three sacraments which bestow a sacramental character are:
• Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders
• Since this character is permanent these sacraments can only be received once
• It has four characteristics
• Configures one to Christ
• Distinguishes one from others
• Disposes one to live out the character
• Obliges one to live out the character

Liturgical Year

• The liturgical year cycles through different seasons similar to the natural year
• Summer
• Fall
• Winter
• Spring
• This parallels the life of Jesus Christ; the liturgical year is based upon the central mysteries of His life
• Birth
• Life
• Death
• Resurrection

Seasons of the Liturgical Year

• Advent – preparation for the coming of Christ
• Christmas – celebration of Jesus’ Incarnation and birth
• Ordinary Time – recollection of Jesus’ public life
• Lent – Christ’s life culminating in his betrayal and crucifixion
• Easter – celebration of Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, as well as the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
• Ordinary Time – period when we continue to learn about the path to holiness as witnessed by the life of Christ
• Feast Days – days throughout the year dedicated to Jesus, Mary, the saints, and angels

Readings of the Liturgical Year

• The readings at Mass reflect the liturgical year, for example we have:
• Readings about the Nativity at Christmas
• Readings on the Passion during Holy Week
• Readings about the Christian life during Ordinary Time
• There are 3 yearly cycles to the readings; thus in three years the Church goes through nearly the entire Bible
• Year A: Matthew
• Year B: Mark
• Year C: Luke
• On Sundays the first reading is from the Old Testament (and Acts) and is chosen because it corresponds to the Gospel reading

Liturgical Colors

Holy Days of Obligation

• In addition to Sundays there are special feast days the solemnity of which obliges us to celebrate the Liturgy
• The Church celebrates six holy days of obligation in the United States
• The Immaculate Conception – December 8
• Christmas – December 25
• Mary, Mother of God – January 1
• The Ascension of Jesus – Forty days after Easter*
• The Assumption of Mary – August 15
• The Solemnity of All Saints – November 1

*The bishops’ conference may transfer this feast to the following Sunday