Lessons about sacraments and liturgy

1. THEOLOGY 3
S.Y. 2022-2023

2. LIONELL O. SOLAYO JR.

3. SACRAMENTS AND LITURGY
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
THIS COURSE FOCUSES ON THE STUDY OF THE ROLE OF JESUS
CHRIST IN THE SACRAMENTS AND THE ROLE OF THE
SACRAMENTS IN OUR DAILY LIVING. MOREOVER, SEEING THE
EUCHARIST/LITURGY AS SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF THE
CHRISTIAN LIFE AS WE GROW IN UNDERSTANDING OF THE
COSMIC CHRIST.

4. COURSE CONTENT/S
• LESSON 1: THE MEANING
OF LITURGY
• WHAT IS LITURGY?
• COMPONENTS OF
LITURGY
• ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF
LITURGY
• MEMBERS
PARTICIPATION IN THE
LITURGY
• LESSON 2: THE MEANING OF SACRAMENT
• WHAT IS SACRAMENT?
• ELEMENTS CONSTITUTING A TRUE SACRAMENT
• MATTER AND FORM
• CHRIST AND THE SACRAMENTS
• SACRAMENTS AND THE CHURCH
• SACRAMENTAL CHARACTER
• SACRAMENTS AND FAITH
• SACRAMENTS’ EFFICACY
• SACRAMENTS ARE NECESSARY FOR SALVATION

5. DESIRE LEARNING OUTCOME:
• AT THE END OF THE UNIT 1, THE STUDENT MUST HAVE DISCUSSED THE:
• 1. MEANING, HISTORICAL AND BIBLICAL BACKGROUNDS OF LITURGY AND
SACRAMENTS
• 2. IMPORTANCE OF FAITH IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD IN ONE’S LIFE
• 3. AND, FULFILL THE PURPOSE OF THE SACRAMENTS TO BECOME CLOSELY
UNTIED TO JESUS

6. ACTVITY 1
•WALK OF FAITH…

7. SIGNS AND SYMBOLS
SIGN
• A SIGN IS THAT WHICH TAKES THE PLACE OF
ANOTHER THING AND OBJECT, THAT IS, IT
REPRESENTS A CERTAIN REALITY OR
CONCEPT FOR THOSE WHO INTERPRET IT.
SIGNS ARE THOSE SIGNALS WHOSE PURPOSE
IS TO COMMUNICATE SOMETHING THAT
CAN BE PERCEIVED BY HUMANS AND OTHER
LIVING BEINGS IF NECESSARY.
• HUMAN BEINGS RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM
VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL STATEMENTS
FROM OUR PEERS AND FROM NATURE, SO IT
CAN BE SAID THAT WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF
SIGNS THAT TRANSMIT INFORMATION TO US.
SYMBOL
• IT IS THE PERCEPTIBLE REPRESENTATION OF
AN IDEA THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH IT BY A
SOCIAL CONVENTION. IT HAS A
CONVENTIONAL LINK BETWEEN ITS MEANING
AND WHAT IT DENOTES. A SYMBOL SERVES
TO REPRESENT AN IDEA THAT IS PERCEIVED
THROUGH THE SENSES. IT ALLOWS US TO
EXTERNALIZE OR REFLECT A THOUGHT OR
CONCEPT THROUGH A SOCIAL
CONVENTION, THAT IS, IT IS ARBITRARY. A
SYMBOL IS THAT WHICH REPRESENTS AND
EMBODIES CERTAIN VALUES.

8. CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING…
• HOW DO THE MAJORITY OF US
ENCOUNTER SCRIPTURE?
• WE HEAR IT READ IN CHURCH.
• HOW DO WE LEARN ABOUT THEOLOGY?
• WE MAKE INFERENCES BASED ON THE
WORDS AND ACTIONS WE EXPERIENCE
AROUND US EVERY SUNDAY.
• HOW DO WE FORM A CHRISTIAN MORAL
COMPASS?
• HOPEFULLY THE SERMONS WE HEAR
GUIDE US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
• SO WHAT IF THE WAY WE DID
CHRISTIAN FORMATION IN OUR
CONGREGATIONS FOLLOWED THIS
SAME PATTERN?
• YES, INDEED, BECAUSE WE FOLLOW
LITURGY AS A FRAMEWORK.

9. WHAT IS LITURGY…?

10. INTRODUCTION:
• AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, WE SIMPLY CANNOT LIVE OUR LIVES WITHOUT
CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH GOD, ESPECIALLY THROUGH PRAYERS AND
OUR ACTIONS AND DEEDS WE RECEIVED AS A GIFT FROM THE SACRAMENTS
BESTOWED ON. THIS IS ESSENTIALLY THE MESSAGE WE ARE GOING TO SHARE IN
THIS LESSON. HOWEVER, PRAYER AND ACTIONS MAY NOT BE ENOUGH. AS
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD AS WE STRIVE TO BECOME HIS SPIRITUAL
SANCTUARY, WE EAGERLY SEEK MEANINGFUL ENCOUNTERS WITH HIM THROUGH
THE LITURGY AND THE SACRAMENTS.

11. 1.1. Defining Liturgy
• HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
• JERUSALEM: THE BULK OF THE WRITTEN EVIDENCE DATES FROM THE 4TH AND 5TH
CENTURY. FROM JERUSALEM, THE BIRTHPLACE OF CHRISTIANITY, WE HAVE EVIDENCE
OF LITURGICAL PRACTICES AND UNDERSTANDINGS THAT REFLECT THE
MULTILINGUAL AND MULTICULTURAL CENTER OF CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE, RESULTING
IN LITURGICAL PRACTICES BOTH INFLUENCED BY AND INFLUENTIAL THROUGHOUT
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN LATE ANTIQUITY AND BEYOND.
• EXAMPLES:
• SYNAGOGUES
• BURNT OFFERINGS/SACRIFICES
• LAST SUPPER

12. I. WHAT IS LITURGY?
• THE LITURGY IS THE CELEBRATION OF
THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST AND IN
PARTICULAR HIS PASCHAL MYSTERY
[JESUS CHRIST’S PASSION, DEATH,
RESURRECTION, AND ASCENSION].
THROUGH THE EXERCISE OF THE
PRIESTLY OF CHRIST, THE LITURGY
MANIFESTS IN SIGNS AND BRINGS
ABOUT THE SANCTIFICATION OF
HUMANKIND. THE PUBLIC WORSHIP
WHICH IS DUE TO GOD IS OFFERED BY
THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST,
THAT IS, BY ITS HEAD (CHRIST) AND
BY ITS MEMBERS (HUMANITY).
• USUALLY BRINGS TO MIND THE
FOLLOWING IMAGES: A PRIEST
PRESIDING A MASS, PEOPLE SEATED
LISTENING TO THE PRIEST, ACTIONS OF
KNEELING, STANDING, RAISING OF
ARMS, MAKING SIGN OF THE CROSS,
RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION, AND
MANY MORE.
• BUT, ALL THESE POINT ONLY TO THE
COMMON UNDERSTANDING OF THE
LITURGY TODAY. ESSENTIALLY, LITURGY
IS THE “OFFICIAL PUBLIC WORSHIP OF
THE CHURCH,” OR “THE FULL PUBLIC
WORSHIP PERFORMED BY THE MYSTICAL
BODY OF CHRIST, THAT IS, BY THE
HEAD (CHRIST) AND HIS MEMBERS”.

13. A. COMPONENTS OF LITURGY
• LITURGY IS THE PERSONAL MEETING OF
GOD WITH THE CHURCH AND WITH THE
TOTAL PERSON OF EACH ONE OF HER
MEMBERS.:
• OUR ENCOUNTER WITH GOD IN THE
LITURGY BEGINS WITH BAPTISM,
CONTINUES WITH THE OTHER
SACRAMENTS AND CULMINATES IN THE
EUCHARIST. LITURGY BRINGS BACK
THAT TIME WHEN GOD CAME TO MEET
US IN THE PERSON OF HIS SON JESUS
CHRIST. THUS, IN THE LITURGY,
ESPECIALLY IN THE EUCHARIST, GOD
ENCOUNTERS US AND WE ENCOUNTER
GOD THROUGH CHRIST.
• UNDER THE VEIL OF THE HOLY SIGNS:
• THE MATERIAL SIGNS USED IN THE
LITURGY DO NOT ONLY SYMBOLIZE
CHRIST’S PRESENCE BUT ACTUALLY
EFFECT IT. IN THE SACRAMENTS, THE
SIGNS USED LIKE WATER, OIL, HOST,
AND WINE DO NOT ONLY SIGNIFY
GRACE BUT ACTUALLY
COMMUNICATE THE GRACE THEY
SYMBOLIZE.

14. • WITH THE TOTAL PERSON OF EACH
ONE OF THE CHURCH’S MEMBERS:
• IN THE COMMUNITY GATHERINGS OF
THE EARLIEST CHURCH, THE
“BREAKING OF THE BREAD WAS FOR
ALL, DONE IN SACRIFICIAL MANNER.”
IN THE LITURGY TODAY, THE PRIEST
PERFORMS A MINISTERING FUNCTION,
BUT THERE IS THE PRIESTHOOD OF
THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
COMMUNITY.
• IN THE UNITY IF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
• THROUGH THE LITURGY, WE MORE
INTENSIVELY RESPOND TO AND
BECOME AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH
AND THE INTERVENTION OF THE
SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES ON OUR JOURNEY
TO HOLINESS IN GOD.

15. B. ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF LITURGY
1. TRINITARIAN AND PASCHAL
• IN THE TRINITARIAN SENSE, ALL OF THE
CHURCH’S LITURGICAL ENDEAVOURS
INVOKE THE PRESENCE OF THE TRIUNE
GOD, FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT.
CFC (CATECHISM FOR FILIPINO
CATHOLICS) EXPLAINS, THE CHURCH’S
LITURGICAL PRAYER IS DIRECTED TO
THE FATHER, THROUGH HIS SON, IN
THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE CHURCH’S
ENTIRE LITURGY ALSO CELEBRATES THE
GOOD NEWS OF OUR SALVATION
WORKED BY THE BLESSED TRINITY
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST’S PASCHAL
MYSTERY (CFC 1506)
1.1. THE FATHER AS THE SOURCE AND
GOAL OF THE LITURGY
• THROUGH THE LITURGY, THE FATHER
IN HEAVEN FILLS US WITH HIS
BLESSINGS IN THE WORD MADE FLESH
WHO DIED AND ROSE FOR US AND
POURS INTO OUR HEARTS THE HOLY
SPIRIT. AT THE SAME TIME, THE
CHURCH BLESSES THE FATHER BY HER
WORSHIP, PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
AND BEGS FOR THE GIFT OF HIS SON
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

16. 1.2. THE WORK OF CHRIST IN THE
LITURGY
• WITH HIS OWN PASCHAL MYSTERY,
CHRIST’S SIGNIFIES AND MAKES
PRESENT HIMSELF IN THE LITURGY OF
THE CHURCH. BY GIVING THE HOLY
SPIRIT TO HIS APOSTLES, HE
ENTRUSTED TO THEM AND THEIR
SUCCESSORS THE POWER TO MAKE
PRESENT THE WORK OF SALVATION
THROUGH THE EUCHARISTIC
SACRIFICE AND THE SACRAMENTS, IN
WHICH HE (CHRIST) HIMSELF ACTS TO
COMMUNICATE HIS GRACE TO THE
FAITHFUL.
1.3. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN
THE LITURGY OF THE CHURCH
• THE HOLY SPIRIT PREPARES THE
CHURCH TO ENCOUNTER GOD. THE
HOLY SPIRIT RECALLS AND
MANIFESTS CHRIST TO THE FAITH OF
THE CHURCH BY MAKING THE
MYSTERY OF CHRIST REALLY PRESENT
AND UNITING THE CHURCH TO THE
LIFE AND MISSION OF CHRIST, AS
WELL AS, MAKING THE GIFT OF
COMMUNION BEAR FRUIT IN THE
CHURCH.

17. 2. ECCLESIAL
• THE LITURGY IS NOT PIOUSLY INDIVIDUALISTIC BUT RATHER, IS COMMUNAL. IT
IS AN ACTIVITY OF THE WHOLE CHURCH –CHRIST BEING ITS HEAD AND WE AS
MEMBERS. IT IS AN ACTION OF CHRIST, THE HIGH PRIEST, AND AT THE SAME
TIME, AN ACTIVITY OF THE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS, A GATHERING
TOGETHER IN AN ORDERLY ASSEMBLY AND COMMUNION OF THE BAPTIZED.
• THE LITURGICAL ASSEMBLY IS ARRANGED ACCORDING TO VARIOUS ROLES: PRIESTS,
DEACONS, ACOLYTES, LECTORS, LAY MINISTERS, ETC. FURTHERMORE, THE ENTIRE
COMMUNITY THAT SHARES ONE COMMON CELEBRATION OF GLORIFYING AND
PRAISING GOD, HAVE DIVERSE TALENTS, GIFTS, AND CHARISMS. IN SPITE OF THIS
DIVERSITY, EACH CONTRIBUTES AND SHARES IN FORMING A COMMUNITY OF GOD
AND IN WORKING FOR THE GOOD OF ALL. (CFC 1507)

18. 3. SACRAMENTAL
• THE LITURGY IS SAID TO BE SACRAMENTAL SINCE IT USES SIGNS, SYMBOLS, AND
VERBAL FORMULAS. ALL OF THESE ARE SACRED SIGNS INSTITUTED BY THE
CHURCH AS A DEVOTIONAL AID. SACRAMENTALS SPAN THE WHOLE RANGE OF
WORDS AND ACTIONS, OBJECTS AND GESTURES, AND TIMES AND PLACES.
INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS BLESSINGS, RELIGIOUS OBJECTS (HOLY WATER,
CRUCIFIXES, AND ROSARIES), LITURGICAL CEREMONIES AND SEASONS AND
SACRED PLACES.
• THUS, BY PARTICIPATING IN THE LITURGY’S SACRAMENTAL SYMBOLIC ACTIVITIES,
THE CHURCH MEMBERS BOTH EXPRESSES FAITH IN CHRIST AND THEIR DESIRE TO
DEEPEN IT. THEY ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE REALITY SIGNIFIED, NAMELY, SALVATION
THROUGH FORGIVENESS AND COMMUNION WITH THE RISEN, GLORIFIED CHRIST IN
THE SPIRIT. (CFC 1509)

19. 4. ETHICALLY ORIENTED
• LITURGY MOVES US INTO A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH ONE
ANOTHER. IT IS THE SOURCE OF GRACE FOR ALL OF US, PURIFYING OUR MIND,
SOUL, AND HEARTS AW WE CARRY OUT OUR DAY-TO-DAY ENDEAVOURS. ONE
ASPECT IS EXPECTED FROM US IS, TO LIVE A MORAL LIFE, MORAL IN THE SENSE
THAT WE DO EVERYTHING, IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOD’S HOLY WILL AND IN
CONGRUENCE WITH CHRIST’S OWN WAY OF LIFE.
• LITURGY SHOULD MOVE US TO CARE FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS AND PERFORM ACTS OF
CHARITY MOST ESPECIALLY TO THE POOR, NEEDY, OPPRESSED, LESS FORTUNATE,
AND MARGINALIZED.

20. 5. ESCHATOLOGICAL
• MEANS, “PERTAINING TO “THE LAST THINGS” (DEATH, JUDGMENT, HEAVEN, AND
HELL), ESPECIALLY THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
• IT COMMEMORATES CHRIST’S PAST SAVING MYSTERY, DEMONSTRATES THE
PRESENT GRACE BROUGHT ABOUT BY CHRIST AND POINTS TO THE FUTURE
GLORY YET TO COME. (CFC 1511).
• LIKEWISE, LITURGY ALLOWS EVERY CHRISTIAN TO HOPE FOR SALVATION—A
MOTIVATION TO MAKE LIFE ON EARTH CONFORM MORE FULLY TO THE WILL OF
GOD AS REVEALED IN CHRIST. THUS, CALLS US TO SHARE IN CHRIST’S OWN
MISSION OF SAVING THE WORLD (CFC 1512).

21. LITURGY’S ESCHATOLOGICAL QUALITIES: AS SEEN
IN CATHOLIC CELEBRATIONS
LITURGICAL YEAR/CELEBRATIONS
• ADVENT SEASON:
• THIS SEASON REFERS TO THE FOUR
WEEKS PREPARATION BEFORE
CHRISTMAS. DURING THIS PERIOD,
THE LAY FAITHFUL COMMEMORATES
THE TIME OF WAITING FOR THE
COMING OF THE MESSIAH.
• CHRISTMAS SEASON:
• THIS IS THE SEASON OF JOY, PEACE
AND PROSPERITY. WE CELEBRATE THE
COMING OF THE MESSIAH
“EMMANUEL” JESUS CHRIST.

22. • LENTEN SEASON:
• THIS SEASON IS FOR PENANCE,
CONTRITION, AND REPARATION FOR
ALL THE SINS WE COMMITTED.
• EASTER SEASON:
• THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF ALL
SEASONS OF THE CHURCH FOR IT
CELEBRATES THE RESURRECTION OF
JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD AND
THE TRIUMPH OF OUR CHRISTIAN
FAITH.
• ORDINARY TIME:
• THESE ARE SUNDAYS IN BETWEEN
FEASTS; THE “ORDINARY TIME” IS
BETWEEN PENTECOST AND FIRST
SUNDAY OF ADVENT.

23. MEMBERS PARTICIPATION
• BE PART OF THE LITURGY AND NOT APART FROM IT.
• WE SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN EVERY LITURGICAL CELEBRATION ACTIVELY AND
CONSCIOUSLY AND CONSIDER OURSELVES PART OF THE LITURGY BY BEING ONE WITH
GOD AND THE PEOPLE IN THE CELEBRATIONS.
• HAVE A SENSE OF UNITY AND COMMUNITY.
• THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS. HENCE, IN EVERY LITURGICAL
CELEBRATION EVERYONE SHOULD BE INVOLVED, FOR THE LITURGY IS A COMMUNITY
CELEBRATION AND NOT AN INDIVIDUAL UNDERTAKING.
• BE WELL-DISPOSED.
• TO BE WELL-DISPOSED IN THE LITURGICAL CELEBRATION, MEANS, APPROACHING IT WITH
PROPER INTENTION. THIS MEANS THAT WE PARTICIPATE IN THE LITURGY NOT OUT OF
HABIT OR WE ARE SIMPLY FORCED TO. INSTEAD, WE PARTICIPATE BECAUSE WE WANT TO
WORSHIP GOD AND BE ONE WITH HIM.

24. • PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE CHURCH’S EVANGELIZING WORK.
• THE LITURGY BECOMES A CENTER OF OUR LIVES NOT ONLY WHEN WE ACTIVELY
PARTICIPATE IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY’S ACTS OF WORSHIP BUT ALSO WHEN
WE PROCLAIM BY WORDS AND DEEDS THE LOVE OF GOD FOR ALL.
• BE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS.
• WHEN WE SERVE OTHERS, ESPECIALLY THE NEEDY, THE POOR, AND THE HUNGRY, WE
SHOW THAT THE LITURGY HAS BORNE FRUIT IN US.
• SHARE THE GOOD NEWS.
• WHEN WE LIVE A LIFE OF HONESTY, SINCERITY, AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS, WE SHARE
THE GOOD NEWS THROUGH OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS.

25. BY VIRTUE OF OUR BAPTISM, WE
SHARE IN THE PRIESTLY OFFICE
OF JESUS CHRIST. HENCE, WE
SHOULD CONSISTENTLY
EXERCISE OUR ROLE AS
COMMON PRIEST BY ACTIVELY
AND CONSCIOUSLY
PARTICIPATING IN THE
LITURGY.

26. QUIZZ 1
PREPARE ONE (1) PIECE OF PAPER

27. • EXPLAIN WHY LITURGY, BY NATURE, IS TRINITARIAN AND, THUS, A CELEBRATION
OF THE PASCHAL MYSTERY OF CHRIST? (20 POINTS)
• IN A THEOLOGICAL VIEW, WHAT DO THESE ESSENTIAL QUALITIES, AS WELL AS
THE ESCATHOLOGICAL QUALITIES, IN GENERAL, TRY TO SHOW US OR MAKE
MANIFEST IN RELATION OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH? (20 POINTS)
• EXPLAIN HOW LITURGY MAKES MANIFEST THE TRUTH/PRESENCE OF GOD IN A
PERSONAL CONTEXT AND IN A COMMUNAL CONTEXT. (50 POINTS)

28. THE SACRAMENTS
A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDS

29. • WHAT ARE SIGNS AND SYMBOLS…?
• WHY DO YOU THINK WE NEED SIGNS AND SYMBOLS…?

30. ACTIVITY
• THINK OF AN ABSTRACT REALITY IN YOUR LIFE OR EXPERIENCE AND WHAT DOES
IT MEAN TO YOU AND SHARE WHY?
• WHY DO SOME PEOPLE RESORT TO USING SIGNS AND SYMBOLS TO
COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER?
• HOW USEFUL ARE SIGNS AND SYMBOLS TO YOUR LIFE?

31. ASPECTS OF REALITY SIGNS/SYMBOLS
LOVE
FRIENDSHIP
PEACE
FAITH
HOPE
We use signs and symbols to express abstract aspects of reality.

32. A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDS:
OLD LAW:
• THERE WERE EQUIVALENT
SACRAMENTS IN THE OLD LAW. THEY
WERE CEREMONIES SUCH AS
CIRCUMCISION, THE EATING OF THE
PASCHAL LAMB, AND NUMEROUS
SACRIFICES AND PURIFICATIONS.
NEW LAW:
• THE SACRAMENTS OF THE OLD LAW
SIGNIFIED GRACE TO COME THAT
WOULD BE BESTOWED THROUGH THE
PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST. THE
SACRAMENTS OF THE OLD LAW DID
NOT PRODUCE GRACE OF THEMSELVES
IN VIRTUE OF THE RITE BEING
PERFORMED, BUT BY FAITH IN GOD.
CHRISTIAN SACRAMENTS, HOWEVER,
CONFER THE GRACE THEY SYMBOLIZE
IN ALL, WHO PLACE NO OBSTACLE IN
THE WAY.

33. SACRAMENTS:
• ARE INSTITUTED BY CHRIST AND ENTRUSTED TO THE CHURCH, WHICH ARE
EFFICACIOUS SIGNS OF GRACE PERCEPTIBLE TO THE SENSES THROUGH WHICH,
THE CHURCH ARE BESTOWED WITH THE DIVINE LIFE.
• LITERALLY: SACRAMENT MEANS SOMETHING SACRED OR IN CATHOLIC, A
MYSTERY OF FAITH AND THE EXTERNAL SIGN OF AN INTERIOR GRACE.

34. ELEMENTS CONSTITUTING A TRUE
SACRAMENT
• 1. SENSIBLE SIGN
• A SENSIBLE SIGN IS SOMETHING
PERCEIVED BY THE SENSES THAT
LEADS ONE TO KNOW SOMETHING
ELSE NOT PERCEIVED BY THE SENSES.
(EXAMPLE: POURING OF WATER IN
BAPTISM IS PERCEIVED BY THE SENSE;
THE INTERNAL CLEANSING OF THE
SOUL FROM SIN IS KNOWN ONLY BY
FAITH). THUS, SENSIBLE SIGN
CONSISTS MATTER AND FORM OF THE
SACRAMENT.
• SACRAMENTS AS SIGNS, IN TWO
WAYS:
• THEY INDICATE EXTERNALLY WHAT
TAKES PLACE WITHIN THE SOUL OF
THE ONE RECEIVING THE
SACRAMENT.
• THEY ACTUALLY PRODUCE THE
GRACE WHICH THEY SIGNIFY.

35. 1.A. MATTER OF A SACRAMENT:
THE MATTER OF A SACRAMENT IS
THE EXTERNAL ACTION
PERFORMED BY THE MINISTER OF
THE SACRAMENT. IT NORMALLY
INVOLVES THE USE OF SOME
MATERIAL THING LIKE OIL,
WATER, BREAD, OR WINE.
• UNITY OF MATTER AND FORM
• TO CONSTITUTE A SACRAMENT, THE
MATTER AND FORM MUST BE JOINED
TOGETHER IN A SINGLE ACTION. THE SAME
PERSON MUST UNITE THE MATTER AND FORM,
WITHOUT NOTABLE INTERRUPTION BETWEEN
USING THE MATTER AND PRONOUNCING THE
WORDS.
1.B. FORM OF A SACRAMENT: THE
FORM IS THE ESSENTIAL WORDS
PRONOUNCED BY THE ONE WHO
ADMINISTERS OR PERFORMS THE
SACRAMENT. THUS, IN BAPTISM THE
FORM IS “I BAPTIZE YOU IN THE NAME
OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON,
AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.” AND IN
PENANCE, “ I ABSOLVE YOU FROM
YOUR SINS.”

36. 2. CHRIST
INSTITUTED THE
SACRAMENTS
• CHRIST INSTITUTED THE SACRAMENTS FROM
THE SACRED TRADITIONS AND THE
TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH. ONLY CHRIST
CAN INFALLIBLY JOIN GRACE TO THE
PERFORMANCE OF A SENSIBLE SIGN.
• CHRIST INSTITUTED THE SACRAMENTS AS HE
INSTITUTED THE NEW LAW. THE DEMANDS OF
HIS LAW NOTABLY OF SELFLESS LOVE OF GOD
AND ONE’S NEIGHBOUR, REQUIRES
EXTRAORDINARY GRACE THAT ONLY HE CAN
GIVE. HE CONFERS THIS GRACE ON HIS
FOLLOWERS MAINLY THROUGH THE
SACRAMENTS, AS INDISPENSABLE MEANS OF
SALVATION AND SANCTIFICATION.
• “CUT OFF FROM ME”, CHRIST TELLS US, “YOU
CAN DO NOTHING”. JN. 15:5
THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS
BAPTISM (MATTHEW 28:19)
CONFIRMATION (JOHN 14:15–26)
HOLY EUCHARIST (MATTHEW 26-28;
MARK 14:22-24; LUKE 22:19-20 AND 1
CORINTHIANS 11:23-25)
PENANCE/RECONCILIATION (JOHN
20:22-23)
ANOINTING OF THE SICK (JAMES 5:14–
15; MATTHEW 10:8; LUKE 10:8–
9 AND MARK 6:13)
HOLY ORDERS (MATTHEW 18:18; LUKE
22:19; LUKE 24:47; ACTS 6:6;
ACTS 20:17, 28; TIMOTHY 3:1-7)
MATRIMONY (MATTHEW 19:6)

37. 3. POWER TO PRODUCE GRACE
• THE SACRAMENTS PRODUCE OR
INCREASE SANCTIFYING GRACE, AND
THEY GIVE A DISTINCTIVE
SACRAMENTAL GRACE WHICH DIFFER
WITH EACH SACRAMENT.
• SACRAMENTAL GRACE
• IT IS THE GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
WHICH IS GIVEN BY CHRIST AND IS
PROPER TO EACH SACRAMENT. THIS
GRACE HELPS THE FAITHFUL IN THEIR
JOURNEY TOWARD HOLINESS AND SO
ASSIST THE CHURCH AS WELL TO
GROW IN CHARITY AND IN HER
WITNESS TO THE WORLD.

38. SACRAMENTAL GRACE IT CONFERS
• BAPTISM • HELPS US TO LIVE AS CHILDREN OF
GOD, MAKES IT EASIER FOR US TO
BELIEVE IN GOD AND TO ACT
ACCORDINGLY, AND LESSENS OUR
INCLINATION TO EVIL.

39. • PENANCE OR RECONCILIATION • HELPS US TO CURE THE DEEPER
INCLINATIONS TO EVIL THAT ACTUAL
SINS HAVE PUT IN OUR SOUL AND
MAKES IT EASIER FOR US TO KEEP
OUT OF SIN IN THE FUTURE.

40. • HOLY EUCHARIST • NOURISHES OUR LOVE OF GOD AND
ONE ANOTHER AND HELPS US
OVERCOME OUR NATURAL SELF-LOVE
OR SELFISHNESS.

41. • CONFIRMATION • GIVES US STRENGTH TO PROFESS OUR
FAITH EVEN UNDER DIFFICULTIES
AND PERSECUTIONS AND TO GIVE
GOOD EXAMPLES TO OTHERS.

42. • ANOINTING OF THE SICK • HELPS US TO ACCEPT SICKNESS AS A
PURIFYING CROSS SENT BY GOD AND
EVEN TO ACCEPT DEATH WILLINGLY
FROM HIS HANDS WHENEVER HE
CHOOSES TO SEND IT.

43. • HOLY ORDERS • HELPS PRIEST TO FULFILL HIS SACRED
DUTIES AND TO BE A GOOD PRIEST.

44. • MATRIMONY • HELPS MARRIED PEOPLE TO BEAR
WITH EACH OTHER’S DEFECTS AND
TO FULFILL THE DUTIES OF THEIR
STATE, CHIEFLY BRINGING CHILDREN
INTO THE WORLD AND REARING
THEM FOR GOD.

45. CHARACTERISTICS OF SACRAMENTS
A. CHRIST AND THE
SACRAMENTS
THE MYSTERY OF
CHRIST’S LIFE ARE THE
FOUNDATIONS OF WHAT
HE WOULD HENCEFORTH
BESTOW IN THE
SACRAMENTS, THROUGH
THE MINISTERS OF HIS
CHURCH.
B. SACRAMENTS AND THE
CHURCH
CHRIST HAS ENTRUSTED THE
SACRAMENTS TO HIS CHURCH
IN TWOFOLD SENSE:
“FROM HER” :
INSOFAR AS THEY ARE
ACTIONS OF THE CHURCH
WHICH IS THE SACRAMENT OF
CHRIST’S ACTIONS.
“FOR HER” :
INASMUCH AS THEY BUILD UP
THE CHURCH.
C. SACRAMENTAL
CHARACTER
IS A SPIRITUAL “SEAL” BESTOWED BY
THE SACRAMENTS OF BAPTISM,
CONFIRMATION, AND HOLY
ORDERS AS A PROMISE AND
GUARANTEE OF DIVINE
PROTECTION. BY VIRTUE OF THIS
“SEAL”, THE CHRISTIAN IS
CONFIGURED TO CHRIST,
PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF WAYS
IN HIS PRIESTHOOD AND TAKES HIS
PART IN THE CHURCH ACCORDING
TO DIFFERENT STATES AND
FUNCTIONS. HE IS, THEREFORE, SET
APART FOR DIVINE WORSHIP AND
THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH.
BECAUSE THIS CHARACTER IS
PERMANENT, THE SACRAMENTS
THAT IMPRESS IT ON THE SOUL ARE

46. • SACRAMENTS AND FAITH
SACRAMENTS NOT ONLY
PRESUPPOSE FAITH, BUT WITH WORDS
AND RITUAL ELEMENTS THEY NOURISH,
STRENGTHEN, AND EXPRESS. BY
CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENTS, THE
CHURCH PROFESSES THE FAITH THAT
COMES FROM THE APOSTLES.[ LEX
ORANDI, LEX CREDENDA (THE CHURCH
BELIEVES AS SHE PRAYS)]
•
• SACRAMENTS EFFICACY
SACRAMENTS ARE EFFICACIOUS
SINCE SACRAMENTS ARE EX OPERA
OPERATO (“BY THE VERY FACT THAT
THE SACRAMENTAL ACTION IS
PERFORMED”) BECAUSE IT IS CHRIST
WHO ACTS IN THE SACRAMENTS AND
COMMUNICATES THE GRACE THEY
SIGNIFY. THE EFFICACY OF THE
SACRAMENTS DOES NOT DEPEND ON
THE HOLINESS OF THE MINISTER;
INSTEAD, THE FRUITS OF THE
SACRAMENTS DO DEPEND ON THE
DISPOSITION OF THE ONE RECEIVING IT.

47. CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
(CCC), NO. 1131
• THE SACRAMENTS ARE THE EFFICACIOUS SIGNS OF GRACE, INSTITUTED BY
CHRIST AND ENTRUSTED TO THE CHURCH, BY WHICH DIVINE LIFE IS DISPENSED
TO US. THE VISIBLE RITES BY WHICH THE SACRAMENTS ARE CELEBRATED SIGNIFY
AND MAKE PRESENT THE GRACES PROPER TO EACH SACRAMENT. THEY BEAR
FRUIT IN THOSE WHO RECEIVE THEM WITH THE REQUIRED DISPOSITIONS.

48. • F. CHRIST AS THE
ORIGINAL/PRIMORDIAL SACRAMENT
• JESUS CHRIST IS THE SACRAMENT OR
SIGN OF THE FATHER, SO THERE IS
NO NEED FOR ANY OTHER SIGN TO
MAKE THEM BELIEVE. THOUGH NO
LONGER PHYSICALLY PRESENT,
CHRIST CONTINUES TO BE PRESENT IN
THE CHURCH THROUGH THE
SACRAMENTS.
• JESUS IS THE ORIGINAL SACRAMENT
BECAUSE IN HIS HUMANITY, BECAME
THE VISIBLE SIGN OF GOD’S SAVING
LOVE FOR ALL. (CFC 1524).
• CHURCH AS THE FOUNDATIONAL
SACRAMENT: “BY HER RELATIONSHIP WITH
CHRIST, THE CHURCH IS A KIND OF
SACRAMENT OF INTIMATE UNION WITH
GOD, AND OF THE UNITY OF ALL MANKIND,
THAT IS, SHE IS A SIGN AND INSTRUMENT
OF SUCH UNION (DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION
OF THE CHURCH).
• THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE OF GOD AND
WE, THE CHURCH, TO THE EXTENT THAT WE
WORK FOR UNITY AND LOVE AMONG ALL OF
US, WE BECOME SIGNS THAT POINTS TO THE
UNION BETWEEN GOD AND US, A UNION
THAT JESUS ACHIEVED BY HIS DEATH.
FURTHERMORE, THE CHURCH IS THE
INSTRUMENT, THAT MEANS OR THE WAY
THROUGH WHICH WE ACHIEVE INTIMATE
UNION WITH JESUS.

49. G. SACRAMENTS ARE NECESSARY FOR
SALVATION
• AS BELIEVER IN CHRIST, THE SACRAMENTS, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ALL GIVEN
TO EACH OF THE FAITHFUL, ARE NECESSARY FOR SALVATION BECAUSE THEY
CONFER SACRAMENTAL GRACE, FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ADOPTION AS CHILDREN
OF GOD, CONFORMATION TO CHRIST THE LORD AND MEMBERSHIP IN THE
CHURCH. THE HOLY SPIRIT HEALS AND TRANSFORMS THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE
SACRAMENTS.

50. SACRAMENTS AND SYMBOLS
• LIFE IS FULL OF SYMBOLS. TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE LIFE, WE HAVE TO
KNOW THE KINDS OF SYMBOLS WE ENCOUNTER AND EVEN USE IN OUR LIVES. TO
UNDERSTAND SYMBOLS, THE FOLLOWINGS ARE ITS KINDS:
• CONVENTIONAL
• ACCIDENTAL
• UNIVERSAL

51. 1. CONVENTIONAL
• SUCH SYMBOL HAS MEANING FOR A PARTICULAR GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH THE
SAME BELIEFS AND CULTURE. IN THE PHILIPPINES, WE HAVE SYMBOLS THAT
MEAN SAME FOR US FILIPINOS, SUCH AS OUR NATIONAL FLOWER, SAMPAGUITA,
STANDS FOR PURITY THAT FILIPINO WOMEN POSSESS AND NARRA WHICH
SYMBOLIZES OUR STRENGTH OF CHARACTER.

52. 2. ACCIDENTAL
• THIS KIND OF SYMBOL IS SOMETHING THAT HAS SPECIAL MEANING FOR ONE
PERSON, BUT MAY NOT HAVE ANY MEANING FOR ANOTHER. A ROSE GIVEN BY A
MAN TO THE WOMAN HE LOVES CARRIES SO MUCH MEANING FOR THAT MAN –
AS IT SYMBOLIZES HIS DEEP AFFECTION FOR THAT WOMAN. FOR OTHERS WHO
ARE NOT IN LOVE –A ROSE IS SIMPLY JUST A ROSE.

53. 3. UNIVERSAL
• A SYMBOL THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS THE SAME MEANING FOR ALL PEOPLE
IN ALL PLACES AT ALL TIMES. WATER IS SEEN BY PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT
CULTURES AS SYMBOLIZING LIFE AND CLEANSING; FIRE AS STRENGTH AND LIFE;
BREAD AS NOURISHMENT AND LIFE. THE UNIVERSAL SYMBOLS ARE USED BY THE
CHURCH IN THE SACRAMENTS.

54. • SACRAMENTS MAKE USE OF THE
UNIVERSAL SYMBOL.
• ST. AUGUSTINE BELIEVE THAT, A
SACRAMENT IS A SIGN OF A SACRED
REALITY, OR POINTS TO A DEEPER
REALITY OTHER THAN WHAT WE SEE OR
FEEL. EXAMPLE, IN BAPTISM, WATER IS
USED FOR CLEANING AND IS
IMPORTANT TO OUR EXISTENCE. BUT, IN
A DEEPER SENSE, IN BAPTISM, IT
SYMBOLIZES THE GRACE THAT WE
RECEIVED IN THE SACRAMENT WHICH IS
WE ARE FREED FROM OUR ORIGINAL
AND PERSONAL SINS. THUS, THE
REALITY THAT WE DO NOT SEE (GRACE)
IS SYMBOLIZED BY A REALITY WHICH WE
SEE (WATER).
• WHICH IS WHY SACRAMENTS ARE
NOT JUST ORDINARY SYMBOLS, BUT
EFFICACIOUS SYMBOLS
• FOR THE SACRAMENTS DO NOT
MERELY POINT TO THE REALITY OF
GRACE. THEY ARE REAL
PERFORMATIVE WORD EVENTS,
WHICH MEANS THEY MAKE PRESENT
THE SPIRITUAL REALITY THEY
SYMBOLIZE, THAT IS, THE SAVING
PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST (CFC
1573)

55. CATECHISM FOR FILIPINO CATHOLICS (CFC),
NO. 1521
• … TAKEN AS SYMBOLIC ACTS, SACRAMENTS ARE PERFORMATIVE WORD
EVENTS—LIKE JESUS’ OWN MINISTRY OF WORDS AND DEEDS – REAL HAPPENINGS
THAT MAKE PRESENT THE SPIRITUAL REALITY THEY EXPRESS.

56. BECOMING SIGNS AND SYMBOLS
HOW THEN, CAN WE TRULY BECOME SACRAMENTS OF
CHRIST’S LOVE?
• BE A PERSON FOR OTHERS.
• IT IS INDEED DIFFICULT TO BE OTHER-CENTERED BECAUSE OF OUR STRONG TENDENCY TO BE SELF-
CENTERED. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED OF OUR HELP. LET
US BE CHRIST’S HANDS TO COMFORT THEM IN LONELINESS AND ALLOW THEM TO EXPERIENCE THE LOVE OF
GOD IN YOU AS WE SHARE OUR BLESSING TO THEM.
• BE FORGIVING.
• IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS, IT IS INEVITABLE THAT SOMETIMES OTHERS HURT US. AND, IF THIS
CAUSED US TOO MUCH, IT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO FORGIVE. BUT, IF WE ARE AUTHENTIC IN SHOWING
THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN US, THE RIGHT COURSE OF ACTION FOR US IS TO FORGIVE AND STOP
HARBORING HATRED.
• BE COURAGEOUS AND FAITHFUL.
• CHRIST NEVER LOST HIS FAITH NOR DISCOURAGED. HE FACED SUFFERING AND DEATH, BUT WITH HIS FAITH
IN GOD AND FULFILLING HIS MISSION ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL HE REMAINED STEADFAST WITH HIS FAITH.
WE TOO CAN BE SACRAMENTS OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE IF OUR FAITH REMAINS STRONG ESPECIALLY IN THE

57. • BE HOPEFUL AND CHEERFUL.
• PROBLEMS DO HAPPEN, CRISES DO OCCUR, YET WE KNOW THAT OUR FATHER IS ALWAYS
IN OUR MIDST. WE CAN BE SIGNS OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE IF WE WILL ALWAYS LOOK AT THE
BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE, IF WE REMAIN JOYFUL IN THE MIDST OF ALL TRIALS THAT COME OUR
WAY.
• BE HUMBLE.
• IT TAKES HUMILITY FOR US TO RECOGNIZE OUR SINFULNESS BEFORE GOD. IT TAKES
HUMILITY FOR US TO SEEK FORGIVENESS FROM GOD AND FROM THOSE WE HAVE
WRONGED. BUT, THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST (BY BECOMING ONE OF US) WILL INSPIRE US
TOO BE HUMBLE BEFORE GOD AND FOR OUR SALVATION.
• BE GENEROUS.
• NO ONE IS TOO POOR SO AS NOT TO SHARE. EVEN IF WE MAY NOT HAVE TO SHARE, WE
CAN BE GENEROUS AS WE ARE EAGER TO SHARE WITH OTHERS THE TIME AND THE
TALENTS WE HAVE.

58. • AFTER ALL….
• IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LIVE A LIFE WORTHY AS A
CHILD OF GOD IF THE SACRAMENTS WEREN’T
THERE. THE WISDOM THAT WE NEED TO
DISCERN RIGHT FROM WRONG, THE COURAGE
THAT WE NEED TO CHOOSE WHAT IS GOOD OR
BAD, WE OBTAIN FROM THE GRACES THAT THE
HOLY SPIRIT SHOWERS UPON US WHEN WE
RECEIVE THE SACRAMENTS.

59. TASKS…
• EXPLAIN SIGNS AND SYMBOLS IN RELATION TO REALITY AND FAITH. 10 POINTS
• SACRAMENTS ARE SIGNS AND SYMBOLS. 20 POINTS