The document provides an overview of the sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. It describes the rituals and symbolic meanings involved in the sacrament of Baptism during the Easter Vigil ceremony. These include blessing the baptismal water, renouncing sin and professing faith, being clothed in a white garment, and being presented with a lit candle. The document emphasizes that through these sacraments, one is born anew in Christ, freed from sin, and made a member of the Church. The Eucharist is described as necessary to remain spiritually alive. The period of mystagogia involves living out the Christian faith through sacramental living,

3. Sharing
• Recall the night of
your baptism.
• What was your
experience like?
• What lingers in your
memory?
• How did you feel?
• What touched you?
Engaged you?
Disengaged you?
• What did you hear,
smell, see, taste?

5. (newly planted)
from Greek
neos – New phytos – Planted (a new convert )

10. • Holy
Thursday
• Good Friday
• Easter
Sunday

17. • 4 distinct stages :-
–Service of the
Light
–Liturgy of the
Word
–Liturgy of Baptism
–Liturgy of the
Eucharist

18. Blessing of the new fire
The Celebrant blesses the new fire: the
celebrant and faithful gather around it and
experience the flames dispelling the darkness
and lighting up the night.

19. Central symbolic object of the
Vigil because it represents the
Risen Lord in His glory.

20. It is blessed and
inserted with the 5
grains of incense now.
The Easter candle is
lighted from the new
fire.

21. THE PASCHAL CANDLE
• The Paschal candle represents Christ, the Light of the
World.
• The pure beeswax of which the candle is made
represents the sinless Christ who was formed in the
womb of His Mother. The wick signifies His humanity,
the flame, His Divine Nature, both soul and body.
• Five grains of incense inserted into the candle in the
form of a cross recall the aromatic spices with which
His Sacred Body was prepared for the tomb, and of
the five wounds in His hands, feet, and side.

22. THE FIVE GRAINS OF INCENCE
Five grains of
incense inserted
into the candle in
the form of a
cross recall the
aromatic spices
with which His
Sacred Body was
prepared for the
tomb, and of the
five wounds in His
hands, feet, and
side.

23. It is a majestic proclamation of the
Resurrection of Christ, a dramatic invitation
to heaven and earth to join with the Church
in joy and jubilation. It is the rite of
sanctification of light and night, of place
and time, of priest and faithful for the
celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord

24. The Easter proclamation has survived nearly 2000
years of Christian music and stands as one of the
finest of liturgical poetry. It captures the whole
Easter mystery placed within the context of the
economy of salvation and celebrates the
resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

25. Liturgy of the Word
• 4 Readings and 4
Psalms
– 3 from the Old
Testament
– 2 from the New
Testament
including the
Gospel Reading
• Each reading is followed by
an invitation to pray in
silence, which is followed
by a special prayer
designed for that reading.
• These readings help us
meditate on the wonderful
works of God for his people
since the beginning of time.
• The Gloria is sung before
the reading of the Epistle of
the Romans, and the
Alleluia is sung before the
Gospel.

26. Liturgy of Baptism – litany of the saints
A prayer in to and in honour of the saints,
appealing to them for help and divine protection.

27. Blessing of water
The baptismal water is consecrated by a prayer of epiclesis.
The Church asks God through his Son the power of the Holy
Spirit may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be
baptised in it may be “born of water and the spirit”.

28. The copious use of water during baptism is the most expressive
outward sign of God’s gift of sanctifying grace in abundance:
the water not only signifies the removal of but actually washes
away original and all personal sins. Baptism makes the
neophyte an adopted child of God and “partaker of the divine
nature.”

29. • The white garment
symbolises the purity of
a soul cleansed from all
sin: the person
baptised has “put on
Christ”, has risen with
Christ.
• The Godparents will
light their candle from
the Paschal candle for
the neophytes. It
signifies that Christ has
enlightened the
neophyte. In Him, the
baptised are “light of
the world”.

30. Effects of the Sacraments of
Christian Initiation - Baptism
• Through Baptism we are freed from sin ....
• all sin, original sin & personal sin
and reborn as children of God; ....
• we become members of Christ, ....
• an identity “Christian” - sharers in the
prophetic, priestly and kingly mission of
Christ.
• are incorporated into the Church ....
• as a baby is born into a family, so is the
whole Church our family
• and made sharers in her mission....

31. Confirmation
LAYING OF HANDS AND ANOINTING

32. “The Eucharist is the source and summit
of Christian life”. (CCC1324)

33. The Sacraments of Christian
Initiation – Holy Eucharist
• Baptism is necessary to
obtain a share in the life
of God.
• The Eucharist is equally
necessary to remain
spiritually alive.
(“..unless you eat the flesh of
the Son of Man and drink his
blood, you willl have no life
in you… for my flesh is true
food and my blood is true
drink.” – John 6: 52, 55)

34. Holy Eucharist
• “Anyone who desires
to receive Christ in
Eucharistic
communion must be in
the state of grace.
Anyone aware of
having sinned mortally
must not receive
communion without
having received
absolution in the
sacrament of
Penance.” CCC 1415
(“..Examine yourselves,
and only then eat of
the bread and drink of
the cup.” –
1 Cor 11:28)

35. NEOPHYTENEOPHYTE

36. To summarise …
The sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism,
Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay the
foundations of every Christian life. "The sharing
in the divine nature given to men through the
grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the
origin, development, and nourishing of natural
life. the faithful are born anew by Baptism,
strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation,
and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal
life. - CCC 1212

41. •““And what you have heard fromAnd what you have heard from
me through many witnessesme through many witnesses
entrust to faithful people who willentrust to faithful people who will
be able to teach others as well”be able to teach others as well”
( 2 Tim 2:2)( 2 Tim 2:2)
•"stand firm and hold to the"stand firm and hold to the
traditions which you were taughttraditions which you were taught
by us, either by word of mouth orby us, either by word of mouth or
by letter"by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15).(2 Thess. 2:15).

42. 42

43. AUTHORITY AND INFALLIBILITYAUTHORITY AND INFALLIBILITY
• I will give you theI will give you the keyskeys
of the Kingdom ofof the Kingdom of
HeavenHeaven, and whatever, and whatever
youyou bind on earth willbind on earth will
be bound in heavenbe bound in heaven,,
and whatever youand whatever you looseloose
on earth will be loosedon earth will be loosed
in heavenin heaven."."
• Matthew 16:19Matthew 16:19
43

44. 1st Precept
“You shall attend
Mass on Sundays
and holy days of
obligation”
44

45. We sanctify these days,
keeping them holy by
attending Mass and by
resting from those works
and activities which could
impede such a
sanctification of these
days.

46. 2nd
Precept
“You shall confess
your sins at least
once a year”
46

47. Ensures we prepare for the
Eucharist by means of the
Sacrament of Reconciliation
(Confession). This sacrament
“continues Baptism’s work of
conversion and
forgiveness.”

48. If we say, "We are without sin," we deceiveIf we say, "We are without sin," we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us.ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 JOHN 1: 81 JOHN 1: 8
If we say, "We have not sinned," we makeIf we say, "We have not sinned," we make
him a liar, and his word is not in us.him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 JOHN 1 :101 JOHN 1 :10
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sinAll wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin
which is not mortal.which is not mortal. 1 John 5:171 John 5:17

49. 3rd
Precept
“You shall receive
the sacrament of the
Eucharist at least
during the Easter
season” 49

50. Guarantees as a minimum
the reception of the Lord’s
Body and Blood in
connection with the
Paschal feasts, the origin
and center of the Christian
Liturgy .

51. 4th
Precept
“You shall keep holy
the holy days of
obligation”
51

52. completes the Sunday observance
by participation in the principal
liturgical feasts which honor the
mysteries of the Lord, the Virgin
Mary and the saints.
•Ascension or our Lord
•Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary
•All Saints' Day
•Christmas

53. 5th
Precept
“You shall observe
the prescribed days
of fasting and
abstinence”
53

54. Ensures the times of penance which
prepare us for the liturgical feasts;
-they help us acquire control over
our instincts and freedom of heart.
•The Church requires fasting and
abstinence as signs of repentance.
•Repentance means to turn away
from sin and turn back to God.

55. FASTING – one full meal and two
half meals
From sunrise to sundown.
All Catholics age 18 to 59, except
those who have a legitimate need to
eat a normal meal, e.g.
- the sick or infirm
- pregnant or nursing women
- some manual labourers.

56. ABSTINENCE -not eating meat.
(Canon Law 1251)
-From 12 midnight to the following
12 midnight.
-All Catholics 14 years and older.
(Canon Law . 1252)

57. The faithful also have
the duty of providing
for the material
needs of the Church,
each according to
his abilities.
CCC2043 57

59. The Period of Mystagogia

60. Mystagogia:
an ancient Greek word meaning
"education in the sacred mysteries".
It describes the life of a Christian
believer after baptism and the first
initiation rites - that is, the growth of the
mind and heart in the ancient Christian
faith.

61. The Fourth Phase: The Period of
Mystagogia
The period of mystagogia is a time for:
living a sacramental life
living out the gospel way of life
becoming more involved in the parish

62. Living out the faith
Remain in me, as I
remain in you. Just
as a branch cannot
bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on
the vine, so neither
can you unless you
remain in me. – John
15:4

64. "My people are destroyed for lack
of knowledge."
Hosea 4:6
"My people are destroyed for lack
of knowledge."
Hosea 4:6

65. GROWTH IN THE SPIRITGROWTH IN THE SPIRIT
(VERTICAL DIMENSION)(VERTICAL DIMENSION)
• SACRAMENT;SACRAMENT;
• STUDY;STUDY;
• SERVICE;SERVICE;
• SUPPORT GROUPSUPPORT GROUP
& COMMUNITY;& COMMUNITY;
• SOLITUDE &SOLITUDE &
PRAYER.PRAYER.
• MASSMASS
• RECONCILIATIONRECONCILIATION

66. What is sacramental
living?
Living out of a normal
Catholic spiritual life; a life
within the Church in which
the Christian fulfills his/her
vocation.
(“vocare”– Latin – to call)

67. SACRAMENTAL LIVING
Do not be conformed
to this world, but be
transformed by the
renewing of your
minds, so that you
may discern what is
the will of God-
what is good,
acceptable and
perfect. – Rom 12:2

68. 68

69. The point of all the sacraments is toThe point of all the sacraments is to
make us holy, to make us radiatemake us holy, to make us radiate
with God's own life, and to bring uswith God's own life, and to bring us
to heaven. That is the great missionto heaven. That is the great mission
of the Holy Spirit.of the Holy Spirit.
69

70. God’s ultimate plan for us – that we may:
...attain to the whole measure of the
fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13)
"Our greatest wish and prayer is that you
will become mature Christians." 2 Cor
13:9
…press on to maturity (Heb 6:1)
70

71. The CharismaticThe Charismatic
Gifts empowersGifts empowers
the "Doing“the "Doing“
to build theto build the
ChurchChurch
The SanctifyingThe Sanctifying
Gifts roots theGifts roots the
"Being“"Being“
to bear fruitsto bear fruits71

72. 72

73. ““At the end of our lives,At the end of our lives,
we will not be judged bywe will not be judged by
howhow many diplomas wemany diplomas we
have received, how muchhave received, how much
money we have made ormoney we have made or
how many great things we have done.how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by ‘I was hungry andWe will be judged by ‘I was hungry and
you gave me to eat. I was naked and youyou gave me to eat. I was naked and you
clothed me. I was homeless and you tookclothed me. I was homeless and you took
me in.’”me in.’”
““At the end of our lives,At the end of our lives,
we will not be judged bywe will not be judged by
howhow many diplomas wemany diplomas we
have received, how muchhave received, how much
money we have made ormoney we have made or
how many great things we have done.how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by ‘I was hungry andWe will be judged by ‘I was hungry and
you gave me to eat. I was naked and youyou gave me to eat. I was naked and you
clothed me. I was homeless and you tookclothed me. I was homeless and you took
me in.’”me in.’”
73

74. If I have the gift of prophecy
and can fathom all
mysteries and all
knowledge, and if I have a
faith that can move
mountains, but have notbut have not
love,love, I am nothing
1 Corinthians 13:2
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love,but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or
a clanging cymbal."
1 Corinthians 13:1

75. ““ Charisms are thereforeCharisms are therefore
graces bestowed by thegraces bestowed by the
Holy Spirit on certainHoly Spirit on certain
members of the faithful tomembers of the faithful to
prepare them to contributeprepare them to contribute
to the common good of theto the common good of the
Church.”Church.”
Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Address to participants in theAddress to participants in the
Second International ConferenceSecond International Conference
of Ecclesial Movements,of Ecclesial Movements, 2 March2 March
1987,1987, L'Osservatore RomanoL'Osservatore Romano
English edition, 16 March 1987,English edition, 16 March 1987, 75

76. 76

77. ““Here am I, the servant of theHere am I, the servant of the
Lord; Let it be with meLord; Let it be with me
according to your word"according to your word"
(Luke 1:38)(Luke 1:38) 77

78. 78

79. You say:
"It's impossible“
God says:
All things are possible
(Lk18:27)

80. You say:
"I'm too tired"
God says:
I will give you rest
(Matt11:28-30)

81. You say:
"Nobody loves me"
God says:
I love you
(Jn3:16 & Jn13:34)

82. You say:
"I can't go on"
God says:
My grace is sufficient
(2Cor12:9)

83. You say:
"I can't forgive myself"
God says:
I FORGIVE YOU
(1Jn 1:9 & Rm8:1)

84. You say:
"I can't manage"
God says:
I will supply
all your needs.
(Phil 4:19)

85. You say:
"I can't do it"
God says:
You can do all things
(Phil4:13)

86. You say:
"I'm not able"
God says:
I am able
(2Cor9:8)

87. You say:
"It's not worth it"
God says:
It will be worth it
(Rm8:28)

88. You say:
"I'm afraid"
God says:
I have not given you
a spirit of fear
(2Tim1:7)

89. You say:
"I'm always worried
and frustrated"
God says:
Cast all your cares
on ME
(1Pet5:7)

90. You say:
"I don't have
enough faith"
God says:
I've given everyone
a measure of faith
(Rom12:3)

91. You say:
"I feel all alone"
God says:
I will never leave
you
or forsake you
(Heb 13:5)