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St. Francis College

Pascual B. Gutay St., Sabang II
Allen, Northern Samar 6405

MODULE 3
SACRAMENTS AND LITURGY
SESSION : WEEK 5 to WEEK7
GRADE LEVEL : 11
LEARNING COMPETENCIES:

 Students will understand deeply the Sacrament of the Eucharist

 Students will participate in the actual celebration of the Mass and will personally experience the
Sacrament of the Eucharist.
 Students will be able to reflect about their personal experience of the Holy Mass
 Students will be able to receive the Eucharist
 Students will give a detailed self-evaluation on their participation of the Eucharistic Celebration

I. CONCEPT
The Sacrament and the Eucharist

ENTRY POINT

My own synthesis of Sacrament

Make an acrostic on the word SACRAMENT. Make sure that each line points to Christ as the basis of all
sacraments.

Example: S – Symbolic saving acts of Christ today

S – ________________________________________________
A – _______________________________________________
C – _______________________________________________
R – _______________________________________________
A – _______________________________________________
M – _______________________________________________
E – _______________________________________________
N – _______________________________________________
T - ________________________________________________

II. DISCUSSION

The Sacraments as Sacred Symbols

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In the broad sense, a sacrament is any sacred sign or symbol that effects or makes present a spiritual, grace filled
reality. Jesus’ words and deeds were “sacramental”; they were “real happenings that made present the spiritual
reality they expressed” (CFC 1521).

“Sacramentals are sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly
of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through and the response the intercession of the Church, By them men
are disposed to receive the chief effect of the sacra sions in life are rendered holy (CCC 1667)”

Jesus often made use of natural things to communicate the meaning of God’s Kingdom and the response required
from those who want to belong to it. These things included water (Samaritan at the Well); wine (Wedding Feast
at Cana); bread (Multiplication of the Fish ments, and various occa and Loaves); salt and light (Sermon on the
Mount); and even birds, wild flowers, and grass (various teachings on our dependence on God). In Jesus’ hands,
these things became sacramental because they related the hearers to God.

Things that make us feel the presence of God, like the comforting touch of a friend, the setting of the sun, and the
smile of a child, can be sacramental. The more we become sensitive to the signs around us, the greater we will be
able to appreciate the special seven sacraments that we celebrate in the Church.

DISCOVERING THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN CHRIST, THE CHURCH, AND THE

SACRAMENTS
The following discussions are important. They should help us see why we are doing what we are doing when
celebrating the sacraments.
Each sacrament has two constituents. They are:
1. A material sign that makes present a spiritual
2. the spiritual reality that is made present by the material sign.
This definition is exemplified in Christ, the Church, and the seven ritual sacraments.

Christ: The Sacrament of God

Christ is the fullest symbol of God, the primordial (first and ultimate sacrament of God, because He is the
incarnate Son of God, God-in-the flesh St Paul refers to Christ as "the visible sign of the invisible God (2 Cor
4:4, Col 1 15). Jesus Himself, during His public ministry, told Philip, one of His twelve apostles: "Whoever has
seen me has seen the Father.

By the Incarnation, Jesus Christ became the effective symbol (material sign) of the eternal Son of God's presence
(spiritual reality). He was sent, to reconcile us fully to the Father Because He is truly divine (coming from the
Father's side (In 1.18)) and truly man (born of the Virgin Mary (Un 1:14), Jesus can fully "show us the Father"
and lead us back to Him Jesus claims to be "the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except
through (Him)" (In 14.6)

Christ perfectly fulfills the nature of a sacrament precisely because He is the Word of the Father made flesh He
in turn established the Church, the visible institution (material sign) of His Mystical Body (spiritual reality) that
continues His work on earth and keeps Him visibly present in signs

Church: The Fundamental Sacrament

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The Church is the fundamental sacrament because it is the effective material symbol of Christ's continued
spiritual presence in the world as the Risen Lord St. Paul calls the Church Christ's "Body" on earth (Eph 1:22)
that reaches out to all to draw them and the entire creation to the Father.

Our human body locates us in terms of time and place. The Church, as the Body of Christ, locates the Risen
Christ in space and makes it possible for people throughout history to come in contact with Him. Today, we are
the eyes, hands and feet of the Risen Jesus. When we reach out to those who are friendless, we bring Jesus own
compassion to them.

The Church becomes the sacrament of the Risen Christ in the world today through many ways: by celebrating
the sacraments, by proclaiming the Gospel, by calling people to conversion and discipleship, and by witnessing
to Christ through acts of loving service (Mt 25 31-46) All these and especially the Eucharist in which Christ is
present in the priest, in the people assembled in the Word preached, and in the consecrated Eucharistic bread and
wine continue the ministry of Christ.

Eucharist: The Summit of Christian Life

At the end of the week, we look forward to having a time for rest. We hang out with our family and friends, eat
together, play games, or go to the mall. This is important for us because through this communion and reunion
with our family members and friends, we become empowered and energized to face another week of school or
work. At the end of the week, particularly on Sundays, we Christians look forward to being with Jesus, the Risen
One who calls us His "friends." Christ invites us to be with Him, to celebrate His sacrificial meal, and to be
present to Him-to "befriend" Him anew-at each Sunday liturgy.

The best way to conclude the week and begin a new one is to celebrate the Eucharist as our thanksgiving to God.
Through our intimate sharing with the Risen Christ in the Eucharist, we are enlivened and empowered to carry
on or initiate the daily activities of our Christian life.

The Church teaches us that “the Eucharist is objectively the source and summit of the Christian life.” The
Eucharist nourishes our Christian life and empowers us to witness to our faith. The Risen Christ comes to us in
the rite He himself established, the sacrificial meal He offered at the last supper. His once-and-for-all Death on
the Cross and His glorious Resurrection are made present to us in every Mass. We unite ourselves with the whole
body of Christ, the Church, in this great gift.

III. ACTIVITIES:
ACTIVITY – A

1.) List three ways you can nurture your Christian Faith.

2.) As a Christian, how do you witness to Christ at home and in school?

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3.) How does the Eucharist help you grow closer to Jesus and become more compassionate to others?

4.) Why is Christ called the primordial sacrament of God?

5.) Relate the ritual sacraments to the process of human growth. How do they bring us closer to God?

ACTIVITY – B

Write a short reflection on this:

“The Holy Eucharist is the summit of Christian worship.”

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I Am a Sacrament of Christ

The sacraments make Christ visible to us today. What are the things that you do now that make you a sacrament
of Christ to others?

ACTIVITY – C

(Note: Non Catholics may attend their own church worships and are allowed to modify the questions below)

Attend a Eucharistic Celebration in your Parish.

PARISH: ___________________________________________________ Date & Time: _______________________________

PRIEST PRESIDER:___________________________________________ Readings: __________________________________

Answer the self-evaluation below based on your experience in joining the Eucharistic Celebration

Most of Some-
ALWAYS the time times Never
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1. I realize that the Mass means encountering the Risen Christ

through sacramental symbols and through the Holy Spirit

Brief Explanation:

Most of Some-
ALWAYS the time times Never

2. I realize that most complaints about the Mass are due to

misunderstanding or sheer laziness

Brief Explanation:

Most of Some-
ALWAYS the time times Never

3. I believe that I receive the Risen Christ in Communion

Brief Explanation:

Most of Some-
ALWAYS the time times Never

4. It is a challenge for me to genuinely repent my sins

Brief Explanation:

Most of Some-
ALWAYS the time times Never
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5. It a challenge for me to listen attentively to God’s Word in the

Scriptures.

Brief Explanation:

Most of Some-
ALWAYS the time times Never

6. It is a challenge for me to listen attentively to the Priest’s homily.

Brief Explanation:

Most of Some-
ALWAYS the time times Never

7. It is a challenge for me to recite the responses, prayers and

participate actively in the singing

Brief Explanation:

Most of Some-
ALWAYS the time times Never

8. It is a challenge for me to give others the sign of peace

Brief Explanation:

Most of Some-
ALWAYS the time times Never
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9. I believe that the Mass can renew my faith and deepen my

relationship with Christ

Brief Explanation:

Most of Some-
ALWAYS the time times Never

10. I “live” the Mass in my daily life.

Brief Explanation:

IV REFERENCE: Frago, E.V. (2013), Dango, J.C. (2013). Christian Living Education High School Series:
Called to Meet Christ in Scripture, Church, and Sacraments.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a1.htm