Liturgy and Sacraments Prelims Reviewer

Lesson 1: Introduction to Liturgy

Liturgy – Etymological meaning: Leitorgia/Leitorgous - Leitos = adj. meaning "pertaining to

the people or the public". ergon = noun. means "work"

- any service done for the common good and welfare.

- Liturgy in the church world is participation of people of God in the word of God

- The word liturgy comes from a Greek term meaning "public work or work done on

behalf of the people."

- Liturgy always referred to an organized community.

- A work, then, done by an individual or a group was a liturgy on behalf of the larger

community.

- All the worshippers are expected to participate actively in each liturgy, for this is holy

"work" not entertainment or a spectator event.

- Every liturgical celebration is an action of Christ the High Priest and of His Mystical

Body, which is the Church. therefore, requires the participation of the People of God in

the work of God.

- Liturgy is "communal"

- refers to an organized community

- is centered on the Holy Trinity.

- At every Liturgy, the action of worship is directed to the Father, from whom all blessings

come, through the Son in the unity of the Holy Spirit.

 - We praise the Father who first called us to be his people by sending his Son as our

Redeemer and giving us the Holy Spirit so that we can continue to gather, to remember

what God has done for us, and to share in the blessings of salvation.

KBS – means “Knights of the Blessed Sacrament”

COMI – “Children of Mary Immaculate”

Holy Trinity – (God) The Father

- (God) The Son

- (God) The Holy Spirit

Paschal Mystery of Christ – his passing through death from this life into eternal glory, just as

God enabled the people of ancient Israel to pass from slavery to freedom through the events

narrated in the Book of Exodus (cf. Ex 11-13).

- The Liturgies of the Church also help to teach us about Jesus Christ and the meaning of

the mysteries we are celebrating.

Paschal Mystery – Jesus' Passion

- Jesus' Death

- Jesus' Resurrection

- Jesus’ Ascension

Sacrosanctum Concilum (The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy) – states that "The Liturgy

is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time, it is the font

(fountain) from which all her power flows (SC 10)."

 - "It is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true

Christian spirit (SC 14)."

- Liturgy is the peak

- Liturgy is from which all her power flows

- Liturgy gives energy and life in every activity

Mass – primary, indispensable and necessary source from which the faithful are to derive the

Christian spirit

The work of God – is the salvation of the human race.

- God, through Jesus' passion, death, resurrection and ascension (often referred to as the

paschal mystery), has achieved salvation for a sinful humanity.

- God through Jesus, has "opened the gates of heaven" for all who wish to change their

lives and become disciples of Jesus.

The sacrament of confession - We are going to reflect, realize, and remember our sins then

share this to a priest and by the power of the holy spirit we are forgiven by the priest and given

the appropriate penance

In the celebration of the Liturgy – we rejoice and give thanks to God for what he has done for

us in Jesus but Liturgy is more than the commemoration of an event that happened 2,000 years

ago; it also celebrates the belief that Jesus' once-and-for-all saving event is extended in time and

continues to happen every time we gather for Liturgy.

- In the Liturgy, time collapses, the past becomes present.

- Furthermore, Liturgy has a future dimension. It looks forward to the Second Coming of

Christ. Hence, after the consecration of the Mass, we sometimes sing: "Christ has died,
 Christ is risen, Christ will come again." All of this is made possible through the power

of the Holy Spirit.

- So, Liturgy, which is the celebration of the sacraments but not confined to them, is at

the heart of the Church's life

As stated above, Liturgy is:

• The summit towards which all the activity of the Church is directed. On Sundays we bring

to the Liturgy all that we are about, individually, and as a Church.

• The Liturgy is the fountain from which all her powers flow. From the liturgy, we receive

the strength to go out and continue our efforts to live as faithful Disciples of Christ; we

receive the power to participate in the Church's mission to bring the Good News of the

Gospel to all creation.

Sacrosantum concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy – uses a beautiful expression

to describe the place of liturgy in the life of the church: it is the summit and font of the Christian

life (SC 10).

- Here Liturgy means the entire public liturgy of the church (The Mass, Liturgy of the Hours

and the celebration of the sacraments) but especially the Mass.

Breviary - is a liturgical book used in Christianity for praying the canonical hours, usually

recited at seven fixed prayer times.

- Liturgy of the hours

7 Sacraments:
 1. Baptism

2. Confirmation

3. Confession

4. Holy Eucharist

5. The Holy Orders - exclusive to priests

6. Holy Matrimony

7. Anointing of the Sick

The Catholic Mass

The Mass – is composed of two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the

Eucharist

Liturgy of the Word – During the Liturgy of the Word, we hear God's Word, scripture,

proclaimed from the Bible.

- Through the Holy Scriptures, God will teach us, guide us and challenge us.

- Entrance, reading of lecters and commentators, we listen to the readers, specific scriptures,

specific dates, Sunday gospel reading

Liturgy of the Eucharist – During the Eucharist, the bread and wine become the Body and

Blood of Jesus Christ.

- The bread and wine are not just symbols. Jesus is truly present at Mass.

- Priest offers bread and wine and is in the middle, sanctifies all goods and we receive the

holy communion

- We must be reminded that every time we have the sacrament of the Eucharist, we believe

that we receive Jesus.

The Liturgy – is the summit towards which the activity of the church is directed (SC 10).

- This is because the aim of all apostolic works is to bring women and men into the

church, where they too can worship God in Christ and receive him in the Eucharist.

- We are all a temple of Christ.

- In order that the liturgy may be able to produce its full effects, it is necessary that we come

to it with proper dispositions, that our minds should be attuned to our voices (SC 11).

This applies to the clergy and laity alike. The effects of the sacraments are not like magic;

we need to 'cooperate with divine grace lest we receive it in vain'

clergy - ordained priests

laity - us (faithful people)

Priests – must realize that, when the liturgy is celebrated, something more is required than the

mere observation of the laws governing valid and licit celebration; it is their duty also to ensure

that the laity take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched

by its effects (SC 11)

The center of the Church’s liturgy is the Eucharist – commemorates the Paschal Mystery of

our Lord Jesus Christ – his Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and the sending of the Holy

Spirit (cf. SC 5).

- Through this Mystery the power of God’s salvific love is offered to all. Since this salvation

touches all of creation in its entirety, liturgy in its broadest, deepest sense is the

proclamation, manifestation, and celebration not only of Christ and His Paschal Mystery,

but also of the Church’s own mystery and mission as universal sacrament of salvation, and
 of the whole world and the temporal order, consecrated and ordered to its Creator and Final

Goal. (CFC 1504)

- because we believe Jesus is there, Jesus is joining us in every activity

Christocentric - Christ-centered

- Christ is the center of every activity

But for the ordinary Filipino Catholic, liturgy means being caught up in the yearly cycle of

liturgical Seasons like Advent, Lent, Holy Week, Easter time, and in celebrating feast days like

Christmas, Sto. Niño, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter, Pentecost, the

Immaculate Conception, etc. Filipino popular religiosity has helped enormously to bring the

liturgical year down into the hearts and souls of simple worshippers. What needs to be improved

is the basic understanding of the essentials of Catholic liturgical worship. In simple language, what

are we doing and why? We shall sketch an answer both here under liturgy and in the following

section on the Sacraments. (CFC 1505)

Liturgical Seasons:

Advent - Simbang gabi, waiting for Christmas, waiting for Emmanuel

Lent - Quaresma

Holy Week - Banal na araw, Holy Monday - Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black

Saturday, and Easter Sunday

Easter Time - Pasko ng pagkabuhay

Feast Days - like Christmas

Sto. Niño - Every January

Ash Wednesday - Cross on the forehead, reminder to repent and to believe in the gospel, ash from

palaspas from last Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday - Palaspas

Good Friday - we believe that at 3 PM Jesus died in the bible

Pentecost - 40 days after the Holy Week

the Immaculate Conception

The Catechism (CCC1082) states:

"In the Church's liturgy the divine blessing is fully revealed and communicated. The Father is

acknowledged and adored as the source and the end of all the blessings of creation and salvation.

In His Word who became incarnate, died, and rose for us, he fills us with his blessings. Through

his Word, he pours into our hearts the Gift that contains all gift, the Holy Spirit."

The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

1. Fortitude – Helps us to overcome difficulties with faith.

2. Piety – Moves us to treat God with the trust with which a child treats his Father.

3. Fear of God – Compels us to flee from sin and always choose to please God.

4. Counsel – Encourages us to follow the solution that most matches the glory of God and

the good of others.

 5. Understanding – Helps us understand the Word of God and the doctrines of faith.

6. Wisdom – Makes us see all things in light of God and impels us to seek Him above all

things.

7. Knowledge – Helps us see the world from God's perspective.

As God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the primary characters. Our role then, is to be

active participants in what God does for us in the liturgy.

Fr. McBride – In his College Catechism, he summarizes the work of the Trinity in the liturgy in

this way:

1. The Father, the source and goal of the liturgy, blesses us.

2. The Son, at the heart of the liturgy, redeems us.

3. The Spirit, the soul of the liturgy, sanctifies us.

From the beginning of creation until the end of time – God blesses us, i.e., he offers us a share

in his life and goodness. This happens especially when we gather for liturgy. In the liturgy, God

blesses us and we celebrate his blessings and respond with thanks, singing: "Praise God from

whom all blessings flow."

John 3:16 – Tells us that "God so loved the world that he sent his only Son..." The Son is

sometimes called the sacrament of God. During his life on earth, Jesus was a visible, tangible sign

of God's love for humanity. In and through Jesus, people could touch the face of God and hear

God speak to them in an audible way.

Catholics – believe that the actions and words of Jesus foreshadow what happens in the

sacraments. For example, Jesus feeding the multitudes anticipates what happens in the Eucharist;

Jesus welcoming sinners and forgiving them anticipates what happens in the sacrament of
Reconciliation. Of course, the pinnacle saving event in Jesus' life was his passion, death and

resurrection.

Jesus – Through his dying and rising, destroyed the power of sin, death and evil, and opened for

us the gates of heaven. Our participation in the sacraments is a participation in the new life of

Christ which God offers to us. Our participation in the sacraments is our constant opportunity to

allow God to touch our lives, nourish us, heal us and draw us closer to him, and our opportunity

to sing our praises to God.

There are two Greek words that are often used in the Liturgy when speaking about role of the Holy

Spirit:

1. Anamnesis – is a Greek word for remembering.

- In the context of Christian liturgy, anamnesis is a special kind of remembering, one that

makes a past event present today.

- The Holy Spirit is sometimes called the "memory of the Church" He helps her especially

in the Liturgy of the Word to remember God's marvelous deeds on our behalf

2. Epiclesis – is a Greek word for "calling down upon"

- During the epiclesis of the Mass (prior to the consecration), the priest asks the Father to

send his Spirit upon the gifts of bread and wine to "make them holy so that they may

become the body and blood of Christ" As we enter into prayer of the Mass, the Holy Spirit

is at work in us, sanctifying us and making us a little bit more like Jesus.

Who Celebrates the Liturgy?

The whole Body of Christ celebrates the liturgy with Christ our High Priest. By the "whole Body

of Christ" we mean the Church on earth and the Church in heaven. In the celebration of the liturgy,
earth unites with heaven. Jesus is present and so are Mary, the angles and the saints. In the liturgy,

all present are celebrants of their baptism into Christ. Through ordination, certain members of the

Church preside at the celebration of the sevem sacraments.

Just as in daily life, we use signs and symbols to communicate, we celebrate liturgy through signs

and symbols. These signs and symbols come from creation around us as well as from our culture.

In liturgy,

"God speaks to us" through the most basic elements of life:

• Water

• Bread

• Wine

• Oil

• a touch

• a word.

The following four symbols are used in liturgy:

1. Actions – The actions that occur during liturgy are called ritual actions, e.g., processing,

kissing the book or altar, breaking bread, pouring wine, washing hands or feet, anointing

with oil, extending hands, bowing.

2. Words – Ritual actions are often accompanied by words, e.g., "I baptize you"; "I absolve

you"

- Also, each sacrament is accompanied by a liturgy of the Word, a reading(s) from Scripture.

3. Song/Music – Paul exhorts us to sing psalms and hymns and to make melody to the Lord

with all our heart

 - St. Augustine says: "he who sings once prays twice." Singing in the liturgy has great power

to touch hearts. Prior to Augustine's conversion, he would visit a church to listen to the

music and sermons. In his Confessions he writes: "How I wept, deeply moved by your

hymns, songs, and the voices that echoed through your Church"

4. Holy Images – All sacred images and icons principally represent Christ.

- Images of Mary and the saints point to Christ who is glorified in them.

- Beautiful stained glass, sculptures and statuaries can also lift our minds and hearts to God.

Liturgical Year – It is an organized year of celebration of the Church, as she unfolds and celebrates

the mysteries of the life of Christ for the whole year.

- The Church also celebrates feasts of Mary and other saints as part of the mystery of Christ.

There are two main feasts of the liturgical year:

• Christmas

• Easter

And because these feasts are so significant, we celebrate them, not only for one day only, but for

eight days solemnly.

Hence, we have the Octave of Christmas, and the Octave of Easter. Even beyond that, we have

a season of Christmas that extends up until the Baptism of the Lord. Likewise, we have a

whole Easter season that extends beyond the octave all the way to the feast of Pentecost, fifty

days after Easter.

Baptism of the Lord – 2nd week of January

Pentecost – fifty days after Easter

White - is the liturgical color for the Christmas and Easter season.

Gold - can be used as well but is usually reserved for the greatest feasts.

Christmas and Easter – are two important feasts wherein the Church prepares them with whole

"seasons".

Advent – The preparation for Christmas

- a four-week season before Christmas and it begins the Liturgical Year.

Lent – The preparation for Holy Week and Easter

- This preparation is a 40-day season before the Holy Week and Easter.

Purple or Violet – Liturgical color for both preparations

Rose – color worn on the Sunday at the halfway point of the preparation

- This color signifies and expresses the joy of anticipation on both of the greatest feast of

Christmas and Easter

Time of the Year or Ordinary Time – Between the end of the Christmas season and the beginning

of Lent (in the early Spring), and from after Pentecost (late Spring) until the next Advent

(December)

- During this time, we celebrate the public life of Jesus.

- The color green is used for this time.

- There are 34 weeks designated for Ordinary Time.

 - Toward the end of the liturgical year, we meditate on the "last things" and on the last

Sunday of the liturgical year, before the next Advent begins, we celebrate the Solemnity of

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

- This feast crowns the whole liturgical year

Thus, the liturgical year with these seasons can be outlined in this way:

Advent -> Christmas

Ordinary Time

Lent -> Holy Week & Easter

Ordinary Time

With this ancient format, the Church celebrates the early life of Jesus at Christmas, the public life

of Jesus during ordinary time, and the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascencion of Jesus, as

well as the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church at Pentecost, in the Easter season. She also

reminds and prepares herself for the second coming of Christ at the end of ordinary time, the end

of the liturgical year.

Sunday – is the constant throughout the liturgical year.

- is the day on which Christ rose from the dead.

- is the new "Lord's Day"

- It is the "first day of the week", the "day" on which the universe was created as it were, the

day on which Christ recreated the earth through His Resurrection, and the day that the Holy

Spirit came upon the Church at Pentecost.

 - For these reasons, attendance at Sunday Mass is a serious obligation for Catholics, unless

someone is sick or has some other serious reason for not coming. But it should be thought

of more of a joy blessing, and privilege than simply an obligation and duty.

Sunday Mass – is the main liturgy at which all Christians are expected to gather, following Our

Lord's injunction, "Do this in memory of me".

- It also fulfills the third of the Ten commandments from the Old Testament, which is "You

shall keep holy the Sabbath day".

- For Christians, the Sabbath day (traditionally Saturday) has been transferred to Sunday

because of Christ's Resurrection.

Holy Week – is the holiest week of the year.

- It begins a week before Easter

Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday – which celebrates Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem.

- Mass on this Sunday begins with the reading of the account of Jesus' triumphal procession,

the blessing of palms, and a procession into church.

- The whole Passion account from Matthew, Mark, or Luke is read, according to whether

the year is Year A, B, or C.

Holy Thursday – what we call the Thursday of the Holy Week

- one evening Mass is celebrated which commemorates the Last Supper, with the washing

of the feet, and the gift of the Eucharist and priesthood.

- At the end of Mass, there is a procession with the Eucharist and veneration into the night.
Chrism Mass – is celebrated at Cathedrals around the world earlier in the day, and sometimes

earlier in the week.

- Priests gather with their bishop for this celebration.

- They renew the commitment of their priesthood and obtain Holy Oils for the Church's

Sacraments.

Good Friday – The Friday in the Holy Week

- It celebrates the Passion of Christ on the Cross.

- It is the one day of the eyar when no Mass is celebrated.

- We enter into the barrenness of the Cross.

- There is a liturgy of the Word, however, followed by a veneration of the Cross, followed

by the reception of Holy Communion

- The Hosts received, however, are consecrated from the day before.

Holy Saturday – this is what we call the Saturday of Holy Week, and no Mass is celebrated until

the evening.

Easter Vigil – On the evening of Holy Saturday, the greatest and longest feast of the year is

celebrated

- The Easter Vigil has four parts:

1. The Service of Light

2. the Liturgy of the Word

3. the Baptismal Liturgy

4. Liturgy of the Eucharist.

 - It usually begins outdoors, where a fire is prepared and blessed, from which a new Easter

candle or Paschal candle is lit.

Paschal Candle – All process into the Church follows the Paschal candle

- this is a symbol of the risen Christ.

Sacred Triduum – This is what we call the three great feasts of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and

Good Saturday, including the Easter Vigil

- Also called the "Sacred Three Days".

- Although Catholics are required to attend an Easter Mass, no one is required to attend the

Triduum services. Rather, all are encouraged to come of their own volition, as they are

able.

- Is at the heart of Holy Week, the Liturgical Year, the Church, and the Christian life.

Feast Days – are special days that celebrate some aspect of the life of Jesus, or which celebrate

Mary and the saints.

- Some are "moveable" meaning that they fall on different days each year, like Ash

Wednesday, Easter, the Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi, and the

Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Most are on the same date every year. The following are some significant feast days assigned to a

certain date:

January 1 Mother of God

March 19 St. Joseph
March 25 Anunciation
May 31 Visitation
August 6 Transfiguration
 August 15 Assumption of Mary
September 14 Exaltation of the Cross
December 8 Immaculate Conception
December 25 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Not all feast days are of equal importance.It is for this reason that there are three general rankings

of feasts:

1. Solemnities – are the highest rank.

- Christmas, easter, all Sundays the highest feast days celebrating Jesus, Mary, and

certain Saints are ranked as solemnities.

- On solemnities, there are two readings which precede the Gospel at Mass.

- The Gloria and the Creed are also sung or recited.

- Six candles are fittingly used on or around the altar.

2. Feasts – are the next highest rank.

- The Presentation, Transfiguration, most of the feasts of the Apostles, and others are

celebrated as "Feasts" Usually on a Feast there is only one reading before the Gospel, and

the Gloria is sung or recited, but not the Creed.

- When Feasts are occasionally celebrated on Sundays, they are celebrated in the manner of

a Solemnity.

- Four candles are fittingly used at the altar.

3. Memorials – Most saints' days are celebrated as a Memorial.

- Neither the Gloria nor the Creed are sung or recited.

- There are two types of Memorials, Obligatory and Optional.

- The Memorial of St. Mary Magdalene on July 22 is an example of an Obligatory Memorial.

Whereas the Memorial of St. Patrick is on March 17 and is optional.

 - Obligatory means that a priest must celebrate the daily Mass on that day in honor of that

saint, whereas he is not required if it is an optional memorial.

- Just two candles are used at the altar for memorials.

Nota Bene:

Whenever two feasts fall on the same day, the greater feast trumps the lesser.

Red – this color is used for Good Friday, Pentecost, and for feasts of martyrs.

White – is used for all other saints.

Violet, White, or Black – can be used for funerals and for all souls.

Throughout the world, there are certain solemnities that fall outside of Sunday on which Catholics

are obligated to attend Mass. In the United States, there are six: Churches offer various times for

Masses on these days, to make it convenient for people to go, given their work schedules. Often,

evening Masses are offered on the night before and night of the feast.

January 1 Mary, Mother of God

(date varies) Ascension Thursday (when it hasn't been
transferred to Sunday)
August 15 Assumption of Mary
November 1 All Saints
December 8 Immaculate Conception
December 25 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Is Mass celebrated every day?

- Yes, Mass is celebrated every day of the year except on Good Friday and Holy Saturday

before the Easter Vigil.

- Usually, daily Masses are about thirty minutes in length.

 - No Catholics are obligated to go to daily Mass. However, many people like to go and find

great blessing in going. They are able to hear much of the Scriptures read, regular homilies,

and are able to receive the Holy Eucharist every day.

- Many retired and unemployed people go, as well as many workers either before or after

work, or on their lunch hour

When do Catholics fast?

- Fasting is a general, praiseworthy practice which can help us discipline ourselves, be more

detached from earthly food and comforts, draw close to God, and open ourselves up to the

needs of others.

- However, the Church calls us all to fast together at certain times.

- The Church calls us to fast from food for at least one hour before receiving Holy

Communion, in normal circumstances, in order to better appreciate and prepare for the

Eucharist.

- She also calls us to either fast from meat or make some other sacrifice every Friday of the

year.

Liturgy of Hours – involves praying the psalms at different times of the day, along with other

prayers.

- The Church has organized a way of praying the psalms and other prayers throughout each

day and throughout the liturgical year.

- Priests and religious are obliged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours.

- For lay people, it is completely optional.

 - traditionally would have been prayed every three hours throughout the day, and so would

there were eight times when prayer was offered throughout the day.

There are five main periods of prayer:

1. Office of Readings – traditionally prayed at midnight but now prayed at any time

2. Morning Prayer – usually prayed between 6-9 am

3. Daytime Prayer – usually prayed between 9am and 3 pm

4. Evening Prayer – usually prayed between 5-7 pm

5. Night Prayer – prayed before going to bed

Each prayer takes about 5-20 minutes, depending on length, on whether it is sung or recited, and

on how quickly or slowly it is prayed.

What are Blessings and Sacramentals?

- We are called to use everything for the glory of God. Therefore, the Church provides

blessings for persons, animals, plants, buildings, vehicles of transportation, tools,

devotional items (such as rosaries or sacred images), water, and other items.

- There is an official Book of Blessings which the Church uses for all of these things, with

readings that relate from Scripture, and prayers that accompany the blessing.

- Most blessings are reserved for priests and deacons to give, in virtue of their ordination.

- Some blessings are reserved to the Pope, or bishops, or priests of particular religious

communities.

- It is also recommended that the faithful ask to have their house or apartment blessed.

- You can make an appointment with the priest.

- It is fitting to invite family members and friends.

 - It takes about ten minutes

- After beginning in a central room and asking God's blessing upon all who live in one's

dwelling, the residents guide the priest to all the rooms.

- The priest sprinkles the rooms with Holy Water.

- All come back to the central room and end with prayer and song.

Where is the Liturgy celebrated?

- Because all creation is sacred, we can worship God anywhere.

- Where freedom of worship is allowed, Christians normally gather in churches to celebrate

the liturgy.

Liturgical Diversity and Unity

- The Catechism states: "The mystery of Christ is so rich that it cannot be exhausted by its

expressions in any single liturgical tradition".

- The Catholic Church is blessed with a variety of beautiful rites.

- "The celebration of the liturgy should correspond to the genius and culture of differeny

peoples, it must be celebrated, and lived in all culturews in such a way that they themselves

are not abolished by it, but redeemed and fulfilled".

- Having recognized the rich diversity of liturgical rites within the Church and the many

cultures in which the liturgy is celebrated, the Catechism also states that all adaptations of

the liturgy must express fidelity to the common faith received from Christ and to

hierarchical communion, i.e., be in unity with the local bishop and the Pope.
Liturgy and Sacraments Midterm Exam Reviewer

Four purposes of Sacraments by Sacrosanctum Concilium:

1. To sanctify

2. To build up the body of Christ

3. To give worship to God

4. To instruct the faithful

The Purpose of Sacraments:

1. To sanctify men

2. To build up the Body of Christ

3. To give worship to God (CCC 1123)

Sacraments - instituted by Jesus Christ

Sacramentals - ecclesials

- instituted by the church, us (holy water, bread, and wine)

Doctrinal Perspective - study of the church or the actions of the church

Ritual Perspective - practices and observations

Theology - means dogma

Liturgy - means rubrics

Theo - means "God"

Logy/Logos - "Study"

Theology - study of the nature of God

According to CCC, sacrament is:

1. a sacred sign

2. instituted by Christ
 3. to give grace

Sacraments according to CFC:

"a saving symbolic act, arising from the ministry of Christ and continued in, by, and for the

church, which, when we received in faith, fashions us into likeness to Christ in his Paschal

Mystery through the power of the Holy Spirit"

Sacrament as a sign:

sign - makes us act

miracles - these are sometimes called as signs

sacraments - demonstrate by "sign language"

- therefore, it means "sacred signs"

According to CCC 1123

"Because they are signs, they also instruct"

Undeserved gift of God - it is the work of God himself. In fact, it is the very life of God himself,

which he shares with us. Although this becomes one of our weaknesses as human beings, our

obedience cannot change God's nature. God is love, and therefore, God continues to give grace.

Sin stops us from receiving it, but not God from giving it.

For grace is not some "thing" God gives as if graces were like gasoline and sacraments were like

(re)filling stations.

Gods' grace - is God himself

ex opere operato (CCC 128) - without me you can do nothing (John 5:5)

ex opere operantis - because as Saint Augustine reminded us, "The God who created us

without us will not save us without us"

- We can't do it without him, and he won't do it without us.

Christ's presence in the Sacraments:

1. We are not alone in any sacrament; we are with Christ

2. Church as a whole by the authority of Christ her Head. In each of the sacraments, "the

whole Christ" acts, Head and Body

3. This is the meaning of the Church's affirmation that sacraments act ex opere operato

(literally meaning: "by the very fact of the actions being performed")

4. The sacraments are invitations to forget our own limitations and problems to love

ourselves in God

5.

6. They are "escathological", they are a foretaste and veiled preview of our eternal destiny.

They are like an engagement gift from our diving lover.

Heaven - our destiny

Escathological - talking about death

Sacraments are not like magic:

Receiving a sacrament is like turning on a water faucet whose supply is the whole ocean but

whose handle can open more or less.

The Theological formula for this is that the sacraments work ex opere operantis, as well as ex

opere operato

Sins and the need for sacraments:

Body and souls are not two things

Man is an embodied spirit. He is not just a body but a body with a soul.
II. The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic (three parts)

The Sacraments of Initiation

● Baptism

● Confirmation

● Eucharist

The Sacraments of Healing

● Penance

● Anointing of the Sick

The Sacraments of Service

● Holy Orders

● Matrimony

Baptism - spiritual birth

Confirmation - spiritual growth

Holy Eucharist - spiritual food

Penance or Reconciliation or Confession - spiritual healing

Matrimony - spiritual marriage

Holy Orders - spiritual leadership and it is for clergy

Anointing of the Sick - spiritually strengthens, forgives, and sometimes heals a person in life -

threatening sickness.

A. Why are there seven sacraments?

- The sacraments correspond to these dimensions. So through the sacraments, Christ consecrates

these different dimensions of our lives and elevates them, so that our lives might be sanctified by

His grace.
1. Baptism - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. baptizing them in the name of the

Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them all that I have commanded you; and

behold. I am with you always, to close off the age" (MT 28:19-20)

- it removes our original sin from our ancestors which is Adam and Eve

2. Confirmation - The gift of the holy spirit was given to the church at pentecost

3. Eucharist - at the last, Jesus gave the Church the gift of the Eucharist, His Body and Blood,

and He instructed His apostles to "Do this in remembrance of me" (1 Cor 11:24)

4. Penance/Reconciliation/Confession - "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any,

they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:23)

5. Anointing of the Sick - Jesus not only made healing the sick an essential of His ministry. He

sent his apostles out to anoint the sick with oil (Mk 6:13)

6. Holy Orders - Spiritual leadership for the clergy

7. Matrimony - Bridegroom - Jesus

- Bride - Church

B. why are there three groupings of Sacraments

1. Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist

- because they are foundationally formative for the Christian life.

2. Sacraments of Healing - Penance and Anointing of the Sick

- because they impart healing, forgiveness, and strength in our struggle with sin, suffering,

sickness, and death.

3. Sacraments of Service to Communion - Holy Orders and Matrimony

- are vocational callings and oriented toward the build of the Church in different ways and

these two sacraments are under with the group of Sacraments of Service to Communion

C. What is required for a valid sacrament

Four things:

Valid Matter - "the right stuff" the eucharist must be made of wheat bread and grape wine, and

Baptism must be in water

Valid Form - the essential words cannot be changed: "This is my body... this is my blood" and "I

baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"

Valid Intention - the intention to do what the Church does.

Valid Mind - Faith and understanding on the part of the recipient, the recipient must be a

Christian (Have faith in Christ) to receive Christian Sacraments

Those who receive the sacraments of Christ would surely be able to say "I know whom I have

believed" (2 Timothy 1:12)

D. Who administers the Sacraments

Baptism - priest, deacon - seminarians who has finished their 10 years

Confirmation and Holy Orders - bishop - in the western church

Priest - can administer sacrament of confirmation as long as he has the consent of the

Arch/Bishop of a particular Church territory or Archdiocese

Matrimony - man and woman. to each other. The priest or deacon is the Church's official

witness.

The Eucharist and Penance - priest or bishop

Anointing of the Sick - priest or bishop

E. Why are certain sacraments repeated, while others are not

Baptism - insert us into Christ's Body, the Church and gives us the power to join in with the

worship of Christ, the liturgy

Confirmation - gives us the power to witness our faith, to defend it, and to live it among the

challenges and temptations of the world.

Holy Orders - gives men the power to bestow divine gifts (sacraments, blessings) upon the

people of God, and to shepherd the flock in the name of Christ

Marriage or Matrimony - a similar "bond" is created between spouses in the Sacrament of

Marriage, which bond endures until the death of one's spouse. Someone can be married again

after one's spouse has died, then since the bond was only until death.

Penance and Eucharist - are repeated often, since we need constant forgiveness and spiritual

nourishment and strength.

Anointing of the Sick - can be repeated when one's serious illness worsens

F. What is the "Form and Matter" of a sacrament

The form of a sacrament refers to the words used that contain the power of Christ. For example,

the form of Baptism is the Formula. "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and

of the Holy Spirit"

The Matter of a sacrament refers to the material used as a channel for the bestowing of grace. For

example, the matter of the sacrament of the Eucharist is bread from wheat and wine from grapes.

If incorrect words or matter are used, the sacrament is not valid. For example, if the one
baptizing were to say "I baptize you in the name of Zeus" the baptism would not be valid, even if

water were used, using milk is not valid.

G. Why is disposition so important in the reception of the Sacraments

The Sacraments work with our free-will, not independent of it. If we reject the grace of any

particular sacrament after having received it, it is our fault for not living according to its grace.

It's not God's fault. The more open we are to receiving the grace of a sacrament, the more we will

receive, and the less open we are, the less we will receive. It is we who limit God, not God who

limits what He can do in us. Sacraments are not magic. We are called to approach them with

faith. This also highlights the importance of forming people well in their faith, so that they can

better prepare for and live out the grace of the sacraments. The sacraments also nurture and

strengthen faith, even as they work towards our spiritual healing and sanctification, and lead us

to eternal life. The sacraments are divine gifts and privileged channels through which God

communicates His life to us, through Jesus and His Paschal Mystery, so that we might build in

faith and love and one day be united with eternal love, God. We are called to come to the

sacraments with open hearts, full of faith, reverence, eagerness, and love, so that we can be open

to all God wants to give us through the sacraments.

A. What are sacramentals

Sacramentals are "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments (CCC 1667) but are

not sacraments in the strict sense for two reasons.

They were instituted not by Christ but by the Church

They do not work "ex opere operato" to produce the effects they signify but only "signify effects

which are obtained through the intercession of the Church (CCC 1667)
D. Exorcism

Its power - "Jesus performed exorcisms, and from him the Church has received the power and

office of exorcizing"

Its forms - "In a form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism" the solemn

exorcism, called a major exorcism, can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of

a bishop

E. Funerals

- are by nature's sacramental, and even a kind of consummation of all the sacraments, for

all the sacraments have as their goal the last passover of the child of God which through

death leads him into the life of the Kingdom.

- Christian funerals are positive expressions of faith and hope - "the sure and certain hope

of resurrection"

"For even dead, we are not all separated from one another... we will find one another again in

some place, we shall never be separated for we live in Christ."

Fr. Anscar outlined the rite of baptism for infant/children into 4 parts:

1. Reception of the children which serves as introductory rite:

2. Celebration of God's word consisting of scripture reading, homily, intercessions with

litanies, prayer of exorcism (and pre-baptismal anointing)

3. Celebration of the Sacrament (ephphetha or prayer over ears and mouth)

4. Conclusion of the Rite consisting of the Lord's prayer and blessing.

Reception of the children - the purpose of the introductory rite is: to let the parents publicly

express their intention to have the child baptized and raised in the practice of the faith.
"The Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name I claim you For Christ our

savior by the sign of the cross.

- From the parents and godparents of the church demands the assurance that the child will

be brought up a good Christian

- The giving of the baptismal name has always had a symbolic purpose in the plan of

Christian initiation especially of adults.

- The baptismal name signifies the neophyte's new state of life

- as a pledge of fidelity, write their name in the book of the elect" (RCIA 22)

Celebration of God's word - The word nourishes faith and faith is required for the celebration

of the sacrament in keeping with the theological process word - sacrament.

- One aspect of baptismal exorcism is the prayer that the children be freed from the

influence of the adversary or as the text say, from original sin and the power of darkness

Celebration of the Sacraments

1. The Blessing of the Baptismal Water

2. Renunciation of Sin

3. Profession of Faith

4. Baptism

5. Anointing with Chrism

6. Clothing with White Garment

7. Lighted Candles

1. The Blessing of the Baptismal Water - Around the year 220 Tertullian wrote: "All waters

attain the sacramentals power of sanctification after the invocation of God: for the spirit
immediately comes from the heavens and rests over the waters in order to sanctify them. Once

they have been sanctified, they imbue the power of sanctification" (de baptismo 4)

Apolistic Tradition

mentions the practice of blessing the baptismal water: "A prayer should be said over the water"

(traditio apostolica 21)

Ambrose of Milan - the priest delivers an invocation and prayer that the front may be sanctified

and that the presence of the eternal trinity may be at hand" (de sacramentis 1, 5)

2. Renunciation of Sin - The baptismal renunciation is called Eiuratio by tertullian (de corona

13, 7) It is a legal term signifying withdrawal from a contract of service or partnership. A person

who enters into the service of Christ breaks away from the service of Satan. Hence, the formula

of baptismal renunciation is the expression of one's conversion, change of heart. Metanoia

Tertullian: "When we enter the water, we profess the Christian faith in the words of the creed,

and in our words we renounce the devil and his pomps and his angels (de spectaculis 4)

- We should note that parents and godparents make the renunciation not only on behalf of

the children, but also in their own name.

- Baptism is for them an occasion to renew and strengthen their own baptismal promises,

or perhaps for some, a moment of decision to start a new the process of lifelong

conversion

3. Profession Faith - The renunciation of sin is followed by the profession of faith:

- the process of conversion is both a turning away from sin and a turning to God

- To believe in God is to enter into fellowship with Him.

 - To believe in the Father, in Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit is to allow one's life to be

governed by the love and mercy of God who created, redeemed, and sanctifies us.

- This act of faith is not merely created, it is professed or avowed as a lifelong occupation.

- It completes the process of conversion which began with rejection of sin.

Apolistic Tradition describes the baptismal rite as a series of three questions:

Do you believe in God the Father Almighty?

- replied "I believe"

Do you believe in our Lord, Jesus Christ and in his cross?

- replied "I believe"

Do you also believe in the Holy Spirit?

- replied "I believe"

4. Baptism - the rites of anointing, clothing with white garment, and giving the lighted candle

constitute the explanatory rites.

- their function is to illustrate the various effects of baptism

- since they are meant to illustrate, it is important to bring out the full force of their

symbolism

Paschal Candle - the risen of Christ

5. Anointing with Chrism - Tertullian noted that "the oil ran down our bodies" (De Baptismo 7)

- It is useful to note that chrism is perfumed oil and thus signifies the "good odor" of Christ

- the baptized exude the sweet smell of the gospel. Good odor attracts, bad odor repels.

Tertullian

"When we come out of the water, we are anointed with blessed oil according to an ancient

practice whereby priests were anointed with oil on the crown of the head" - De Baptismo 7
The Rite therefore says:

"He now anoints you with the Chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and

King, so may you always live as members of his body, sharing everlasting life.

6. Clothing with white garment - "After the anointing, you received the white garment as a sign

that you had pit off the covering of sins and had put on the clean robes of innocence"

- the neophytes wore the white garment daily for the eucharistic celebration until the

following Sunday, the dominica in albis deponedis

- The rite specifies white color, unless local custom demands a different one (Baptism for

children 63)

White garment - intends to express namely the outward sign to Christian dignity

7. Lighted Candles - "We call this washing an enlightenment because those who are taught as

we have described have their minds enlightened"

- Baptismal candles should be heightened by catechesis and the practice of keeping the

candle at home as a memento, a reminder of the duty to keep the flame of faith alive.

Conclusion of the rite

An important element of the concluding rite is the recitation of the Lord's prayer. In antiquity,

especially during the time of prosecutions, the Lord's prayer was recited only by those who could

call God "Father" through baptism.

Lord's prayer - Our Father

- it would not be out of place to visit Mary's chapel of her maternal care by reciting a Hail

mary or singing a Marian song

Liturgy and Sacraments Finals Exam Reviewer

Confirmation - is one of the three sacraments of initiation

- is known as Christmation by the Eastern Catholic churches in communion with Rome

- Symbol of a Holy Spirit is a dove

- The second sacrament of initiation and is meant to perfect the graces we receive at

baptism.

Baptism - we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the first time.

- These gifts are virtues given to help us fight temptation and live holy lives.

Misconceptions about confirmation

- confirmation is not something one does in order to graduate.

- is not something one does just to get married in the Catholic Church

- cannot be reduced to a rite of passage.

- is not a cultural celebration or party.

Sacramental Character - confirmation, baptism, holy orders

Confirmation - is a sacrament (Holy Mystery) communicates and reveals communion with God

and his grace.

- confers a sacramental character that cannot be erased and that predisposes the Christian

person to receive the very life of God and His divine protection

Confirmation - perpetuates (keeps alive) the grace of Pentecost.

- at confirmation, we receive the Holy Spirit, the paraclete, the advocate. To help us

continue the mission of our Lord. To strengthen our baptismal faith.

- To guide us towawrd the truth like Christ we are chosen.

 - Eastern Catholics use the word Christmation instead of confirmation to highlight this

important aspect.

- The word Chrismation like the word Christian comes form Christ (the anointed one)

Confirmation - involves a mature faith (a desire to grow in the knowledge of God)

- involves a commitment to one's faith (Church)

- involves a commitment to know more about our faiths, teachings, practices, and

traditions

- involves a sharing of this gift of faith with others.

How does the Spirit of God act in us?

- The Spirit of God is given to us through the sacraments of initiation

We believe the holy spirit:

a. lives in us

b. act through us

c. assist us

d. strengthen us

e. guide us

How is the spirit present in our lives

a. In our baptism (we are marked forever)

b. In our confirmation (we are anointed and filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit)

c. In our daily lives (we are strengthened through the sacraments and the Lord's divine

protection)

d. Through the gift of faith

e. In our actions (our good deeds toward God and neighbor

 f. In the truth (when we practice honesty and justice)

Matter and form of Confirmation

- Matter (the "stuff" that's used)

- Anointing on forehead with chrism oil (symbol of oil - strength and healing)

- Marks our total belonging to Christ.

- Laying on of hands

- Spiritual gift being handed on

- Form (the words spoken)

- "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit"

What is oil a symbol of?

- is a symbol of strength and healing

- In the sacrament of confirmation we receive strength to be witnesses of Christ resurrected

and to do what is right and good.

What is the meaning of the different oils?

Oil of Catechumens - cleansing and strengthening

Oil of the sick - healing and comfort

Chrism - consecration (made holy) and service

More about confirmation...

- The bishop is the ordinary minister of the sacrament

- A priest may confirm with the bishop's permission

- The confirmed chooses a sponsor

- someone who gives good examples and spiritual assistance

What is the role of the sponsor?

- To help the one being confirmed remain firm and strong in faith.

- are role models of faith, their task is to give support insipiration to those living the

Christian faith.

Effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation

1. Completionn of one's Baptismal by receiving another sacramental character which

gives one the authority to publicly witness to one's life.

2. A deeper incorporation into the mystery of Christ and the Trinity through Him

3. A more profound participants in the grace and gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly

through the gifts (Is 11:1-3) and fruits of the holy spirit ass well as through chrisms

7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit

1. Fortitude - Help us to overcome difficulties with faith.

2. Piety - moves us to treat God with the trust which a child treats his father.

3. Fear of God - compels us to flee from sin and always choose to please God

4. Counsel - encourages us to follow the solution that we must match the glory of God and

the good of others

5. Understanding - help us understand the Word of God and the doctrines of faith.

6. Wisdom - makes us see all things in light of God and impels us to seek Him above all

things.

7. Knowledge - Help us see the world from God's perspective

Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (Biblical and Historical Background)

Old Testament (Jewish Passover Meal, Exodus Great Events)

New Testament (Last Supper. It was celebrated in the context of the Jewish Passover Meal)

Today (Holy Eucharist - it is modelled from the Last Supper)

Biblical Foundation: The Last Supper

"Then taking the bread and giving thanks, He broke it and gave it to them saying "This is my

body to be given for you. Do this as a remembrance of me" He did the same with the cup after

eating saying as he did so: This cup is the new covenant in my blood which will be shed for you"

(Luke 22: 19-20)

Holy Eucharist - is the sacrament of the new law, which our Lord Jesus Christ instituted

permanently.

- His body and blood, soul and divinity are contained, offered and received under the

appearance of bread and wine.

- is a sacrament of a sacrifice

- "Eucharist" comes from the Greek word "Eucharistia" means "giving thanks",

"Thanksgiving" or communion give us opportunity to continue the memory of Christ

passion and unite ourselves to Him.

- Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper (final meal) the night (he was

betrayed) before he died.

- When our Lord instituted it, the apostles were present.

- is the very center of catholic worship, the heart of catholic life.

- Catholic church believes that the son of God is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
Other Names of the Holy Eucharist

Blessed Sacrament - because it is the most excellent of all sacraments

Sacrament of the Altar - it is consecrated and received on the altar.

Bread of life - because it is the nourishment of one's soul

Holy Viaticum - when it is received during a serious illness or at hour of death.

The Lord's Supper - because of its connection with he supper which the Lord took with his

disciples on the eve of his Passion and because it anticipates the wedding feast of the Lamb in

the heavenly Jerusalem

The Breaking of Bread - because Jesus used this rite as part of a Jewish meal when, as master

of the table, he blessed and distributed the bread above all at the Last Supper. By doing so, they

signified that all who ate the one broken bread, Christ enter into communion with him and form

but one body in him.

The Eucharistic assembly (synaxis) - because the Eucharist is celebrated amid the assembly of

the faithful. The visible expression of the Church.

Holy Mass (Missa) - because the liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished

concludes with the sending for the (missio) of the faithful. So that they may fulfill God's will in

their daily lives

The Last Supper - Maundy Thursday

In persona Christi - in the person of Christ

Pagpalit sa grape wine and bread to the body and to God of the Holy Eucharist -

transubstantiation

Description of the Holy Eucharist

- The Holy Eucharist is the heart and the summit of Church's life
Bread and Wine - Valid matter

Valid form of the Holy Eucharist - "Take this all of you and eat it: this is my body which will

be given up for you. Take this, all of you and drink from it; this is the cup of my blood, the blood

of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all men so that sins may be

forgiven. Do this in memory of me"

Bishop and priest - administers of the Holy Eucharist

1. Unites us with Christ

2. Building up of the Christian community

3. Separates us from our sins

4. Takes away social or racial differences

5. To reconcile and be reconciled to and with the Church

Rituals in the Holy Eucharist

1. Bowing of the head

2. Incensing

3. Washing of Hands

4. Preparation of host and wine, the offertory gifts

5. Offertory prayer with hands cross

6. Kissing the altar

7. Exchange of peace

8. Consecration words

9. Ringing bell

10. Epiclesis

11. The elevation of the bread

 12. Breaking of the Bread

13. Receiving communion

14. Final blessing

1. Bowing of head - When the resurrection hymn (Lord of all we praise you) is sung the faithful

bows their head along with the celebrant. It is the expression of our profound respect and

submission to Lord God almighty

2. Incensing - Sanctifying us (the celebrant, the people, the altar and the objects) with the

blessed incense, the diving fragrance, the symbol of divine presence. It is the sign of forgiveness

of sins and total surrender to God. Just as the smoke of incense goes up to heaven, our praises

and worship are raised to heaven. It is an exhortation that our hearts, mind, and thoughts should

raise up to heaven along with the incensing

3. Washing of Hands - the celebrant washes his hands with a prayer before the offertory. This

signifies that God in his abundant mercy cleanses the celebrant and the community and purifies

their hearts. It reminds us also the washing of feet by Jesus during the last supper

4. Preparation of Host and Wine, the Offertory gifts - Host represents the body of Christ and

wine represents the blood of christ. Adding water into wine is the symbol of the blood and water

that was poured out of the side of Jesus when he was pierced with a lance on the Cross.

5. Offertory Prayer with hands Crossed - the celebrant takes the chalice with wine in right

hand and paten with host in the left and raises with hands in the form of the cross. This

symbolizes the death of Jesus on the cross. It reminds us of the self sacrifice of Jesus on the cross

in calvary
6. Kissing the Altar - after the offertory, approaching the altar, the celebrant bows three times

and then kisses the altar in the middle and on both sides. This is to show respect and veneration

to the most Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

7. Exchange of Peace - the celebrant offers peace of Christ to the faithful raising his hands and

with the sign of the cross. and the faithful receives this offer of peace with bowed head.

FOllowing this the faithful offer one another the peace of Christ that was received through the

celebrant

8. Consecration Words - one of the most important part of the Holy Eucharist. It is the

commemoration of what Jesus did during the last supper as he was instituting Holy Eucharist for

us.

9. Ringing of Bell - Bell is to bring to mind of the people the importance of the rituals in the

Eucharist. It evokes in our minds a spirit of devotion and worship

10. Epiclesis (Prayer of inviting the Holy Spirit) - another most important part of the Holy

Eucharist. The celebrant prays to the Almighty Father to send his Holy Spirit on the gifts and

sanctify them, by which the bread and wine on the altar becomes the body and blood of our Lord

Jesus.

11. Elevation of the Bread - the Holy Bread that has become the living body and blood of Christ

through Consecration words and sanctification by the Holy Spirit (Epiclesis) is raised to signify

the resurrection and apparitions of Jesus. When Jesus appeared to his disciples after resurrection.

The disciples worshiped him saying "My God and my Lord" in the same way. The faithful

worship the risen Lord at this time.

12. Breaking of the Bread - After the elevation of the Holy Bread the celebrant breaks the bread

into two and blesses the wine with one half of the bread. Then he blesses the part of the bread
with the other half that was dipped in wine. Then hold the host together and prays for various

intentions. This reminds the body of Christ broken by death and rejoined in resurrection.

13. Receiving Communion - This is the ritual of receiving the blessed and sanctified body and

blood of Christ just as Jesus gave bread and wine to his disciples during last supper as his body

and blood, As we receive the Holy Communion from the minister, we receive it from the hands

of Jesus himself.

14. Final Blessing - Eucharist concludes with a blessing just as Jesus blessed his disciples before

he ascended into heaven after having entrusted his mission to the disciples. Having received the

body and blood of Jesus and his blessing. We go to continue the mission and sacrifice of Jesus in

our lives.