Scope & Sequence

CREDO SERIES COURSE V:

Encountering Christ
in the Sacraments
[Framework Course V: Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ]
Note: The following is a revised Scope and Sequence for Book 5
in the Credo series, Encountering Christ in the Sacraments. The
content relates to the imprimatur edition of this text, which has
been submitted to the USCCB Subcommittee on the Catechism for
Conformity Review.

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COURSE DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this course is to help the
young people to understand and value
that they can encounter Christ today in
a full and real way in and through the
Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. The
young people will explore and examine
each of the Seven Sacraments in detail
so as to grow in intimacy with Christ and
in their ability to encounter and live their
relationship with Christ throughout life
as members of the Church.
CHAPTER 1
A Sacramental People: The Church, the
Body of Christ
FOCUS QUESTION:
How do we make sense of our lives?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
Everyone experiences moments that
prompt them to question what life is
really all about / So much depends on
how we look at things / ‘God moments’
or ‘God encounters’ / A ‘sacramental
view’ of reality / The principle of
sacramentality, which reaches its
climax in the Seven Sacraments / The
‘economy of salvation’ / Defining the
Sacraments / Jesus, the Sacrament of
God / The Sacraments as encounters
with Christ / Grace as gift / Forms of
grace / Grace and the Sacraments /
Grace and Salvation / Why do we need
the Church? / Example of St. Thérèse of
Lisieux, the Little Flower.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Old Testament: Exodus 3:13–14, 13:21–22
New Testament: Matthew 13:1–9,
18–23; Luke 1:31, 8:42b–48; John 1:1–5, 14,
16, 6:35, 8:12, 10:9–10, 10:11, 14:6, 15:5; 2
Corinthians 5:17, 20; 1 Timothy 1:14
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
456, 457, 458, 460, 747, 774, 778, 1076,
1
1088, 1093, 1111, 1112, 1127, 1128, 1131,
1275, 1407, 1410, 1996, 2003, 2004
Faith Words: economy of salvation;
Sacrament
Learn by Heart: John 15:5
Learn by Example: St. Thérèse of Lisieux
CHAPTER 2
The Seven Sacraments: Encounters with
Christ
FOCUS QUESTION:
But who do you say that I am?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
Jesus asked his disciples, ‘Who do
you say that I am?’ / Sacraments:
Experiential signs of Christ’s
presence / The Sacramental rites /
Key Sacramental Signs and Symbols
/ The mystery of the Incarnation /
Jesus Christ—eternal High Priest and
Mediator / The Sacraments—real and
effective signs of grace / The forms of
prayer of the Church / The Church’s
year of grace: the liturgical year / The
three expressions of prayer: vocal
prayer, meditation and contemplation /
Christians look to Mary and the saints
to discover what it means to be a
person of prayer / Example of St. John
of the Cross.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
New Testament: Mark 7:32–35;
Luke 7:36–47, 9:1–11, 18–20; Romans
1:19–20, 8:26–27; Ephesians 3:17; 1
Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 9:11–12, 15
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
774, 775, 1076, 1110, 1069, 1111, 1131,
1145, 1146, 1153, 1187, 1189, 1194, 1195,
2560, 2565, 2585, 2655, 2697, 2705,
2708, 2709, 2717
Learn by Heart: Romans 8:26–27
Learn by Example: St. John of the
Cross
CHAPTER 3
Baptism (Part One): Gateway to New
Life in Christ
FOCUS QUESTION:
Do we need to be reborn?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
Baptism is rebirth into the new life
in Christ / The life-giving waters of
Baptism / Baptism prefigured in the
Old Testament: the first account of
Creation; the story of the Great Flood
and Noah’s Ark; the Exodus / Baptism
in the early Church / Jesus asked to
be baptized by John the Baptist / The
significance of Jesus being baptized
by John / Sacrament of Baptism—the
gift of new life in Christ / Preparing for
Baptism and initiation into the Church
/ The Baptism of Infants / The Rite of
Baptism / The order of receiving the
Sacraments of Christian Initiation /
Example of St. Charles Lwanga and the
Uganda martyrs.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Old Testament: Genesis 1:2; 7:1—9:17;
Exodus 13:17—14:31; Joshua 3:1–17
New Testament: Matthew 3:13–17;
Mark 1:9–11, 10:35–40; Luke 3:21–22;
John 1:29–34, 3:1–16, 4:1–15; Acts of the
Apostles 16:28–33; Romans 5:18, 6:3–4;
2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15;
Philippians 2:6–7; Colossians 2:12
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
1214, 1231, 1237, 1248, 1254, 1277, 1278,
1279, 1280, 1282, 1284
Faith Words: Baptism; catechumen;
mystagogy
Learn by Heart: Matthew 3:17
Learn by Example: St. Charles Lwanga
and the Uganda Martyrs
2
CHAPTER 4
Baptism (Part Two): Living Our New
Life in Christ
FOCUS QUESTION:
Who do you claim to be?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
Baptism shapes our identity / The
explanatory rites of Baptism: Anointing
with Sacred Chrism, Clothing with
a White Garment, Presentation of a
Lighted Candle; and the optional ritual
of Ephpheta or Prayer over the Ears
and Mouth / The People of God: A holy
people of priests, prophets and kings
who prefigured Jesus Christ and his
work / Responsibilities and rights of
the baptized: holiness of life; build up
the Church; proclaim the Gospel / The
Great Commandment / In Baptism God
adopts us as his own children / Baptism
is necessary for salvation / Baptism of
Desire and Baptism of Blood / Mementos
of Baptism / Rites of the Sacrament and
the Liturgy / Sacramentals / Popular piety
and devotions / Example of Catherine de
Hueck Doherty, Servant of God.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Old Testament: Leviticus 19:18;
Numbers 4:3; Deuteronomy 6:5; 1
Samuel 16:1–13; Ezekiel 16:9
New Testament: Matthew 5:13–17,
16:16, 18:20, 19:21, 21:11, 22:37–40; Mark
14:36; Luke 4:16–19; John 6:44, 13:34,
19:19; Romans 8:15b–17; Galatians
4:4–6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14; 1
John 3:1, 4:10
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
804, 985, 1190, 1257, 1272, 1279, 1280,
1381, 1670, 1677, 1679, 1678, 2205.
Faith Words: justification; sacred
Chrism
Learn by Heart: John 13:34
Learn by Example: Catherine de
Hueck Doherty, Servant of God
CHAPTER 5
Confirmation: Sealed with the Gift of
the Holy Spirit
FOCUS QUESTION:
What Spirit guides you?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
The Holy Spirit is our partner in
discernment / Discernment process
for receiving Confirmation / Essential
elements of Confirmation: sponsor;
Confirmation age; state of grace /
The Spirit of God revealed in the Old
Testament / The Spirit of God revealed
in the New Testament / The Holy
Spirit in the life of Jesus / The Holy
Spirit in the Church / Essential Rite
of Confirmation: laying on of hands;
anointing with Chrism / The Seven
Gifts of the Holy Spirit / Discerning
‘good’ spirits from ‘bad’ spirits /
Some elements of the process of
the discernment of spirits: read and
reflect on the Word of God; receive the
Sacraments frequently and regularly;
pray regularly and often / Example of
St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Old Testament: Isaiah 11:2, 61:1–2
New Testament: Matthew 7:15–20,
28:18–20; Luke 4:14, 16–21, 30; John
14:15–31, 26, 15:26; Acts of the Apostles
1:14, 2:38, 8:15–17, 10:38, 19:5–6;
Galatians 5:16–26
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
1190, 1285, 1288, 1289, 1303, 1305, 1316,
1318, 1319, 1320, 1832
Faith Word: Confirmation
Learn by Heart: Galatians 5:22–23
Learn by Example: St. Kateri
Tekakwitha
3
CHAPTER 6
Eucharist (Part One): The Sacrament of
Sacraments
FOCUS QUESTION:
What does the Real Presence mean?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
The Sacrament of the Real Presence of
Jesus / Transubstantiation / Sacrifice:
a response of praise and gratitude to
God / The sacrifice of Christ prefigured
in the Old Testament: Melchizedek;
Passover / The multiplication of loves
and fish in the Gospel / The Last
Supper: Jesus institutes the Eucharist
/ Other names for the Eucharist / The
liturgical celebration of the Mass:
Introductory Rites; Liturgy of the Word;
Liturgy of the Eucharist; Concluding
Rites / Example of Dom Gregory Dix.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Old Testament: Genesis 14:17–20,
17:5; Exodus 13:3–10, 16:9–15, 31–35;
Deuteronomy 8:3
New Testament: Matthew 14:13–21,
15:32–39, 26:26–30; Mark 6:31–44,
8:1–9, 14:22–25; Luke 9:10–17, 22:14–
20; John 6:5–15, 22–59; Acts of the
Apostles 2:42; 1 Corinthians 10:17,
11:23–26
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
1330, 1334, 1407, 1408, 1409, 1410, 1411,
1412, 1413, 1414
Faith Words: altar; transubstantiation
Learn by Heart: 1 Corinthians 10:17
Learn by Example: Dom Gregory Dix
CHAPTER 7
Eucharist (Part Two): The Source and
Summit of the Christian Life
FOCUS QUESTION:
How do you ‘feed’ the world?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
The Eucharist as living, life-giving
bread / A ‘sacrament for humanity’ /
The power of Christ’s presence: Jesus
assured his disciples, ‘I am with you
always’ / The work of ecumenism /
One bread, one body: the Church is
the Mystical Body of Christ / Holy
Communion separates us from sin /
The disciplined life of the disciple of
Christ / Preparing for the Eucharist:
we prepare our heart, mind and body
/ Participation in the Eucharist: being
alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic /
The Blessed Sacrament and Eucharistic
adoration / The Eucharist is the heart
and summit of the Christian life /
Example of St. Peter Julian Eymard.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
New Testament: Matthew 19:16–22,
28:20; Luke 4:18, 16:19–25; John 6:48, 51,
52, 60 and 66, 14:18, 17:23; 1 Corinthians
10:17, 11:1—13:13; 2 Corinthians 5:19
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
1194, 1324, 1388, 1389, 1394, 1411, 1415,
1416
Faith Word: Fruits of Holy Communion
Learn by Heart: John 6:48, 51
Learn by Example: St. Peter Julian
Eymard, Apostle of the Eucharist
CHAPTER 8
Penance and Reconciliation: Lord Jesus,
Renew Your Love in Our Hearts
FOCUS QUESTION:
Does God place limits on his mercy?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
God of ‘unconditional’ love and
mercy / Forgiveness: The way of Jesus
4
and his disciples / The power and
authority to forgive sins / Development
of the Sacrament of Penance and
Reconciliation in the Church in the
West / The Sacrament of Penance and
Reconciliation / ‘Eternal punishment’
and ‘temporal punishment’ /
Conversion of the whole person /
Other names for this Sacrament / The
Sacramental Rites of Reconciliation /
Elements of the Rite of Reconciliation
with Individual Penitents / The parable
of the Prodigal Father and Son in light
of the Sacrament of Reconciliation /
The effects, or graces, of the Sacrament
of Reconciliation / Sin has both
personal and social consequences /
Reconciliation and peace / Example of
St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie (John) Vianney.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Old Testament: Genesis 3:15; Exodus
20:2–3, 7–8, 12–17
New Testament: Matthew 5:9, 43–45,
9:9–10, 12–13, 16:16–19, 18:21–22, 25:31–
46, 26:31–35, 69–75; Mark 1:15, 2:1–17;
Luke 15:7, 11–32, 23:34, 39–43; John 8:1–
11, 20:19, 21–23; Romans 7:15, 11:33–35;
1 Corinthians 11:1—13:13; 2 Corinthians
5:18; Philippians 2:5; 1 Timothy1:12–14;
1 Peter 4:8
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
1410, 1416, 1422, 1431, 1442, 1466, 1486,
1490, 1491, 1492, 1493, 1494, 1495, 1496,
2511
Faith Words: absolution; Sacrament of
Penance and Reconciliation
Learn by Heart: 2 Corinthians 5:18
Learn by Example: St. John Vianney
CHAPTER 9
Anointing of the Sick: Encountering
Christ the Divine Physician
FOCUS QUESTION:
What about illness and death?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
Responding to illness and death /
When we grieve, God grieves with us
/ Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick:
Encountering Christ the Physician /
Hope in the midst of suffering and pain
/ Mother Marianne Cope: a living icon
of Jesus the Physician / The healing
miracles of Jesus / Jesus, the Physician of
the whole person / Jesus, the Physician
of society / The Cross: Jesus in solidarity
with the suffering of humanity / Take up
your cross daily / Anointing of the Sick:
A Sacrament of Healing / The When,
Who, Where and How of celebrating
this Sacrament / The sacramental graces
of the Sacrament: strength, peace and
courage; union with Christ in his Passion;
forgiveness of sins and restoration to
health; Preparation for passing over to
eternal life / Example of Blessed José
Olalla Valdés and the Hospitaller Brothers
of St. John of God.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Old Testament: Psalms 88:1–3, 13–15;
Isaiah 52:13—53:12, 53:3, 65:17–25;
Lamentations 3:22–25
New Testament: Matthew 8:1–17,
9:2–8, 18–34, 10:8, 16:22–24, 25:31–40,
26:42; Mark 16:17; Luke 8:40–42,
49–56, 9:21–27, 13: 10–13, 17:11–19; John
9:1–41, 11:33–36, 38, 41–44; Romans
8:18–28; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians
3:10–11; James 5:14–15
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
1509, 1510, 1527, 1528, 1529, 1530, 1531, 1532
Faith Words: Sacrament of Anointing
of the Sick; Viaticum
Learn by Heart: James 5:15
Learn by Example: Blessed José Olalla
Valdés
5
CHAPTER 10
Holy Orders: Sacrament of Service to
the Body of Christ
FOCUS QUESTION:
What does it mean to lead as one who
serves?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
The priesthood of Jesus Christ;
the priesthood of the faithful; the
ministerial priesthood / The hierarchy,
servant-leaders of the Church / Jesus
commissioned the Apostles / The
vocation to ministerial priesthood:
who can be ordained a priest? / The
office and ministry of bishops / The
office and ministry of priests / The
office and ministry of deacons / The
rites of ordination: of bishops; of
priests / The ministry of deacons / Lay
ecclesial ministries / Example of Father
Augustine Tolton, Servant of God.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Old Testament: Exodus 19:6, 29:1–37;
Leviticus 8; Deuteronomy 18:1–18;
Isaiah 61:6
New Testament: Matthew 10:1–4,
20:24–28, 28:15–20; Mark 3:14–19,
10:32b –34; Luke 6:12–16, 10:1–2, 22:19;
John 10:1–8, 13:12–15, 14:4, 21:15–17;
Acts of the Apostles 1:12–17, 20–26,
2:42, 6:1–7b, 8:18–19; 1 Corinthians
12:4–7; 1 Timothy 3:1–13, 4:14; Hebrews
4:14— 5:10, 6:20, 13:15; 1 Peter 2:4–5,
9–10, 5:3; 1 John 2:28; Revelation 1:6,
5:9–10
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
611, 1539, 1546, 1548, 1549, 1573, 1591,
1592, 1593, 1594, 1595, 1596, 1597, 1598,
1600
Faith Words: college of bishops
(collegiality); priesthood of the faithful
Learn by Heart: 1 Peter 5:3
Learn by Example: Father Augustine
Tolton, Servant of God
CHAPTER 11
Marriage (Part One): Sacrament at the
Service of the Family of God
FOCUS QUESTION:
Why is marriage more than a contract?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
Marriage: the fundamental God-
given human relationship / The gift
of human sexuality / The challenge of
expressing our sexuality / The vocation
to a life of virginity / Married life: the
nuptial covenant / Wedding banquets
as images of the Kingdom of God /
Mixed marriages and marriages with
disparity of cult / The elements and
purposes of marriage / Marital love:
The total giving and receiving of a
man and a woman / The necessity for
freely given consent / The unity and
indissolubility of marriage / Openness
to the gift of children / The Rite of
Marriage / Example of Jacques and
Raïssa Maritain.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Old Testament: Genesis 1—2:2, 2:3–
25, 3—10; Ezekiel 16:59–63; Hosea 3:1
New Testament: Matthew 19:3–6,
22:1–14; Luke 5:34; John 2:1–11; 1
Corinthians 6:15–20; 2 Corinthians 3:17;
Galatians 6:16–21; Ephesians 5:25–26,
31–32
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
1617, 1621, 1626, 1631, 1646, 1660, 1661,
1662, 1663, 1664
Faith Word: Sacrament of Marriage
(Matrimony) Learn by Heart: 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
Learn by Heart: Genesis 1:27–28
Learn by Example: Jacques and Raïssa
Maritain
6
CHAPTER 12
Marriage (Part Two): Living the
Sacrament of Marriage
FOCUS QUESTION:
Why is love at the center of a marriage?
CONTENT SUMMARY:
God is Love / Preparing for marriage:
remote preparation and immediate
preparation / The goodness and
responsibilities of marriage / The
virtue of chastity / Conjugal love: an
intimate communion of life and love /
The Christian family: the church of the
home, or ‘the domestic church’ / The
Church’s position on the separation
of spouses / The sin of domestic
violence / Family as an oasis of faith
/ Matrimony—mutual striving for
holiness of life / Grace and growth
after marriage / Marriage takes prayer
and support / Example of Blessed Luigi
Beltrame Quattrocchi and Blessed
Maria Corsini.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Old Testament: Ruth 1:15–17
New Testament: Matthew 13:55;
Mark 6:3; Luke 2:22–38, 40–52, 4:16;
John 13:31, 33–35; Acts of the Apostles
18:1–11, 18, 20:20; Romans 8:26–27, 16:3;
1 Corinthians 6:15–20, 16:19; 1 John
3:23; 4:7–16
KEY CATECHISM SOURCES:
342, 1643, 1649, 1661, 1662, 1664, 1666,
1832, 2204, 2205, 2224, 2337
Faith Word: Chastity
Learn by Example: Blessed Luigi
Beltrame Quattrocchi and Blessed
Maria Corsini
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