Sacrament and Liturgy

Definitions of Sacrament

St. Paul: (sacramentum = mysterion) God’s hidden plan to fulfill all things in Christ.

St. Augustine: sign and symbol (something concrete that points to something else.)

St. Thomas Aquinas: sacraments are efficacious signs or symbols of grace. They effect, cause,
and are what they signify.

Edward Schillebeeckx: “A sacrament is anything that visibly, tangibly makes present or prolongs
a saving action of God.”

"Anything that gives skin to God.”

People saw Jesus, heard him, could touch him, and thereby experience salvation and healing in
body and soul.

The sensible signs of the sacraments show this same signature of God, who desires to address
the whole man—not just his head.”

Institution of Sacrament
Throughout his ministry on Earth Jesus laid the foundation for the sacraments that we know
today.

The early Christian church gathered to celebrate the Pascal Mystery, in the sacrament of the
Eucharist.

The early Church continued to do what Jesus had done; (celebrate the Last Supper using
Jesus’ words and actions, baptize new covenants in the name of Jesus, anoint with oil new
members as a sign of the Holy Spirit, laid their hands on the heads of their new leaders,
Bishops).

Over time, communities started to develop a tradition in which they would use the same words
and actions which became formalized symbols and rituals, that we call sacraments.

Eventually, seven (7) special signs were named as being received from Christ.

Liturgy - is the official divine worship of the CHURCH.

from Greek: leiturgia = public work, service, achievement by and for the people (the work of the
people)
In the Christian Tradition, liturgy means that the People of God participate in the “work of God."

The first and most important work of the Church is to make present Christ’s Paschal Mystery
here and now. We do this in liturgy.

All the sacraments are liturgy –the work of the people...none are private affairs.

Every sacrament is a community affair –an affair of the Church.

Elements of Sacraments
Each sacrament is formed by words and gestures that explain what God is doing for us.

Every sacrament has three basic elements: matter, form and minister.

Proper matter

the prescribed materials

The matter is the action which signifies the effect produced; for instance, in Baptism, the pouring
of water; in Confirmation, the anointing with oil; etc.

Correct words or form

the prescribed words and gestures the form is the words used to confer the sacrament, for
instance, “I baptize you”; or, “I absolve you from your sins”; or, “This is my Body,” etc.

Designated minister

the prescribed minister

the minister is the person who confers the sacrament

The Sacraments are effective on the basis of the sacramental action that is carried out (ex
opere operato), in other words, independently of the moral conduct or spiritual outlook of the
minister.

It is enough for him to intend to do what the Church does.

Categories of Sacraments
The Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism–brings new life in Christ; we are God’s beloved children

Confirmation–strengthens our new life with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Eucharist–nourishes us with the Body and Blood of Christ in order to become bread for others
The Sacraments of Healing–Our new life in Christ can be weakened by suffering, illness, death,
and the effects of sin.

Reconciliation–our relationship with God and the community is healed

Anointing of the Sick–our body and soul is healed; God is present in our suffering

The Sacraments of Service (Mission or Vocation)–These sacraments are directed toward the
salvation of others, not toward those receiving the sacraments. We become servants of love.

Matrimony–man and woman are united with each other as a sign of the unity between Jesus
and his Church
Holy Orders–men are ordained as priests, deacons, or bishops to serve as spiritual leaders of
their communities and remind us of our baptismal call to help others

Sacraments and Christian Life

St. Thomas Aquinas taught that human development is marked by seven stages which parallel
the seven sacraments.

We are born: Baptism

We grow: Confirmation
We are fed: Eucharist
We are healed: Penance
We recover: Anointing of the Sick
We need and form family: Matrimony
We need and respond to leaders: Holy Orders

In every stage of our lives, God gives us what we need in order to grow and become the
persons we are meant to become.

This is why we need to always strive to choose growth and wholeness in order for us to find
genuine freedom and happiness because these are the things that God wants for us – to be
fully alive.

The term "liturgy" comes from the combination of two Greek words: ergos which means work;
and leiton, an adjective of leos-laos which means people.

Liturgy (from Greek: leiturgia = public work, service, achievement by and for the people "work of
the people") is the official divine worship of the Church. In the Christian Tradition, liturgy means
that People of God participate in the "work of God."

Liturgy is the priestly action of Jesus Christ exercised in and by the Church under the power of
the Holy Spirit so as to render a most fitting worship to God and to earn salvation for
humankind.
"Christ manifests, makes present and communicates His work of salvation through the liturgy of
His Church" (CCC 1076).

This presence of Christ in liturgical celebrations moves us to be one in holiness and to hold fast
to faith.

According to the Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church: "Liturgy is always in the first place
communion or fellowship with Jesus Christ. Every liturgy, not just the celebration of the
Eucharist, is an Easter in miniature. Jesus reveals His passage from death to life and celebrates
it with us" (YouCat 171).

All the sacraments are liturgy - the work of the people... none are private affairs. Every
sacrament is a community affair - an affair of the Church.

As sons and daughters of God mandated to spread the Gospel and to bear witness to faith, we
have our obligation to come together to praise God as His Church and to partake of the Lord's
Supper.

The Church desires that as we take part in her liturgy, we must be imbued with faith and
conversion. How can we accept Christ who preaches, calls us together in His name, and gives
Himself to us, especially in the Eucharist, if we do not believe in Him? How can we receive the
fruits of our redemption merited by Christ for us if we are not worthy to accept Him in our
hearts?
The communal aspect of liturgy shows forth "the participation of the People of God in the 'work
of God.' Through the liturgy, Christ, our redeemer and high priest, continues the work or our
redemption in, with and through His Church" (CCC 1069).

And so, our Mother Church reminds us that for the liturgy to produce its full effects, it is
necessary that we have proper dispositions, our minds attuned to our voices, and we render a
full, active, and conscious participation in liturgical celebrations.

Elements of Sacraments

Each sacrament is formed by words and gestures that explain what God is doing for us.

Every sacrament has three basic elements: matter, form, and minister.

Proper Matter - the prescribed materials needed to perform the sacramental rite.

the matter is the material used which signifies the effect produced; for instance, in Baptism, the
pouring of water; in Confirmation, the anointing with oil; etc.

Correct words or Form - the prescribed words.

the form is the words used to confer the sacrament, for instance, "I baptize you"; or, "I absolve
you from your sins"; or, "This is my Body," etc.

Designated Minister- the prescribed minister; the minister is the person who performs the
sacrament.

The 7 Sacraments are effective on the basis of the sacramental action that is carried out (ex
opere operato), in other words, independently of the moral conduct or spiritual outlook of the
minister. It is enough for him to intend to do what the Church does.