Catechism of the Seven Sacraments

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BUILDING BLOCKS OF FAITH SERIES

JOIN US ON A BIBLICAL ADVENTURE!

KEVIN AND MARY O’NEILL STORYTEL PRESS

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StoryTel Press A division of StoryTel Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization 10506 Burt Circle Omaha, NE 68114 www.storytel.org

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Nihil Obstat: Reverend Matthew J. Gutowski, STL

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Imprimatur: Most Reverend George J. Lucas Archbishop of Omaha February 3, 2018, Omaha, NE © 2018 Kevin O’Neill and Mary O’Neill All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-0-9995087-0-1

Printed in the United States PUBLISHER Don Carney MANAGING EDITOR Phil Halpin ART DIRECTOR Chrissy Doremus COPY EDITORS Annemarie Burton, Donna-Marie Frommeyer, Lisa Maxson, and Bridget Wedoff

LEGO®, the brick configuration, and the minifigure are trademarks of The LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this book.

Exerpts from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. are used with permission of Inter Mirifica.

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DEDICATED TO OUR GODCHILDREN: JAMES ROBBINS, CARSON KEHOE, ZACHARY KEHOE, BENJAMIN KEHOE, JOSIE KEHOE, OLIVIA KUCHER, PHOEBE O’NEILL, CECILIA KUCHER, MARY KUCHER, CONNOR O’NEILL, AND ELIZABETH KUCHER

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MANY THANKS, ESPECIALLY TO:

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Chris and Millie Carney for bringing our vision to fruition through Don Carney and Phil Halpin at Storytel Press, whose mission is to restore the sacred.

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Our dedicated team of editors: Annemarie Burton, Donna-Marie Frommeyer, Lisa Maxson, and Bridget Wedoff. As well as editorial assistance from Matt and Sarah Ann Doetsch, Paul and Jeanette Doetsch, Tom and Lena Hudson, Luke and Renee Kehoe, Cynthia Martinez, The Masterson Family, Mary Smith, and Marilyn Weadon.

Prayers and theological review and support from The Canons Regular of Saint John Cantius, especially Rev. Anthony Rice S.J.C. and Rev. Nathan Caswell S.J.C., as well as Rev. John McNamara.

Creative set inspirations by our team of builders, our children: Madelyn, Colin, Liam, Brigid, Molly, Moira, and Fulton O’Neill, as well as our guest builders: Zack Kendall, Gabriel Lugo, and Andrew Smith.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION................................................................................... 9 EUCHARIST.......................................................................................... 11 Grace and the Sacraments ........................................................................................... 12

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Ten Plagues ..................................................................................................................... 18

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The Passover .................................................................................................................. 24

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The Four Cups ................................................................................................................ 30 Moses and Jesus .............................................................................................................. 32

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Institution of the Eucharist ......................................................................................... 34 Covenants ........................................................................................................................40 New and Everlasting Covenant ................................................................................... 46

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Bread of Life Discourse ................................................................................................ 47

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Feeding the 5000 ............................................................................................................ 51 The Holy Eucharist ........................................................................................................ 57 The Mass: Four Types of Prayer ................................................................................... 60 Mary, the New Ark of the Covenant .......................................................................... 64

Mary, the New Eve ......................................................................................................... 77 Jesus: the Fruit of the Tree of Life .............................................................................. 79 Intercession of Mary ...................................................................................................... 83 The Rosary ....................................................................................................................... 86 How to Pray the Rosary ................................................................................................. 92

BAPTISM.................................................................................................. 99

Born Again .................................................................................................................... 100 Original Sin .................................................................................................................... 103 Four Effects of Baptism ............................................................................................. 104 Israelites’ Journey and Today ..................................................................................... 109

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The Eighth Day ............................................................................................................. 115

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Rite of Baptism ............................................................................................................ 124 RECONCILIATION............................................................................. 127 Israelites in the Wilderness ......................................................................................... 129 Venial and Mortal Sin .................................................................................................. 132 Three Conditions for Mortal Sin ................................................................................ 135

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Breath of God ................................................................................................................ 137 Receiving the Holy Eucharist .................................................................................... 144

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How to Go to Confession ........................................................................................... 151 Ten Commandments ................................................................................................... 152

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Act of Contrition ......................................................................................................... 157 The Death of Sin .......................................................................................................... 162 CONFIRMATION .............................................................................. 169

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Completion of Christian Initiation ............................................................................ 170

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Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit ............................................................................. 173 An Indelible Mark ........................................................................................................ 177 Soldiers for Christ ......................................................................................................... 179 Corporal Works of Mercy ............................................................................................ 186

Spiritual Works of Mercy ............................................................................................. 188 A Soldier’s Discipline................................................................................................... 190 A Sacred Encounter .................................................................................................... 191 Sacramental Relationship with Christ ...................................................................... 192

MARRIAGE ......................................................................................... 195 Marriage is Biblical ....................................................................................................... 196 Marriage is Eucharistic ................................................................................................ 200 Marriage is Life-Giving ............................................................................................... 202 Marriage is Like the Church ....................................................................................... 206

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Marriage is Service ....................................................................................................... 210

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HOLY ORDERS ................................................................................... 215 The Order of Melchizedek ........................................................................................... 216 Profession of Faith ...................................................................................................... 220 Papal Authority ............................................................................................................ 222 Covenants Fulfilled .................................................................................................... 224

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The Apostles ................................................................................................................ 236 Three Degrees of Holy Orders ................................................................................... 243

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Bishops .......................................................................................................................... 245 Priests ........................................................................................................................... 246

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Deacons ........................................................................................................................ 248 Sisters and Nuns ......................................................................................................... 252 Brothers, Monks, and Consecrated Life .................................................................. 256

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ANOINTING OF THE SICK ................................................................ 261

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God’s Eternal Plan ...................................................................................................... 262 Saint Joseph: Patron of a Happy Death ................................................................... 266

Receiving Anointing of the Sick .............................................................................. 269 Physical and Spiritual Effects ................................................................................... 272

Sacraments and Salvation .......................................................................................... 278 GLOSSARY ........................................................................................ 283

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INTRODUCTION

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I often say that, as Catholics, we read the Bible in 3-D. This is because our faith comes alive through Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Never while saying this did it ever occur to me that someday I would combine those same 3-D biblical teachings with fun 3-D images to help teach the beauty of the faith in a simple way. Using these fun images alongside precise Catholic terminology, this book is a theological work aimed to both entertain and teach a broad audience. This book is for everyone – from 0 years old to 120 years old.

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After falling in love with the beauty of the Bride of Christ, the Church, my wife Mary and I want to help others discover that same beauty. Where better to begin than the sacraments! Since the fall of mankind, sin has separated humanity from God. Christ instituted the sacraments to reunite humanity with God. We explain the sacraments by starting with the New and Everlasting Covenant, the Holy Eucharist. Every sacrament both stems from and points to the Holy Eucharist – the source and summit of our Catholic faith.

This book follows Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s teaching on Theology of Covenant, which is a framework for interpreting Scripture centered on Christ, grounded in the unity of the entire Bible. Theology of Covenant is said to be the master key to unlock the biblical understanding of salvation history.

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While telling this story of salvation history through scriptural teachings of the sacraments, we make use of typology, one of the best ways to teach the faith and a favorite tool of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Typology is a method of biblical study in which elements found in the Old Testament are shown to prefigure those found in the New Testament. As you read, you will see biblical typology unlocked with memorable side-by-side building block illustrations that show how the Old is fulfilled in the New and the New is revealed in the Old. We consider ourselves to be products of Pope St. John Paul II’s New Evangelization, learning and building our faith through all types of media. Now, through the Building Blocks of Faith Series, we hope to contribute to the New Evangelization by helping to catechise and evangelize others. After spending nearly two years writing this book and building the illustrations as a family, we are excited and humbled to be able to share it with you and your family!

—Kevin O’Neill

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THE EUCHARIST

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HEY CYNTHIA, I LEARNED ABOUT THE SACRAMENTS TODAY. THEY’RE SO AMAZING!

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“THE SACRAMENTS?” WHAT’S A SACRAMENT, FULTON?

A SACRAMENT IS AN OUTWARD (VISIBLE) SIGN INSTITUTED BY CHRIST TO GIVE US HIS SANCTIFYING GRACE.

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HOW MANY SACRAMENTS ARE THERE?

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THERE ARE SEVEN SACRAMENTS THROUGH WHICH WE RECEIVE GOD’S SANCTIFYING GRACE: BAPTISM, RECONCILIATION, HOLY . CONFIRMATION, EUCHARIST, HOLY ORDERS, MARRIAGE, AND ANOINTING OF THE SICK.

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WHAT IS GRACE? AND HOW CAN A SACRAMENT GIVE US GRACE?

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BUT JESUS DIED. HOW CAN WE STILL RECEIVE HIS SANCTIFYING GRACE TODAY?

AH, BUT CHRIST RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD UNDER HIS OWN POWER!

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HE GAVE HIS SACRAMENTS TO THE CHURCH TO DISTRIBUTE HIS SANCTIFYING GRACE.

GRACE AND THE SACRAMENTS

SANCTIFYING GRACE IS THE FREE AND UNDESERVED HELP FROM GOD THAT ENABLES US TO LIVE ACCORDING TO HIS DIVINE WILL. THE SACRAMENTS HAVE THE POWER TO GIVE GRACE SOLELY FROM THE MERIT OF JESUS CHRIST’S DEATH ON THE CROSS.

WHICH SACRAMENT IS YOUR FAVORITE?

MY FAVORITE SACRAMENT IS THE BLESSED SACRAMENT, THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT, THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST!

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WHAT IS THE HOLY EUCHARIST?

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CHRIST INSTITUTED THE EUCHARIST ON THE NIGHT OF THE PASSOVER.

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JESUS GIVES US HIS BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, AND DIVINITY THROUGH THE EUCHARIST WHEN WE ATTEND MASS AND RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION.

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WAIT A MINUTE. WHAT IS A PASSOVER?

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TO EXPLAIN THE PASSOVER, WE HAVE TO GO BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS BEFORE JESUS. THE FIRST PASSOVER HAPPENED DURING THE TIME OF MOSES AND PHARAOH ...

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EX 1:9-11

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... PHARAOH WAS A HARSH RULER WHO ENSLAVED THE ISRAELITES.

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AFTER MOSES DEFENDED AN ISRAELITE, HE FLED FROM EGYPT.

GOD LOVED THE ISRAELITES. HE APPEARED TO MOSES AND TOLD HIM TO DELIVER A MESSAGE TO PHARAOH: “LET MY PEOPLE GO TO WORSHIP ME!”

EX 2:1-4, EX 2:15, EX 9:1

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MOSES WAS AN ISRAELITE BY BIRTH, BUT HE WAS RAISED AS AN EGYPTIAN PRINCE.

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MOSES TOLD PHARAOH GOD’S MESSAGE,

PHARAOH DID NOT BELIEVE IN THE GOD OF MOSES, SO HE DID NOT LISTEN. THEN, ONE BY ONE, GOD UNLEASHED THE TEN PLAGUES ON THE EGYPTIANS.

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EX 9:3

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LET GOD’S PEOPLE GO TO WORSHIP HIM, OR HE WILL RELEASE PLAGUES UPON YOU.

TEN PLAGUES

EX 7:20, EX 8:1-4

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THE SECOND PLAGUE BROUGHT FROGS.

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DURING THE FIRST PLAGUE, THE NILE RIVER TURNED TO BLOOD.

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THE THIRD PLAGUE BROUGHT BUGS AND LICE.

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EX 8:16-17, EX 8:24

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AND THE FOURTH PLAGUE BROUGHT WILD ANIMALS AND FLIES.

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EX 9:6, EX 9:10

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THE FIFTH PLAGUE WAS DISEASED LIVESTOCK.

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EX 9:23, EX 10:14

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THE SEVENTH PLAGUE BROUGHT HAIL AND FIRE.

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DARKNESS FOR THREE DAYS.

EX 10:22, EX 11:4-10

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AND THEN CAME THE TENTH PLAGUE. MOSES TOLD PHARAOH THAT IF HE DID NOT LISTEN TO GOD, ALL OF EGYPT’S FIRSTBORN SONS WOULD DIE. BUT PHARAOH’S HEART WAS HARDENED, AND HE WOULD NOT LISTEN.

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THEN MOSES TOLD HIS OWN PEOPLE,

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TOMORROW GOD WILL DELIVER US FROM PHARAOH AND MAKE US A NEW NATION! BUT YOU MUST OBEY GOD!

YOU MUST PUT THE LAMB’S BLOOD ON THE TOP AND SIDES OF YOUR DOOR USING A HYSSOP BRANCH.

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YOU MUST MAKE BREAD THAT IS UNLEAVENED (NO YEAST).

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YOU MUST EAT STANDING UP AND BE READY TO LEAVE! EX 12:3, EX 12:5, EX 12:22, EX 12:19, EX 12:11

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YOU MUST TAKE AN UNBLEMISHED (PERFECT) LAMB, KILL IT WITHOUT BREAKING ANY OF ITS BONES, ROAST THE FLESH, AND EAT IT.

THE PASSOVER

EX 12:23, EX 12:30

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THE ISRAELITES OBEYED GOD, SO THE ANGEL OF DEATH “PASSED OVER” THEIR HOUSES.

BUT THE EGYPTIANS DID NOT OBEY GOD. SO ALL OF THEIR FIRSTBORN SONS DIED, INCLUDING PHARAOH’S OWN SON.

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PHARAOH TOLD THE ISRAELITES,

SO MOSES TOOK HIS PEOPLE AND LEFT!

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EX. 12:31-32

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GET OUT!

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BUT PHARAOH WAS ANGRY! EVEN THOUGH HE TOLD THEM TO LEAVE, HE AND HIS ARMY CHASED AFTER THEM.

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EX 14:5-6, EX 14:15-18, EX 14:27-28

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GOD DELIVERED HIS PEOPLE, THE ISRAELITES, THROUGH THE RED SEA.

BUT PHARAOH AND HIS ARMY WERE OVERTHROWN.

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EX 14:30-31

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SO THE ISRAELITES WERE BORN A NEW NATION, WITH MOSES LEADING THEM AND GOD DELIVERING THEM FROM SLAVERY AND BONDAGE THROUGH THEIR OBEDIENCE DURING THE FIRST PASSOVER.

BUT WHAT I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND IS: WHAT DOES THE PASSOVER, WHICH HAPPENED THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO, HAVE TO DO WITH CHRIST AND THE LAST SUPPER?

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NOW I GET IT! THE PASSOVER IS WHEN THE ANGEL OF DEATH “PASSED OVER” THE HOUSES OF THE PEOPLE WHO OBEYED GOD.

EX 12:14

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EVERY YEAR, THE ISRAELITES AND ALL OF THEIR DESCENDANTS WERE INSTRUCTED TO KEEP THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER. THIS WAS TO REMEMBER THEIR TIME IN SLAVERY AND BONDAGE AND TO THANK GOD FOR DELIVERING THEM AND MAKING THEM A NEW NATION.

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THE PASSOVER MEAL, ALTHOUGH IT IS ONE MEAL, IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR CUPS.

THE FIRST CUP IS THE CUP OF SANCTIFICATION. IT REPRESENTS THE ISRAELITES’ BITTER TIME IN SLAVERY AND BONDAGE. DURING THIS CUP THEY EAT BITTER HERBS AND SPICES.

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THE SECOND CUP IS THE CUP OF PROCLAMATION. IT REPRESENTS THE ISRAELITES LEAVING EGYPT. DURING THIS CUP THEY TELL THE STORY OF THE ISRAELITES’ EXIT FROM EGYPT.

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AFTER THE FIRST CUP, A HYMN IS SUNG.

THE FOURTH CUP IS THE CUP OF PRAISE. IT REPRESENTS THE ISRAELITES BECOMING A NEW NATION.

AFTER THE THIRD CUP, A HYMN IS SUNG AGAIN.

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AFTER THE FOURTH CUP OF THE PASSOVER IS CONSUMED ... IT IS FINISHED!

EX 6:6, EX 6:6, EX 6:6, EX 6:7

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THE THIRD CUP IS THE CUP OF BLESSING. IT REPRESENTS THE ISRAELITES BEING DELIVERED THROUGH THE RED SEA. DURING THIS CUP THEY EAT THE SACRIFICED LAMB AND THE UNLEAVENED BREAD.

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YES, SO THIS IS THE SAME PASSOVER THAT JESUS WAS CELEBRATING AT THE LAST SUPPER?

THE FOUR CUPS

SO NOW YOU UNDERSTAND THE FIRST PASSOVER, ITS ORDER, AND HOW IT WAS CELEBRATED EVERY YEAR, RIGHT?

THAT PROPHET IS JESUS!

LK 22:15, DEU 18:15-19

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AFTER GOD DELIVERED MOSES AND HIS PEOPLE FROM EGYPT, GOD TOLD MOSES THAT HE WOULD RAISE UP A PROPHET JUST LIKE HIM.

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YES, AND LISTEN TO THIS!

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THERE ARE MANY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN CHRIST AND MOSES.

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WHEN JESUS WAS BORN, A SIGN IN THE SKY TOLD THEM A PROPHET WAS AMONG THEM.

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WHEN MOSES WAS BORN, A SIGN IN THE SKY TOLD THEM A PROPHET WAS AMONG THEM.

WHEN JESUS WAS BORN, HEROD SENT OUT AN EDICT TO HAVE ALL THE YOUNG BOYS KILLED SO HE COULD KILL THE PROPHET.

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MOSES WAS SENT DOWN THE RIVER INTO THE HEART OF EGYPT TO ESCAPE PHARAOH’S WRATH.

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JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH FLED INTO THE HEART OF EGYPT TO ESCAPE HEROD’S WRATH.

MAT 2:2, EX 1:22, MAT 2:16, EX 2:3, MAT 2:13

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WHEN MOSES WAS BORN, PHARAOH SENT OUT AN EDICT (ORDER) TO HAVE ALL THE YOUNG BOYS KILLED SO HE COULD KILL THE PROPHET.

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JESUS IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE, WHO STEPPED OUT OF HIS KINGDOM TO BE WITH HIS PEOPLE AND LEAD THEM OUT OF THE SLAVERY OF SIN THROUGH FULFILLING THE PASSOVER MEAL.

MOSES AND JESUS

MOSES WAS THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, WHO STEPPED OUT OF HIS KINGDOM TO BE WITH HIS PEOPLE AND LEAD THEM OUT OF SLAVERY THROUGH A PASSOVER MEAL.

CHRIST’S FIRST PUBLIC MIRACLE WAS TURNING THE WATER INTO WINE AT THE WEDDING FEAST AT CANA. LATER HE CHANGED WINE INTO HIS BLOOD AT THE PASSOVER HE CELEBRATED THE NIGHT BEFORE HE DIED.

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EX 2:10, ISA 9:6, EX 7:19, JN 2:9, MAT 26:18

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MOSES’ FIRST PUBLIC MIRACLE WAS TURNING THE RIVER TO BLOOD.

THIS BRINGS US BACK TO THE LAST SUPPER WITH CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES – MY FAVORITE SACRAMENT!

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IT WAS NEAR THE TIME OF THE PASSOVER WHEN JESUS INSTITUTED THE EUCHARIST. HOLDING THE UNLEAVENED BREAD IN HIS HANDS, HE GAVE THANKS, BROKE IT, AND SAID,

THEN JESUS TOOK THE CUP IN HIS HANDS AND SAID,

TAKE THIS AND DRINK IT, THIS IS THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT, THE CUP OF MY BLOOD GIVEN FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.

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MAT 26:26, MAT 26:27-28

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TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT. THIS IS MY BODY GIVEN UP FOR YOU. DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST

THEN THEY SANG A HYMN, AND, NOT FINISHING THE FOURTH CUP OF THE PASSOVER, WENT INTO THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE.

AFTER JESUS DID THIS, HE SAID,

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FATHER, IF IT IS POSSIBLE, LET THIS CUP PASS, BUT LET NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR WILL, BE DONE.

WHILE JESUS WAS PRAYING IN THE GARDEN, HE KNEW HE WOULD HAVE TO FINISH THE PASSOVER ON THE CROSS.

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MAT 26:29, MAT 26:30, MAT 26:39, MAT 26:40

IN THE GARDEN JESUS SAID,

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I WILL NOT DRINK OF THE FRUIT OF THE VINE AGAIN UNTIL I ENTER MY FATHER’S KINGDOM.

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JESUS, WHO IS THE LAMB OF GOD, WAS FOUND TO BE FLAWLESS, EVEN BY HIS JUDGE.

I FIND NO FAULT IN HIM.

EX 12:5, JN 19:4

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REMEMBER, THE PASSOVER LAMB HAD TO BE UNBLEMISHED (PERFECT, WITH NO FLAWS).

JN 19:1, JN 19:36

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HE WAS BEATEN, LED TO THE CROSS, AND EVEN NAILED TO THE CROSS. YET NO BONES WERE BROKEN, JUST LIKE THE PASSOVER LAMB.

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HE WAS, HOWEVER, PUNISHED ANYWAY.

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WHEN HE WAS ON THE CROSS, HE SAID, “I THIRST.” THE GUARD TOOK A SPONGE SOAKED IN WINE AND PUT IT ON A HYSSOP BRANCH.

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THEN CHRIST DRANK IT AND SAID,

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IT IS FINISHED.

JN 19:28-29, EX 12:22, JN 19:30

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REMEMBER, THE HYSSOP BRANCH IS THE SAME BRANCH THE ISRAELITES USED TO PUT THE LAMB’S BLOOD ON THE DOOR DURING THE FIRST PASSOVER.

SO YOU SEE, WHEN JESUS SAID, “IT IS FINISHED,” HE WAS SHOWING THAT HE FINISHED THE PASSOVER MEAL.

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WOW, IT FITS SO PERFECTLY!

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REMEMBER, THE FOURTH CUP IS THE CUP OF PRAISE, WHEN THE ISRAELITES WERE FREED FROM SLAVERY AND BECAME A NEW NATION.

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I THINK I GET IT! WHEN CHRIST FINISHED THE PASSOVER ON THE CROSS AND DIED FOR US, HE RELEASED US FROM THE SLAVERY OF SIN AND WE BECAME A NEW NATION, THE NEW PEOPLE OF GOD!

CCC 765

BINGO! WE ARE THE NEW JERUSALEM!

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HE ALSO WANTS US TO RECEIVE HIM. THAT IS WHY HE INSTITUTED THE EUCHARIST AT THE LAST SUPPER.

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WHEN WE RECEIVE THE HOLY EUCHARIST, WE ARE RECEIVING JESUS. WE ARE EATING THE PASSOVER LAMB!

IN FACT, JESUS, WHO IS GOD, ONLY SAID THE WORD “COVENANT” ONE TIME.

RIGHT, AT THE LAST SUPPER, BUT WHAT IS A COVENANT?

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A COVENANT IS AN AGREEMENT BEWTEEN GOD AND HIS PEOPLE.

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GOD HAS ALWAYS ESTABLISHED A COVENANT WITH HIS PEOPLE. IF YOU WERE OUTSIDE OF THE COVENANT, YOU WERE OUTSIDE OF THE FAMILY OF GOD.

MAT 26:17-30, 1 COR 5:7, 1 COR 5:7-8, LK 22:20, CCC 1150, EPH 2:12

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HE DIDN’T GET RID OF THE PASSOVER. HE FULFILLED IT! THE MASS IS THE NEW PASSOVER MEAL.

GEN 1:28

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COVENANTS

IN THE FIRST COVENANT, ADAM AND EVE WERE MADE FOR EACH OTHER AND GIVEN TO EACH OTHER IN MARRIAGE. GOD COMMANDED THEM TO BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY.

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GEN 9:1

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IN THE SECOND COVENANT, NOAH AND HIS FAMILY (EIGHT IN ALL), PLUS SEVEN PAIRS OF THE CLEAN ANIMALS AND ONE PAIR OF THE UNCLEAN ANIMALS, WERE SAVED FROM THE FLOOD THAT COVERED THE WHOLE EARTH. AFTER THE FLOOD, GOD COMMANDED THEM TO BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY.

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GEN 22:17

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IN THE THIRD COVENANT, GOD CALLED ABRAM AND GAVE HIM THE NAME ABRAHAM, WHICH MEANS, “THE FATHER OF A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS.” GOD PROMISED TO MAKE HIM THE FATHER OF A GREAT NATION WITH DESCENDANTS AS NUMEROUS AS THE STARS.

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EX 34:27

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THE FOURTH COVENANT IS WHEN GOD CHOSE MOSES TO LEAD HIS PEOPLE OUT OF SLAVERY TO THE PROMISED LAND. HE GAVE THEM THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. ALSO, THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD WAS ESTABLISHED.

2 SAM 7:5-6

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IN THE FIFTH COVENANT, DAVID, A SHEPHERD BOY, BECAME THE KING OF ISRAEL. GOD PROMISED HIM AN HEIR WHO WOULD BUILD GOD’S TEMPLE, BE THE SON OF GOD, AND RULE OVER JERUSALEM FOREVER.

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LK 22:20

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AND FINALLY, THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT IS THE EUCHARIST! JESUS CAME TO FULFILL ALL OF THE OLD COVENANTS AND ESTABLISHED THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT, THE EUCHARIST! HIS BODY AND BLOOD WERE SACRIFICED ON THE CROSS FOR THE SINS OF ALL AND ARE MADE PRESENT IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST!

JN 6:53-56

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AMEN, AMEN, I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS YOU EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YOU DO NOT HAVE LIFE WITHIN YOU. WHOEVER EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD HAS ETERNAL LIFE, AND I WILL RAISE HIM ON THE LAST DAY. FOR MY FLESH IS TRUE FOOD, AND MY BLOOD IS TRUE DRINK. WHOEVER EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD REMAINS IN ME AND I IN HIM.

BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE

JESUS SAID TO THEM,

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ST. IGNATIUS SAID,

ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, A FOLLOWER OF ST. JOHN, ALSO TEACHES US ABOUT THE EUCHARIST.

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THE EUCHARIST IS THE MEDICINE OF IMMORTALITY AND THE ANTIDOTE AGAINST DEATH, ENABLING US TO LIVE FOREVER IN JESUS CHRIST.

ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, PRAY FOR US!

WE WERE BITTEN BY THE VENOM OF SIN IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN, SO WE NEED AN ANTI-VENOM.

ST O

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ANTI-VENOM IS MADE FROM THE SAME POISON OF THE SNAKE THAT BIT YOU,

BUT IT IS TRANSFORMED AND GIVEN TO YOU AS MEDICINE.

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THAT’S WHAT JESUS DID FOR US!

HE DIED ON THE CROSS TO DESTROY SIN!

R

THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST IS HIS FLESH, “THE MEDICINE OF IMMORTALITY,” “THE ANTI-VENOM,” “THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT,” “THE BLESSED SACRAMENT,” “THE CUP OF BLESSING!”

ST O

1 JN 2:2, RM 4:25, 1 COR 15:21, 1 COR 10:16

YT EL

THEN HE RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD TO GIVE US HIS FLESH TO CURE US FROM THE ETERNAL DEATH OF SIN.

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HE TOOK THE VENOM, WHICH IS OUR SIN, UPON HIMSELF.

49

50

THIS CUP OF BLESSING IS A PARTICIPATION IN THE BODY AND BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

JESUS IS “THE LAMB OF GOD,” “THE BREAD OF LIFE,” AND “THE CUP OF BLESSING,” WHICH WE RECEIVE IN THE EUCHARIST.

1 COR 10:16, JN 1:29, JN 6:35

ST O

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ST. PAUL SAID,

YT EL

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REMEMBER, THE CUP OF BLESSING IS THE THIRD CUP OF THE PASSOVER MEAL, WHEN YOU EAT THE LAMB AND THE UNLEAVENED BREAD.

THERE WAS ENOUGH FOR THE CROWD OF 5000 MEN, NOT INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN, PLUS 12 BASKETS FILLED WITH LEFTOVERS!

YT EL

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JESUS TOOK FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISH, GAVE THANKS, AND DISTRIBUTED THEM TO THE CROWD.

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AMAZING, IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO REFERENCE BACK TO THE PASSOVER!

FEEDING THE 5000

THE GOSPEL SAYS THAT IT WAS NEARING THE FEAST OF THE JEWISH PASSOVER.

IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, CHAPTER 6, JESUS PERFORMS ANOTHER MIRACLE: THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES AND FISH.

JN 6:1-33

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MOSES AND HIS PEOPLE ATE MANNA IN THE WILDERNESS. MANNA IS THE BREAD COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN.

GOD GAVE THEM THIS BREAD FROM HEAVEN TO SUSTAIN THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY IN THE DESERT.

51

JESUS NOW TELLS US THAT HE IS THE MANNA AND WE MUST EAT OF HIM!

“I AM THE LIVING BREAD. WHOEVER EATS OF ME WILL LIVE FOREVER. I WILL GIVE MY FLESH FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD.”

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JN 6:34-59

ST O

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JESUS SAID, “YOUR ANCESTORS ATE THE MANNA, BUT THEY DIED.”

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HE IS THE “BREAD OF LIFE.”

HE WAS WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES, WHICH IS WHAT A LAMB BEING SACRIFICED WOULD WEAR.

IMAGINE THAT! JESUS IS THE “BREAD OF LIFE” BORN IN THE “HOUSE OF BREAD.” HE IS THE “WORD BECOME FLESH” BORN IN THE “HOUSE OF FLESH.” HE IS THE “GOOD SHEPHERD” LAID IN A MANGER WHERE THE SHEEP COME TO EAT! AND HE TELLS US (HIS SHEEP) TO EAT HIS FLESH AND DRINK HIS BLOOD TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!

MAT 2:1, LK 2:12, JN 10:11

ST O

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YT EL

HE WAS LAID IN A MANGER, WHICH IS WHERE THE SHEEP COME TO EAT.

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JESUS WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM, A TOWN WHOSE NAME MEANS “HOUSE OF BREAD” AND “HOUSE OF FLESH.”

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PR

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AFTER JESUS RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD, HE WALKED SEVEN MILES TO EMMAUS WITH TWO OF HIS FOLLOWERS. BUT THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM UNTIL ...

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THE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS FELT THEIR HEARTS WERE ON FIRE WHEN JESUS TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROPHETS AND THE SCRIPTURE.

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IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION, JESUS SAYS,

I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK TO EAT WITH YOU.

LK 24:13-16, LK 24:30-31, LK 24:32, REV 3:20

YT EL

HE REVEALED HIMSELF IN THE EUCHARIST, WHEN HE BROKE THE BREAD.

JESUS TOLD US THAT HE IS “THE MANNA COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN.” HE IS HIDDEN IN THE EUCHARIST.

THE EUCHARIST IS THE TRUE FLESH OF JESUS, AND HE WANTS TO BE UNITED WITH US WHEN WE RECEIVE HIM IN HOLY COMMUNION.

R ST O

REV 2:17, JN 6:51, EPH 5:23-25, JN 6:55-59

YT EL

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS “THE BRIDE OF CHRIST” BECAUSE SHE SHARES THE ONEFLESH, LIFE-GIVING UNION WITH CHRIST.

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THE BOOK OF REVELATION TEACHES US THAT JESUS WILL GIVE THE HIDDEN MANNA TO THE ONE WHO OVERCOMES (THE ONE WHO TURNS AWAY FROM SIN AND CHOOSES TO DO GOD’S WILL).

55

ST. LONGINUS, PRAY FOR US!

HE SACRIFICED HIS BODY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND THE SALVATION OF THE WORLD.

56

EPH 1:7, MAT 26:28

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IN ORDER TO DESTROY SIN, JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS FOR US.

ST O

LK 22:19, MAT 26:26, 1 COR 11:24

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THE HOLY EUCHARIST

WHEN THE PRIEST SAYS THE WORDS OF CONSECRATION, THE BREAD AND WINE TRANSUBSTANTIATE (CHANGE SUBSTANCE). BECAUSE GOD IS OUTSIDE OF TIME, THE SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS IS MADE PRESENT ON THE ALTAR. THE BREAD AND WINE ARE NO LONGER BREAD AND WINE, BUT INSTEAD THEY TRULY BECOME JESUS CHRIST’S BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, AND DIVINITY!

57

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THEREFORE, WE ARE TRULY PRESENT AT THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST WHEN WE ARE AT HOLY MASS, AND WE SHOULD DRESS APPROPRIATELY AND BEHAVE ACCORDINGLY.

WE SHOULD ALWAYS BEHAVE REVERENTLY (WITH RESPECT).

58

PS 96:9, LEV 19:30

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WE SHOULD ALWAYS WEAR OUR BEST CLOTHES FOR GOD!

MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN THE STATE OF GRACE (FREE FROM MORTAL SIN) BEFORE RECEIVING JESUS IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST!

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WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN CONSTANT PRAYER DURING THE HOLY MASS AND NOT ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE DISTRACTED.

THES 5:17, 1 COR 11:27

ST O

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PR

ST. JOHN BOSCO SAID, “YOU CAN FLY TO HEAVEN ON THE WINGS OF CONFESSION AND COMMUNION.”

ST. JOHN BOSCO, PRAY FOR US!

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60

1 TIM 2:1-4

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SIMILAR TO THE PASSOVER, THE MASS HAS FOUR TYPES OF PRAYER. FIRST, WE PRAISE GOD. THEN, WE OFFER HIM OUR PETITIONS. NEXT, WE ASK FOR THE INTERCESSION OF THE ANGELS AND SAINTS. FINALLY, WE GIVE THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR HIS SACRIFICE AND HIS MERCY.

W PR EV IE ROMANS 14:11

ST O

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THE MASS: FOUR TYPES OF PRAYER

AFTER MASS, JESUS IS RESERVED IN THE TABERNACLE (DWELLING PLACE). WHEN WE RECEIVE COMMUNION, WE ALSO BECOME A TABERNACLE OF THE LORD. A SANCTUARY LAMP (RED CANDLE) IS LIT WHEN JESUS IS PRESENT. WE ALL GENUFLECT WHEN WE ENTER OR LEAVE THE CHURCH. IN DOING ALL OF THESE THINGS, WE ARE PROFESSING THAT THE KING OF HEAVEN AND EARTH IS PRESENT!

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62

MK 14:37

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WE CAN ALSO ADORE THE LORD WHEN HE IS EXPOSED IN THE MONSTRANCE. THIS IS CALLED ADORATION. DURING THIS TIME, JESUS IS FULLY PRESENT IN THE CONSECRATED HOST INSIDE THE MONSTRANCE. YOU CAN KNEEL OR SIT AND PRAY OR TALK TO GOD IN SILENCE. REMEMBER IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE WHEN JESUS ASKS HIS APOSTLES, “COULD YOU NOT WAIT ONE HOUR WITH ME?” WELL, THE INVITATION IS THE SAME FOR US NOW. JESUS WANTS US TO WAIT AND PRAY BEFORE HIM IN ADORATION.

THE BIBLE SAYS, “EVERY KNEE SHALL BEND AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.” THIS IS WHY WE GENUFLECT, BOW, OR KNEEL WHEN WE RECEIVE COMMUNION. WE ARE RECEIVING THE KING OF HEAVEN AND EARTH!

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JESUS IS TRULY PRESENT, BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, AND DIVINITY. THIS IS WHY WE GENUFLECT (KNEEL) WHEN WE ENTER OR LEAVE THE PEWS.

THE HOLY EUCHARIST IS THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF OUR FAITH.

ST O

PHIL 2:10-11, ROM 14:11, CCC 1324-1327

R

YT EL

I AM IN AWE OVER EVERYTHING THAT I JUST LEARNED ABOUT THE EUCHARIST! I CANNOT WAIT TO GO TO HOLY MASS TO RECEIVE JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST!

I ALSO KNOW THAT, AS CATHOLICS, WE HAVE A GREAT DEVOTION TO JESUS’ MOTHER, MARY. COULD YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT WHY WE DO?

63

NOW THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE EUCHARIST IS THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT, IT WILL BE EASY FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND MARY BECAUSE SHE IS THE ARK OF THE NEW COVENANT.

HOW IS SHE AN ARK?

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SHE IS THE ARK OF SALVATION BECAUSE SHE CARRIED JESUS IN HER WOMB.

THE ARK (MARY) AND THE COVENANT (JESUS) ARE INSEPARABLE, AS JESUS TOOK ON HIS FLESH THROUGH HIS MOTHER, MARY.

ST O

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REMEMBER WHEN ADAM AND EVE SINNED? WELL, THE DEVIL THOUGHT HE HAD OUTSMARTED GOD.

64

HE THOUGHT ALL OF HUMANITY, WHICH WAS MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE AND LIKENESS, WOULD NOW BE SEPARATED FROM GOD FOREVER!

REV 11:19-12:1, LK 1:31, JN 1:14, GEN 3:1-24

YT EL

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IT ALL GOES BACK TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN.

W PR EV IE

GOD SAID,

BETWEEN HER OFFSPRING (MARY’S) AND YOURS (DEVIL’S).

ST O

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I WILL PUT HATRED BETWEEN YOU (DEVIL) AND THE WOMAN (MARY),

MARY: THE NEW ARK OF THE COVENANT

GOD TOLD THE DEVIL HIS PLAN TO DESTROY SIN.

BUT GOD ALREADY HAD A PLAN TO SAVE HIS PEOPLE!

GN 3:15

“SHE (MARY) WILL CRUSH YOUR (DEVIL’S) HEAD.”

AND SO IT BEGAN. A NEW PLAN FOR SALVATION, BROUGHT FORTH THROUGH MARY AND JESUS.

65

ALTHOUGH IT WAS MADE BY HUMAN HANDS, GOD GAVE THEM SPECIFIC BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS SO THE ARK WOULD BE PERFECT.

66

EX 25:10-22

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IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE OLD ARK WAS MADE TO CARRY THE COVENANT OF GOD. IT WAS MADE SPECIAL AND PURE.

ST. BERNADETTE OF LOURDES, PRAY FOR US!

YT EL

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THE NEW ARK, MARY, ALSO WAS MADE PERFECTLY PURE (FULL OF GRACE AND SINLESS). SHE CARRIED THE NEW COVENANT (JESUS). YET, UNLIKE THE OLD ARK, WHICH WAS MADE BY HUMAN HANDS, MARY WAS MADE PERFECT BY GOD!

ST O

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THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE OLD ARK AND THE NEW ARK ARE NUMEROUS.

LK 1:28

JUST LISTEN TO THIS!

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68

NM 9:15

ST O

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THE OLD ARK WAS OVERSHADOWED BY GOD.

LK 1:35

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MARY WAS OVERSHADOWED BY GOD.

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70

JESUS DWELLED WITHIN MARY’S WOMB, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLED WITHIN HER SOUL.

EX 40:34, LK 1:46-47

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THE ARK WAS THE DWELLING PLACE FOR THE LORD.

MARY, THE NEW ARK, CONTAINED JESUS! JESUS IS THE WORD BECOME FLESH, THE HIGH PRIEST, AND THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN.

MARY TRAVELED TO THE HILL COUNTRY OF JUDEA.

ST O

HEB 9:4, LK 1:42, 2 SM 6:12, LK 1:39

R

YT EL

THE OLD ARK TRAVELED TO THE HILL COUNTRY OF JUDEA.

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THE OLD ARK CONTAINED THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (THE WORD OF GOD), THE ROD OF AARON (THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD), AND THE MANNA (BREAD FROM HEAVEN).

71

DAVID LEAPT FOR JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ARK.

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JOHN THE BAPTIST (INSIDE ELIZABETH’S WOMB) LEAPT FOR JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE NEW ARK (MARY).

ELIZABETH SAID, “WHO AM I THAT THE MOTHER OF MY LORD SHOULD COME TO ME?”

72

2 SAM 6:14, LK 1:41, 2 SAM 6:9, LK 1:43

ST O

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YT EL

DAVID SAID, “WHO AM I THAT THE ARK OF MY LORD SHOULD COME TO ME?”

ST. ELIZABETH, PRAY FOR US!

THE OLD ARK STAYED WITH DAVID FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.

MARY AND JESUS RETURNED TO JERUSALEM FOR GOD’S GLORY TO BE REVEALED.

R ST O

2 SAM 6:11, LK 1:56, 2 SAM 6:12, LK 2:42-43

YT EL

THE OLD ARK RETURNED TO JERUSALEM FOR GOD’S GLORY TO BE REVEALED.

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MARY STAYED WITH HER COUSIN, ELIZABETH, FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.

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WHEN THE GOLDEN ARK LEFT THE TENT OF WORSHIP, IT WAS COVERED WITH A BLUE VEIL.

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WHEN MARY APPEARS, SHE IS OFTEN COVERED WITH GOLD AND BLUE.

74

MARY IS HONORED AND LOVED AMONG CATHOLICS.

NUM 4:5-6, CCC 839-840, 1 KINGS 3:15, LK 1:48

ST O

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YT EL

PR

THE ARK WAS HONORED AND LOVED AMONG JEWS.

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LIKE THE OLD ARK, MARY WAS PERFECTLY PURE. GOD PRESERVED HER FROM ORIGINAL SIN TO HELP CARRY OUT HIS PLAN OF SALVATION DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION.

D

STS. ANNE AN

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ES PR

YES, GOD SAID THE WOMAN WILL CRUSH HIS HEAD!

ST O

GEN 3:15, LK 1:28, REV 11:19-12:1, GEN 3:15

YT EL

AND REMEMBER THAT HATRED BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND MARY FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS?

R US!

Jesus), PRAY FO

S

MARY IS ALSO THE ARK DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION WHEN IT SAYS, “BEHOLD! THE ARK, A WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN, WITH THE MOON UNDER HER FEET, AND ON HER HEAD A CROWN OF TWELVE STARS.”

ndparents of JOACHIM (gra

75

PR EV IE

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EXACTLY! IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION, IT SAYS THAT THE WOMAN (MARY) WILL PROTECT HER OFFSPRING FROM THE DRAGON (THE DEVIL).

TODAY, CATHOLICS ARE PROTECTED WHEN WE ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE. WE ARE LED INTO BATTLE WITH THE ARK (MARY) AND THE COVENANT (JESUS) WHO IS PRESENT IN THE EUCHARIST.

76

REV 12:17, JOS 6:13

ST O

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YT EL

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JUST AS THE ISRAELITES WERE PROTECTED WHEN THEY WERE LED INTO BATTLE WITH THE ARK AND THE COVENANT,

MARY: THE NEW EVE

WOW! MARY REALLY IS THE NEW ARK. THAT’S AMAZING!

SHE IS ALSO THE NEW EVE.

PR EV IE

W

THE NEW EVE? AS IN ADAM AND EVE?

MARY LOOSENED THE KNOT OF SIN WITH HER “FIAT” (YES) TO GOD. SHE OBEYED GOD’S WILL WHEN THE ANGEL GABRIEL TOLD HER GOD’S DIVINE PLAN. MARY SAID,

YT EL R

EVE, WHICH MEANS “MOTHER OF THE LIVING,” WAS THE FIRST MOTHER OF ALL MANKIND.

ST O

CCC 975, GEN 3:6, LK 1:38, GEN 3:20, JN 19:26-27

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THAT’S RIGHT! EVE TIED THE KN0T OF SIN WHEN THE DEVIL TRICKED HER INTO TAKING THE FRUIT FROM THE FORBIDDEN TREE AND DISOBEYING GOD!

LET IT BE DONE UNTO ME ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL.

MARY, WHO IS JESUS’ MOTHER, BECAME THE NEW MOTHER OF ALL MANKIND. JUST BEFORE CHRIST DIED ON THE CROSS, HE GAVE HER TO US THROUGH HIS COMMAND, “BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER.”

77

YOU SEE, SIN CAME INTO THE WORLD THE SAME WAY IT LEAVES: GOD WALKS WITH MAN.

PR EV IE

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THEY ARE IN A GARDEN (THE GARDEN OF EDEN).

A MAN (ADAM) AND A WOMAN (EVE) ARE AT A TREE.

ST O

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THEY TAKE THE FRUIT FROM THE TREE.

SIN AND DEATH COME INTO THE WORLD.

78

GEN 3:8, GEN 3:6, GEN 2:17

THEY EAT IT.

JESUS: THE FRUIT OF THE TREE OF LIFE

HE IS IN A GARDEN (THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE).

PR EV IE

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AND SIN LEAVES THE WORLD THE SAME WAY IT CAME IN: JESUS (WHO IS GOD) WALKS WITH MAN.

BUT THIS TIME THE FRUIT (JESUS) IS PUT BACK ON THE TREE (THE CROSS). THIS IS SCRIPTURAL. REMEMBER WHEN ELIZABETH SAID,

BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB!

YT EL

R

WE MUST EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THAT TREE (THE TREE OF LIFE).

ST O

JN 1:14, MAT 26:36, JN 19:25, LK 1:42, JN 6:53, CCC 1129

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A MAN (JESUS) AND A WOMAN (MARY) ARE AT A TREE (THE CROSS).

THROUGH THE SACRAMENTS, SIN LEAVES THE WORLD, GOD’S GRACE IS RESTORED IN US, AND WE ARE GIVEN NEW LIFE!

UNLESS YOU EAT MY FLESH AND DRINK MY BLOOD, YOU HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU.

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80

GEN 3:23

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JUST AS ORIGINAL SIN CAUSED US ALL TO LOSE GRACE AND BE SEPARATED FROM GOD,

CCC 1127, 2 PT 1:4

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THE SACRAMENTS RESTORE GOD’S SANCTIFYING GRACE AND ALLOW US TO BE ETERNALLY UNITED WITH GOD IN HEAVEN!

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ADAM AND EVE ATE THE FRUIT AND DIED. NOW WE MUST EAT THE FRUIT IN ORDER TO LIVE. THAT “FRUIT” IS JESUS!

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HE IS THE FRUIT OF THE TREE OF LIFE MENTIONED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION. HE IS THE NEW COVENANT. HE IS THE EUCHARIST!

BY EATING THE FRUIT OF THIS TREE, WE CAN CONQUER DEATH AND HAVE ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN!

SHE IS THE NEW ARK, THE NEW EVE, THE MOTHER OF GOD, THE MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST, AND THE MOTHER OF THE LIVING.

82

WOW, FULTON! MARY TRULY IS EXTRAORDINARY!

SHE SURE IS! SHE INTERCEDES FOR US, TOO!

WHAT DO YOU MEAN “INTERCEDES?”

GEN 2:16-17, REV 2:7, JN 6:35, JN 6, LK 1:38, CCC 495, CCC 975

ST O

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MARY IS SO EXTRAORDINARY BECAUSE SHE WAS CHOSEN TO BE THE MOTHER OF JESUS!

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INTERCEDES MEANS THAT MOTHER MARY CAN ASK GOD FOR US ON OUR BEHALF.

YES, HE TURNED THE WATER INTO WINE AT THE WEDDING FEAST AT CANA.

INTERCESSION OF MARY

DO YOU REMEMBER JESUS’ FIRST MIRACLE?

ES

R

JESUS PROVIDED FOR THEM AND BLESSED THEM BECAUSE MARY INTERCEDED ON THEIR BEHALF. THAT WEDDING PARTY SYMBOLIZES US, THE CHURCH. WE CAN ASK MOTHER MARY TO INTERCEDE FOR US WHEN WE PRAY.

ST O

CCC 969, JN 2:1-11, JN 2:12, JN 2:3, JN 2:7-11

YT EL

BINGO!

PR

PASSOVER?

WELL, MARY INTERCEDED FOR THE WEDDING PARTY. SHE ASKED JESUS TO HELP THEM.

S

YES, AND GUESS WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR IT WAS.

83

WE KNOW THAT JESUS KEPT THE TEN COMMANDMENTS PERFECTLY. ONE OF THE COMMANDMENTS IS TO HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.

PR EV IE

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WE, TOO, HONOR MARY BECAUSE WE ARE TO BE LIKE JESUS.

WE FULFILL THESE WORDS EVERY TIME WE PRAY THE “HAIL MARY.”

R

YT EL

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IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE, MARY TELLS US ALL GENERATIONS WILL CALL HER BLESSED.

AY FOR US!

HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE, THE LORD IS WITH THEE; BLESSED ART THOU AMONGST WOMEN, AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF THY WOMB, JESUS. HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US SINNERS, NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH. AMEN.

84

PHIL 2:8, CCC 971, LK 1:48, JN 1:14

ST O

ST. LUKE, PR

THE GREETING OF ELIZABETH:

THE GREETING OF THE ANGEL GABRIEL:

BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB, JESUS.

PR EV IE

W

HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE. THE LORD IS WITH YOU.

WOW, THAT PRAYER IS LOADED!

R ST O

LK 1:28, LK 1:42, JN 2:3, CCC 966, 1 KGS 2:19

YT EL

PR

ES

S

AND THE INTERCESSION FOR US, LIKE THAT AT THE WEDDING AT CANA: “HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US SINNERS, NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.”

MARY IS ALSO THE “QUEEN MOTHER.”

WELL, IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE QUEEN MOTHER WAS ALWAYS THE MOTHER OF THE KING JUST AS MARY IS THE MOTHER OF JESUS. QUEEN MOTHER? WHAT IS THAT?

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PR EV IE

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MARY WAS ASSUMED INTO HEAVEN AND CROWNED QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

BY HER SON, JESUS, WHO IS THE KING OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. THAT’S WHY WE CALL HER OUR HEAVENLY MOTHER.

WOW, I NEVER KNEW HOW EXTRAORDINARY MOTHER MARY IS!

PR

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I’M GOING TO START ASKING FOR HER INTERCESSION EVERY DAY!

ST O

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YT EL

A GREAT WAY TO DO THIS IS TO PRAY THE ROSARY EVERY DAY.

THE ROSARY IS A PRAYER WE PRAY THAT HELPS US MEDITATE ON THE MYSTERIES OF THE LIFE OF JESUS AND PRAY FOR MARY’S INTERCESSION IN OUR LIFE.

86

CCC 966, CCC 971

THE ROSARY?

THE ROSARY

The Holy Rosary THE ROSARY HAS FIVE DECADES, AND WE MEDITATE ON A DIFFERENT MYSTERY OF CHRIST’S LIFE FOR EACH DECADE. WHILE PRAYING A ROSARY, WE CHOOSE ONE OF FOUR SETS OF MYSTERIES TO FOCUS ON: THE JOYFUL, SORROWFUL, LUMINOUS, OR GLORIOUS MYSTERIES.

W

Third decade

PR EV IE

Fourth decade

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Second decade

ST O

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YT EL

Fifth decade

First decade

Introductory prayers

87

THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES CONTEMPLATE THE JOYFUL TIMES IN JESUS’ LIFE.

PR EV IE

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THE FIRST JOYFUL MYSTERY IS THE ANNUNCIATION.

MONDAY AND SATURDAY

THE THIRD JOYFUL MYSTERY IS THE NATIVITY.

ST O

THE FOURTH JOYFUL MYSTERY IS THE PRESENTATION.

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THE FIFTH JOYFUL MYSTERY IS THE FINDING OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE.

LK 1:26-38, LK 1:39-40, LK 2:1-20, LK 2:22-40, LK 2:49

R

YT EL

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THE SECOND JOYFUL MYSTERY IS THE VISITATION.

THE FIRST LUMINOUS MYSTERY IS THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD.

PR EV IE

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THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES CONTEMPLATE JESUS’ PUBLIC LIFE AND MIRACLES.

THURSDAY

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, PRAY FOR US!

THE SECOND LUMINOUS MYSTERY IS THE WEDDING AT CANA.

YT EL R

THE FOURTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY IS THE TRANSFIGURATION.

ST O

MAT 3:13-17, JN 2:1-11, MK 1:14-15, MAT 17:1-3, MK 14:22-24

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THE THIRD LUMINOUS MYSTERY IS THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM.

THE FIFTH LUMINOUS MYSTERY IS THE INSTITUTION OF THE EUCHARIST.

89

THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES CONTEMPLATE THE SAD TIMES IN JESUS’ LIFE.

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THE FIRST SORROWFUL MYSTERY IS THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN.

TUESDAY AND FRIDAY

THE THIRD SORROWFUL MYSTERY IS THE CROWNING WITH THORNS.

THE FOURTH SORROWFUL MYSTERY IS THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS.

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THE FIFTH SORROWFUL MYSTERY IS THE CRUCIFIXION.

MAT 26:36-46, JN 19:1, JN 19:2, JN 19:17, JN 19:18

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THE SECOND SORROWFUL MYSTERY IS THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR.

THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES CONTEMPLATE THE PLAN OF SALVATION.

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THE FIRST GLORIOUS MYSTERY IS THE RESURRECTION.

WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY

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THE THIRD GLORIOUS MYSTERY IS THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

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THE FOURTH GLORIOUS MYSTERY IS THE ASSUMPTION.

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MAT 28:5-6, ACTS 1:9, ACTS 2:1-4, CCC 966, REV 12:1

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THE SECOND GLORIOUS MYSTERY IS THE ASCENSION.

THE FIFTH GLORIOUS MYSTERY IS THE CORONATION.

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HERE’S HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY:

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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

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Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

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Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

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Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

Rosary Instructions

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Choose which set of mysteries you will meditate on.

(Suggestions: Joyful on Monday & Saturday, Luminous on Thursday, Sorrowful on Tuesday & Friday, Glorious on Wednesday & Sunday.)

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HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY

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1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, followed by the Apostles’ Creed prayer.

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O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

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2. Pray one Our Father prayer, also called The Lord’s Prayer.

3. Pray three Hail Mary prayers for the virtues of faith, hope, and charity.

4. Pray one Glory Be prayer.

5. State the first mystery, and pray one Our Father prayer.

6. Pray 10 Hail Mary prayers while contemplating the stated mystery.

7. Conclude the decade by praying the Glory Be prayer and the Fatima Prayer.

8. Continue saying four more decades, meditating on each of the five mysteries in order.

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9. Conclude the decades by praying the Hail Holy Queen prayer.

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10. Some people also recite the Rosary Prayer, the Memorare, and the Prayer

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to St. Michael the Archangel.

Hail, Holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

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Some also recite one Our Father prayer, one Hail Mary prayer, and one Glory Be prayer for the intentions of the pope.

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11. Finally, conclude with the

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Sign of the Cross.

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Let us pray: O God, whose Only Begotten Son, by his life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech thee, that while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

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For the Pope’s intentions: Our Father ..., Hail Mary …, Glory Be …

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St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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EXACTLY!

JN 19:25

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WOW, WHAT AN AMAZING PRAYER TO HELP ME MEDITATE ON THE LIFE OF JESUS! IT’S NO WONDER SO MUCH HONOR IS GIVEN TO MOTHER MARY! IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO STAND AT THE CRUCIFIXION AND NOT FIND YOURSELF NEXT TO MARY!

AFTER ALL, SHE WAS PRESERVED FROM ORIGINAL SIN TO BE GOD’S OWN MOTHER, AND SHE WAS GIVEN TO US WHEN CHRIST WAS ON THE CROSS TO BE THE MOTHER OF ALL!

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THEN WHEN SHE WAS ASSUMED INTO HEAVEN, SHE BECAME THE MOTHER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH!

JN 19:26-27, CCC 963

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OUR HEAVENLY MOTHER IS EXTRAORDINARY, FULTON! SHE IS THE MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST, WHICH WAS THE FIRST SACRAMENT WE TALKED ABOUT. THAT MEANS THERE ARE SIX MORE TO GO.

I CAN’T WAIT TO LEARN ABOUT THE REST OF THE SACRAMENTS!

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BAPTISM

JESUS SAID WE MUST RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. BECAUSE THE EUCHARIST IS TRULY HIS BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, AND DIVINITY; IT’S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO PREPARE OUR SOULS TO RECEIVE HIM!

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THIS IS WHY BAPTISM IS THE FIRST SACRAMENT WE RECEIVE. IT PREPARES OUR SOUL TO RECEIVE GOD’S GRACE FROM ALL THE SACRAMENTS!

WOW, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A SYMBOL WHEN THE WATER IS POURED OVER THE BABY’S HEAD.

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NO, IT’S BETTER THAN THAT. YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE IT!

BAPTISM IS WHEN WE ARE BORN AGAIN!

JN 6:53, CCC 1215, TI 3:5, JN 3:5

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JUST AS WATER IS THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE, BAPTISM IS THE SOURCE OF OUR LIFE IN GOD.

BORN AGAIN

IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, A PHARISEE NAMED NICODEMUS CAME TO JESUS IN THE DARK. JESUS TOLD HIM,

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UNLESS YOU ARE BORN AGAIN, YOU CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

NICODEMUS ASKED,

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JESUS SAID AGAIN,

JN 3:3, JN 3:4-5

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HOW CAN I BECOME A CHILD AND BE BORN AGAIN? YOU CAN ONLY HAVE ONE BIRTH.

UNLESS YOU ARE BORN OF THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT, YOU HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU.

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JN 3:22

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“AFTER THIS, JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES WENT INTO THE REGION OF JUDEA, WHERE HE SPENT SOME TIME WITH THEM BAPTIZING.”

ORIGINAL SIN

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I UNDERSTAND ACTUAL SINS ARE SINS THAT WE COMMIT, BUT HOW ARE WE BORN WITH ORIGINAL SIN?

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CCC 1121, CCC 1272, ACTS 2:38, ROM 5:19

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BAPTISM FORGIVES ALL OF OUR SINS, BOTH ORIGINAL SIN THAT WE ARE BORN INTO AND ACTUAL SIN THAT WE COMMIT. BAPTISM ALSO REMOVES THE PUNISHMENT FOR THESE SINS.

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WHEN WE ARE BAPTIZED, WE RECEIVE AN INDELIBLE (PERMANENT) MARK ON OUR SOUL THAT CLAIMS US FOR CHRIST. WE BECOME A NEW CREATION IN HIM.

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ORIGINAL SIN WAS THE FIRST SIN, THE SIN ADAM AND EVE COMMITTED IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN. WE ARE ALL BORN WITH THE STAIN OF THIS ORIGINAL SIN. EVER SINCE THEY WERE BANISHED FROM THE GARDEN, WE ALL HAVE BEEN SEPARATED FROM GOD.

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ALL OF OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN,

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THE THING THAT SEPARATES US FROM GOD IS SIN, BUT THROUGH BAPTISM:

SANCTIFYING GRACE IS RESTORED,

AND WE ARE BROUGHT BACK INTO GOD’S FAMILY!

WOW, NO WONDER BAPTISM IS FIRST. IT’S ESSENTIAL!

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GEN 3:24, CCC 1262-1263, CCC 1278

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WE BECOME A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,

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FOUR EFFECTS OF BAPTISM

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GEN 1:2, GEN 8:8, EX 14:23-24, MAT 3:16, GEN 1:9-10

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IN THE BEGINNING WHEN THE WORLD WAS CREATED, IT WAS ALL WATER, AND THE SPIRIT HOVERED ABOVE IT.

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EXACTLY! IN THE BIBLE, THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT MAKE THINGS NEW.

THEN GOD CALLED THE GROUND OUT OF THE WATER. IT WAS A NEW CREATION THROUGH THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT.

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MANY YEARS LATER DURING THE TIME OF NOAH, THE WORLD TURNED WICKED, AND GOD, IN HIS MERCY, DECIDED TO MAKE IT NEW.

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AFTER THE FLOOD, NOAH RELEASED THE DOVE, A SYMBOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

GEN 6: 5-13, GEN 7:12, GEN 8:8-12

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IT RAINED FOR 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS. GOD USED THE WATER OF THE FLOOD TO CLEANSE HIS CREATION OF EVIL (SIN).

1 PT 3:20-21

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GOD’S CREATION WAS RENEWED THROUGH THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT, WHICH PREFIGURED BAPTISM.

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MAT 3:16

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THE NEXT BIBLICAL REFERENCE TO THE DOVE IS AT CHRIST’S BAPTISM. SCRIPTURE TELLS US THAT THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD DESCENDED UPON JESUS “LIKE A DOVE.”

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THROUGH THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT?

ISRAELITES’ JOURNEY AND TODAY

AND DO YOU REMEMBER HOW MOSES AND THE ISRAELITES ESCAPED SLAVERY?

EX 14:23-24

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YOU GOT IT! OUR JOURNEY IS JUST LIKE THE ISRAELITES’ JOURNEY.

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THEY WERE BORN A NEW NATION THROUGH THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT.

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1 COR 10:2-4, ROM 6:4

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WE ARE BORN AGAIN A NEW CREATION THROUGH THE WATER AND THE SPIRIT IN BAPTISM.

WE ARE SUSTAINED ON OUR JOURNEY BY THE EUCHARIST (BREAD FROM HEAVEN).

EX 16:4-5, JN 6:49-51

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THE ISRAELITES WERE SUSTAINED ON THEIR JOURNEY BY THE MANNA (BREAD FROM HEAVEN).

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THE ISRAELITES WERE LED INTO BATTLE WITH THE ARK AND THE COVENANT.

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JOS 6:13

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WE ARE LED INTO SPIRITUAL BATTLE WITH THE ARK (MARY) AND THE COVENANT (JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST).

WE ARE LED BY THE PRIESTHOOD.

NUM 1:50, HEB 5:1-6

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THE ISRAELITES WERE LED BY THE PRIESTHOOD.

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THE ISRAELITES’ JOURNEY WAS TO GET TO THE PROMISED LAND.

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NUM 27:12, RV 21:2

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OUR JOURNEY IS TO GET TO THE ETERNAL PROMISED LAND (HEAVEN)!

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WE ARE BAPTIZED INTO THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.

THE EIGHTH DAY

ST. PAUL TELLS US,

THAT’S WHY WE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED! IT’S HOW WE BECOME BORN AGAIN,

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NOT INTO THE ORIGINAL SIN OF ADAM AND EVE, BUT AS A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST AND A CHILD OF GOD.

ST. PAUL, PRAY FOR US!

THE RESURRECTION IS THE DAY OF NEW CREATION, THE EIGHTH DAY.

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JN 3:5, RM 6:4-5, REV 1:18, CCC 2174, GEN 1:1-2:4

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CHRIST’S PASSION, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION DEFEATED SIN AND DEATH AND OPENED HEAVEN’S GATES.

WHAT IS THE EIGHTH DAY?

GOD ORIGINALLY CREATED THE WORLD IN SIX DAYS, AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY, SATURDAY, HE RESTED. THAT WAS THE SABBATH DAY (DAY RESERVED TO WORSHIP GOD AND REST).

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HIS RESURRECTION FULFILLED THE SABBATH!

CCC 2174

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CHRIST RESURRECTED ON SUNDAY.

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SO WHILE JEWS OBSERVE THE SABBATH ON SATURDAY,

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THIS IS WHY WE GO TO MASS ON SUNDAY NOW. IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, THE DAY OF THE RESURRECTION, THE DAY OF NEW CREATION, THE EIGHTH DAY!

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CHRISTIANS RECOGNIZE THAT THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST FULFILLS THE SABBATH. WE CELEBRATE THE SABBATH ON SUNDAY.

THAT MAKES SENSE! I’VE ALWAYS WONDERED WHY WE GO TO MASS ON SUNDAYS.

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ALSO, IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, A MALE BABY BECAME PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD THROUGH A SPECIAL RITUAL CALLED CIRCUMCISION.

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THIS WAS DONE ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF HIS LIFE.

BAPTISM IS THE FULFILLMENT OF CIRCUMCISION.

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LEV 12:3, COL 2:11-12

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ST. PAUL TELLS US,

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THAT’S WHY WHENEVER WE ARE BAPTIZED, WHETHER WE ARE 1 DAY OLD,

COL 2:13

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OR 90 YEARS OLD,

WE ARE BAPTIZED INTO THE EIGHTH DAY, THE DAY OF THE RESURRECTION!

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EXACTLY! THE EIGHT SIDES POINT TO THE RESURRECTION!

THE EIGHTH DAY, THE DAY OF NEW CREATION, IT’S WHEN WE’RE TRULY BORN AGAIN!

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IS THIS WHY CHURCHES USUALLY HAVE EIGHT-SIDED BAPTISMAL FONTS?

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ST. PETER SAYS,

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IT RAINED FOR 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS. GOD USED THE WATER OF THE FLOOD TO CLEANSE HIS CREATION OF EVIL (SIN).

THOSE EIGHT PEOPLE WHO WERE SAVED PREFIGURE (REPRESENT) THE EIGHTH DAY, THE DAY OF NEW CREATION AND BAPTISM.

IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, EIGHT IN ALL WERE SAVED THROUGH WATER. THIS PREFIGURED BAPTISM, WHICH SAVES YOU NOW! IT IS NOT FOR THE WASHING OF THE BODY, BUT AN APPEAL TO GOD FOR A CLEAR CONSCIENCE, THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.

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JN 3:3, CCC 628, MAT 22:37-40, CCC 2174, MAT 28:1, 1 PT 3:20, 1 PT 3:21

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THE EIGHT SIDES ALSO REMIND US OF THE EIGHT PEOPLE SAVED ON NOAH’S ARK.

ST. PETER ALSO SAYS,

IN SHORT, THAT’S WHY WE ARE BORN AGAIN THROUGH BAPTISM. JOINED WITH CHRIST’S RESURRECTION, WE BECOME A NEW CREATION.

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ACTS 2:38, 1 PT 2:5, CCC 901-913

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REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED, EVERY ONE OF YOU, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS; AND YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

WE ALSO BECOME HIS DISCIPLES AND RECEIVE HIS GRACE TO CONTINUE HIS MISSION. NOW JOINED WITH CHRIST, WHO IS PRIEST, PROPHET, AND KING; IT IS OUR DUTY TO MAKE SACRIFICES, PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL, AND SERVE CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH.

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BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

JESUS SAYS,

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THESE PROMISES ARE FOR OUR ENTIRE FAMILY.

MAT 28:19, CCC 1279, ACTS 2:38, ACTS 2:39

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THROUGH BAPTISM, WE BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD AND RECEIVE SANCTIFYING GRACE, FORGIVENESS OF ALL OUR SINS, AND THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

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GO MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS,

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER …

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CCC 1255, CCC 2225-2226, CCC 2083

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IT’S ALSO THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE THE CHILD IN THE PRACTICES OF THE CHURCH.

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THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS IS TO BRING THEIR CHILD INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD THROUGH BAPTISM. THEY MAKE A DECLARATION OF FAITH ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD AND PROMISE TO TEACH THE CHILD TO REJECT SIN AND EMBRACE THE TRUTHS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH.

THEY SHOULD TEACH THE CHILD TO OBEY THE TEN COMMANDMENTS BY LOVING GOD AND LOVING NEIGHBORS.

THESE PRACTICES WILL HELP THE CHILD LIVE A LIFE THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL SALVATION!

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HERE ARE THE ELEMENTS OF THE RITE OF BAPTISM:

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I BAPTIZE YOU IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

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YES, THAT’S WHY IT’S THE FIRST SACRAMENT OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION. IT’S THE FOUNDATION.

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MAT 28:19, CCC 1279, CCC 1212

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WOW, SO MUCH IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH BAPTISM!

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1 Proclamation of the Gospel. Hear the Word of God, choose to reject sin, and make promises to live for Christ.

6 Godparents. Present the child and take co-responsibility for the child’s religious education.

2 Oleum Sanctorum (Oil of Catechumens).

Anointed by the Holy Spirit, join Christ’s mission of priest, prophet, and king.

7 Candle. Enlightened by Christ, be the light of Christ to the world.

4 Prayer of Epiclesis. Invoke the Holy Spirit upon the water to be baptized by water and the Spirit.

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9 Sign of the cross. Be claimed for Christ through the grace of His cross.

10 Essential Rite. “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Pour water three times.

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CCC 1234-1243, ACTS 2:38, CCC 1272, RM 8:29

SO BAPTISM FORGIVES SINS AND BRINGS US BACK INTO GOD’S DIVINE LIFE, BUT WHAT IF WE SIN AGAIN? SHOULD WE GET BAPTIZED AGAIN?

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5 Water. Be cleansed with water, die to sin, and be born into the Trinity.

8 Easter Candle. Remember the Paschal Mystery: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.

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3 White Garment. Put on Christ and rise with Him.

RITE OF BAPTISM

Rite of Baptism

NO. BAPTISM FORGIVES SINS, BUT YOU CAN ONLY BE BAPTIZED ONCE. THAT’S WHY CHRIST GAVE US THE NEXT SACRAMENT, RECONCILIATION.

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RECONCILIATION

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CHRIST, THE DIVINE PHYSICIAN, HEALS OUR SOUL AND RESTORES SANCTIFYING GRACE IN THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION).

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WHEN WE MAKE SINFUL CHOICES, WE LOSE GRACE (GOD’S LIFE IN US), AND IT IS AS IF WE ARE SICK. WE NEED GOD’S MERCY AND FORGIVENESS.

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EXACTLY! RECONCILIATION IS A SACRAMENT OF HEALING. IT HEALS OUR SOUL, OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. RM 3:23-24, CCC 1486, CCC 1487-1489

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SO, ONCE WE ARE BAPTIZED, WE CAN TURN TO RECONCILIATION IF WE SIN BECAUSE WE NEED GOD’S FORGIVENESS AND MERCY TO BE WELL AGAIN.

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YOU SEE, IT WASN’T ENOUGH TO JUST PASS THROUGH THE WATER.

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WHEN THEY WERE DISOBEDIENT ...

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THEY NEEDED FAITH AND OBEDIENCE.

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NM 14:34, NM 11:1, HEB 11:29, JAS 2:17, EX 32:1-4

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THEY HAD A TENDENCY TO WANDER AWAY FROM GOD.

ISRAELITES IN THE WILDERNESS

REMEMBER THE ISRAELITES IN THE WILDERNESS? WELL, WHEN THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY TO THE PROMISED LAND ...

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NM 21:6, NM 21:8

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THEY NEEDED TO RECONCILE (MAKE UP) WITH HIM.

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AND THEY WANDERED FAR FROM GOD,

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WELL, THE SAME IS TRUE FOR US.

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE BAPTIZED INTO GOD’S FAMILY, SOMETIMES WE MIGHT WANDER AWAY FROM GOD AND CHOOSE TO SIN.

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WHAT DO YOU MEAN “BIG ENOUGH?”

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IN FACT, SOMETIMES WE CAN EVEN COMMIT SINS BIG ENOUGH THAT WE ARE NO LONGER IN GOD’S GRACE.

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CCC 1854-1855, 1 JN 5:16-17

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THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF ACTUAL SIN: MORTAL (SERIOUS SINS THAT REMOVE SANCTIFYING GRACE AND BREAK OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD) AND VENIAL (SLIGHT SINS THAT INJURE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD).

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AND SINS THAT ARE UNTO DEATH (MORTAL).

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VENIAL AND MORTAL SIN

SCRIPTURE SAYS THERE ARE SINS THAT ARE NOT UNTO DEATH (VENIAL)

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THAT IS A SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE!

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE COMMITTED A MORTAL SIN? CCC 1861, CCC 1451-1454, MT 5-7, RM 12-15

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IF WE COMMIT A MORTAL SIN AND DIE WITHOUT CONFESSING IT, WE RISK ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD IN HELL!

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CCC 1858-1859, MK 10:19, LK 16:19-31

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THREE CONDITIONS FOR MORTAL SIN

A MORTAL SIN HAS THREE CONDITIONS: 1. IT MUST BE A GRAVE ACT: IT MUST BE INTRINSICALLY EVIL AND IMMORAL. 2. YOU MUST HAVE FULL KNOWLEDGE: YOU MUST KNOW THAT IT IS WRONG. 3. YOU MUST HAVE DELIBERATE CONSENT: YOU MUST FREELY CHOOSE TO DO IT.

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THAT IS WHY WE MUST SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST’S GRACE AND FORGIVENESS TO EVERYONE WE MEET!

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JN 20:23, MK 16:15

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HOWEVER SCARY THIS MAY SOUND, THERE IS GOOD NEWS. WE CAN RECEIVE COMPLETE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS BY CONFESSING THEM IN THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION!

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BREATH OF GOD

THAT IS GOOD NEWS! I WANT TO SHARE IT. CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT RECONCILIATION?

OF COURSE!

DID YOU KNOW, IN THE BIBLE, GOD BREATHED ON HIS PEOPLE TWO TIMES?

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THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN GOD BREATHED LIFE INTO THE NOSTRILS OF ADAM.

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IT WASN’T LONG AFTER THIS THAT ADAM SINNED AND DEATH CAME INTO THE WORLD.

AFTER ADAM SINNED, GOD ASKED HIM,

GN 3:6, GN 3:11

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WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

EVEN GOD, WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING, WANTED ADAM TO CONFESS HIS SINS.

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JN 20:22

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THE SECOND TIME GOD BREATHED ON HIS PEOPLE WAS AFTER THE RESURRECTION. JESUS, WHO IS GOD, APPEARED TO HIS APOSTLES IN THE UPPER ROOM, AND HE BREATHED ON THEM.

AFTER JESUS BREATHED ON HIS APOSTLES, HE SAID,

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WHOSE SINS YOU FORGIVE ARE FORGIVEN THEM, AND WHOSE SINS YOU RETAIN ARE RETAINED.

PR YT EL R ST O

JN 20:23, CCC 1461, 2 COR 5:18, CCC 1120, LK 24:47, MT 28:18-20

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THE CHURCH AND THE APOSTLES, WHO WERE THE FIRST PRIESTS, WERE GIVEN AUTHORITY FROM AND THROUGH GOD TO FORGIVE SINS.

THIS AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE CHURCH SUCCESSIVELY WITHIN THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD.

141

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BUT AGAIN, JUST AS GOD ASKED ADAM TO TELL HIM HIS SINS,

142

GEN 3:11, CCC 1456, MT 18:18

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WE MUST TELL OUR SINS TO THE PRIEST BECAUSE HE CANNOT FORGIVE SINS UNLESS THEY ARE TOLD TO HIM!

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RECEIVING THE HOLY EUCHARIST

WE NEED FORGIVENESS OF SINS THROUGH RECONCILIATION BECAUSE IT BREATHES GOD’S LIFE BACK INTO US

ST O

CCC 1997, CCC 1468, LK 15:32

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AND FILLS US WITH GOD’S GRACE SO WE CAN RECEIVE THE HOLY EUCHARIST!

143

ST. PAUL SAYS,

144

IF WE EAT THE EUCHARIST IN AN UNWORTHY MANNER (IN THE STATE OF MORTAL SIN) WE EAT DEATH UPON OUR SOUL (ETERNITY IN HELL).

JN 6:53, 1 COR 11:27

ST O

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REMEMBER, WE MUST RECEIVE THE HOLY EUCHARIST IN ORDER TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD IN HEAVEN.

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JUST THINK OF WHEN GOD SPOKE INTO THE DARKNESS AND CREATED THE LIGHT.

I AM!

GEN 1:3, JN 18:6, LK 22:19

ST O

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OR WHEN ALL WHO WERE PRESENT IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE WERE KNOCKED TO THE GROUND WHEN CHRIST SAID,

THE EUCHARIST (WHICH IS GOD) IS THE SAME POWER SOURCE THAT CREATED THE UNIVERSE!

145

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IMAGINE ALL OF THE ELECTRICITY IN YOUR HOUSE. IT’S A WONDERFUL BLESSING!

146

BUT IF YOU WERE TO APPROACH IT WRONG, IT COULD HURT YOU OR EVEN KILL YOU!

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THE EUCHARIST IS GOD ALMIGHTY! IT IS SACRED AND POWERFUL!

THEREFORE, IT MUST BE APPROACHED CORRECTLY. OUR SOUL MUST BE CLEAN!

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YOU WOULDN’T EAT YOUR FOOD AFTER TAKING OUT THE GARBAGE WITHOUT WASHING YOUR HANDS, RIGHT?

ST. JOHN VIANNEY, PRAY FOR US!

THIS COULD MAKE YOU SICK OR EVEN KILL YOU!

ST O

CCC 1333, CCC 1376, MT 26:26, MK 14:22, LK 22:19, 1 COR 11:24, 1 COR 11:27

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IT IS GOD BECOME FLESH UNDER THE FORM OF BREAD AND WINE.

147

WE HAVE A LOVING FATHER WHO WAITS AT THE TABLE FOR US,

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THE SAME IS TRUE ABOUT THE EUCHARIST, WHICH IS A FAMILY MEAL.

THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO UNITES US,

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AND A MOTHER WHO CALLS US TO THE SUPPER.

148

BUT REMEMBER, YOU MUST FIRST “WASH UP” IN THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION.

1 COR 10:16-17, 1 THES 1:10, CCC 1359, CCC 690, JN 16:14, CCC 964, 1 COR 11:28

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THE SON WHO PREPARED THE MEAL,

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WE SHOULD ONLY RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST WHEN WE ARE IN THE STATE OF GRACE. RECEIVING THE EUCHARIST WITH SERIOUS SIN ON OUR SOUL COULD CAUSE OUR SOUL TO BE SEPARATED FROM GOD FOR ETERNITY!

I DEFINITELY DON’T WANT TO BE SEPARATED FROM GOD FOR ETERNITY!

1 COR 11:29

WHEN AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GO TO CONFESSION?

149

IN ORDER TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR THE EUCHARIST, WE MUST GO TO CONFESSION ANY TIME WE ARE IN THE STATE OF MORTAL SIN AND MINIMALLY ONCE A YEAR.

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I LIKE TO GO AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.

150

YOU MUST CONFESS ALL OF YOUR SINS, ANYTHING YOU’VE DONE KNOWINGLY TO OFFEND GOD OR HURT OTHERS.

YOU SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE MOST SERIOUS OFFENSES.

CCC 1457, CCC 1455-1456

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BUT WHAT SHOULD I CONFESS IN RECONCILIATION?

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CAN YOU REMIND ME WHAT I SHOULD DO WHEN I GO TO THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION?

HOW TO GO TO CONFESSION

I SEE HOW IMPORTANT RECONCILIATION IS NOW!

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SURE!

THEN YOU DO AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE BY CALLING TO MIND YOUR PAST THOUGHTS, WORDS, ACTIONS, AND NEGLECTS. YOU CAN USE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS AS YOUR GUIDE.

CCC 1453, CCC 1454

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FIRST YOU ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PRAYER TO HELP YOU REMEMBER YOUR SINS.

151

CCC 2067, EX 20:1-17

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THE FIRST THREE CONCERN LOVE OF GOD,

152

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TEN COMMANDMENTS

AND THE OTHER SEVEN CONCERN LOVE OF NEIGHBOR.

153

YOU BEGIN BY MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AS THE PRIEST SAYS,

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.

154

CCC 1480

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AFTER YOU HAVE EXAMINED YOUR CONSCIENCE AND KNOW THE SINS YOU NEED TO CONFESS, GO TO THE CONFESSIONAL AND KNEEL OR SIT.

THEN YOU SAY,

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BLESS ME FATHER FOR I HAVE SINNED. IT HAS BEEN (HOW LONG) SINCE MY LAST CONFESSION.

FOR THESE AND ALL MY PAST SINS, I AM TRULY SORRY.

CCC 1480

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THEN TELL HIM ALL OF YOUR SINS AND HOW MANY TIMES YOU COMMITTED EACH ONE. COMPLETE YOUR LIST BY SAYING,

155

156

CCC 1494

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THE PRIEST MAY THEN TALK TO YOU TO GIVE YOU GUIDANCE ON HOW TO AVOID THESE SINS IN THE FUTURE.

ACT OF CONTRITION

CCC 1459-1460

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HE WILL ASK YOU TO RECITE AN ACT OF CONTRITION LIKE THIS ONE:

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HE WILL GIVE YOU A PENANCE, WHICH IS A WAY FOR YOU TO MAKE AMENDS FOR YOUR SINS. IT’S USUALLY A TASK SUCH AS A FEW PRAYERS TO RECITE OR AN ACT OF KINDNESS TOWARD OTHERS.

Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

157

FINALLY, YOU WILL BE ABSOLVED (SET FREE) OF YOUR SINS.

158

AMEN.

CCC 1449

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THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH, MAY GOD GIVE YOU PARDON AND PEACE, AND I ABSOLVE YOU FROM YOUR SINS, IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THE PRIEST WILL SAY,

AND YOU RESPOND,

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GO IN PEACE.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

ST O

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WHEN YOU LEAVE THE CONFESSIONAL, YOU SHOULD KNEEL IN A PEW, THANK GOD FOR FORGIVING YOUR SINS, AND COMPLETE YOUR PENANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

159

160

HE IS FORGIVING YOUR SINS THROUGH THE POWER OF GOD AND RECONCILING YOU WITH GOD AND HIS CHURCH.

CCC 1548, CCC 1461, JN 20:23, 2 COR 5:18

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WHAT IS TRULY AMAZING IS THAT THE PRIEST IS ACTING IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST DURING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION.

W

I CANNOT BREAK THE SEAL OF CONFESSION.

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AND YOU NEVER HAVE TO WORRY BECAUSE A PRIEST IS NOT PERMITTED TO TELL ANY OF YOUR SINS TO ANYONE, NO MATTER WHAT! NOT THE POLICE, NOT YOUR PARENTS, NO ONE!

R ST O

CCC 1467, CCC 1432, MK 1:15, MAT 26:26-28

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THE BEST PART OF RECEIVING A SACRAMENTAL CONFESSION IS THAT YOU ARE PERFECTLY CLEAN AND FULL OF GRACE AGAIN.

THIS MEANS YOU CAN RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST!

161

THE EUCHARIST IS THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF CHRISTIAN LIFE. IT’S THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT!

162

BAPTISM REMOVES SIN, RESTORES GRACE, AND BRINGS US BACK INTO GOD’S FAMILY.

CCC 1324, CCC 1279

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YES, THEY SURE DO!

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WOW, FULTON! IT SEEMS THAT ALL OF THE SACRAMENTS WE’VE TALKED ABOUT POINT RIGHT BACK TO THE EUCHARIST.

THE DEATH OF SIN

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RECONCILIATION REMOVES SIN TO PREPARE US TO RECEIVE THE COVENANT (THE EUCHARIST).

THE EUCHARIST IS THE COVENANT, WHICH ALSO FORGIVES OUR SINS.

DO YOU SEE THE PATTERN? GOD LOVES US SO MUCH. HE WANTS TO FORGIVE OUR SINS BECAUSE SIN IS WHAT SEPARATES US FROM HIM.

ST O

CCC 1496, MAT 26:28, JN 3:16

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... FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.

163

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JUST IMAGINE SIN AS A SIMPLE MATH PROBLEM.

164

WELL, THE BIBLE SAYS BAPTISM REMOVES SIN.

MAT 18:22, ACTS 2:38

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IF SIN EQUALS DEATH, THEN WHAT EQUALS THE DEATH OF SIN?

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THE BIBLE SAYS CONFESSION REMOVES SIN.

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THE BIBLE SAYS THE EUCHARIST REMOVES SIN.

ST O

JN 20:22-23, MAT 26:28, ROM 6:23

R

SO, WE CAN CONCLUDE:

165

PR

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NOW THAT I UNDERSTAND RECONCILIATION, I WON’T HESITATE TO RECEIVE GOD’S GRACE AND FORGIVENESS AND DRAW NEARER TO HIM THROUGH HIS SACRAMENTS.

166

AFTER ALL, HE ESTABLISHED THE SACRAMENTS SO WE CAN RECEIVE HIS GRACE AND FORM A DEEP AND HOLY RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

CCC 1127, CCC 1113

ST O

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IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A SACRAMENTAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!

WHEN WE ARE BAPTIZED, ALL OF OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN AND SANCTIFYING GRACE IS RESTORED. THEN IF WE SIN AGAIN, WE CAN GO TO RECONCILIATION, WHICH FORGIVES SIN AND RESTORES GRACE. WE CAN THEN RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST, WHICH FORGIVES VENIAL SINS, UNITES US TO GOD, AND GIVES US MORE GRACE!

CCC 2003, CCC 1114-1116

ST O

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SO LET’S SEE IF I UNDERSTAND ALL OF THIS SO FAR.

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WE SHOULD WORK DAILY TO DEVELOP AND LIVE OUT THIS RELATIONSHIP, RELYING ON THE GRACE OF THE SACRAMENTS WE’VE TALKED ABOUT AND THE SPECIAL GRACES WE CAN RECEIVE FROM THE NEXT SACRAMENT, CONFIRMATION.

AND NOW YOU SAY CONFIRMATION CAN GIVE US EVEN MORE GRACE!?

167

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CONFIRMATION

GRACE IS THE COMMON ELEMENT RECEIVED THROUGH ALL OF THE SACRAMENTS! TOGETHER, BAPTISM, THE EUCHARIST, AND CONFIRMATION ARE THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION, WHICH ARE THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN LIFE. THEY ARE NECESSARY FOR US TO BE FULL CHRISTIANS.

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YES, IT REALLY IS! AFTER BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION IS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE AND PERFECT BAPTISMAL GRACE, AND THE EUCHARIST UNITES US TO CHRIST!

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IT SOUNDS VITAL THAT WE RECEIVE ALL OF THESE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION!

170

WHEN WE RECEIVE CONFIRMATION, IT’S OUR TURN. NOW FULLY INITIATED, WE PROMISE TO CONTINUE OUR CHRISTIAN JOURNEY.

CCC 2003, CCC 1212, CCC 1285, CCC 1254-1255, CCC 1308

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PR

WHEN WE WERE BAPTIZED, OUR PARENTS PROMISED TO RAISE US IN THE CHURCH, TEACH US TO REJECT SIN, AND TRAIN US TO FOLLOW GOD’S COMMANDS.

W PR EV IE YT EL

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COMPLETION OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

AND STOP SINNING UNTO DEATH.

IN THE BIBLE IN HEBREWS, WE ARE TOLD TO LEAVE THE ELEMENTARY TEACHINGS OF CHRIST AND ADVANCE TO MATURITY

HEB 6:1, CCC 2041-2043

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THIS MEANS WE NEED TO FULLY EMBRACE ALL THE TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH AND REJECT SIN.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY!

171

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IT IS A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY, BUT WE CAN CHOOSE A SPONSOR (A CONFIRMED ADULT ROLE MODEL) TO HELP GUIDE US IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.

ST. GIANNA BERETTA-MOLLA, PRAY FOR US!

172

THROUGH THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION, WE RECEIVE GIFTS FROM GOD TO HELP US LIVE AN AUTHENTICALLY CHRISTIAN LIFE. CHRIST PROMISED TO GIVE US HIS GIFTS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

CCC 1311, CCC 956, MK 12:27, JN 14:26

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WE ALSO CHOOSE A SAINT (A PERSON WHO IS IN HEAVEN UNITED WITH GOD) WHO IS A ROLE MODEL FOR HOLINESS AND SOMEONE WE CAN TURN TO FOR INTERCESSION.

W PR EV IE

GIFTS AND FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

AT PENTECOST, WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED LIKE TONGUES OF FIRE, ALL PRESENT WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHICH ENABLED THEM TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL.

BE SEALED WITH THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

ACTS 2:1-11, CCC 1289

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DURING THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION, THE BISHOP LAYS HANDS ON THE CONFIRMANDS AND ANOINTS THEM WITH SACRUM CHRISMA (HOLY CHRISM OIL). THE CONFIRMANDS ARE SEALED WITH THE GIFT OF THE THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHICH GIVES THEM THE GRACES NECESSARY TO PROCLAIM AND LIVE THE GOSPEL.

173

WE RECEIVE AN INCREASE IN THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

PR

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WISDOM ALLOWS US TO SEE THINGS AS GOD DOES AND TO DESIRE GOD AND NOT THE WORLD.

VEN. ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHE

EN, PRAY FOR US!

RIGHT JUDGMENT OR COUNSEL HELPS US TO AVOID SIN THROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF RIGHT AND WRONG.

174

CCC 1303, IS 11:1-2, CCC 1831, CCC 1845

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UNDERSTANDING HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND THE FAITH. IT GIVES US INSIGHT THROUGH PRAYER, SCRIPTURE, AND THE SACRAMENTS.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, GOD LOVE YOU!

ST. PATRICK, PRAY FOR US!

ST. PADRE PIO, PRAY FOR US!

FORTITUDE OR COURAGE ALLOWS US TO ENDURE EVIL, DEFEND OUR FAITH, AND PERSEVERE IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST.

PR

FOR US! ST. JOAN OF ARC, PRAY

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KNOWLEDGE IS THE ACTUAL ABILITY TO JUDGE ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE TRUTHS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH AND TO SEE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR LIFE THE WAY THAT GOD SEES THEM.

FEAR OF THE LORD GIVES US THE DESIRE NOT TO OFFEND GOD OUT OF LOVE FOR HIM.

CCC 1831, CCC 1845

ST O

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PIETY IS THE WILLINGNESS TO WORSHIP AND OBEY GOD.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, PRAY FOR US!

ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA, PRAY FOR US!

ST. AUGUSTINE, PRAY FOR US!

175

ENDOWED WITH THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, SEALED WITH THE SACRAMENTAL GRACE OF CONFIRMATION, AND LED BY OUR PARENTS, SPONSORS, AND THE SAINTS, WE BECOME TRANSFORMED. WE BEGIN TO EXHIBIT THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

CHARITY

CHASTITY

JOY SELF-CONTROL FAITHFULNESS

GENEROSITY

MODESTY

KINDNESS

GENTLENESS

PATIENCE

176

JUST AS A MATURE FRUIT TREE PRODUCES FRUIT, CONFIRMED CATHOLICS BECOME TRANSFORMED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND PRODUCE TWELVE CHARACTERISTICS. THESE CHARACTERISTICS ARE CALLED THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

CCC 1832, GAL 5:22-23

ST O

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GOODNESS

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PEACE

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WHAT ARE THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

AN INDELIBLE MARK

W

IN ADDITION TO RECEIVING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONFIRMATION, WE ARE ALSO SEALED WITH AN INDELIBLE MARK WHEN WE ARE ANOINTED WITH THE SACRED OIL.

ST O

CCC 1304, 1317, 2 COR 1:21-22

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I REMEMBER THAT IN BAPTISM WE ARE SEALED WITH AN INDELIBLE MARK THAT CLAIMS US AS CHILDREN OF GOD.

YES! AND JUST AS SOLDIERS OF OLD WERE ANOINTED AND CLAIMED FOR THEIR KING, OUR ANOINTING IN CONFIRMATION CLAIMS US AS SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST THE KING OF KINGS!

177

THE EARLY CHURCH FATHER THEOPHILUS ASKED,

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ARE YOU UNWILLING TO BE ANOINTED WITH THE OIL OF GOD?

BECAUSE WE ARE ANOINTED.

178

CCC 1295-1296

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IT IS ON THIS ACCOUNT THAT WE ARE CALLED CHRISTIANS:

BUT CHRIST ARMS US WITH HIS GRACE, THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND OUR CHRISTIAN TRAINING. SO, FIGHTING FOR CHRIST IS A SOURCE OF GREAT JOY!

CCC 1297, CCC 1295

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SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST

BECAUSE OUR ANOINTING MARKS US AS SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST, WE MUST NOW STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR OUR FAITH.

THINK ABOUT A SOLDIER’S JOB. IT’S AN INTENSE DUTY!

179

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WE ARE NOW ARMED AND READY TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF GOD

THIS IS WHY JESUS SAYS, “BE NOT AFRAID.”

180

BECAUSE IT TAKES COURAGE TO SHARE YOUR FAITH!

CCC 1294, MAT 14:27

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AND PROCLAIM OUR FAITH.

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THINK ABOUT IT: EVERYTHING WE DO AS CATHOLICS IS TO SHOW THAT WE ARE CHRISTIANS.

ST O

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PR

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LIKE WHAT, FULTON?

181

PR

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ASHES ON OUR FOREHEADS REMIND US AND SHOW OTHERS THAT OUR VERY EXISTENCE IS A GIFT FROM GOD.

YT EL

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS REMINDS US AND SHOWS OTHERS THAT EVERYTHING WE RECEIVE IS FROM GOD, INCLUDING SALVATION.

182

CRUCIFIXES, HOLY MEDALS, AND SCAPULARS KEEP US ALL AWARE OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE IN OUR DAILY LIVES.

CCC 1667, CCC 1668, CCC 1672

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IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER ...

W PR EV IE S ES PR

ST O

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IT’S IMPORTANT TO VISIBLY FOLLOW CHRIST AND OPENLY SHARE OUR FAITH WITH OTHERS .

MAT 4:19, MAT 10:33

JESUS SAID,

IF YOU DENY ME IN FRONT OF OTHERS, I WILL DENY YOU IN FRONT OF MY FATHER.

183

184

PS 71:23

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ALTHOUGH BEING A CHRISTIAN IS CAUSE FOR GREAT JOY, SOMETIMES WE ARE CALLED TO SUFFER AND WORK.

ES

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SUFFERING IS HOLY TO GOD.

YT EL R ST O

1 PT 4:12-19, 1 PT 2:21, GAL 3:13-15, RM 2:6-11

PR

OUR SUFFERING IS A PARTICIPATION IN THE SAME CURRENCY THAT PURCHASED OUR SALVATION.

WE ALSO ARE ASKED TO WORK. THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF WORK WE CAN DO: CORPORAL WORKS (FOR THE BODY) AND SPIRITUAL WORKS (FOR THE SOUL).

185

FEED THE HUNGRY,

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THE SEVEN CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY ARE:

GIVE DRINK TO THE THIRSTY,

186

MAT 25:34-40, CCC 2447

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CLOTHE THE NAKED,

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CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY

VISIT THE IMPRISONED,

SHELTER THE HOMELESS,

AND BURY THE DEAD.

MAT 25:34-40, CCC 2447

ST O

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VISIT THE SICK,

187

INSTRUCT THE IGNORANT,

ADMONISH THE SINNER,

188

CCC 2447, JN 8:7, JN 20:24-29, MAT 21:12-13

ST O

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COUNSEL THE DOUBTFUL,

PR

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THE SEVEN SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY ARE:

AND PRAY FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD.

R

LAZARUS, COME OUT!

ST O

JN 21:15-17, JN 4:4-26, LK 23:28, JN 11:1-44

YT EL

COMFORT THE SORROWFUL,

PR

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DO YOU LOVE ME?

SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY

FORGIVE OFFENSES WILLINGLY,

BEAR WRONGS PATIENTLY,

ST. VERONICA, PRAY FOR US!

189

EVEN THE VERY WORD “DISCIPLINE” COMES FROM THE WORD “DISCIPLE.”

190

WE NEED A DISCIPLINED PRAYER LIFE BECAUSE PRAYING IS TALKING WITH GOD.

CCC 1816, MAT 6:5, CCC 2564-2565

ST O

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YOU SEE, IT’S OUR CHRISTIAN DUTY, AS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, TO BE DISCIPLINED AND DO THESE WORKS.

ES R

YT EL

PR

MASS IS A SACRED ENCOUNTER WITH GOD. WE ARE THERE TO WORSHIP AND PRAISE HIM, HEAR HIS WORD, AND BE UNITED WITH HIM AND RECEIVE HIS SACRAMENTAL GRACE IN HOLY COMMUNION.

ST O

LK 18:9-14, CCC 2559, MK 2:27-28, CCC 2176, CCC 1156-1158, CCC 1359-1361

S

PR EV IE

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A SACRED ENCOUNTER

IT’S SPENDING TIME WITH HIM WHOM WE LOVE AND, THEREFORE, ESSENTIAL TO OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.

WE CAN GO TO MASS EVERY DAY, BUT MINIMALLY WE NEED TO GO TO MASS EVERY SUNDAY AND ON HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT MASS IS NOT ABOUT BEING ENTERTAINED.

191

192

CCC 787

ST O

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IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO BUILD OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.

PR EV IE S I DIDN’T REALIZE MARRIAGE IS A SACRAMENT!

R

YT EL

PR

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THE NEXT TWO SACRAMENTS GIVE US GRACE FOR OUR STATE IN LIFE AND ARE AIMED AT SERVING OTHERS AND HELPING THEM ATTAIN SALVATION. THE FIRST ONE IS MARRIAGE.

ST O

CCC 2003, CCC 2017, 1 COR 12, CCC 1212, CCC 1534, CCC 1601, EPH 5:31-32

W

THE BEST WAY TO GROW THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS TO PARTICIPATE IN HIS SACRAMENTS. THAT WAY WE CAN BE FREED FROM SIN AND FILLED WITH HIS GRACE AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

SACRAMENTAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

SO WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION: BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, AND THE EUCHARIST, WHICH IS THE COVENANT. WE HAVE ALSO TALKED ABOUT RECONCILIATION. THAT MEANS THERE ARE THREE MORE TO GO!

193

YT EL

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YT EL

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ST O

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PR S

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PR EV IE

MARRIAGE

MARRIAGE IS A SACRAMENT THAT FORMS A UNION BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN WHO VOW (PROMISE) TO LOVE, HONOR, SERVE, AND OBEY EACH OTHER IN A LIFELONG COVENANT. THEY MAKE THIS PROMISE BEFORE GOD, WHO GIVES THEM GRACE THROUGH THIS SACRAMENT.

YT EL

PR

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THEY ALSO PROMISE TO OPENLY ACCEPT CHILDREN AS A GIFT FROM GOD. THE BRIDE AND GROOM ARE THE MINISTERS OF THE SACRAMENT, WHILE A PRIEST OR DEACON ACTS AS THE WITNESS.

196

CCC 1623, CCC 1641

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THE BIBLE HAS A PRIMARY THEME: MARRIAGE!

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THE BIBLE ALSO ENDS WITH A WEDDING IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION (THE WEDDING FEAST OF THE LAMB, WHICH IS THE HOLY EUCHARIST).

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GEN 2:21-23, JN 2:1-8, REV 19:6-9, CCC 1027, CCC 1602, CCCC2550

JESUS’ FIRST PUBLIC MIRACLE WAS AT A WEDDING (THE WEDDING FEAST AT CANA).

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MARRIAGE IS BIBLICAL

IT BEGINS WITH A WEDDING (ADAM AND EVE).

ULTIMATELY, WE ARE CALLED TO AN “ETERNAL MARRIAGE.” WE WILL HAVE PERFECT UNION WITH GOD FOREVER IN HEAVEN.

197

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198

CCC 772-773, EPH 1:1-14

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HOW SO, FULTON?

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OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH HIS CHURCH IS ALSO LIKE A MARRIAGE.

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IN THE BIBLE, A COMMON PLACE TO MEET YOUR SPOUSE WAS AT THE WELL.

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THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT THE BRIDE AND GROOM BECOME ONE FLESH AFTER THEIR WEDDING.

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GEN 24:12-14, GEN 29:1-6, EX 2:11-21, CCC 1277, MK 10:6-8, CCC 1617, CCC 1652, GEN 1:28

WE ARE NO DIFFERENT. WE BECOME PART OF THE CHURCH (THE BRIDE OF CHRIST) AT THE WELL OF OUR BAPTISM.

AND WE BECOME ONE FLESH WITH GOD IN THE NUPTIAL UNION OF THE EUCHARIST AT OUR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION.

AFTER THE WEDDING, LIFE CONTINUES IN THIS WORLD THROUGH THE ONE-FLESH MARRIAGE UNION OF A HUSBAND AND WIFE.

199

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AND LIFE CONTINUES IN ETERNITY (HEAVEN) THROUGH THE “ONE-FLESH MARRIAGE UNION” BETWEEN CHRIST AND HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH, THROUGH THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT: THE HOLY EUCHARIST!

200

JN 6:54

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BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD, BEHOLD HIM WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD. BLESSED ARE THOSE CALLED TO THE SUPPER OF THE LAMB.

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AH, YOUR FAVORITE SACRAMENT AGAIN!

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MARRIAGE IS A MIRROR OF THE LIFE OF THE TRINITY.

MARRIAGE IS EUCHARISTIC

SEE, MARRIAGE ALSO IS EUCHARISTIC!

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THIS IS WHY GOD COMMANDED US TO BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY.

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IN MARRIAGE, THE HUSBAND AND WIFE ARE ONE, AND LIFE GOES FORTH THROUGH THEIR CHILDREN.

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CCC 1612-1614, - CCC 1639-1640, CCC 221, CCC 1652-1654, GEN 1:28, GEN 9:7

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THE FATHER AND THE SON ARE ONE, AND LIFE GOES FORTH THROUGH THEIR ETERNAL LOVE, THE HOLY SPIRIT.

201

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JUST AS THERE IS NO LIMIT TO GOD’S LIFE-GIVING LOVE, WE PROMISE UNLIMITED LIFE-GIVING LOVE WHEN WE GET MARRIED.

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AND CHANGING GOD’S IMAGE IS A FORM OF IDOLATRY.

202

CCC 2366-2367, CCC 2334-2335, EX 20:3, CCC 1643-1666

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IF WE PUT LIMITS ON BEING FRUITFUL IN MARRIAGE, THEN WE CHANGE THE REFLECTION OF GOD.

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MARRIAGE IS LIFE-GIVING

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “CHANGING GOD’S IMAGE?”

203

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WELL, GOD IS PERMANENT, TOTAL, FAITHFUL, AND FRUITFUL.

204

GOD IS THE LORD, THE GIVER OF LIFE.

JP II TOTB, ECC 3:14, 1 COR 1:9, JN 15:4-5, CCC 1644, 1 SAM 2:6

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AND GOD’S PLAN FOR MARRIAGE MIRRORS THAT!

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IN MARRIAGE, WE ARE ASKED TO RECEIVE HIS GIFTS: CHILDREN.

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GEN 1:28, CCC 2366-2367, LK 1:38

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SHOULD WE EVER TELL GOD “NO”?

BE IT DONE UNTO ME ACCORDING TO THY WORD.

OF COURSE NOT! SALVATION COMES THROUGH SAYING “YES.”

205

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THE BEAUTY OF THE CHURCH ALSO REFLECTS THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE.

206

EPH 5:25-27, CCC 1146

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EVEN THE WAY THE CHURCH IS DESIGNED REPRESENTS MARRIAGE.

MARRIAGE IS LIKE THE CHURCH

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DID YOU KNOW THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH, THE SANCTUARY, RESEMBLES THE GROOM? CHRIST, THE GROOM, WAITS HERE FOR US TO APPROACH HIM.

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CCC 1383, CCC 1153, CCC 777

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AND THE PEWS, WHERE THE LAITY SIT, RESEMBLE THE BRIDE, THE CHURCH. WE PROCESS FORWARD JUST AS A BRIDE WOULD TO RECEIVE CHRIST, THE BRIDEGROOM, IN COMMUNION.

THE HIGH POINT OF THE MASS IS A WEDDING FEAST, WHERE HEAVEN CALLS US FORWARD TO RECEIVE THE BRIDEGROOM IN THE EUCHARIST.

207

208

CCC 1396

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JUST THINK ABOUT IT: WE WALK UP THE AISLE TOWARD THE ALTAR TO RECEIVE CHRIST. THE PRIEST SAYS, “BODY OF CHRIST,” AND WE EACH RESPOND WITH OUR VOW, “AMEN!”

THIS IS ONE REASON WHY SOME WOMEN WEAR VEILS IN CHURCH.

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THEY ARE VEILED LIKE A BRIDE AT A WEDDING.

OUR UNION WITH GOD, WHICH BEGAN AT BAPTISM WHEN WE MET OUR SPOUSE JESUS AT THE WELL.

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1 COR 11:4-10, REV 19:7-9, EZ 16:8-14, CCC 1383

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THIS POINTS TOWARD OUR UNION WITH GOD IN HEAVEN,

IF OUR VOCATION (CALLING FROM GOD) IS TO BE MARRIED, WE ONCE AGAIN PROCESS UP THE AISLE. AS BRIDE AND GROOM, WE GIVE OURSELVES TO ONE ANOTHER AT THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE.

209

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1 COR 7:14, CCC 1535

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MARRIAGE IS A SACRAMENT OF SERVICE. ITS AIM IS THE SALVATION OF OTHERS. SPOUSES ARE TO HELP EACH OTHER GET TO HEAVEN.

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EVEN A FUNERAL RESEMBLES MARRIAGE.

MARRIAGE IS SERVICE

MARRIAGE FULLY POINTS TO ETERNITY IN HEAVEN WITH GOD WHERE WE WILL BE “ETERNALLY MARRIED TO GOD” (IN PERFECT UNION WITH GOD FOREVER).

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MARRIAGE IS TRULY A GIFT FROM GOD THAT AIDS IN THE SALVATION OF SOULS! SPOUSES STRIVE TO HELP EACH OTHER AND THEIR CHILDREN GET TO HEAVEN.

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CCC 1024, CCC 1680, CCC 1182, 1 COR 7:14

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THE DECEASED PERSON IS BROUGHT UP THE AISLE ONE FINAL TIME AND VEILED BEFORE THE ALTAR OF THE LORD TO BE GIVEN IN MARRIAGE TO GOD.

211

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AND THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST.

212

JUST AS EVE WAS BORN FROM THE SIDE OF ADAM, CHRIST’S BRIDE, THE CHURCH, WAS BORN FROM CHRIST’S SIDE!

BECAUSE THE PRIEST IS THE GROOM AND THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE, HE LIVES HIS LIFE IN DEDICATION AND SUBMISSION TO HER. CCC 1547, CCC 766, 1 COR 7:32-35, CCC 1577, CCCC 1579

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IN A SIMILAR WAY, PRIESTS TAKE VOWS AND ARE MARRIED TO THE CHURCH, WHICH THEY SERVE FOR THE SALVATION OF OTHERS.

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PRIESTS HAVE A BIG JOB BEING MARRIED TO THE CHURCH! THAT’S A LOT OF PEOPLE TO SERVE!

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WE ARE ALL CALLED TO LOVE AND SERVE GOD AND OTHERS JUST AS SPOUSES DO. BUT YOU’RE RIGHT. WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT PRIESTS TO BRING US THE SACRAMENTS THAT REMOVE SIN AND GIVE US GRACE!

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CCC 1577, MK 3:14-19, LK 6:12-16, 1 TIM 3:1-13, 2 TIM 1:6, TIT 1:5-9, CCC 1591-1592

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THIS IS ONE REASON WHY ONLY MEN CAN BECOME PRIESTS.

213

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HOLY ORDERS

WE NEED BISHOPS, PRIESTS, AND DEACONS TO ADMINISTER THE SACRAMENTS. THAT’S WHY THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IS SO IMPORTANT!

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WHAT IS HOLY ORDERS?

IT’S THE SACRAMENT OF APOSTOLIC MINISTRY. THIS MEANS THAT CHRIST ENTRUSTED IT TO HIS APOSTLES, WHO HAVE ORDAINED PRIESTS CONTINUOUSLY SINCE THE TIME OF CHRIST. THE PRIESTHOOD SERVES THE CHURCH AND DISTRIBUTES GOD’S GRACE. PRIESTS ARE PRIESTS IN THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.

216

WHO IS MELCHIZEDEK?

CCC 874, CCC 1536, CCC 1544

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HOLY ORDERS IS THE SACRAMENT THROUGH WHICH THE MISSION ENTRUSTED

BY CHRIST TO HIS APOSTLES CONTINUES TO BE EXERCISED IN THE CHURCH UNTIL THE END OF TIME. IN THIS SACRAMENT, MEN ARE CALLED BY GOD TO BE ANOINTED WITH THE SANCRUM CHRISMA (HOLY CHRISM OIL) AS PRIESTS AND BISHOPS, WHEREAS DEACONS ARE CALLED TO ASSIST THEM.

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THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK

MELCHIZEDEK WAS A HIGH PRIEST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. HE OFFERED A SACRIFICE OF BREAD AND WINE. HE WAS THE KING OF SALEM (PEACE).

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HEB 7:1, 1 TIM 6:15, CCC 1545

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CHRIST IS THE HIGH PRIEST OF HEAVEN AND EARTH WHO OFFERED HIS BODY AND BLOOD IN THE FORM OF BREAD AND WINE. HE IS THE KING OF KINGS AND THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

217

218

MAT 9:1-8

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CHRIST ALONE HAS THE POWER TO FORGIVE SINS, WHICH HE DID THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS.

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CHRIST, HOWEVER, CHOSE TO PASS HIS AUTHORITY ON TO HIS APOSTLES SO THEY COULD DISTRIBUTE HIS GRACES TO HIS PEOPLE AFTER HIS ASCENSION.

JN 20:22-23, JN 13:1-17

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HIS GRACES ARE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH BY HIS BISHOPS AND PRIESTS! CHRIST ORDAINED HIS APOSTLES TO THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD TO DISTRIBUTE HIS GRACE.

I BELIEVE ...

EVERY WEEK AT MASS, WE PROFESS THE NICENE CREED. THIS PRAYER IS A STATEMENT OF OUR FAITH.

219

AND HERE IT IS:

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, f all things visible and invisible. o

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Nicene Creed

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I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,

ES

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

YT EL

PR

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

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I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

220

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THE WORD “APOSTOLIC” MEANS FROM THE APOSTLES.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

IN THIS CREED, WE PROFESS ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH.

WE, AS CATHOLICS, KNOW THAT PETER WAS OUR FIRST POPE. THE POPE IS THE HEAD BISHOP OF THE CHURCH AND THE BISHOP OF ROME.

YT EL R ST O

CCC 811-870, CCC 869, REV 21:14, CCC 880, MAT 16:18-19

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THE APOSTLES WERE THE FIRST BISHOPS. THEY WERE ORDAINED BY CHRIST HIMSELF!

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT PETER WAS THE FIRST POPE?

THE BIBLE TELLS US.

221

222

MAT 4:18-22

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PETER, WHO WAS ORIGINALLY NAMED SIMON, WAS AMONG THE FIRST APOSTLES CALLED BY JESUS.

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PAPAL AUTHORITY

SIMON PETER WAS AMONG THE FIRST CALLED BY JESUS FOR A REASON.

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MAT 4:18-22, IS 22:23, IS 22:22

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YT EL

JESUS KNEW THAT HE WOULD FULFILL THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY AND SIT IN A SEAT OF HONOR AMONG HIS PEOPLE AS THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH, AS THE FIRST POPE.

WHAT PROPHESY FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT?

THE PROPHECY WAS FORETOLD BY THE PROPHET ISAIAH. HE DESCRIBES A KEY THAT HELD THE AUTHORITY TO RULE OVER ISRAEL, THE KINGDOM OF DAVID.

223

AND WHATEVER DOOR IT SHUTS WILL REMAIN SHUT.

224

ES

YOU SEE, FROM THE BEGINNING, GOD ALWAYS HAD A COVENANT WITH HIS PEOPLE. DO YOU REMEMBER THE OLD COVENANTS WE DISCUSSED? YES, GOD CREATED COVENANTS WITH ADAM, NOAH, ABRAHAM, MOSES, AND DAVID.

IS 22:22-25, GEN 2:15-16, GEN 9:1-17, GEN 15:18-21, EX 19-24, 2 SAM 7:8-17

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THE BIBLE DESCRIBES THE AUTHORITY OF THE DAVIDIC KINGDOM AS AN IMMOVABLE PEG. IN GOD’S COVENANT WITH DAVID, HE PROMISED THAT AN ETERNAL ROYAL KINGDOM WOULD BE ESTABLISHED THROUGH HIS DESCENDANTS.

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THE BIBLE TELLS US WHATEVER DOOR THIS KEY OPENS WILL REMAIN OPEN,

COVENANTS FULFILLED

WE CAN SEE THAT CHRIST FULFILLS THE DAVIDIC PROPHESIES AND COVENANT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN KING DAVID AND HIS SON SOLOMON, AND JESUS.

YT EL

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EXACTLY! BUT, AS WE SEE, TIME AFTER TIME, EACH GENERATION CHOSE SIN AND FELL AWAY FROM GOD AND HIS COVENANT WITH THEM. SO GOD THE FATHER SENT HIS SON, JESUS, TO FULFILL ALL OF THE OLD PROPHECIES AND COVENANTS.

JESUS WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM.

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MAT 5:17, 1 SM 17:12, MAT 2:1

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DAVID WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM.

225

JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD. HE IS THE MESSIAH, WHICH MEANS “ANOINTED ONE.” THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED UPON HIM AT HIS BAPTISM IN THE JORDAN.

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DAVID WAS A SHEPHERD. HE WAS ANOINTED

BY THE PROPHET SAMUEL, AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD DESCENDED UPON HIM.

DAVID BECAME KING AT AGE 30.

DAVID CAST OUT DEMONS.

JESUS CAST OUT DEMONS.

226

1 SAM 16:11-13, JN 10:11, JN 20:31, LK 3:22, 2 SM 5:4, JN 2:1-21, 1 SM 16:23, MAT 8:31-32

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JESUS BEGAN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY AT AGE 30.

JESUS WAS BETRAYED BY HIS OWN APOSTLE, JUDAS.

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DAVID WAS BETRAYED BY HIS TRUSTED ADVISOR.

JESUS WEPT AT THE MOUNT OF OLIVES.

YT EL R

DAVID WROTE THE PSALMS.

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PS 41:9, LK 22:1-5, 2 SM 15:30, LK 22:39-46, PS 22, MAT 27:46

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DAVID WENT UP THE MOUNT OF OLIVES WEEPING.

MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU ABANDONED ME?

FROM THE CROSS, JESUS QUOTED THE PSALMS THAT SHOWED HE CAME TO FULFILL THE PROPHECIES!

227

JESUS IS THE KING OF KINGS FROM THE LINE OF DAVID. HE SITS UPON THE THRONE IN THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM.

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DAVID WAS THE KING OF ISRAEL. HE MADE JERUSALEM THE CAPITAL CITY.

DAVID HAD A SON, SOLOMON, WHO ALSO RULED AS KING OF JERUSALEM. SCRIPTURE CALLS HIM “A SON OF GOD,” TASKED TO BUILD GOD’S TEMPLE AND RULE ON A PERPETUAL THRONE.

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SOLOMON RODE INTO JERUSALEM ON A DONKEY.

228

JESUS ENTERED JERUSALEM ON A DONKEY.

2 SM 5:1-3, 1 TIM 6:16, 1 KGS 2:4, HEB 12:22, ZEC 9:9, JN 12:14-15

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LIKEWISE, JESUS IS KING OF THE “HEAVENLY JERUSALEM.” HE IS THE SON OF GOD AND BUILT THE TEMPLE, HIS CHURCH. THEREFORE, JESUS IS THE FULFILLMENT OF SOLOMON!

THE MOTHER OF SOLOMON WAS HIS QUEEN, AND HE COULD NOT REFUSE HER REQUEST.

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MARY IS THE MOTHER OF JESUS AND THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. JESUS DID NOT REFUSE HER REQUEST.

SOLOMON BUILT THE TEMPLE ON A HUGE ROCK FOUNDATION IN JERUSALEM.

PR YT EL R

SOLOMON’S TEMPLE CONTAINED THE OLD ARK OF THE COVENANT, WHICH HELD THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (THE WORD OF GOD), THE ROD OF AARON (SYMBOLIZING THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD), AND THE MANNA (BREAD FROM HEAVEN).

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1 KGS 2:17-18, JN 2:3, 2 CHR 3:1, MAT 16:18, 1 KGS 8:1-4, CCC 783

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JESUS CALLED SIMON “PETER,” WHICH MEANS “ROCK.” HE BUILT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, THE NEW JERUSALEM, UPON THIS ROCK.

CATHOLIC CHURCHES CONTAIN TABERNACLES, WHICH HOLD THE NEW COVENANT, JESUS. HE IS THE WORD BECOME FLESH, THE HIGH PRIEST, AND THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN.

229

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CCC 1330

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EXACTLY! ONCE AGAIN, IT ALL COMES BACK TO THE EUCHARIST.

PR

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SO, JESUS FULFILLED THE OLD PROPHECIES AND COVENANTS WITH THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT, THE EUCHARIST?

CCC 1327

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WOW! THE EUCHARIST TRULY IS CENTRAL TO OUR FAITH. BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE KEYS OF AUTHORITY FROM DAVID’S KINGDOM AND THE ETERNAL ROYAL KINGDOM THAT GOD PROMISED?

231

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THE KEYS TO THE DAVIDIC KINGDOM AND THEIR AUTHORITY WERE PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION ...

232

MAT 1:1-16

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UNTIL JESUS, THE MESSIAH, CAME!

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“YET ON THAT DAY, SAYS THE LORD, I WILL SHEAR THAT PEG.”

ISA 22:25

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SO, AS PROPHESIED, JESUS, WHO IS A DESCENDANT IN THE LINE OF DAVID, TOOK THE KEYS OF AUTHORITY OF THE DAVIDIC KINGDOM WHEN HE “SHEARED THE PEG.”

233

JESUS RENAMED SIMON PETER AND SAID TO HIM, AND UPON THIS ROCK (PETER) I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH,

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YOU ARE ROCK (PETER),

I GIVE YOU THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

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WHATEVER YOU BIND ON EARTH IS BOUND IN HEAVEN;

234

AND WHATEVER YOU LOOSE ON EARTH IS LOOSED IN HEAVEN.

MAT 16:18-19

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AND THE GATES OF HELL WILL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT!

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THE AUTHORITY OF THE DAVIDIC KINGDOM AND THE KEYS WERE “SHEARED WITH THE PEG.” CHRIST GAVE THE KEYS AND THEIR AUTHORITY TO PETER, WHO WAS PLACED IN A SEAT OF HONOR AS THE FIRST POPE OF CHRIST’S CHURCH, THE NEW JERUSALEM.

CCC 881, CCC 882

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AND JUST AS AUTHORITY WAS PASSED DOWN IN THE DAVIDIC KINGDOM, PAPAL AUTHORITY HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION WITHIN CHRIST’S CHURCH , WHICH WAS GIVEN THE KEYS AND BUILT ON THE ROCK JUST LIKE IN THE DAVIDIC KINGDOM.

POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II, PRAY FOR US!

235

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THAT’S HOW JESUS STARTED THE CHURCH. THE FRAMEWORK FOR HIS CHURCH WAS APOSTOLIC.

THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT THE CHURCH IS THE PILLAR AND FOUNDATION OF TRUTH!

236

YOU MUST PUT THE LAMB’S BLOOD ON THE TOP AND SIDES OF YOUR DOOR USING A HYSSOP BRANCH.

JESUS TOLD HIS APOSTLES, WHO WERE THE FIRST BISHOPS, THAT HE WOULD SEND THEM THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD LEAD THEM INTO ALL TRUTHS.

CCC 874, 1 TIM 3:15, ACTS 2:1-13

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WE NEED TO STAY WITHIN THAT FRAMEWORK BECAUSE

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THE APOSTLES

JESUS SAID, “THE FATHER HAS GIVEN ME ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH!”

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FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER JUDAS DENIED CHRIST THROUGH HIS BETRAYAL AND DEATH, PETER USED THIS AUTHORITY TO FILL THE CHAIR OF JUDAS WITH A NEW APOSTLE, MATTHIAS.

THE APOSTLES ALSO USED THIS AUTHORITY TO DRIVE OUT DEMONS IN CHRIST’S NAME.

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MAT 28:18, CCC 77, ACTS 1:12-26, ACTS 16:18

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WITH THE AUTHORITY GIVEN BY THE SON, THE MISSION FROM THE FATHER, AND THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE APOSTLES (BISHOPS) CONTINUED TO GROW CHRIST’S CHURCH BY ANOINTING MORE APOSTLES.

237

JESUS ALSO TOLD HIS APOSTLES,

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AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, SO NOW I SEND YOU!

238

THEN THE SON SENT THE APOSTLES ON THE SAME MISSION: TO DESTROY SIN THROUGH HIS CHURCH AND THE SACRAMENTS!

JN 20:21-23, CCC 858

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THINK ABOUT THAT! THE FATHER SENT HIS SON (JESUS) TO DESTROY AND FORGIVE SIN!

SO THE APOSTLES BAPTIZED, WHICH RESTORES SANCTIFYING GRACE AND DESTROYS SIN.

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THEY HEARD CONFESSIONS, WHICH RESTORES SANCTIFYING GRACE AND DESTROYS SIN.

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THEY CONSECRATED THE EUCHARIST, WHICH GIVES SANCTIFYING AND ACTUAL GRACE AND DESTROYS SIN.

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THEY WITNESSED MARRIAGES, WHICH GIVES SANCTIFYING AND ACTUAL GRACE.

ST O

ACTS 8:36-38, ACTS 19:18, HEB 6:2, CCC 1303-1304, 1 COR 10:16, 1 COR 7:8-9, JAS 5:14

THEY CONFIRMED, WHICH COMPLETES BAPTISM, INCREASES THE SANCTIFYING GRACE RECEIVED AT BAPTISM, AND SEALS THE SOUL WITH THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

THEY ANOINTED THE SICK, WHICH GIVES SANCTIFYING AND ACTUAL GRACE AND DESTROYS SIN.

239

THOSE PRIESTS WERE SENT ON THE SAME MISSION: TO DISTRIBUTE GRACE THROUGH CHRIST’S CHURCH AND HIS SACRAMENTS!

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THE APOSTLES ALSO ANOINTED MORE PRIESTS TO HOLY ORDERS, WHICH GAVE THEM ACTUAL GRACE AND THE AUTHORITY TO DESTROY SIN!

DID YOU KNOW THAT, AFTER JESUS ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, A MAN NAMED SAUL WAS BRUTALLY KILLING CHRISTIANS?

YT EL

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ONE DAY AS SAUL WAS ON HIS WAY TO THE TOWN OF DAMASCUS, A GREAT LIGHT FROM HEAVEN SHONE UPON HIM. HE WAS SUDDENLY BLINDED AND FELL TO THE GROUND.

ST O

HE HEARD A VOICE SAYING, “SAUL, SAUL, WHY DO YOU PERSECUTE ME?”

240

THEN HE FELT SORRY FOR WHAT HE HAD DONE. SO HE CAME TO THE CHURCH.

1 TM 4:14, ACTS 9:1-12

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ST. STEPHEN, FIRST CHRISTIAN MARTYR, PRAY FOR US!

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AND LATER HE RECEIVED HOLY ORDERS! SEE, IT WASN’T UNTIL THE APOSTLES LAID HANDS UPON HIM THAT HE BECAME THE APOSTLE PAUL.

ACTS 13:2-4, CCC 1536

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OUR PRIESTS TODAY CAN STILL TRACE THEIR ANOINTING ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE APOSTLES, WHICH IS WHY THEY HAVE THE SAME POWER OVER SIN THROUGH CHRIST’S SACRAMENTS.

241

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OH LOOK! HERE COME FR. ANTHONY AND FR. NATHAN NOW!

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WILL YOU PLEASE TELL US ABOUT HOLY ORDERS?

OH, SURE! WE’D LOVE TO!

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W PR EV IE CCC 1554

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THREE DEGREES OF HOLY ORDERS

HOLY ORDERS HAS THREE DEGREES.

BISHOPS (EPISCOPATE)

PRIESTS (PRESBYTERATE)

DEACONS (DIACONATE)

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CARDINALS ARE BISHOPS WITH MORE RESPONSIBILITY. THE POPE IS ALSO A BISHOP, BUT HE IS THE BISHOP OF ROME AND THE HEAD BISHOP OF THE CHURCH.

CCC 1559, CCC 879

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WHAT ABOUT CARDINALS AND THE POPE?

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BISHOPS HAVE THE FULLNESS OF THE PRIESTHOOD,

BISHOPS

BISHOPS HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THEIR ENTIRE DIOCESE (AREA) AND ALL OF THE PRIESTS AND DEACONS IN THAT DIOCESE.

WHICH MEANS THEY ALONE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO OFFER ALL SEVEN OF THE SACRAMENTS ON CHRIST’S BEHALF. ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH SAID,

S

THIS IS BECAUSE THE CHURCH HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DISTRIBUTE GOD’S GRACES THROUGH THE SACRAMENTS.

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WHERE THE BISHOP IS, SO TOO IS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

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ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, PRAY FOR US!

ONLY BISHOPS CAN BESTOW HOLY ORDERS.

AND, ORDINARILY, IT IS A BISHOP WHO BESTOWS THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION,

ALTHOUGH PRIESTS CAN CONFIRM WHEN SOMEONE IS IN DANGER OF DEATH OR WHEN THEY BAPTIZE OR RECEIVE AN ADULT INTO THE CHURCH.

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AS A PRIEST, I HAVE THE AUTHORITY, GIVEN TO ME BY THE BISHOP, TO ADMINISTER FIVE SACRAMENTS (ALL EXCEPT HOLY ORDERS AND CONFIRMATION) TO DISTRIBUTE GRACE TO MY PARISH, WHICH IS THE CHURCH ASSIGNED TO ME.

WOW, THAT’S A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY!

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CCC 1560-1562

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THE BISHOP HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADING EVERY SOUL IN HIS DIOCESE TO SALVATION.

WELL, WE MUST BE ON OUR WAY. IT’S TIME TO HEAR CONFESSIONS.

GOD BLESS YOU!

CCC 1562-1568

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PRIESTS

AS PARISH PRIESTS, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OFFERING THE SACRAMENTS TO HELP EVERY SOUL IN OUR PARISH TERRITORY ATTAIN SALVATION (GO TO HEAVEN)!

247

I’M THANKFUL WE COULD LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT HOLY ORDERS.

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OH LOOK, HERE COME DEACON TRENTON AND DEACON BEN.

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YES, BUT I THINK I STILL NEED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DEACONS AND HOW THEY ARE DIFFERENT FROM PRIESTS.

248

GREAT, MAYBE THEY’LL FILL IN THE DETAILS FOR US!

DEACONS

HELLO! COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT BEING DEACONS?

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF DEACONS: PERMANENT DEACONS AND TRANSITIONAL DEACONS. I AM A PERMANENT DEACON, WHICH MEANS I AM NOT BECOMING A PRIEST. I CAN BE MARRIED AND HAVE A FAMILY.

CCC 1569-1570, CCC 1571

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SURE! FIRST OF ALL, THE WORD DEACON MEANS “TO SERVE.” DEACONS ARE ORDAINED

BY THE BISHOP TO DISTRIBUTE GOD’S GRACE BY PERFORMING CERTAIN SACRAMENTS.

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I AM A TRANSITIONAL DEACON, WHICH MEANS I WILL BE A DEACON UNTIL I AM ORDAINED A PRIEST. BECAUSE I WILL BECOME A PRIEST, I CANNOT GET MARRIED OR HAVE A FAMILY.

250

CCC 1596

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AS DEACONS, WE CAN SERVE THE CHURCH BY CELEBRATING TWO OF THE SACRAMENTS: BAPTISM AND MARRIAGE.

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WE CAN ALSO SERVE THE CHURCH IN OTHER WAYS. DURING HOLY MASS, WE CAN READ THE GOSPEL, GIVE THE HOMILY, SERVE AT THE ALTAR, AND DISTRIBUTE THE HOLY EUCHARIST.

CCC 1570

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THANK YOU FOR HELPING US UNDERSTAND YOUR VOCATION!

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WE CAN ALSO IMPART CERTAIN BLESSINGS ON PEOPLE, EXPOSE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT FOR ADORATION, AND BLESS PEOPLE WITH THE MONSTRANCE.

THANK YOU! REMEMBER, YOU ARE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO BEGIN DISCERNING YOUR VOCATIONS! GOD BLESS YOU!

WELL, WE BETTER BE ON OUR WAY. IT’S TIME FOR ADORATION.

251

FULTON, WE LEARNED ABOUT HOLY ORDERS AND THE THREE DEGREES OF BISHOP, PRIEST, AND DEACON. BUT WHAT ABOUT SISTERS AND NUNS? DON’T THEY HAVE HOLY ORDERS?

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GOOD QUESTION. NO, SISTERS AND NUNS DO NOT HAVE HOLY ORDERS. THE CONSECRATED LIFE, HOWEVER, IS VERY DEAR TO OUR LORD AND IMPORTANT IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH.

LET’S ASK THEM!

SURE! WE’RE ON OUR WAY TO CONFESSION AND ADORATION, BUT WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES.

252

COULD YOU PLEASE TELL US A BIT ABOUT VOCATIONS TO THE CONSECRATED LIFE?

CCC 1536, CCC 914

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OH LOOK, HERE COME SISTER FAUSTINA AND SISTER MARIE RIGHT NOW.

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THERE ARE DIFFERENT VOCATIONS, SUCH AS ORDAINED LIFE (BISHOPS, PRIESTS, AND DEACONS), MARRIED LIFE, AND CONSECRATED LIFE (MONKS, BROTHERS, SISTERS, AND NUNS).

SISTERS AND NUNS

EVERY PERSON HAS A VOCATION. VOCATION MEANS “CALLING.” SO YOUR VOCATION IS WHAT GOD CALLS YOU TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE.

SISTERS, WE JUST LEARNED ABOUT HOLY ORDERS, AND WE KNOW ABOUT MARRIAGE FROM OUR FAMILIES. COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT CONSECRATED LIFE AND HOW YOU KNOW WHICH VOCATION YOU SHOULD CHOOSE?

DID GOD ACTUALLY TALK TO YOU ABOUT YOUR VOCATION?

CCC 872, CCC 913, CCC 873

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SURE! TO KNOW GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE, YOU HAVE TO PRAY A LOT AND ASK HIM TO GUIDE YOU INTO THE RIGHT CHOICE.

WELL, NO, NOT OUT LOUD, BUT IT’S IMPORTANT TO LISTEN FOR GOD’S VOICE SPEAKING THROUGH THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU AND SIGNS GOD GIVES YOU.

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THAT SOUNDS DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT!

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IF YOU HAVE A VOCATION TO THE CONSECRATED LIFE, YOU ARE CALLED TO A LIFE OF PRAYER AND SERVICE TO GOD BY SERVING OTHERS. THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT ORDERS TO JOIN. THEY ALL TAKE THE SAME VOWS OF CHASTITY, POVERTY, AND OBEDIENCE. EACH ORDER MAY HAVE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PROMISES, RULES, SCHEDULES, AND DUTIES, SO YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHICH ORDER IS A GOOD FIT FOR YOU.

CCC 2560, CCC 899

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WELL, IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF PRAYER AND BEING OPEN TO GOD’S WILL.

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NUNS USUALLY LIVE CLOISTERED IN A MONASTERY OR ABBEY WITH OTHER NUNS IN THEIR ORDER, BUT THEY STAY IN THEIR CLOISTER TO PRAY, SACRIFICE, AND SERVE GOD. THEY NORMALLY DON’T LEAVE THE CLOISTER SO THEY CAN FOCUS MORE ON SACRIFICE, PRAYER, AND CONTEMPLATING GOD.

CCC 930, CCC 920-921

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SISTERS LIVE IN A CONVENT WITH OTHER SISTERS IN THEIR ORDER, BUT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO LEAVE TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES AMONG SOCIETY.

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WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING A SISTER AND BEING A NUN?

255

WELL, WE SHOULD GO TO ADORATION AND CONFESSION.

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HERE COMES BROTHER MARK. MAYBE WE CAN ASK HIM ABOUT BROTHERS, MONKS, AND CONSECRATED LIFE.

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THANK YOU, SISTERS!

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BROTHER MARK, CAN WE ASK YOU ABOUT THE VOCATION TO BE A BROTHER OR MONK?

SURE!

256

CCC 873

DISCERNING YOUR VOCATION TAKES A LOT OF PRAYER.

BROTHERS, MONKS , AND CONSECRATED LIFE

MONKS ARE SIMILAR TO NUNS IN THAT THEY ALSO TAKE VOWS AND LEAD LIVES OF SACRIFICE, SERVICE, AND PRAYER. THEY ARE TYPICALLY CLOISTERED IN A MONASTERY AND USUALLY DON’T GO OUT AMONG SOCIETY. SOME MONKS, HOWEVER, CAN ALSO BE ORDAINED WITH HOLY ORDERS AND BE A PRIEST OR DEACON.

CCC 930, CCC 920-921

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BROTHERS ARE SIMILAR TO SISTERS IN THAT THEY TAKE VOWS AND LEAD LIVES OF PRAYER, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE AMONG SOCIETY. BROTHERS ARE NOT ORDAINED WITH HOLY ORDERS.

257

WELL, IF YOU ARE CALLED TO BE A CONSECRATED CELIBATE, YOU TAKE VOWS TO NEVER GET MARRIED, BUT YOU DON’T NECESSARILY JOIN AN ORDER LIKE I DID. YOU STILL SPEND YOUR DAYS PRAYING, SACRIFICING, AND SERVING GOD IN ALL THAT YOU DO, BUT YOU LIVE AND WORK IN SOCIETY.

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WHAT ABOUT THE VOCATION TO THE CONSECRATED LIFE?

258

YES, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE DISCERNING YOUR VOCATION AND GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE! I HOPE I ANSWERED ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS. I MUST GO AND PREPARE THE ALTAR AND ALTAR SERVERS FOR HOLY MASS.

CCC 922-924

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THANK YOU, BROTHER MARK, FOR TEACHING US MORE ABOUT VOCATIONS. THIS GIVES US A LOT TO THINK AND PRAY ABOUT!

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WOW! ALTHOUGH NOT EVERYONE RECEIVES HOLY ORDERS, IT’S AN ESSENTIAL SACRAMENT FOR THE SERVICE OF OTHERS AND CHRIST’S CHURCH!

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EXACTLY! CHRIST ANOINTED HIS APOSTLES TO CARRY ON HIS MISSION TO FORGIVE SINS AND UNITE EVERYONE INTO HIS ONE TRUE CHURCH. IT’S THROUGH HOLY ORDERS THAT THIS MISSION CONTINUES.

CCC 935, CCC 1536

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WE NEED BISHOPS AND PRIESTS TO ACT IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST AND DEACONS TO ASSIST THEM. THEY BRING US THE SACRAMENTS, FROM BIRTH THROUGH DEATH, SO WE CAN BE BROUGHT INTO GOD’S FAMILY AND BE ETERNALLY CONFIGURED TO HIM IN HEAVEN.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “ETERNALLY CONFIGURED TO HIM IN HEAVEN?”

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ANOINTING OF THE SICK

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FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME, GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS TO KNOW, LOVE, AND SERVE HIM, BUT HE ALSO GAVE US FREE WILL.

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IT WAS SIN THAT CAUSED DEATH AND SEPARATION FROM GOD, BUT GOD DESIRES US TO BE ETERNALLY CONFIGURED (PERFECTLY UNITED FOR ALL ETERNITY) WITH HIM IN HEAVEN.

OH, FULTON, I’M AFRAID OF DEATH!

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JN 3:16-22, CCC 1, CCC 27, CCC 1020

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THAT’S WHY HE SENT HIS SON, JESUS, TO TAKE AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD AND ESTABLISH THE SACRAMENTS SO WE CAN ONCE AGAIN BE FILLED WITH GOD’S GRACE BEFORE WE DIE.

GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN

THAT DOES COMFORT MY FEARS. WHAT EXACTLY IS ANOINTING OF THE SICK?

JN 14:1-6, CCC 1520

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THE LAST SACRAMENT, ANOINTING OF THE SICK OR LAST RITES, CAN GIVE US GREAT COMFORT! IT FORGIVES SIN AND GIVES GRACE FOR FINAL PERSEVERANCE (TO AVOID SIN AND CHOOSE GOD’S WILL).

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AS CHRISTIANS, WE DO NOT NEED TO FEAR DEATH BECAUSE IN DEATH WE CAN BE REUNITED WITH GOD FOREVER!

263

PENANCE (RECONCILIATION),

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CCC 1514, CCC 1517

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ANOINTING OF THE SICK IS A SACRAMENT WE CAN RECEIVE WHEN WE ARE VERY ILL, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE IN DANGER OF DEATH. IT HAS THREE PARTS:

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EXTREME UNCTION (ANOINTING WITH HOLY OIL),

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CCC 1517, CCC 1524-1525, CCC 1512, CCC 1297

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AND VIATICUM (THE EUCHARIST).

THE OLEUM INFIRMORUM (OIL OF THE SICK) MARKS US FOR GOD AGAIN, JUST AS THE OILS USED FOR BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION PLACED AN INDELIBLE MARK ON OUR SOUL. ALL THREE OF THESE OILS ARE BLESSED BY THE BISHOP ON HOLY THURSDAY.

265

A GREAT WAY TO PRAY FOR THE GRACE OF A HAPPY DEATH IS TO HAVE A DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH. AFTER JESUS AND MARY, ST. JOSEPH IS A POWERFUL ADVOCATE FOR US.

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THIS SACRAMENT GIVES US GREAT GRACES AND COMFORTS US IN OUR DEATH.

266

WE SHOULD PRAY FOR THE GRACE TO RECEIVE THIS ANOINTING BEFORE WE DIE.

CCC 1527

BUT WHY ST. JOSEPH?

ST. JOSEPH: PATRON OF A HAPPY DEATH

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ST. JOSEPH WAS CHOSEN BY GOD TO CARE AND INTERCEDE FOR JESUS AND MARY,

IF WE HAVE A DEVOTION TO HIM, HE CAN ADVOCATE FOR US, AS WELL.

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AND AT THE END OF HIS LIFE, HE DIED IN THE ARMS OF JESUS AND MARY.

MAT 1:20

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HE IS KNOWN AS THE TERROR OF DEMONS!

ST. JOSEPH, PRAY FOR US!

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THAT’S WHY HE IS A GREAT INTERCESSOR AT THE HOUR OF DEATH. WHEN WE FIGHT THE FINAL BATTLE FOR OUR ETERNAL SOUL, WE WANT ST. JOSEPH

BY OUR SIDE.

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HE’S DEFINITELY WHOM I WOULD WANT!

Prayer to St. Joseph O St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.

O St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the Most Loving of Fathers.

Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.

St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen.

268

CCC 1523

O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.

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RECEIVING ANOINTING OF THE SICK

HAPPINESS AND PEACE COME THROUGH GOD AND SPIRITUAL HOLINESS (BEING FREE FROM SIN). THAT IS WHY A HOLY DEATH EQUALS A HAPPY DEATH.

CCC 1523, CCC 1520

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IF WE RECEIVE ANOINTING OF THE SICK BEFORE WE DIE, WE CAN REST ASSURED THAT GOD ABSOLVES OUR SINS THROUGH THE PRIEST AND WE ARE FILLED WITH GOD’S GRACE.

HOW DO WE RECEIVE THIS SACRAMENT?

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270

JAMES 5:14-15

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WELL, IN THE BOOK OF JAMES, IT SAYS THAT IF SOMEONE AMONG YOU IS SICK, SEND FOR THE PRIEST.

W

REMEMBER, ANOINTING OF THE SICK HAS THREE PARTS: PENANCE, EXTREME UNCTION, AND VIATICUM.

CCC 1524-1525, 1517-1519

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NEXT, THE PRIEST ADMINISTERS EXTREME UNCTION, WHICH IS WHEN HE PRAYS OVER THE SICK PERSON AND ANOINTS HIM OR HER WITH OLEUM INFIRMORUM (OIL OF THE SICK).

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FIRST, THE PRIEST OFFERS PENANCE (RECONCILIATION), WHICH IS WHEN THE PRIEST HEARS CONFESSION AND GIVES ABSOLUTION.

FINALLY, THE PRIEST ADMINISTERS VIATICUM (THE EUCHARIST), WHICH IS BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY.

271

IT’S CERTAINLY POSSIBLE THAT THIS SACRAMENT CAN BRING PHYSICAL HEALING. BUT LIKE ALL OF THE SACRAMENTS, THE MOST IMPORTANT HEALING IS SPIRITUAL.

DOES THAT HEAL THE PERSON’S SICKNESS?

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JESUS DEMONSTRATES THIS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. LEPERS SUFFERED FROM A DESTRUCTIVE DISEASE.

REMEMBER, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT SIN DOES TO US: IT REMOVES US FROM GOD’S COMMUNITY.

ST O

WHEN JESUS HEALED THE LEPERS, HE SHOWED US A PHYSICAL TRUTH AND AN EVEN GREATER SPIRITUAL TRUTH!

272

CCC 1503, MAT 8:1-4, NUM 5:2, GEN 3:23, LK 17:11-19

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IN FACT, IT WAS SO DANGEROUS, THEY HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE COMMUNITY.

SIN IS LIKE SPIRITUAL LEPROSY, BUT, THANKFULLY, THERE IS A CURE FOR SIN!

WHICH IS EASIER, TO SAY, “YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN,” OR TO SAY, “RISE AND WALK”?

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THANK YOU!

PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL EFFECTS

HE SHOWED US THAT HE CAN BRING THE LEPER BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

THROUGH THE POWER OF GOD, THE PRIEST ADMINISTERS ANOINTING OF THE SICK, WHICH FORGIVES SIN AND RESTORES GRACE, SO WE, TOO, CAN BE ETERNALLY IN COMMUNION WITH GOD IN HEAVEN!

273

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ANOINTING OF THE SICK IS SUCH A GIFT FROM OUR FATHER WHO TRULY LOVES US!

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HE WANTS TO FATHER US THROUGH OUR ENTIRE LIFE, FROM OUR BIRTH WHEN WE CAN RECEIVE BAPTISM,

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JN 3:16, CCC 1525

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ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO OUR DEATH WHEN WE CAN RECEIVE ANOINTING OF THE SICK. HE GAVE US THE SACRAMENTS SO WE CAN DRAW NEAR TO HIM AND ULTIMATELY BE ETERNALLY UNITED WITH HIM!

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ANOINTING OF THE SICK OFFERS REMISSION OF THE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT (HELL) INCURRED BY MORTAL SIN.

R

OR, IF IT’S GOD’S WILL, IT CAN RESTORE THE BODY TO HEALTH!

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CCC 1510, CCC 1523, CCC 1532, CCC 1506

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IT CAN ALSO REMOVE TEMPORAL PUNISHMENT (PURGATORY) FOR SIN AND GIVE US STRENGTH TO ENDURE THE FINAL BATTLE FOR OUR ETERNAL SOUL.

275

BISHOP FULTON SHEEN TELLS US,

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SIN ENTERS THE BODY THROUGH OUR SENSES (EYES, EARS, NOSE, MOUTH, HANDS, AND FEET) ...

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1 COR 11:29-31, CCC 1513

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“... THAT IS WHY THE HEAD AND HANDS ARE ANOINTED AND OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY MAY BE ANOINTED DURING EXTREME UNCTION.”

“JUST AS A CHIMNEY GETS DIRTY FROM THE SOOT LEFT BEHIND,”

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“OUR BODY CAN MANIFEST SIN IN THE FORM OF AILMENTS AND DISEASE.”

“THIS SACRAMENT RESTORES OUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!”

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1 COR 11:29-31, CCC 1502, CCC 1526, 1 COR 6:20

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“AND THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK CAN REMOVE SIN AND CLEANSE OUR BODY TO RESTORE HEALTH. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY,”

OUR SALVATION WAS PURCHASED

BY CHRIST’S SUFFERING AND DEATH ON THE CROSS.

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278

ST. FAUSTINA KOWALSKA, PRAY FOR US!

CCC 1113, CCC 1134

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JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU.

SACRAMENTS AND SALVATION

YOU SEE, CYNTHIA, DEATH WAS NOT PART OF GOD’S ORIGINAL PLAN. HE CREATED US TO BE IN PERFECT UNION WITH HIM, BUT SIN SEPARATED US.

I CAN SEE NOW HOW THE EUCHARIST UNITES US WITH GOD AND HOW THE SACRAMENTS ALL RESTORE GOD’S LIFE IN US!

CCC 402, CCC 1392-1393

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SO, OUT OF LOVE FOR US, THE FATHER SENT HIS SON, JESUS. HE ESTABLISHED THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT – THE EUCHARIST – AND HIS SACRAMENTS TO FORGIVE SIN AND RESTORE GRACE.

279

280

WOW, FULTON, I’VE LEARNED SO MUCH.

I’M EXCITED TO BECOME MORE UNITED WITH GOD BY RECEIVING HIS SACRAMENTS! I ALSO WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HIM AND HIS CHURCH.

REV 21:27, CCC 830

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EXACTLY! GOD WANTS US TO STAY CLOSE TO THE SACRAMENTS BECAUSE WE MUST BE PERFECTLY PURE AND FULL OF GRACE TO BE ETERNALLY UNITED WITH HIM IN HEAVEN!

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OF COURSE, CYNTHIA! THERE’S ALWAYS MORE TO LEARN ABOUT CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH.

CCC 830

UNTIL NEXT TIME ...

GOD LOVE YOU!

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GLOSSARY

from Father John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary the sinner is at least confusedly aware of the malice of his conduct; and consent of the will, which formally constitutes actual sin and without which the sin is said to be only material.

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Every sin is a genuine offense against God. There is consequently no such thing as merely philosophical sin, which offends against right reason but is not at the same time a deliberate transgression of the divine law. Sin is theological by its very nature.

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ADORATION – Acknowledgement that, because the whole Christ is really present in the Blessed Sacrament, he is to be adored in the Eucharist as the incarnate God. The manner of showing this homage differs among countries and has varied through the ages. The postcounciliar legislation for the Latin Rite requires that the Blessed Sacrament, whether in the tabernacle or exposed on the altar, is to be venerated by genuflecting on one knee.

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ANOINTING OF THE SICK – Sacrament of the New Law, instituted by Christ to give the sick spiritual aid and strength and to perfect spiritual health, including, if need be, the remission of sins. Conditionally it also restores bodily health to Christians who are seriously ill. It consists essentially in the anointing by a priest of the forehead and the hands, while pronouncing the words “Through this holy anointing and His most loving mercy, may the Lord assist you by the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that, freed from your sins, He may save you and in His goodness raise you up.” In case of necessity, a single anointing of the forehead or of another suitable part of the body suffices. Olive oil, blessed by a bishop, is normally used for the anointing, but any vegetable oil may be substituted in case of emergency.

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ABRAM/ABRAHAM – Born in the twentieth or nineteenth century B.C., in Ur of the Chaldeans on the Euphrates River.

His father, Terah, named him Abram. The family migrated to Haran, where Terah died (Genesis 11:26-31). At God’s behest, Abram, his wife, Sarah, his nephew, Lot, and all their followers moved on to Canaan (Genesis 12:4). When Abram was ninety-nine years old, God made a covenant with him, changing his name to Abraham and promising to make him the “father of a multitude of nations . . . [Genesis 17:1-5] I will make you into nations and your issue shall be kings . . . I will give to you and your descendants the land you are living in, the whole land of Canaan, to own in perpetuity, and I will be your God” (Genesis 17:5-8). Hence he has been called the founder of the Hebrew people.

Abraham’s dedication to the will of God was tested when he was told to take his son, Isaac, to the land of Moriah (which later became the site of the Jerusalem temple) and sacrifice his son as a burnt offering. He obeyed without hesitation, but Isaac was spared at the last moment (Genesis 22).

In his final days Abraham arranged to have his son marry Rebekah, one of his kinfolk (Genesis 24), and left Isaac all his possessions before he died at the age of one hundred seventy-five (Genesis 25).

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ABSOLUTION – In the sacrament of penance, the act by which a qualified priest, having the necessary jurisdiction, remits the guilt and penalty due to sin. The new formula of absolution, since the Second Vatican Council, is: “God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son, has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” To which the penitent answers, “Amen.” In this formula essential words are: “I absolve you.” For centuries, the Church used the deprecatory form of absolution, e.g., “May God absolve you from your sins.” This was really declarative in meaning, as is clear from the fact that in the whole of tradition the priest who absolved was looked upon as a judge who actually absolved, even though he used the subjunctive mood to express his affirmative judgment. (Etym. Latin absolvere, to free from; to absolve, acquit.)

ACTUAL SIN – Any thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to God’s eternal law. All actual sins are classified on the basis of this division, where sinful thoughts are essentially desires, the words may either be spoken or otherwise articulated, the deeds involve some external manifestation, and omissions are failures to do what should have been done by a person in a given set of circumstances.

Sin is a human act that presumes three elements: objective malice in the action performed, or at least the person considers it wrong; actual advertence of mind by which

The institution of anointing by Christ is an article of the Catholic faith, defined by the Council of Trent (Denzinger 1716). The Church further teaches that this sacrament is implied in Gospel reference to Christ sending out the disciples, who “anointed many sick people with oil and cured them” (Mark 6:13); moreover that the sacrament was promulgated by the Apostle James when he wrote, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him bring in the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15).

ASCENSION – Christ’s going up to heaven forty days after his resurrection from the dead. All the creeds affirm the fact, and the Church teaches that he ascended into heaven in body and soul (Denzinger 801). He ascended into heaven by his own power, as God in divine power and as man in the power of his transfigured soul, which moves his transfigured body, as it will. In regard to the human nature of Christ, one

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ASSUMPTION – The doctrine of Mary’s entrance into heaven, body and soul. As defined by Pope Pius XII in 1950, the dogma declares that “Mary, the immaculate perpetually Virgin Mother of God, after the completion of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into the glory of heaven.”

CONFESSION, SACRAMENT OF – See PENANCE CONFIRMATION – The sacrament in which, through the laying on of hands, anointing with chrism, and prayer, those already baptized are strengthened by the Holy Spirit in order that they may steadfastly profess the faith and faithfully live up to their profession. Confirmation is not strictly necessary for salvation, but it is eminently important in contributing to Christian perfection and there is a grave obligation to receive it in due time. (Etym. Latin con-, thoroughly + firmare, to make firm: confirmatio, fortification, strengthening.)

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While there is no direct evidence of the Assumption in the Bible, implicitly the Church argues from Mary’s fullness of grace (Luke 1:28). Since she was full of grace, she remained preserved from the consequence of sin, namely corruption of the body after death and postponement of bodily happiness in heaven until the last day.

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Doctrinally the Ascension means the final elevation of Christ’s human nature into the condition of divine glory.

It is the concluding work of redemption. According to the Church’s common teaching, the souls of the just from the pre-Christian era went with the Savior into the glory of heaven. Christ’s Ascension is the archetype and pledge of our own ascension into heaven. (Etym. Latin ascensio, an ascending, ascent.)

COMMUNION OF SAINTS – The unity and cooperation of the members of the Church on earth with those in heaven and in purgatory. They are united as being one Mystical Body of Christ. The faithful on earth are in communion with each other by professing the same faith, obeying the same authority, and assisting each other with their prayers and good works. They are in communion with the saints in heaven by honoring them as glorified members of the Church, invoking their prayers and aid, and striving to imitate their virtues. They are in communion with the souls in purgatory by helping them with their prayers and good works.

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Rationalism has denied the doctrine since the earliest times, e.g., Celsus in the second century. It tries to explain the Ascension as a borrowing from the Old Testament or from pagan mythology, but in doing so omits the basic differences.

CLOISTER – A covered walk enclosing a quadrangle around which monasteries are built. Also an enclosure for religious retirement. In canon law, restrictions to the free entry of outsiders within the limits of certain areas of the residences of men or women religious. (Etym. Latin claustrum, enclosure.)

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can also say, with the Scriptures, that it was taken up or elevated into heaven by God (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9, 11).

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The Church does not rely on the Scriptures for belief in Mary’s Assumption. The doctrine is rather part of the oral tradition, handed down over the centuries. It was therefore certainly revealed because, in reply to the questions, the Catholic bishops of the world all but unanimously expressed the belief that this was part of the divine revelations. In explaining the grounds for the Church’s belief, Pius XII singled out the fact that Mary was the Mother of God; as the body of Christ originated from the body of Mary (caro Jesu est caro Mariae); that her body was preserved unimpaired in virginal integrity, and therefore it was fitting that it should not be subject to destruction after death; and that since Mary so closely shared in Christ’s redemptive mission on earth, she deserved to join him also in bodily glorification.

BAPTISM – The sacrament in which, by water and the word of God, a person is cleansed of all sin and reborn and sanctified in Christ to everlasting life. (Etym. Latin baptisma; from Greek baptisma, a dipping.)

BRIDE OF CHRIST – See SPOUSE OF CHRIST CHRISM – A consecrated mixture of olive oil and balsam.

Blessed by a bishop, it is used in the public administration of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders; in the blessing of tower bells, baptismal water, and in the consecration of churches, altars, chalices, and patens. (Etym. Middle English chrisom, short for chrism cloth.)

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CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY – The seven practices of charity, based on Christ’s prediction of the Last Judgment (Matthew 5:3-10) that will determine each person’s final destiny. They are: 1. to feed the hungry; 2. to give drink to the thirsty; 3. to clothe the naked; 4. to shelter the homeless; 5. to visit the sick; 6. to visit those in prison; and 7. to bury the dead.

COVENANT – In the Old Testament an agreement between God and Israel in which God promised protection to the Chosen People in return for exclusive loyalty. “If you obey my voice and hold fast to my covenant, you of all nations will be my very own” (Exodus 19:5). Moses presented Yahweh’s offer to his people, who promptly “answered as one, ‘All that Yahweh has said we will do.’” The compact was sealed (Exodus 19:8). Many years later Jeremiah prophesied that a new covenant would be offered. “Deep within them,” Yahweh promised, “I will plant my law, writing it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Ezekiel foresaw that God would “make a covenant of peace with them, an eternal covenant” (Ezekiel 37:26). Its universal character was foreshadowed by Isaiah, to whom it was revealed by Yahweh, “so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). In the New Testament, when Paul was explaining to the Corinthians the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, he repeated Christ’s words: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me” (I Corinthians 11:25). This master

idea of the New Testament is reinforced in the Letter to the Hebrews: “It follows that it is a greater covenant for which Jesus has become our guarantee” (Hebrews 7:22). Christ himself is the new covenant between God and his people.

(Etym. Latin convenire, to agree, to come together.)

DISCIPLES – One who is learning or has learned. In the New Testament the word describes any follower of Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 10:1). During his public ministry it referred as well to his twelve chosen aides, but in the Acts of the Apostles they are always referred to as Apostles (Acts 1:26). (Etym. Latin discipulus, pupil, follower.)

FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – Supernatural works that, according to St. Paul, manifest the presence of the Holy Spirit. The one who performs them recognizes God’s presence by the happiness he experiences, and others the divine presence by witnessing these good works (Galatians 5:22-23). They are, in other words, identifiable effects of the Holy Spirit. In the Vulgate text they are: charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, and chastity.

EDEN – The beautiful garden in which God put Adam and Eve. After they disobeyed him, they were expelled (Genesis 2, 3). It is a word used in Scripture to suggest an ideal place to live (Isaiah 51:3; Ezekiel 31:9).

GETHSEMANE – The garden lying outside Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives where Jesus spent the agonizing hours praying prior to his arrest (Mark 14:32-52, John 18:1-12).

(Etym. Aramaic gat semane, oil press; Greek gethsēmanei.)

EMMAUS – A village about seven miles from Jerusalem. It was on the road to Emmaus that two disciples met the risen Jesus and accompanied him to the village (Luke 24:13-35).

Not until he broke bread at supper did they recognize him.

Then he disappeared and they hastened back to Jerusalem to tell the Apostles of the encounter.

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – The seven forms of supernatural initiative conferred with the reception of sanctifying grace. They are in the nature of supernatural reflexes, or reactive instincts, that spontaneously answer to the divine impulses of grace almost without reflection but always with full consent. The gifts are wisdom (sapientia), understanding (intellectus), knowledge (scientia), fortitude or courage (fortitudo), counsel (consilium), piety or love (pietas), and fear of the Lord (timor Domini).

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EASTER – The day commemorating Christ’s Resurrection from the dead. It is the greatest of all Christian festivals, having the central place in the liturgical year. It is the Christian feast linked with the Jewish Pasch. The exultant Alleluia is constantly repeated in the Mass and Divine Office, the Vidi Aquam replaces the Asperges, and the Regina Coeli the Angelus. The Easter season continues from Easter Sunday to Trinity Sunday inclusive. (Etym. Anglo-Saxon Eastre, Teutonic goddess of dawn and spring.)

GENUFLECT – Bending of the knee as an act of reverence.

Customary when passing before the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, entering the pew for divine worship, and during certain ceremonies to the Cross. A double genuflection of both knees simultaneously was commonly made before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in a monstrance. The new directive since the Second Vatican Council specifies: “One knee is bent before the Blessed Sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration” (Eucharistiae Sacramentum, 1973, number 84). Genuflections are also made to the Pope, to a cardinal, and to a bishop in his own diocese.

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EUCHARIST – The true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, who is really and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine, in order to offer himself in the sacrifice of the Mass and to be received as spiritual food in Holy Communion. It is called Eucharist, or “thanksgiving,” because at its institution at the Last Supper Christ “gave thanks,” and by this fact it is the supreme object and act of Christian gratitude to God.

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Although the same name is used, the Eucharist is any one or all three aspects of one mystery, namely the Real Presence, the Sacrifice, and Communion. As Real Presence, the Eucharist is Christ in his abiding existence on earth today; as Sacrifice, it is Christ in his abiding action of High Priest, continuing now to communicate the graces he merited on Calvary; and as Communion, it is Christ coming to enlighten and strengthen the believer by nourishing his soul for eternal life. (Etym. Latin eucharistia, the virtue of thanksgiving or thankfulness; from Greek eucharistia, gratitude; from eu-, good + charizesthai, to show favor.)

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE – Reflection in God’s presence on one’s state of soul, e.g., in preparation for the sacrament of penance.

EXTREME UNCTION – See ANOINTING OF THE SICK

GODPARENT – Sponsors who make profession of faith for the person being baptized. Solemn baptism requires godparents. The godparent assumes an obligation to instruct the child in the event of the death or neglect of the parents, in order to fulfill the baptismal promises. Being a godparent creates a spiritual relationship that is recognized in ecclesiastical law.

GRAVE SIN – The transgression of a divine law in a grievous matter with full knowledge and consent.

The matter may be serious either in itself (as blasphemy) or because of the circumstances (as striking one’s father or mother) or on account of its purpose (as telling a lie in order to destroy a person’s character). Sufficient knowledge of the serious nature of a sinful action is present if one is clearly conscious that the act is mortally sinful, say because the Scriptures or the Church identify certain acts as seriously offensive to God. It is enough that one knows that what one intends to do may be a mortal sin, but does it anyhow.

Indifference to the laws of God is equivalent to disobeying them.

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JEWS – Those who adhere to Judaism both as a religion and a people. Originally the name was restricted to the subjects of the kingdom of Judah. But after the Babylonian exile it became the common name for the race descended from Jacob and for the followers of the Mosaic religion.

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LAST RITES – See ANOINTING OF THE SICK LAST SUPPER – The last meal taken by Christ with his apostles, the night before his Passion. On this occasion he instituted the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood, and gave the apostles the long discourse on the Trinity and Christian charity, as recorded by St. John. He then proceeded to Gethsemane and the Agony in the Garden.

MANNA – The name given in Scripture for the miraculous food sent to the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16:4-36).

There are natural exudates from trees and shrubs in Arabia that yield, during two months in the fall, a minute quantity of edible substance. But their limited supply, with characteristic taste, makes them totally unlike what the Bible describes as the manna of the Exodus.

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HELL – The place and state of eternal punishment for the fallen angels and human beings who die deliberately estranged from the love of God. There is a twofold punishment in hell: the pain of loss, which consists in the deprivation of the vision of God, and the pain of sense, which consists in the suffering caused by outside material things. The punishment of hell is eternal, as declared by Christ in his prediction of the last day (Matthew 25:46), and as defined by the Fourth Lateran Council, stating that the wicked will “receive a perpetual punishment with the devil” (Denzinger 801). The existence of hell is consistent with divine justice, since God respects human freedom and those who are lost actually condemn themselves by their resistance to the grace of God.

first Temple. A second Temple was built in the sixth century B.C., and the third (and last) was the work of Herod the Great, who ruled as a vassal of Rome from 37 to 4 B.C. The Christian history of Jerusalem begins with the short ministry of the Savior, culminating in his death, resurrection, and ascension. The Apostles lived and taught there for some time after Pentecost, and met in Jerusalem for their first council about A.D. 49. The Apostle St. James the Less was the first Bishop of Jerusalem, where he was condemned by the Sanhedrin and martyred in A.D. 62.

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Full consent is present when one freely wills to commit an action although one clearly knows it is gravely sinful. No sin is committed if one does not will the deed, no matter how clear one’s knowledge may be. After all, the essence of sin is in the free will. Thus, too, a person does not sin who, with the best of will, cannot dispel obscene or blasphemous thoughts and desires, even though he or she well knows they are gravely sinful. The resolution to perform an action is not the same as the pleasure or satisfaction experienced in the emotions, nor the same as a compulsive idea, “I like the sin.” One sign of partial knowledge or not full consent would be the fact that a person does not complete an action when this can easily be done, or is so minded that the person would rather die than commit a grave sin.

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HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION – Feast days to be observed by attendance at Mass and rest, as far as possible, from unnecessary servile work. The number and dates of these vary among countries. In the United States there are six holy days: Solemnity of Mary on January 1; Ascension of Our Lord, forty days after Easter; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, August 15; All Saints’ Day, November 1; Mary’s Immaculate Conception, December 8; and Christmas, or the birth of Christ, December 25. On holy days the pastor of every parish is required to offer or have offered a special Mass for his parishioners.

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HOLY ORDERS – See ORDERS, SACRAMENT OF

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HYSSOP – A plant of unknown identity, mentioned in the Scriptures. Found in Egypt, Sinai, and Canaan, it was used to sprinkle the blood of the paschal lamb or victims of sacrifice. It is referred to in the Psalm Miserere and in the Church’s prayers.

JERUSALEM – Ancient city in Palestine, the religious and political center of the Jewish people, situated on the crest of a chain of mountains that cross Palestine from north to south. Originally called Salem, it was the capital of King Melchizedek about 2100 B.C. (Genesis 14). First mentioned in the Book of Joshua (10, 15), the inhabitants were known as Jebusites. When the Promised Land was parceled out, Jerusalem was assigned to the tribe of Benjamin. Its most famous rulers were King David, who brought the Ark of the Covenant into the city, and his son Solomon, who built the

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MARRIAGE – See MATRIMONY MATRIMONY – Marriage, but a more appropriate term for legal and religious use. It is the proper term for the sacrament of marriage, and refers more to the relationship between husband and wife than to the ceremony or the state of marriage.

MELCHIZEDEK – A king of Salem and a priest. When Abraham returned from battle after rescuing Lot, Melchizedek greeted him and gave him a blessing in honor of his victory (Genesis 14:18-20). In return Abraham offered him tithes because of his priesthood. In a Psalm devoted to the dual role of priest and king, David exclaimed, “Yahweh has sworn an oath which he never will retract, You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek and forever” (Psalm 110:4). There are only two references to this priest-king in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament the Epistle to the Hebrews associates Christ’s priesthood with Melchizedek’s by quoting in three successive chapters the invocation from Psalm 110: “You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek and forever.” This is also the biblical basis for the Catholic doctrine that, once a man is ordained a priest, his priesthood, like Christ’s “in the line of Melchizedek,” is forever (Hebrews 5, 6, 7).

MERCY – The disposition to be kind and forgiving.Founded on compassion, mercy differs from compassion or the

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NICENE CREED – There are two creeds that have the same name. The original Nicene Creed was issued in A.D. 325 by the Council of Nicaea. It was composed by the Fathers of the Council in their conflict with Arianism and contains the term homoousios (consubstantial).

It is comparatively short, ends with the phrase, “and in the Holy Spirit,” and has attached to it four anathemas against Arianism. The more common Nicene Creed is more accurately the Nicene-Constantinople Creed. It came after the first ecumenical Council of Constantinople (381), is the creed now used in the liturgy, including the added phrases “and the Son,” and “died,” and differs from the preceding in that it: 1. has more about the person of Christ; 2. omits the phrase “from the substance of the Father” after homoousios; 3. says more about the Holy Spirit; 4. adds the articles on the Church, baptism, the resurrection, and eternal life; and 5. contains no anathemas. The full text reads: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, b orn of the Father before all ages. G od from God, Light from Light, t rue God from true God, b egotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. F or us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, a nd became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day i n accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven a nd is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, w ho proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.”

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MONSTRANCE – A symbol of the Blessed Sacrament since the monstrance is the sacred vessel which contains the consecrated Host when exposed or carried in procession. It is a well-known emblem of St. Clare, who is reported to have repulsed unbelievers who assaulted her convent of nuns by presenting to their gaze Christ in the monstrance. St. Peter Julian Eymard, founder of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, is symbolized carrying the monstrance and blessing the people with it. St. Thomas Aquinas has the monstrance among his many emblems as the author of the famous hymns “Lauda Sion and Pange Lingua,” written to honor the Eucharistic Lord.

St. John Neumann, who first established the forty hours’ devotion in America, and St. Paschal Baylon, patron of Eucharistic Congresses, are both represented in art with the monstrance. (Etym. Latin monstrans, from monstrare, to show, point out, indicate.)

NEW JERUSALEM – In biblical language the Heavenly City of the angels and saints after the Last Day. As described by St. John in the prophetic vision: “I saw the holy city, and the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband” (Apocalypse 21:2).

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MESSIAH – The Hebrew word for “Anointed One.” The equivalent word in Greek is Christos. In the Old Testament it was sometimes applied in a general sense to prophets or priests (Exodus 30:30), but more specifically it referred to the coming of one who would usher in a period of righteousness and conquer sin and evil (Daniel 9:26). In the New Testament the Evangelists made it clear that they knew Jesus was the long-anticipated Messiah (Acts 2:36; Matthew 16:17; Galatians 3:24-29). Those who refused to accept Jesus interpreted the promised kingdom to be a worldly domain and looked forward to a messiah who would be a military leader to help Israel triumph over her enemies.

were to be killed. Exposed on the Nile, he was rescued

by Pharaoh’s daughter and educated at court. God appeared to him in a burning bush and told him to deliver his people with the help of Aaron. The plagues did not make Pharaoh relent, until the death of every firstborn forced him to yield. Moses then led the Israelites through the years’ long exodus, but he is excluded from the Promised Land because of his lack of confidence at the “Waters of Contradiction.” The prophet died on Mount Nebo after pronouncing the three memorable discourses preserved in Deuteronomy. He was buried in the valley of Moab, but no one knows where.

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feeling of sympathy in putting this feeling into practice with a readiness to assist. It is therefore the ready willingness to help anyone in need, especially in need of pardon or reconciliation.

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MORTAL SIN – An actual sin that destroys sanctifying grace and causes the supernatural death of the soul.

Mortal sin is a turning away from God because of seriously inordinate adherence to creatures that causes grave injury to a person’s rational nature and to the social order, and deprives the sinner of a right to heaven.

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The terms mortal, deadly, grave, and serious applied to sin are synonyms, each with a slightly different implication.

Mortal and deadly focus on the effects in the sinner, namely deprivation of the state of friendship with God; grave and serious refer to the importance of the matter in which a person offends God. But the Church never distinguishes among these terms as though they represented different kinds of sins. There is only one recognized correlative to mortal sin, and that is venial sin, which offends against God but does not cause the loss of one’s state of grace.

(Etym. Latin mors, death.)

MOSES – The greatest figure in the Old Testament, the founder of Israel, lawgiver, leader, and proponent of monotheism. Of the tribe of Levi, he was born in Egypt during a persecution when all the Hebrew male children

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ORIGINAL SIN – Either the sin committed by Adam as the head of the human race, or the sin he passed onto his posterity with which every human being, with the certain exception of Christ and his Mother, is conceived and born. The sin of Adam is called originating original sin (originale originans); that of his descendants is originated original sin (originale originatum). Adam’s sin was personal and grave, and it affected human nature. It was personal because he freely committed it; it was grave because God imposed a serious obligation; and it affected the whole human race by depriving his progeny of the supernatural life and preternatural gifts they would have possessed on entering the world had Adam not sinned. Original sin in his descendants is personal only in the sense that the children of Adam are each personally affected, but not personal as though they had voluntarily chosen to commit the sin; it is grave in the sense that it debars a person from the beatific vision, but not grave in condemning one to hell; and it is natural only in that all human nature, except for divine intervention, has it and can have it removed only by supernatural means.

PASCHAL MYSTERY – The title of a document, Paschalis Mysterii, issued by Pope Paul VI on May 9, 1969. In this document he approved a reorganization of the liturgical year and calendar for the Roman Rite. Its purpose was “to permit the faithful to communicate in a more intense way, through faith, hope and love, in the whole mystery of Christ, which . . . unfolds within the cycle of a year.” Paschal Mystery is a general term to describe the redemptive work of Christ, especially the events of the Last Supper and the Passion, reaching their climax on Easter Sunday. (Etym.

Latin paschalis, from pascha, Passover, Easter; from Greek pasha; from Hebrew Pesah, Pesach.)

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OIL OF THE SICK – The olive oil blessed by the bishop of a diocese for use in the sacrament of anointing of the sick. Commonly abbreviated O.I. (oleum infirmorum, oil of the sick) on oil stocks used by priests. Until 1874, when Pope Paul VI published the new Order of Anointing the Sick, olive oil was prescribed for the valid administration of the sacrament. This is no longer necessary. Any oil from plants is permissible in case of necessity; and the blessing by a bishop, though ordinarily required, may now be supplied by a duly authorized priest and, in emergency, by any priest.

validly consecrated a bishop unless he has previously been ordained a priest.

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NOAH – Son of Lamech and father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Yahweh was so embittered by the corruption and faithlessness of the world that he decided he would wipe out the human race in a flood. The one exception he made was Noah and his family. He gave Noah detailed instructions about the construction of an ark strong enough to remain intact (Genesis 6). Then he instructed him to take aboard his family and two specimens of every kind of animal and bird, male and female, so that after the flood the world could be repopulated. Noah obeyed Yahweh. Every living being outside the ark was destroyed when the flood submerged the earth (Genesis 7). After several months Noah had proof that the waters receded enough for all to leave the ark, which was now resting on Mount Ararat (Genesis 8). God promised, “Never again will I strike down every living being . . .” (Genesis 8:21). “There shall be no flood to destroy the earth again” (Genesis 9:11). Noah’s sons became the eponymous ancestors of the great races in the repopulation of the world.

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OLD TESTAMENT – A term denoting the time from the origin of the human race to Christ; also the primitive, patriarchal, and prophetic revelation; and the Old Covenant of Yahweh with the Israelites. But most commonly, the Old Testament means the collection of books that the Catholic Church believes are divinely inspired, and that are not the New Testament. In biblical order they are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I and II Samuel, I and II Kings, I and II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, I and II Maccabees, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

ORDERS, SACRAMENT OF - The sacrament that, by the imposition of a bishop’s hands, confers on a man the grace and spiritual power to sanctify others. There are three forms of this sacrament, also called sacramental orders, namely diaconate, priesthood and episcopate. They are not, however, three sacraments, but only one sacrament that is separately administered with three successively higher sacramental effects. It is certain that every baptized male can be validly ordained, although it would be highly illicit to ordain him before the age of reason. It is likewise certain that every baptized male can be validly ordained a priest without previously being ordained a deacon. However, the more probable teaching is that a baptized male cannot be

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PASSOVER – The Jewish Pasch celebrated annually as commanded by God to commemorate the deliverance of the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt. Its main feature was the sacrificial meal, ending with eating the paschal lamb, followed by the seven-day Feast of the Unleavened Bread. At the time of Christ the Passover meal united the Jewish family from sunset to midnight on the fifteenth of Nisan. Its last celebration by the Savior was the occasion for instituting the Eucharist and the priesthood of the New Law. PENANCE – The virtue or disposition of heart by which one repents of one’s own sins and is converted to God. Also the punishment by which one atones for sins committed, either by oneself or by others. And finally the sacrament of penance, where confessed sins committed after baptism are absolved by a priest in the name of God. (Etym. Latin paenitentia, repentance, contrition.)

PENTECOST – Feast commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. It takes its name from the fact that it comes about fifty days after Easter. The name was originally given to the Jewish Feast of Weeks, which fell in

RECONCILIATION, SACRAMENT OF – See PENANCE RESURRECTION, BODILY – The universal return to life of all human beings, to occur soon before the last judgment by God’s almighty power. Each individual soul will be reunited with the selfsame body with which it was united on earth.

While all the dead will rise, only the just will have their bodies glorified.

SANCTIFYING GRACE – The supernatural state of being infused by God, which permanently inheres in the soul. It is a vital principle of the supernatural life, as the rational soul is the vital principle of a human being’s natural life. It is not a substance but a real quality that becomes part of the soul substance. Although commonly associated with the possession of the virtue of charity, sanctifying grace is yet distinct from this virtue. Charity, rather, belongs to the will, whereas sanctifying grace belongs to the whole soul, mind, will, and affections. It is called sanctifying grace because it makes holy those who possess the gift by giving them a participation in the divine life. It is zoē (life), which Christ taught that he has in common with the Father and which those who are in the state of grace share.

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RITE – In general, the manner and form of a religious function. Hence the words and actions to be carried out in the performance of a given act, e.g., the rite of baptism, or the rite of consecration, the Roman Rite. The term in its widest ecclesiastical sense refers to the principal historic rituals in the Catholic Church, whose essentials are the same as derived from Jesus Christ. The four parent rites in Catholicism are the Antiochene, Alexandrine, Roman, and Gallican. Some religious orders have their own rites. In all cases, however, the ritual must be approved by the Holy See. (Etym. Latin ritus, religious custom, usage, ceremony.)

SACRED CHRISM/SACRUM CHRISMA – See CHRISM

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PROPHET – The biblical term “nabi” means one who spoke, acted, or wrote under the extraordinary influence of God to make known the divine counsels and will. Yet commonly associated with this primary function to proclaim the word of God, a prophet also prophesied by foretelling future events. His role, then, was to both proclaim and to make the proclamation credible.

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PROMISED LAND – The land of Canaan, generally thought to be the whole of western Palestine. It was promised to the Israelites by God after their sojourn in the desert (Exodus 12:25).

are communicated to the soul. The essential elements of a sacrament of the New Law are institution by Christ the God-man during his visible stay on earth, and a sensibly perceptible rite that actually confers the supernatural grace it symbolizes. In a broad sense every external sign of internal divine blessing is a sacrament. And in this sense there were already sacraments in the Old Law, such as the practice of circumcision. But, as the Council of Trent defined, these ancient rites differed essentially from the sacraments of the New Law, they did not really contain the grace they signified, nor was the fullness of grace yet available through visible channels merited and established by the Savior. (Etym.

Latin sacramentum, oath, solemn obligation; from sacrare, to set apart as sacred, consecrate.)

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the fiftieth day after Passover, when the first fruits of the corn harvest were offered to the Lord (Deuteronomy 16:9), and, later on, the giving of the law to Moses was celebrated. In the early Church, Pentecost meant the whole period from Easter to Pentecost Sunday, during which no fasting was allowed, prayer was only made standing, and Alleluia was sung more often. (Etym. Greek pentēkostē, the fiftieth day.)

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SABBATH – The Jewish day of rest, with elaborate prescriptions for its observance. Failure to observe the Sabbath was one of the principal accusations of the Pharisees against Jesus. It began on Friday night at sundown and ended on Saturday at sundown. No manual labor was done on the Sabbath. This meant complete withdrawal from business and trade interests, and giving oneself to family, friends, and religion. On the preceptive side, the Sabbath was to intensify home life, deepen one’s knowledge of religious history and religion, and above all concentrate on prayer and things of the spirit. Already in apostolic times (Acts 20:7) Christians transferred the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. Moreover, the Catholic understanding of Sunday as a Sabbath (rest) has never been as rigid as that of some Protestant groups, e.g., the Puritans.

SACRAMENT – A sensible sign, instituted by Jesus Christ, by which invisible grace and inward sanctification

SANCTUARY LAMP – A wax candle, generally in a red glass container, kept burning day and night wherever the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in Catholic churches or chapels. It is an emblem of Christ’s abiding love and a reminder to the faithful to respond with loving adoration in return.

SCAPULAR – An outer garment consisting of two strips of cloth joined across the shoulders, worn by members of certain religious orders. Originating as the working frock of Benedictines, it was adopted by other religious communities and is now considered a distinctive part of the monastic habit. It symbolizes the yoke of Christ. A scapular is worn under one’s secular clothes, in abbreviated form by tertiaries associated with the religious orders. Tertiary scapulars vary in size and shape; their color corresponds to that of the monastic family. As a further development, the Church has approved some eighteen blessed scapulars as two small pieces of cloth joined by strings and worn around the neck and under the clothes. Best known are the five scapulars of: Our Lady of Mount Carmel (brown), the Passion (red), Seven Dolors (black), Immaculate Conception (blue), and the Holy Trinity (white). (Etym. Latin scapulare, scapularium, “shoulder cloak,” from Latin scapula, shoulder.)

SEAL OF CONFESSION – The grave duty of keeping absolutely secret all sins that are told in sacramental confession and anything else that is told by the penitent and is related to the confession. It is an obligation binding in the

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With the exception of forbidding graven images and statues and the precept about the Sabbath, the Ten Commandments are an expression of the natural law. More or less extensive sections of the Decalogue are found in the law of other ancient people However, the Ten Commandments excel the moral codes of other religious systems in their explicit monotheism, their doctrine of God’s awesome majesty and boundless goodness, and their extension of moral obligation down to the most intimate and hidden desires of the human heart. The following is a standard Catholic expression of the Ten Commandments: 1. I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me. 2.

You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. 4. Honor your father and your mother. 5. You shall not kill. 6. You shall not commit adultery. 7. You shall not steal. 8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. 10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.

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SIN – “A word, deed or desire in opposition to the eternal law” (St. Augustine). Sin is a deliberate transgression of a law of God, which identifies the four essentials of every sin. A law is involved, implying that there are physical laws that operate with necessity, and moral laws that can be disregarded by human beings. God is offended, so that the divine dimension is never absent from any sin. Sin is a transgression, since Catholicism holds that grace is resistible and the divine will can be disobeyed. And the transgression is deliberate, which means that a sin is committed whenever a person knows that something is contrary to the law of God and then freely does the action anyway. (Etym. Old English synn, syn, sin; Old High German sunta, suntea, perhaps to Latin sons, guilty.)

TEN COMMANDMENTS – Also called the Decalogue, they are the divinely revealed precepts received by Moses on Mount Sinai. Engraved on two tablets of stone, they occur in two versions in the Bible. The earlier form (Exodus 20:1-17) differs from the later (Deuteronomy 5:6-18) in two ways. It gives a religious motive, instead of a humanitarian one, for observing the sabbath; and in prohibiting avarice, it classes a man’s wife along with the rest of his possessions, instead of separately.

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SEAL OF CONFIRMATION – To establish or determine irrevocably, in the sacrament of confirmation, when a bishop anoints a person with chrism and says, “[Name], be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” Thus, by confirmation a baptized Christian becomes permanently marked as a witness of Christ and is enabled to preserve, profess, and communicate the faith even (if need be) with the price of his blood.

always in a truly prominent place (Eucharisticum Mysterium, May 25, 1967, II, C). (Etym. Latin tabernaculum, tent, diminutive of taberna, hut, perhaps from Etruscan.)

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natural law, the divine law of Christ, and in the positive law of the Church. It binds the confessor and any other person who in any way discovers what was confessed. Under no circumstances may any of this information be revealed unless the penitent freely gives permission.

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SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY – The traditional seven forms of Christian charity in favor of the soul or spirit of one’s neighbor, in contrast with the corporal works of mercy that minister to people’s bodily needs. They are: converting the sinner, instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful, comforting the sorrowful, bearing wrongs patiently, forgiving injuries, and praying for the living and the dead. Their bases are the teaching of Christ and the practice of the Church since apostolic times.

TREE OF LIFE – A tree that stood next to the Tree of Knowledge in the middle of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9). It conferred on anyone eating its fruit the gift of immortality (Genesis 3:22).

THEOPHILUS – Possibly a government official or a person of high rank to whom Luke dedicated his Gospel. Most likely a potential convert, as may be inferred from Luke’s final words in the introduction: “. . . how well founded the teaching is that you have received” (Luke 1:4). Luke also directed Theophilus’ attention to the Acts of the Apostles, addressing him by name in the opening sentence (Acts 1:1). (Etym. Greek theophilos, beloved of God.)

TABERNACLE – A cupboard or boxlike receptacle for the exclusive reservation of the Blessed Sacrament. In early Christian times the sacred species was reserved in the home because of possible persecution. Later dove-shaped tabernacles were suspended by chains before the altar.

Nowadays tabernacles may be round or rectangular and made of wood, stone, or metal. They are covered with a veil and lined with precious metal or silk, with a corporal beneath the ciboria or other sacred vessels. According to the directive of the Holy See, since the Second Vatican Council, tabernacles are always solid and inviolable and located in the middle of the main altar or on a side altar, but

TRANSUBSTANTIATION – The complete change of the substance of bread and wine into the substance of Christ’s body and blood by a validly ordained priest during the consecration at Mass, so that only the accidents of bread and wine remain. While the faith behind the term itself was already believed in apostolic times, the term itself was a later development. With the Eastern Fathers before the sixth century, the favored expression was meta-ousiosis, “change of being”; the Latin tradition coined the word transubstantiatio, “change of substance,” which was incorporated into the creed of the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215. The Council of Trent, in defining the “wonderful and

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SPOUSE (BRIDE) OF CHRIST – Primarily the Church, founded by Christ, which St. Paul elaborately describes as espoused to Christ. Also a woman who vows her chastity to God in order to be more like Christ and more intimately united with him. Among certain mystics, such as Sts. Teresa of Avila and Catherine of Siena, an extraordinary union in prayer with the Savior.

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Used with permission of Inter Mirifica.

For additional definitions, please see Fr. John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary, © 2000 Eternal Life Publications or Catholic Dictionary: An Abridged and Updated Edition of Modern Catholic Dictionary, © 2013 Inter Mirifica.

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VENIAL SIN – An offense against God which does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace. It is called venial (from venia, pardon) because the soul still has the vital principle that allows a cure from within, similar to the healing of a sick or diseased body whose source of animation (the soul) is still present to restore the ailing bodily function to health.

VOW – A free, deliberate promise made to God to do something that is good and that is more pleasing to God than its omission would be. The one vowing must realize that a special sin is committed by violating the promise. A vow binds under pain of sin (grave or slight) according to the intention of the one taking the vow. If one vows with regard to grave matter, one is presumed to intend to bind oneself under pain of serious sin. Vows enhance the moral value of human actions on several counts. They unite the soul to God by a new bond of religion, and so the acts included under the vow become also acts of religion. Hence they are more meritorious. By taking a vow, a person surrenders to God the moral freedom of acting otherwise, like the one who not only gives at times the fruit of the tree, but gives up the tree itself. And vows forestall human weakness, since they do not leave matters to the indecision or caprice of the moment. Their very purpose is to invoke divine grace to sustain one’s resolution until the vow expires or, in the case of perpetual vows, even until death. (Etym. Latin vovere, to pledge, promise.)

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TRINITY, THE HOLY – A term used since A.D. 200 to denote the central doctrine of the Christian religion. God, who is one and unique in his infinite substance or nature, is three really distinct persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The one and only God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Yet God the Father is not God the Son, but generates the Son eternally, as the Son is eternally begotten. The Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son, but a distinct person having the divine nature from the Father and the Son by eternal procession. The three divine persons are co-equal, co-eternal, and consubstantial and deserve co-equal glory and adoration.

VOCATION – A call from God to a distinctive state of life, in which the person can reach holiness. The Second Vatican Council made it plain that there is a “Universal call [vocatio] to holiness in the Church” (Lumen Gentium, 39). (Etym.

Latin vocatio, a calling, summoning; from vocare, to call.)

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singular conversion of the whole substance of the wine into the blood” of Christ, added “which conversion the Catholic Church calls transubstantiation” (Denzinger 1652). After transubstantiation, the accidents of bread and wine do not inhere in any subject or substance whatever. Yet they are not make-believe; they are sustained in existence by divine power. (Etym. Latin trans-, so as to change + substantia, substance: transubstantio, change of substance.)

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Deliberate venial sin is a disease that slackens the spiritual powers, lowers one’s resistance to evil, and causes one to deviate from the path that leads to heavenly glory. Variously called “daily sins” or “light sins” or “lesser sins,” they are committed under a variety of conditions: when a person transgresses with full or partial knowledge and consent to a divine law that does not oblige seriously; when one violates a law that obliges gravely but either one’s knowledge or consent is not complete; or when one disobeys what is an objectively grave precept but due to invincible ignorance a person thinks the obligation is not serious.

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The essence of venial sin consists in a certain disorder but does not imply complete aversion from humanity’s final destiny. It is an illness of the soul rather than its supernatural death. When people commit a venial sin, they do not decisively set themselves on turning away from God, but from over fondness for some created good, fall short of God. They are like persons who loiter without leaving the way.

VIATICUM – The reception of Holy Communion when there is probable danger of death. Viaticum should not be deferred too long in sickness lest the dying lose consciousness. It can be given as often as such danger exists, and is required of all the faithful who have reached the age of discretion.

No laws of fasting persist either for the recipient or for the priest who must consecrate in order to supply the Host in an emergency. (Etym. Latin viaticum, traveling provisions; from viaticus, of a road or journey, from via, way, road.)

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