MODULE 1: Sacrament and Sacramentality
Section 1:Psychology and the Sacraments
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1.1 If you think of a mystery as a spiritual reality that is experienced but only partially understood, what sorts of things would you consider mysteries?
I consider the Holy Trinity a mystery as we are not able to fully comprehend what this means and how it is. I also consider Eucharist a mystery- the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
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Section 2:Sociology and the Sacraments
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2.1 Give an example of how regular participation in Sunday worship both expresses people’s commitment to Christianity and helps them to interiorise Christian beliefs and values. How might this be true of family rituals as well?
“For committed Catholic Christians ‘consciously and deliberately participating in the eucharistic liturgy and other sacraments does much more than fulfil external religious obligations’ “. (pg 41 Martos, J. (2009) The sacraments: An interactive and interdisciplinary study.
When we participate in the eucharistic liturgy we are deepening our relationship with God. By participating in Sunday worship regularly you are also making an outward display of your faith and commitment, and as an example for other, I think that this is important. Not attending mass may result in a loss of beliefs and values as Church and faith can become something distant if you are not participating regularly.
Just as a Church gathers as a family, the same applies for a family unit. Upholding the values and beliefs of a family unit requires commitment and participation from/by all members.
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Section 3: Ritual studies and the sacraments
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3.1 Martos describes six major categories of ritual, showing their relevance to understanding the sacraments: How might these help us understand our sacraments and also something that is precious to us?
A sacrament is considered a mystery and so too rituals have a mysterious element. Martos’ six major categories of ritual help us to understand our sacraments because we can see the ritualistic nature of our sacraments. He categorizes and explains rituals simply in a way that is easy to understand and relate to. Sacraments are symbolic rituals that celebrate religious commitment. “Such spiritual realities have every right to be called mysteries in the basic sense of the Greek mysterion, meaning hidden from view….Even though they are elusive realities, we are keenly aware when they are absent from our lives.” (pg 98 Martos, J. 2009)
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Section 4: The Sacraments in history
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4.1 Explain in your own words the idea that Jesus was and is a sacrament of God and how this might help us appreciate what lies at the heart of each of the sacraments.
Jesus is the ultimate mystery and the gift from God that allows us to have a relationship with Him. We can relate more to the divine mystery as He lived as fully human and is fully God. Without Jesus, and the connections we can make through Him, the sacraments may be too far removed from what humans can understand and may have been a mystery that was too beyond the limits of our comprehension. Eucharist, for example, is relatable for us as humans, because Jesus himself gave us this gift during the Last Supper. He told us this was the way we could have a relationship with God through Him.
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Include in your journal any questions this Module has raised for you.
How do we best (most simply) explain the mystery of the Trinity to children?
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MODULE 2: Sacraments of initiation: Baptism and confirmation
Section 1:Sacraments of Initiation
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1.1 Mick states that sacraments should not be seen as isolated moments, but rather that rituals ‘express and celebrate what God has been doing’ in people’s lives. Is this a new idea for you? How might this insight affect the way you and/ or your parish or school prepare for and celebrate the sacraments?
This is not a new idea for me, but a good reminder that sacraments are not isolated events from time to time, and should be thought about, reflected upon and discussed regularly. I think it’s also important, as Mick points out, that the community should be involved and the sacraments celebrated together. At school we make an effort to all celebrate the sacraments together.
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Section 2: Infant Baptism
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2.1 If the adult rites of initiation are the model for understanding baptism, how would you explain infant baptism today? Can you explain why a priest, on behalf of the community, may sometimes have to postpone the baptism of an infant?
Infant baptism is more about peace of mind for the family- they may fear for their infant’s soul if he or she happens to die unbaptised. We know that God is not a God who would condemn innocent children. The process of initiation is a life-long commitment and faith journey, and if a child is baptised young, it is therefore the responsibility of the family and community to raise that child in faith.
Perhaps at times a priest postpones a baptism of an infant if he feels the family and community are not ready to raise the child in faith? I have actually not heard of this happening.
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Section 3: Confirmation
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3.1 In Aotearoa New Zealand there is not common practice in the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation. In your estimation when is the best age to celebrate this sacrament?
At our school, the children are confirmed at Year 4- age approximately 8 years old. I think this is an appropriate age as the children have developed their sense of faith, spent several years in the religious education system (usually) and are more aware of the significance.
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Section 4: The Development of the Catechumenate
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4.1 What strikes you about the RCIA as it is presented here? Note 3 or more aspects of the process that particularly appeal to you. Pay attention to the elaborate nature of baptism and how this shaped the catechumenate.
I personally went through the entire process only a couple of years ago. It was lengthy, serious (not in a negative way) and had a great sense of importance and reverence. What strikes me in this article is exactly as I experienced it personally. It was a large and important event and I was personally touched at how complete strangers were so genuinely happy for me. The actual event itself felt like a true celebration and a momentous time in my life. In this sense, I can see the benefits of doing it this way. I felt well informed through the RCIA programme and had plenty of time to address any concerns or questions as they arose. I felt very well supported. Now as soem of my older students are choosing to be baptised, it touches me deeply and I see it as a truley special ev
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Include in your journal any questions this Module has raised for you.
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