1	The Sacraments of Healing and Vocation Diocese of Madison Lay Institute March 10, 2007 Rev. Tait C. Schroeder, STL, V.E.
2	The Sacrament of Reconciliation What are people’s attitudes towards the sacrament? Do people have an adequate sense of sin? Why or why not? What can be done to bring people back to the sacrament?
3	Scripture and Reconciliation Mk 1:15 – “Repent and believe in the gospel” Mk 2:10 – the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins Lk 15 / Lk 23:34 – Prodigal Son / “Father, forgive them…” 1 Cor 5:5 / 2 Cor 2:7 – expulsion / readmission
4	History Canonical Penance (up to 600 A.D.) Repent interiorly, confess, penance, forgiven/reconciled Only for major sins (adultery, homicide, apostasy) Only allowed one time – not repeatable Penances difficult and often life-long
5	History Tariffed Penance (600-1100 A.D.) Private (developed from monastic traditions) Celtic (Ireland didn’t have contact with ancient traditions/practices) Tariffed (set penances from books) Reconciled before penance completed Repeatable
6	History Private Sacramental Confession (1100 A.D. to present) Took much from tariffed penance Emphasis on interior sorrow Priest’s prayer of absolution necessary Lateran IV – 1215 A.D. – Easter duty (confession, Eucharist linked)
7	Theology Quasi-matter: Contrition (sorry for offending God more than fear of hell [attrition] – resolve not to sin again) Confession (integral – number, kind, and circumstances) Satisfaction (penance medicinal/reparative) Form: Priest’s prayer of absolution (judge and doctor)
8	Theology Cross is the source of forgiveness Sin = a break in relation Christ most alienated, cut-off on cross What has been assumed has been redeemed Christ’s self-gift undoes the selfishness of the sin of Adam and Eve and all sins
9	The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick What do we learn from the Bible about sickness and death? How does our modern society react when confronted with serious illness?
10	Scripture and Anointing Mk 6:13 Jms 5:13-15 These passages do not expressly show institution by Christ, but they do show his care and concern for the sick and dying, as was witnessed throughout his life.
11	History Ancient practice shows blessed oil was used for healing body, soul, and spirit Around 800 (Charlemagne), the sacrament took on the aspect of forgiving sins and remitting punishment/penance – it became especially for the dying (Extreme Unction) – the 5 senses were anointed to heal any sins committed through them during life
12	Theology Anointing is for the whole person Physical healing possible (if for salvation) Spiritual healing Forgiveness Hope in the midst of suffering Hope for eternal life Ecclesial aspect – the person is not alone – the Church cares for the sick and dying
13	The Sacrament of Holy Orders What does “order” mean in reference to this sacrament? What is the role of each of the “orders?” How have bishops, priests, and deacons affected you personally?
14	Scripture and Holy Orders Deacons Acts 6:1-7a 1 Tm 3:8-13 Priests Heb 5:1-10 Jn 12:24-26 Bishops 1 Tm 3:1-7 2 Tm 1:6-14
15	History Deacons: Charity and service in the early Church Preaching and catechizing “Eyes of the bishop” – see needs Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus – deacons baptized, assisted at the Eucharist, taught, helped with administration Life-long in the early Church Most functions taken by priests in the Middle Ages Permanent diaconate restored at Vatican II
16	History Priests: Importance grew over time Assisted bishops Lack of training led to abuses – Trent, St. Charles Borromeo established seminaries Bishops: Bishops at times elected rather than appointed Bishops important because they were signs of apostolic continuity in the faith (Ignatius of Antioch) Theological debate over whether the episcopacy was a sacrament or a special office
17	Matter and Form Sacramentum Ordinis – Pius XII – November 30, 1947: “The sole matter of the sacred orders of diaconate and presbyterate is the laying on of hands; likewise the sole form is the words determining the application of this matter…” There was theological debate over whether the laying on of hands was the matter or the traditio instrumentorum, the passing on of the instruments (Book of the Gospels, chalice and paten, etc.)
18	Theology of the Diaconate Ordained to ministry of service, not priesthood Function is not as important as nature for diaconate – they represent Christ the Servant for the whole Church Their ministry of charity and preaching flows from and back to the Eucharist
19	Theology of the Priesthood The priest acts “in persona Christi capitis (ecclesiae)” Agitur sequitur esse – actions follow on being The character given in priestly ordination allows the priest to celebrate the Eucharist, forgive sins, teach the faith, and govern/shepherd the Church as the bishop’s representative The link between the priesthood and the Eucharist is vital – we must have priests for the Eucharist
20	Theology of the Episcopate Lumen Gentium 21 – character conferred – one of the orders, not just a grace of office Sanctifying, teaching, governing – three munera or offices Union with Rome – one of the marks of the faith – bishops guarantee apostolicity
21	The Sacrament of Marriage What makes this sacrament different from the other sacraments? What difficulties does this sacrament face in today’s world?
22	Scripture and Marriage Mt 19:1-12 Mk 10:1-12 Eph 5:21-33
23	History Trent – doctrinal approach (looked at first parents, words of Christ) & disciplinary approach (Tametsi – needed witnesses for validity – intended to stop clandestine marriages) Leo XIII – dealt with challenges from states and culture – said Church had a voice in marriage – workers needed a just wage to support a family Pius XI – Casti Conubii – dealt with challenge of artificial contraception accepted by Anglicans Vatican II – LG 11, GS 47-52 – dealt with marriage in a relational manner – saw marriage and family as normal states for people – marriage “outlasts” family
24	Matter and Form “Matter” – one man and one woman who are not impeded who give consent (act of the will to give self and accept other as spouse) Form – bishop, priest, or deacon (no deacons for the Eastern Church) who witnesses the exchange of consent in the presence of two witnesses Minister – the couple are the ministers of the sacrament of marriage (in the West)
25	Theology Goods of marriage (St. Augustine) Children Lasting fidelity Sacramental grace Ends of marriage Union Children and their education
26	Theology Christ as model for marriage Jesus as bridegroom Christ and Church (Eph 5) This is a perfect relationship, but imperfect couples grow into this by giving of themselves Word as base Words of consent create a new realty (cf. Gn 1) Words of weak couples strengthened and perfected by Word of God
27	Short Bibliography E. Schillebeeckx – “Christ the Sacrament of the Encounter with God” H. Vorgrimler – “Sacramental Theology” P. Fink – “New Dictionary of Sacramental Worship” A. G. Martimort (ed.) – “The Church at Prayer” The Rites – Pueblo Publishing Co.
28	Thank you for your attention! God bless you all!