Dr. Paul F. Ford



Lesson One

Mystagogical Reflection on Sacramental Experiences; Blessings

1. What happened [to/for the recipients, to/for the presider, to/for the assembly]? What were the significant . . . gestures? . . . postures? . . . words? . . . songs? . . . touches? . . . tastes? . . . smells? . . . sights? . . . experiences? . . . surprises? . . . connections?

2. What were you/they expecting?

3. What does all this say about . . . BEING A CHRISTIAN? . . . BEING A CATHOLIC? . . . BEING AN ADULT CATHOLIC? . . . THE CHRISTIAN MEANING OF THE CENTER OF MY LIFE? . . . BEING FORGIVEN? . . . BEING ANOINTED? . . . BEING A READER? . . . BEING AN ACOLYTE? . . . BEING A CANDIDATE FOR ORDINATION? . . . BEING A DEACON? . . . BEING A PRESBYTER? . . . BEING A BISHOP? . . . BEING MARRIED? . . . THE CHRISTIAN MEANING OF MY DEATH? . . . THE CHRISTIAN MEANING OF THE REST OF MY LIFE?

4. What has been reinforced for you?

θ CollR, 1 Anthony Bloom on the Body

θ CollR, 2 Sofia Cavaletti, “The Sign of the Cross”

θ CollR, 3 2 Kings 2:1–22

θ CollR, 4 St. Leo the Great, Sermon Two on the Ascension, Office for Readings, Friday in the Sixth Week of Easter (the Friday after the Ascension), The Liturgy of the Hours, Volume II, p. 937–938

θ CollR, 5–16 Ascension Texts and Chants

a. What is the significance for sacramental theology of the Solemnity of the Ascension:

i. as found in its use of Septuagint/Vulgate version of Psalm 68 (67V), especially v. 18 in the Entrance Psalm and in its Communion Psalms and in the Second Reading for Year B?

ii. as illuminated by 2 Kings 2:1–22, especially the “double share of your spirit” and the condition “only if you see me ascend”?

iii. as found in the second readings?

iv. as found in the prayer over the gifts, in Ascension Preface II, and in the prayer after communion?

v. as found in the reading from Pope St. Leo the Great?

θ TEXT The Church at Prayer/Volume IV: “The Liturgy and Time,” pp. 28–29, 58–64, 72, 76, 106,

θ CollR, 17–32 Chrism Mass Texts and Chants

] Austin, Gerard. The Rite of Confirmation: Anointing with the Spirit. Chapter Five, “Rite of the Blessing of Oils; Rite of Consecrating Chrism,” 98–122

b. What is the significance for sacramental theology of the Chrism Mass:

i. as found in its Entrance Antiphons and Psalm, in its readings and chants between the readings and in its Communion Antiphons and (wedding) Psalm?

ii. as seen and sung about in the two processions with the oils?

iii. as found in the text of the blessing of the oil of the sick and in the preferred place of the Chrism Mass when this oil is blessed?

iv. as found in the prayer after communion?

v. as found in the placement of which ministers in Article 21 and in the preferred place of the Chrism Mass when the oil of the catechumens is blessed and the chrism consecrated?

vi. as found in the text of the blessing of the oil of catechumens and in Article 2 of the Introduction (Prænotanda)?

vii. as found in the invitation to pray in article 24?

viii. as seen in the gesture of all the celebrants in the Consecratory Prayer?

ix. as found in the text of the alternate Consecratory Prayer?

x. as found in the fact of and the text of the reception of the oils?

xi. as found in the Introduction (Prænotanda), especially Articles 1, 6, and 14?

c. Who are the priests of the Entrance Antiphon and of the second reading? What clarification does the Preface offer?

d. Who are the “us” of “you have given us a share in his consecration to priestly service in your Church” in the Opening Prayer?

e. What is distinctive about the renewal of priestly commitment?

θ Handout, 1 Apostles’ Creed, Articles Eight through Twelve

θ Handout, 2–4 Hallowed Be This House

θ Handout, 5 Semmelroth on Sacraments / Chart

The Sacramentals

θ CollR, 33–36 Ford, Overview of the General Introduction to The Book of Blessings

f. About what three interrelated realities is Ford talking?

g. Why is it significant to see the General Introduction to The Book of Blessings as a mature document of the liturgical renewal?

h. Why must every blessing be celebrated with a liturgy of the word?

θ CollR, 37–54 The General Introduction to The Book of Blessings

i. To what three realities do blessings refer, involve and apply?

j. Why does Part II of the General Introduction to The Book of Blessings begin with an emphasis on the cup of blessing?

k. Who or What is blessed?

l. Why? What is this “chief effect”?

m. Why are our [the recipients’] faith, hope, and love necessary?

n. Why is “some assembly required”?

o. Who may bless?

p. How (what are the essential ingredients)?

θ CollR, 55–60 The Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful

q. What are the three noteworthy characteristics of the Universal Prayer?

r. Why are catechumens not to take part in this prayer?

s. Why is the Universal Prayer part of every liturgy of the word and thus a part of every sacramental and sacrament?

θ TEXT The Church at Prayer/Volume III: “The Sacraments,” pp. 263–284

t. What is the “twofold movement proper to blessing”?

u. What, in the earliest days of the Church, are the words which are to be used in every blessing?

v. What is the prayer “Per Quem haec omnia” of the Roman Canon (hint: see b iii, above)?

w. What focus, respecting blessings, do we need in a technicized world?

θ TEXT Vorgrimler, pp. 314–323

x. How does the 1983 Code of Canon Law distinguish between sacraments and sacramentals?

y. What kinds of blessings are there?

z. If sacramentals are not mere signs, what are they?

θ TEXT The Catechism of the Catholic Church §§1667–1679

aa. How does the Catechism distinguish between sacraments and sacramentals? (Compare §1677 with §1131)

bb. What are exorcisms?

cc. What wisdom about popular piety does the Third Puebla document offer?

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Lesson Two

The Mystery of Death and Rites for the Dead

θ Refer The Ceremonial of Bishops, §§ 821–839

a. What is the significance of the difference in the placement of the coffin of an ordained person from the placement of the coffin of a layperson?

b. What is the “first type of the celebration [of funerals] provided in the Roman Ritual” and what recommendation does the Ceremonial make to bishops?

c. What role does psalmody play in the celebration of funerals (see “j” in the next section of questions)? Why?

d. Why does the bishop preside at every liturgy of the word at a funeral, even if he is not the celebrant of the funeral?

θ TEXT The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume One, pp. 844–895

θ TEXT The Church at Prayer/Volume III: “The Sacraments,” pp. 221–240

e. How important is it to receive viaticum?

f. What is the “true sacrament of death”? (recall Rites I, p. 847 [§174] and p. 849 [§181])

g. What is the significance of the revised commendation of the dying?

h. What is the significance of the prayers of commendation? (Rites I, pp. 865–868 [§220])

i. What is the significance of the apostolic pardon? (recall Rites I, p. 854 [§195] and p. 856 [§201])

θ TEXT The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume One, pp. 844–895, 909–1118, paying particular attention to pp. 924–944 (§§1–67), 955–956 (§§98–103), 959 (§§109–111), 963 (§§119–120), 967–974 (§§128–154), 992–994 (§§204–215), 1064–1069 (§§348–372), and to pp. 1108–1118 (§§1–25, the original Prænotanda)

j. From where does the power for all the Church’s activity come and what makes this power present?

k. What is the central celebration of the Christian funeral? What does it accomplish (see the original Prænotanda, §10) and what do the rest of the rites accomplish (see the General Introduction, §6)?

l. Who are the ministers of the Order of Christian Funerals (compare the original Prænotanda, §§16–20, to the General Introduction, §§9–15)?

m. What is the significance of §21 of the General Introduction?

n. What are the readings of the Word of God designed to accomplish?

o. What does psalmody accomplish?

p. Why is music integral to the funeral rites?

q. What is the significance of the vigil?

r. What is the significance of the receiving of the body at the funeral liturgy?

s. What is the significance of the song of farewell?

θ TEXT Rutherford and Barr, The Death of a Christian: The Order of Christian Funerals, pp. 115–211

t. From what does the word “funeral” come?

u. How does Rutherford analyze the spiritual help and the consolation of hope of the Order of Christian Funerals?

v. What are a priest’s two most powerful tools in ministering to the sick, to the dying, and to the bereaved?

w. What is the harm in replacing the reading of Scripture with any other reading?

x. What does Rutherford think psalmody accomplishes?

y. What is the significance of the nightwatch vigils?

z. How and why does Rutherford give new meaning to the gathering in the presence of the body?

aa. What is the meaning of “Amen”?

bb. Which two basic elements of the liturgical renewal are operative in the final commendation?

θ TEXT The Catechism of the Catholic Church §§1680–1690

cc. What are the four elements of funerals common to all liturgical traditions?

Lessons Three and Four — Theological and Magisterial General Sacramental Theology

Theological Preconditions for Sacramental Theology

Themes: Experience of God and God’s Revelation • Images and Symbols of God • The “Sacramental Principle” in Jewish-Christian Tradition • Christian Theology, “Old Testament Sacraments,” and “Natural Sacraments” • Christological, Pneumatological, and Trinitarian Presuppositions

θ CollR, 114–115 Vorgrimler’s Themes

θ TEXT Vorgrimler, pp. 1–19

a. In Vorgrimler’s Introduction, what are:

i. his assumptions about the cultural climate in which to discuss sacramentology?

ii. his own assumptions?

iii. his definition of faith? (take note of every refinement of this definition throughout the first five chapters!)

iv. his method?

v. his answer to the basic Protestant worry about sacraments? (take note of every discussion of magic throughout the first five chapters!) (What, by the way, is the Lima document?)

b. In section 1.1 of Vorgrimler’s first chapter:

i. In what two ways does God reveal himself?

ii. What is the process of this revelation?

iii. In what two places does this revelation occur?

iv. What is the two-fold content of this revelation?

v. What should be our response to this revelation?

c. In section 1.2 of Vorgrimler’s first chapter:

i. What does mediation mean?

ii. What is the sacramental structure or principle?

iii. Distinguish between sign and symbol.

iv. What does symbolic expression mean?

v. How can our whole being be understood as the fundamental sacrament?

d. In section 1.3 of Vorgrimler’s first chapter:

i. What are the two basic kinds of symbols?

ii. In what ways are human beings the image of God?

iii. How is the sacramental structure principle also realized?

e. In section 1.4 of Vorgrimler’s first chapter:

i. What are the “Old Testament sacraments” (see also Chapter Three, Section 3.1)?

ii. What are the “natural sacraments” (see also Chapter Three, Section 3.1)?

f. In section 1.5 of Vorgrimler’s first chapter:

i. What are his Christological presuppositions?

ii. What are his seven Pneumatological presuppositions?

iii. What are his Trinitarian presuppositions?

Determining the Place of the Sacraments

Themes: The Sacraments as the Church’s Liturgy • The Subject of the Church’s Liturgy • The Presence of Jesus Christ in the Liturgy

θ TEXT Vorgrimler, pp. 20–26

g. In section 2.1 of Vorgrimler’s second chapter:

i. What is he saying and what is he not saying when he says that “the sacraments are an essential part of the Church’s liturgy”?

ii. What is St. Thomas Aquinas’s famous dictum about the sacraments?

iii. Hinted at on p. 19, the katabatic and the anabatic aspects of liturgy are defined on p. 22—how would you describe these to Joe Six-pack and Juana Corona?

h. In section 2.2 of Vorgrimler’s second chapter who are the subjects of the Church’s liturgy?

i. In section 2.3 of Vorgrimler’s second chapter:

i. How does liturgy “work”?

ii. Who is being made present to whom?

iii. Vorgrimler mentions Jesus mysticism for the second time (the first was on p. 4, the third will be on p. 63, the fourth on pp. 80–81)—what is he talking about?

The Sacramental Economy of Salvation

Themes: Creation and Election as Sacrament • Jesus Christ as the Primordial Sacrament • Church as Fundamental Sacrament • Individual Sacraments as Actualizations of the Fundamental Sacrament

θ TEXT Vorgrimler, pp. 27–42

j. In the preamble of Vorgrimler’s third chapter:

i. What is sacramental thinking?

ii. How does Vorgrimler distinguish institutional from non-institutional “sacraments”?

k. In section 3.1 of Vorgrimler’s third chapter:

i. How different is God’s presence to human beings from his presence to creation?

ii. What refinements does Vorgrimler add to his descriptions of faith and of magic?

iii. When it comes to Old Testament sacraments in contrast to natural sacraments, what two outstanding sacramental structures come into play?

l. In section 3.2 of Vorgrimler’s third chapter, how is Jesus Christ the Primordial Sacrament?

m. In section 3.3 of Vorgrimler’s third chapter;

i. How is the Church the Fundamental Sacrament?

ii. What claim/temptation is being avoided in this designation?

n. In section 3.4 of Vorgrimler’s third chapter:

i. How, in a general sense, are the individual sacraments actualizations of the Fundamental Sacrament?

ii. What are the renewed understandings of sacramental theology which ‘solve’ what problems in previous thinking about and experiencing sacraments?

The Sacraments in General

Themes: The General Concept of a Sacrament • History of General Sacramental Theology • New Testament • The Church Fathers • Middle Ages • The Sacramental Theology of the Reformers • The Church’s Official Sacramental Teaching • The Development of Sacramental Theology after Trent • Limits and Structure of General Sacramental Theology and Doctrine of the Individual Sacraments

θ TEXT Vorgrimler, pp. 43–67

o. In section 4.1 of Vorgrimler’s fourth chapter who are the two most important scholastic sacramentologists and what were their definitions of a sacrament?

p. In section 4.2 of Vorgrimler’s fourth chapter:

i. what two legacies from Jewish thought inform our Catholic sacramentology?

ii. what are our seven legacies from St. Augustine?

iii. what are then ten decisive forks in the journey through the Middle Ages to our Catholic sacramentology? (account for the technical terms opus operatum, sacramentum, res sacramenti, and res et sacramentum)

iv. what is the central premise of Protestant sacramentology?

v. characterize the journey from the Council of Florence through the Council of Trent to the Second Vatican Council (account for the technical term obex);

vi. what are the two most important movements in the field of sacramental theology between the two world wars?

θ TEXT The Church at Prayer/Volume I: “Principles of the Liturgy,” pp. 266–272

q. In section 4.3 of Vorgrimler’s fourth chapter what is St. Thomas Aquinas’s helpful “warning”?

Fundamentals of General Sacramental Theology

Themes: Symbolic Liturgical Actions as Mediation of the Presence of God • Effective Symbolic Event • Jesus Christ as Author of the Sacraments • The Number Seven and the Inequality of the Sacraments • Sacrament—Event of the Word of God • Sacrament, Prayer, and Discipleship • Sacraments of Faith • Sacraments as Mediation of Divine Grace • Sacrament and History • Sacraments of the Church

θ TEXT The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume One, pp. vii–xvi

θ TEXT Vorgrimler, pp. 68–101

θ TEXT The Church at Prayer/Volume I: “Principles of the Liturgy,” pp. 229–280

θ CollR, 119–123 Sacrament as an Event of the Word of God / Lectionary for Mass Introduction

r. In section 5.1.1 of Vorgrimler’s fifth chapter:

i. account for the terms sign, symbol, real symbol, myth, and performance utterance

ii. what is Vorgrimler’s operational definition of sacrament?

iii. what two errors (mistaken thinkings) is Vorgrimler trying to address?

s. In section 5.1.2 of Vorgrimler’s fifth chapter how is Jesus Christ the Author of the Sacraments?

t. In section 5.1.3 of Vorgrimler’s fifth chapter how may we understand the number seven and the inequality of the sacraments?

u. In section 5.2 of Vorgrimler’s fifth chapter what are we saying when we call a sacrament an event of the Word of God?

v. Connect the foregoing question to the theology of the Lectionary for Mass Introduction; what do you notice?

w. In section 5.3 of Vorgrimler’s fifth chapter how are sacraments connected to prayer and discipleship?

x. In section 5.4 of Vorgrimler’s fifth chapter:

i. what are the four problems connected with the faith of the minister?

ii. what are the five problems connected with the faith of the recipient?

y. In section 5.5 of Vorgrimler’s fifth chapter:

i. what does ex opere operato mean?

ii. how and why are the sacraments necessary for salvation?

z. Connect section 5.6 of Vorgrimler’s fifth chapter to CCC 1130.

aa. In section 5.7 of Vorgrimler’s fifth chapter:

i. in what ways are the sacraments the Church’s?

ii. what light is shed on the meaning of “sacramental character”?

Magisterial Overview

θ CollR, 101–105 Neuner/Dupuis Points

] TEXT “Christian Worship and Liturgy” (Chapter XII of The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church)

a. Why do Neuner and Dupuis discuss the sacraments after they discuss Christian worship and liturgy?

b. What emphases and nuances do you discern in your reading of the magisterial statements on “Christian Worship and Liturgy”? Take note of the following:

i. the two ends of worship in the italicized Introduction to the chapter

ii. the theology of the word in 1202, 1240, 1242, and 1336

iii. the theology of the preaching in 1203

iv. the place of culture and diversity in 1207, 1213, 1235, 1237, and 1245

v. the theology of the active participation in 1208

vi. the place of dispositions in 1209/2 and 1209/4

vii. the extraordinary statement about the liturgical year in 1211 and echoed in 1333

viii. compare 1212 to 1223 and to 1228—what do you notice?

ix. the place of the communion of saints in 1214

x. the famous definition of liturgy in 1218

xi. the passion in 1232

xii. the modesty about what in 1234 (compare to the Catechism 1085)?

xiii. the place of Sunday in 1250a–e

θ TEXT “The Sacraments of the Church” (Chapter XIII of The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church)

c. What emphases and nuances do you discern in your reading of the magisterial statements on “The Sacraments of the Church”? Take note of the following:

i. the worthiness of the minister in 1301, 1303, and 1304

ii. matter, form, and minister in 1305–1307

iii. the theology of obex in 1309 and 1316

iv. the cruciality of 1324

v. compare 1306 to 1328—what do you notice?

vi. the place of dispositions in 1332, 1335, and the Catechism 1098

vii. compare 1331 to 1334 and the Catechism 1088—what do you notice?

θ CollR, 37–38 Catechism Contents

θ CollR, 38a CCC 1127 & Luke 11: The Father Always Hears the Prayer for the Holy Spirit

θ TEXT The Catechism of the Catholic Church §§1066–1209

d. In CCC 1066–1068 and 1071–1072, why does liturgy exist?

e. In CCC 1069–1070, what does “liturgy” mean?

f. If CCC 1074 says that “the liturgy is the privileged place for catechizing the People of God,” how does this catechizing take place?

g. In CCC 1076, what is the sacramental economy?

h. In CCC 1077–1083, how is the Father’s work in the liturgy connected to the theology of the Book of Blessings?

i. In CCC 1084–1090, how does Christ work in the liturgy?

j. In CCC 1091–1109, connect in detail the work of the Spirit in liturgy to the work of the Spirit in the incarnation, CCC 723–725, and in the work of the Church, CCC 737–739, in the new life of Christians, CCC 740, and in the prayer of Christians, CCC 741?

k. Consult Dei Verbum 2 and correct the omission in CCC 1103.

l. Connecting CCC 1107 with CCC 671, 1130, 1403, and 2817, what do you notice?

m. In CCC 1114–1116, how are the sacraments the sacraments of Christ?

n. Do you notice anything familiar about CCC 1115?

o. In CCC 1117–1121, how are the sacraments the sacraments of the Church?

p. In CCC 1122–1126, how are the sacraments the sacraments of faith?

q. In CCC 1127–1129, how are the sacraments the sacraments of salvation?

r. In CCC 1130, how are the sacraments the sacraments of eternal life?

s. In CCC 1136–1144, who celebrates the Church’s liturgy and in what two dimensions?

t. In CCC 1145–1162, how (in what ways) is the liturgy celebrated?

u. In CCC 1163–1178, when (in what ways) is the liturgy celebrated?

v. In CCC 1179–1186, where (in what locations) is the liturgy celebrated?

w. In CCC 1200–1209, how is the liturgy catholic?

θ CollR, 96–99 “The Lord who is the Spirit be with you”—“And may the Spirit be also with you”

θ Handout O’Reilly Chart

θ Handout Hallowed Be This House

θ handout Semmelroth on Sacraments / Chart

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Your chief task for the month of October is to read mystagogically the first 515 pages of The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume One, or Rito de Iniciación Christiana de Adultos and The Sacramentary, the Foreword and the Order of the Mass. Do not forget the Sunday Lectionary context of the RCIA.

Visit the library and consult Ages of Initiation: The First Two Christian Millennia, with CD-ROM of Source Excerpts by Paul Turner

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Lesson Five

Baptism

Themes: Biblical Foundations • The Rite of Initiation • Historical Decisions • Baptism of Children • Ecumenical Perspectives

θ TEXT The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume One, pp. vii–466

a. What are the basic principles for the renewal of the Roman Ritual?

b. To what two sections of the Roman Ritual is “Christian Initiation” (pages 3–12) the proper introduction?

c. In “Christian Initiation” what are the two purposes of confirmation and of the eucharist and are you surprised by either enumeration? Should you be surprised?

d. In “Christian Initiation” how is baptism spoken of and are you surprised by anything? Should you be surprised?

e. In “Christian Initiation” who are the ministers of baptism? What should the ordained ministers be diligent about?

f. In “Christian Initiation” why the rules in §21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 33?

g. Surveying pages 15–28 and 48–49 and taking note of §3 on page 35 and questions-to-guide-your-reading “g” through “z”, how would you sort the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults? What is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 48?

h. Surveying page 75 in the Collection of Readings and taking note of §§4–16 and 35 (pages 36–41 and page 47) and the “National Statues for the Catechumenate” (pages 341–348), what comparisons can you make to “Christian Initiation” (pages 3–12).

i. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 35?

ii. what is the significance of the adverbs in §1?

iii. what is the significance of the adjective and the prepositional phrase in §4? How is the adjective connected to §7:2?

iv. what is the significance of §8?

v. who are the ministers of the RCIA and what are their duties?

vi. compare §33:5, §73, and §§200-202—what distinction(s) is/are being made?

vii. why the great freedom of §35?

i. From the epigraph and §§36–40 (pages 50–51) what is the purpose of the precatechumenate?

i. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 50?

ii. should there be a rite of reception into the period of evangelization and precatechumenate?

j. Read the “Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens”— the epigraph and §§41–67 (pages 52–65) — mystagogically and say what happens, what might those going through the rite and those ministering the rite be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, and what gets reinforced?

i. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 52?

ii. what are the discernment criteria whereby a person is judged ready for the rite of admission to the catechumenate?

iii. what must categorically be avoided?

iv. who takes part?

v. what are the rights of the catechumens?

vi. may the catechumen use the sacramental of holy water?

vii. what happens, what might those going through the rite and those ministering the rite be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, and what gets reinforced?

viii. what is the significance of the three forms of §52 (compare to §511)?

ix. what did you notice in §60 (compare §416 and §521), in §61, and in §67?

x. what sensitivities on the Church’s part did you notice?

xi. what psalms are sung where? why?

k. Compare the preceding with the “Rite of Welcoming the Candidates”— the epigraph and §§411–433 (pages 248–255) — mystagogically and say what happens, what might those going through the rite and those ministering the rite be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, and what gets reinforced?

i. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 248?

ii. to whom does this rite pertain?

iii. what are the duties of the candidates?

iv. what are these celebrations of the word of God?

v. where are the candidates seated? why?

vi. may the candidates use the sacramental of holy water?

vii. what happens, what might those going through the rite and those ministering the rite be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, and what gets reinforced?

viii. what are the two main biblical sources for the first form of celebrant’s address? why are these mentioned?

viii. comparing §50, §418, and §509 what did you notice?

ix. comparing §55 with §422, §515, and §518 what did you notice?

x. why/when would you omit the parenthesis in the last petition on page 254?

xi. what sensitivities on the Church’s part did you notice?

l. Read Combined Rite 1 (§§505–529, pages 288–300) — what do you notice?

i. what is the source and significance of the two epigraphs on page 52?

ii. what happens, what might those going through the rite and those ministering the rite be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, and what gets reinforced?

iii. what sensitivities on the Church’s part did you notice?

m. Comparing “j,” “k,” and “l,” what are the analogies to discerning one’s own vocation to the priesthood, to marriage, and to the religious life?

θ CollR, 77–78 Dismissal Catechesis, FAQs and Basic Methodology

n. From the epigraph and §§75–89 (pages 70–74) and from “Dismissal Catechesis, FAQs and Basic Methodology” what is the purpose of the catechumenate?

i. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 70?

ii. unpack the significance of §75, often called “the key to the catechumenate”? what are the links between this section and §81–89?

iii. what is the chief environmental/physical/locational implication of §75:3, §81, §83:1, and §92?

iv. what is the wisdom in §76?

v. where is the tension in §78 and how might it be assuaged by the first sentence of §79 and the plan of §§81–89?

vi. what is the significance of §83?

o. Comparing the preceding with the epigraph and §§400–410 (pages 245–247), what is the purpose of the preparation of baptized but uncatechized adults for confirmation and eucharist?

i. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 245?

ii. compare and contrast §§400–410 with §§75–89 and the National Statutes §§30–37? what did you notice?

iii. compare §410 with §487 and of the National Statutes §§32–33?

v. what is the significance of §400?

p. Comparing “n” and “o,” what are the analogies to discerning one’s own vocation to the priesthood, to marriage, and to the religious life?

q. Read the “Minor Exorcisms,” “Blessings,” and “Anointing”— §§90–104 (pages 72–88) — mystagogically and say what happens, what might those going through these rites and those ministering these rites be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, what gets reinforced, and what are the analogies to discerning one’s own vocation to the priesthood, to marriage, and to the religious life?

i. may the minor exorcisms and the anointings be given to the already baptized (see §407, §463 and National Statute §31 (pages 346–347)?

ii. what are the purposes of the minor exorcisms?

iii. according to §92, §96, and §100 what is the required context for the minor exorcisms, blessings, and anointings? Why? How does §96 differ from §92 and §100?

iv. reading meditatively through the prayers of exorcism A–K at §94, how would you say does evil manifest itself and what are the medicines which the Church applies?

v. what is the theology of blessings in §95 and the mystagogy in §97?

vi. reading meditatively through the blessings A–I at §97, for what gifts would you say is the Church asking?

vii. what are the purposes of the anointings?

viii. who must be the first minister of the anointings? why? who may be minister thereafter?

ix. say what “pastoral reasons” might a priest invoke for blessing oil for the rite immediately before the anointing (§101)? may a deacon bless this oil?

x. say what “pastoral reasons” might a celebrant prudently invoke for anointing other parts of the body (§103)? what parts? why?

r. Read the “Sending of the Catechumens for Election”— §§106–117 (pages 88–93) — and the “Rite of Sending of the Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop and for the Call to Continuing Conversion” — the epigraph and §§343–445 (pages 256–260) — and the “Parish Celebration for Sending Catechumens for Election and Candidates for Recognition by the Bishop”— the epigraph and §§343–445 (pages 256–260) — mystagogically and say what happens, what might those going through these rites and those ministering these rites be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, what gets reinforced, and what are the analogies to discerning one’s own vocation to the priesthood, to marriage, and to the religious life?

i. why wouldn’t a parish employ the “optional” rite of sending (pages 88–93)?

ii. how do most parishes in most dioceses handle §113?

iii. what is the source and significance of the epigraphs on page 256 and page 301?

iv. in light of §436 and the last intercession on page 259, when should this rite take place?

v. if you were to combine these two rites of sending, when and how would you do it, especially a version of §113 for the candidates (look ahead to §486 for a hint)?

s. Read the “Election or Enrollment of Names”— epigraph and §§118–137 (pages 94–107) — and the “Celebration of the Rite of Election of Catechumens and of the Call of the Candidates Who Are Preparing for Confirmation and/or Eucharist or Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church”— the epigraph and §§547–561 (pages 309–322) — mystagogically and say what happens, what might those going through these rites and those ministering these rites be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, what gets reinforced, and what are the analogies to discerning one’s own vocation to the priesthood, to marriage, and to the religious life?

i. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 94?

ii. what is the purpose of the rite of election?

iii. comparing §119 with §212, what claim is being made?

iv. who may be elected? on what criteria?

v. what makes this rite so solemn (§121)?

vi. of what pastoral danger is the Church very much aware (§122)?

vii. who comes onto the scene for the first time? what are their importance? how is this importance recognized?

viii. what are the new titles the elect receive?

ix. what is the significance of §125 and §129?

x. why the rule in the last sentence of §126?

xi. why those particular psalms at §132?

t. Read the “Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion”— the epigraph and §§446–458 (pages 261–267) — mystagogically and say what happens, what might those going through these rites and those ministering these rites be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, what gets reinforced, and what are the analogies to discerning one’s own vocation to the priesthood, to marriage, and to the religious life?

i. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 261?

ii. why does this rite exist and what distinguishes it from the “Penitential Rite”— the epigraph and §§459–472 (pages 268–274; note: pay close attention to the contrast between §445 and §458)?

iii. what is the significance of the rubric §452?

iv. what might this rite say — especially the introduction to form B on page 264 (and its duplicate at §556 B) — to the already fully initiated Catholics in the pews and the other ministers, including the presider?

u. From the epigraph and §§138–140 (page 108) what is the purpose of the period of purification and enlightenment? (what is the source and significance of the epigraph?)

v. Read the “Rites Belonging to the Period of Purification and Enlightenment”— §§141–205 (pages 109–143) — mystagogically and say what happens, what might those going through these rites and those ministering these rites be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, what gets reinforced?

i. what is the purpose of the scrutinies?

ii. what is expected of those who undergo them?

iii. what — according to §§138, 145, 161, 166, 173, 182, and 468 — is expected of those who minister them and those who watch them?

iv. what change is permitted in the order of intercessions for the elect, the dismissal, the recitation of the creed, and the general intercessions? why?

v. from the character of the readings proclaimed, the exorcism, the prayers, and the intercessions, what are the respective foci of each of the scrutinies?

vi. what is remarkable about the psalms listed in §§154, 168, 175, and 470? what might be done for the elect, the candidates, the ministers, and the assembly to make this list more real in their Lenten askesis?

vii. what is the purpose of the presentations?

viii. what is their mandatory context?

ix. from the character of the readings proclaimed and the prayers, what is the respective theology of each of the presentations?

x. what is remarkable about §160 and §180?

xi. may the presentations be combined with the scrutinies? how? what needs to respected?

w. Compare the preceding with the “Penitential Rite”— the epigraph and §§459–472 (pages 268–274) — mystagogically and say what happens, what might those going through the rite and those ministering the rite be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, and what gets reinforced, and what are the analogies to discerning one’s own vocation to the priesthood, to marriage, and to the religious life?

i. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 268?

ii. what is the purpose of this penitential rite and when does it take place?

iii. what is the significance of §461 and how might parishes make this real (see §303)?

iv. what is remarkable about §469 and the number and quality of the intercessions?

v. what are your reflections about §463 and National Statute §31 (pages 346–347)?

vi. from the character of the readings proclaimed and the prayers, what is the theology of this rite?

x. Read the “Preparation Rites on Holy Saturday”— §§185–205 (pages 138–143) — mystagogically and say what happens, what might those going through these rites and those ministering these rites be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, what gets reinforced, and what are the analogies to discerning one’s own vocation to the priesthood, to marriage, and to the religious life?

i. reading carefully §§185–205, and presuming that the presentations have already taken place, construct a model celebration of the preparation rites on Holy Saturday including the choosing of the baptismal name.

ii. why §186:2?

iii. in light if the GIRM what must be corrected in §189?

iv. what does the “Choosing of a Baptismal Name” (§§200–202) presume about the way the Gospel has been proclaimed throughout the entire catechumenal process, even from the precatechumenate period?

v. what is the significance of having a baptismal name?

vi. why might a celebrant choose both options in §202, especially if the group is relatively small?

θ CollR, 78 Easter Vigil Litany (compare Rites I, page 466)

y. Read and compare the “Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation”— epigraph and §§206–243 (pages 144–167) — and the “Reception of Baptized Christians into the Full Communion with the Catholic Church”— the epigraph and §§473–498 (pages 275–283) — and the “Celebration at the Easter Vigil of the Sacraments of Initiation and of the Rite of Reception into the Full Communion with the Catholic Church”— §§566–594 (pages 325–336) — mystagogically and say what happens, what might those going through these rites and those ministering these rites be expecting, what does this say about becoming an adult Catholic, what gets reinforced, and what are the analogies to discerning one’s own vocation to the priesthood, to marriage, and to the religious life?

i. what are the significance for all of sacramental theology of §§209–214 (pages 144–146)? what is particularly remarkable about §§212–213 (compare to §119)? what is the connection of §212 to §225 and to §316?

ii. what is the source and significance of the epigraphs on page 144, page 275, and page 323?

iii. what is identical in §219A, B, and C and why?

iv. what are the significance of CollR 78 and why does Dr. Ford believe it is licit to add these two petitions? what is he ‘getting at’?

v. what roles does the rite give to the assembly and why?

vi. under what circumstances might §228 be used and what do most priest do instead (see National Statutes §28–29 (page 346)?

vii. reminiscent of ancient practice, what can take place before §231?

viii. what does §236 imply?

ix. to what issue(s) is the Church extremely sensitive in §§473–486 and in the National Statutes §§30–37 (pages 346–348)?

x. what are the pastoral implications of §487 and of the National Statutes §§32–33 (page 347)?

xi. what is the biblical significance of the gestures in §§492, 495, 497, and 586?

xii. what is remarkable about the content of the intercessions in §496?

xiii. what are the sacramental parallels to §497?

xiv. what is remarkable about §241 and §492?

xv. what is remarkable about §243 and §329 and §594? what seems to be missing at §594?

z. From the epigraph and §§244–251 (pages 168–169) what is the purpose of the period of purification and enlightenment and what are the analogies to discerning one’s own vocation to the priesthood, to marriage, and to the religious life?

i. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 168?

ii. what are the significance for all of sacramental theology of §§244–251 (pages 168–169)?

iii. what is particularly remarkable about §§245?

iv. what is the significance of §246 and how do good parishes make this ideal real?

v. what is unusual about §248?

vi. what is the connection of §248–250 to §410 and to the National Statutes §§22–24 (page 345)? what additions do the National Statutes require?

a. What do the Rites for Particular Circumstances — “Christian Initiation of Children Who Have Reached Catechetical Age” (epigraphs and §§252–330 [pages 170–213]); “Christian Initiation of Adults in Exceptional Circumstances” (epigraph and §§331–369 [pages 214–230]); and “Christian Initiation of a Person in Danger of Death” (epigraph and §§370–399 [pages 231–244]) — teach us about the theology of the sacraments of initiation?

i. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 170?

ii. what sensitivities on the Church’s part did you notice?

iii. why no eucharist in §261?

iv. what is special about §265?

v. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 182?

vi. what is the significance of §246 and how do good parishes make this ideal real?

vii. comparing §255 with §293, what did you notice?

viii. what psalms are sung where? why?

ix. what is going on in §279?

x. what is remarkable about §300 B?

xi. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 214?

xii. of what pastoral danger is the Church very much aware (§332 and §335)?

xiii. what is the source and significance of the epigraph on page 231?

xiv. what is going on in §371? in §372? in §374?

θ Refer The Ceremonial of Bishops, §§ 249–252, 355–376, 404–454

c. What is/are the purpose(s) of Lent and what are the bishop’s principle responsibilities accordingly?

d. If the Ceremonial of Bishops, §§355–376, is an admirable summary of the Easter vigil, what did you notice about the bishop’s role, especially in §370?

e. If the Ceremonial of Bishops, §§404–454, is an admirable summary of Christian Initiation of Adults and of Children, what are the bishop’s principle responsibilities accordingly, what did you notice about the bishop’s role, and why and how is it distinguished from the role of the pastor?

θ TEXT The Church at Prayer/Volume III: “The Sacraments,” pp. 11–100

f. What is the relationship between unrepeatable baptism and confirmation and repeatable eucharist?

g. What are the four original features of Christian baptism in contrast to ritual baths?

h. Why were exorcisms compared to the grinding of grain into flour?

i. Why were catechumens not prayed for in the memento and what does this say about the baptized?

j. What is the relationship between unrepeatable baptism and confirmation and repeatable eucharist?

k. What is Chrysostom’s explanation of the baptismal formula and how has his insight been obscured by Western formulas?

l. What is the significance of the two anointings with chrism in the Roman initiation liturgy?

m. How would you describe the mysticism of the ancient baptismal eucharist?

θ TEXT Vorgrimler, pp. 102–121

n. What is the event of salvation in Jesus in its briefest and most concentrated form?

o. What is the Jesus mysticism of baptism? Why does Vorgrimler emphasize the “long) before”?

p. What sense do you make of point 4 on pages 106–107?

q. What, according to Vorgrimler, is the essential weakness of the teaching on baptism of the Council of Florence’s Decree for the Armenians ?

r. How and in what terms does Vorgrimler defend infant baptism? How would you connect this to the teaching of Pope John Paul II in Neuner & Dupuis, §§1443–1446?

s. Evaluate Vorgrimler’s summary in section 6.6?

θ TEXT The Catechism of the Catholic Church §§1210–1284

t. Connect CCC 1213 and CCC 1216 with CCC 1228 — what is emphasized?

u. What is the teaching of the Catechism on infant baptism, especially as found in CCC 1231, CCC 1250, and CCC 1254?

v. What are CCC 1254 and CCC 1265–1266 teaching us? How would you connect this to the teaching of Pope John Paul II in Neuner & Dupuis, §§1447?

w. What is CCC 1256 saying about God?

x. Reading CCC 1257–1261 and CCC 1281, explain the necessity of baptism?

y. How does CCC 1262 organize the effects of baptism and what are they?

z. In what does the indelible spiritual mark of baptism essentially consist?

θ TEXT The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume One, pp. 366–458

a. What is §2 (p. 366) and §27 (p. 373) really saying about the parents and godparents? how might this be put into practice in the prebaptismal instruction in our parishes?

b. What are the pastoral implications of §4, §10, and §32?

c. What restored emphasis emerges in §5 and §8? what caution is voiced in §8:3 (see also §29)?

d. In line 6 of §9 insert the missing adjective “necessary” before the word “relationship”; why the hesitation in the next clause?

e. What pastoral wisdom is evidenced in §14 (and again in §17 and in §43 and in §48)? how might this be put into practice in our parishes?

f. Why the festive vestments of §35 and the words of joy in §36?

g. §37 says the celebrant “may” choose but isn’t it “must” choose (see §31:2)?

h. Describe the choreography on infant baptism in terms of the number of processions, from where to where, and what gets sung?

i. Describe the choreography on infant baptism in terms of the number of processions, from where to where, and what gets sung? what ministers might this involve? what are the pastoral implications?

j. Pray through the texts on pp. 444–458 before you read through the rest of the rites.

k. Compare §45 with §138 — what did you learn?

l. Read through §47 — what did you learn?

m. What are the theological implications of §55?

n. In the address to the parents at §56 what theology of life is operative?

o. As you compare §60–61 with §124, what is essential? How is this also like adult baptism?

p. Why are §67–68 essential?

q. Why, in pastoral practice, should the subjunctives of §71 become indicative?

r. After reading through §165–185, what is the significance of §166 and §185 (see §31:3)?

θ TEXT “Baptism and Confirmation” (Chapter XIV of The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church)

] INTERNET Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith “Instruction on Infant Baptism,”

s. How does Fr. Gilleman sort out the differences between baptism and confirmation in his introduction on pages 575–578 and in his extracts from Vatican II documents, pages 591–594?

t. What is the tone of Pope Stephen I’s decision?

u. Reading 506 together with 1409–1410 what is Pope Innocent III teaching? If the Latin for “reality” in the last sentence of 1410 is “res,” what is the pope saying?

v. Recalling Fr. Vorgrimler’s opinion about the weakness of the Decree for the Armenians of the Council of Florence, what are its strengths?

w. What important point is Fr. Gilleman making in his introduction to the Decree for the Copts?

x. How might 1440 and 1446b and 1448 be connected to the sacrament of confirmation?

y. Think large thoughts about the implications of 1440a–1440b — what are they?

θ CollR, 79–81 John Paul II / Holy Wednesday Letter to Priests 1990

θ CollR, 82–92 John Paul II / World Youth Day 1997 Homilies on Baptism and Eucharist

θ CollR, 93–96 Goin’ Roman . . . NOT

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Lesson Six

Confirmation

Themes: Biblical Foundations • Historical Decisions

θ Refer The Ceremonial of Bishops, §§ 455–477

a. What theological statement is being made in §455 (also in Rites I, pp. 480–481, §7)?

b. What is being emphasized in §458?

c. What is being emphasized in §461?

θ TEXT The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume One, pp. 467–515

d. How would you distill the teaching of Pope Paul VI about the Holy Spirit and confirmation in the Apostolic Constitution (pp. 472–478?

e. What are the pastoral implications of §3 and 4 (pp. 479–480)?

f. What does the church prefer in §5, ¶2?

g. What is the tension between theology and mystagogy in §9 and §11?

h. What is the theology of confirmation implied in §12, ¶¶4–5 (see §§52–56)?

i. What are the theological and pastoral implications of §13, ¶¶5–6?

j. What are the theological and pastoral implications of §18, ¶1 and §18, ¶2?

k. Pray through the texts on pp. 507–515 before you read through the rest of the rite.

l. What is the theology of confirmation expressed in §22 and in §23, question four?

m. What is the theology expressed in the second rubric of §24?

n. What is the mystagogical and pastoral objections to the rubric of §25?

θ TEXT Vorgrimler, pp. 122–131

o. How would Fr. Vorgrimler weigh in on question “n”?

p. If the Spirit is absolutely free, how can confirmation give the Spirit?

s. On what side of the initiation/maturity fight does Fr. Vorgrimler come down?

t. What two misunderstandings of confirmation must be avoided?

θ TEXT The Catechism of the Catholic Church §§1285–1321

θ CollR, 97 The Meaning of Anointing

u. What are the pastoral challenges of CCC 1293–1296?

v. What can we learn from the Eastern Churches of Byzantine rite which might help us meet these challenges (compare CCC 1300 with its poor relation, CCC 1320)?

w. On what side of the initiation/maturity fight does the Catechism seem to come down?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Lesson Seven

Eucharist

Themes: Introduction • Biblical Foundations • The Last Supper Accounts • Other New Testament Texts • Summary and Problems • Concept and Basic Form of the Eucharist • The Fundamental Liturgical Form • The Concept of Eucharist • Historical Stages and Decisions • The Development of a Eucharistic Theology • Concentration on the Real Presence • Scholastic Theology of the Eucharist • Reformation Teaching on the Lord’s Supper • The Real Presence • The Sacrifice of the Mass • The Eucharist and the Office of Priesthood • Vatican Council II • Communion • The Renewal of Eucharistic Theology

θ TEXT “Eucharist” (Chapter XV of The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church); this chapter should be read alongside Vorgrimler, pp. 132–199

θ CollR, 99–102 Innocent and Trent, Sacramental and Spiritual Communion

a. In Fr. Dupuis’s Introduction to Chapter XV, what three aspects of the Eucharist does he interrelate and how?

b. In what terms does Dupuis’s describe the fourth aspect: a eucharistic style of life?

c. How do these four aspects inform the headings and subheadings of pages 606–608?

d. Why does one need to take into account the following items in The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church in order to have a complete picture of the doctrinal statements: 21, 28, 32, 34, 39/17–19, 655, 1209/1–3, 1306, 1703, 1707, and 1714?

e. In the introduction to 1501, there is a mistake in the reference to the third part of St. Thomas’s Summa (instead of Question 71, it is Question 77. If you look this up on your CD-ROM Master Christian Library > Theology > Aquinas > Volume 5 (pp. 1108–1110) can you find out what Dupuis is getting at here? (For more on Berengarius, there is a good article in the New Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume Two, pages 320–321. See also Fr. Vorgrimler, section 8.4.2)

f. Arrange Innocent III’s teaching in 1503 into columns under the headings: “the visible form,” “the reality of the body,” and “the spiritual power” — what do you notice?

g. In 1503 what is the Waldensian complaint and how is it answered?

h. What are the circumstances of the origin of the doctrine of concomitance (1506)?

i. To understand Dupuis’s point in his introduction to 1507/16, you needs to know that the Capharnaites (followers of Peter of Bonageta and of John of Lato who were nicknamed for the disciples in John 6 who thought Jesus was recommending cannibalism and thus stopped following Jesus) were condemned by Inquisitors working for Pope Gregory XI (1370–1378) for believing the following ultrarealistic, false problems:

DS 1101 (1) That if a consecrated host fall or is cast into a sewer, into mud, or some disgraceful place, that, while the species remain, the body of Christ ceases to be under them and the substance of bread returns.

DS 1102 2. That if the consecrated host is gnawed by a mouse or is consumed by an animal, that, while the so-called species remains, the body of Christ ceases to be under them and the substance of bread returns.

DS 1103 3. That if the consecrated host is consumed by a just man or by a sinner, that while the species is being crushed by the teeth, Christ is snatched up to heaven and He is not cast into the stomach of man.

j. In 1508 the word in the original Latin for “effected” is conficere, from which we get the technical term confect?

k. What is Dupuis’s point in his introduction to 1509ff? (See also Fr. Vorgrimler, section 8.4.3; the Latin in his footnote 60 means “The proper effect of the Eucharist is the transformation of [wo]man into God.)

l. What point does 1511 underscore?

m. Noting the critically important historical point in Dupuis’s introduction to 1512ff and repeated in Dupuis’s introduction to 1574ff, what theological point is he making in his last two paragraphs and in 1519? (See also Fr. Vorgrimler, section 8.4.5, especially pp. 170–171.)

n. How does 1513 echo Aquinas’s teaching in the Summa, III, 73–83?

o. What is the essential Why of the Eucharist in 1515?

p. What is the essential insight of 1516?

q. What is familiar about 1517?

r. What is the controversial (now ecumenical) issue in 1520?

s. What teachings are reinforced in 1523–1524?

t. Is there any significant nuance in 1536?

u. What is Dupuis’s point in his introduction to 1537ff (re-read 1324 when you review 1538)?

v. What are Dupuis’s most important points in his introduction to 1545ff? (See also Fr. Vorgrimler, section 8.4.6.)

w. What is familiar about 1546, second full paragraph (numbered DS 1740)?

x. What is the controversial (now ecumenical) issue in 1548?

y. Connect 1549 with 1524—what do you notice?

z. What is the point of 1552?

aa. What is remarkable about 1554, second full paragraph (numbered DS 1749)?

bb. What improvements do you notice in 1564, 1567 (1734), and 1568 (1735–1736)? So, why 1572 (which you can connect to 1584)? And finally in 1583?

cc. Connect 1566 with Photina Rech’s Wine and Bread.

dd. What is remarkable about 1576b–1576c?

ee. What is the historical context of Mysterium Fidei (1577–1580a) in light of 1580? (See also Fr. Vorgrimler, section 8.4.5, especially the last full paragraph before section 8.4.6 begins.)

ff. What is remarkable about 1578?

gg. What are Dupuis’s most important points in his introduction to 1581ff?

hh. What is extraordinary about 1587a? How is this connected to 1590? to 1591?

ii. What are the important prepositions and adverbs in 1588?

jj. What are the important connections between 1592 and 1593

kk. What is the connection between Sunday Eucharist and time?

Õ θ TEXT Vorgrimler, pp. 132–199

a. According to Fr. Vorgrimler, what are the theological preconditions for understanding and discussing the Eucharist (connect his discussion of the validity of priestless celebrations, including footnote 8, with CCC 1400)?

b. What is the root theological meaning of the words of institution?

c. In Fr. Vorgrimler’s summary at 8.2.3 what three biblical issues are connected with what three doctrinal issues?

d. What notion of sacrifice is absolutely alien to the God of biblical revelation? How then are we to speak of the atonement?

e. What is the fundamental liturgical form of the Eucharist and what theological points emerge from this form?

f. How would you discuss the distinction between “spiritual” and “real” from a Jewish perspective? How is this summed up by Augustine?

g. What is the nature of the first eucharistic controversy between Paschasius Radbertus and Ratramnus?

h. What is the nature of the second eucharistic controversy created by Berengarius?

i. What is the problem with the word “substance”?

j. How does Fr. Vorgrimler (section 8.4.3) describe the dissolution of Scholasticism in matters eucharistic?

k. What is remarkable about the Decree for the Armenians of the Council of Florence?

l. How does Fr. Vorgrimler describe the “solution” of Scholasticism in matters eucharistic?

m. What is remarkable (and why) in Trent’s fifth chapter on the real presence?

n. What is going on on pages 178–180?

o. What are Fr. Vorgrimler’s essential points in section 8.4.7 and how does Vatican II address the issues he sees (section 8.4.8)?

p. What is the “first high point,” if the second high point is mentioned in the first sentence of section 8.4.9?

q. What is the effect of the Eucharist that God does (can?) not give apart from the Eucharist?

r. So, then, what does “spiritual communion” really mean?

s. And so how is eucharistic theology being renewed?

θ CollR, 103–110 Congar, The Holy Spirit in Our Communion with the Body and Blood of Christ

Translations: (p. 56) •manducans spiritualis = spiritual consuming

•panem coelestem spiritaliter manducate = eat the heavenly bread spiritually

•ut carnem Christi et sanguinem Christi non edamus tantum in sacramento sed usque ad Spiritus participationem manducemus et bibamus = so that we do not eat the body and blood of Jesus only in the sacrament [sacramentally] but that we dine and drink even to participation in the Spirit

(pp. 57–58) •res = the reality

•manducans sacramentalis = sacramental consuming

•res tantum = the reality only

•res et sacramentum = the reality and the sacrament

(p. 61, n. 18) •Haec autem omnia per causam non facit nisi Spiritus divina operans in sacramento = However everything is brought about by no [other] cause than the divine Spirit operating in the sacrament

•Spiritus divinus operatur omne quod in sacramento est operandum = the divine Spirit accomplishes everything that is to be accomplished in a sacrament

(p. 62, n. 32) •cum non statim habeat eam qui suscipit sacramenta = which the one who receives the sacrament does not attain immediately

•unio Christi ad Ecclesiam non est res contenta in hoc sacramento sed res significata = the union of Christ with the Church is not the reality contained in this sacrament but the reality signified

t. According to Cardinal Congar, what ideas of Augustine about the Eucharist combine in his thought?

u. What is the distinctive aspect of the Syrian tradition?

v. What is the distinction between the res contenta and the res non contenta of the Eucharist? What is necessary to make the res non contenta to have its effect?

w. What are the three realities that are called the Body of Christ and how are they related?

x. What is the ultimate meaning of the doxology of the Eucharistic Prayer?

θ TEXT The Church at Prayer/Volume II: “The Eucharist,” pp. 1–230

a. According to Fr. Cabié, what is the basic shape of the celebration of the Eucharist, especially in Rome in the middle of the Second Century A.D.?

b. In what two ways was the Eucharist the sign of the Church?

c. In light of the Jewish spirituality what does “eucharist” mean?

d. What does the eucharistic prayer of the Apostolic Tradition say about the work of the Spirit?

e. What is the “problem” of the anaphora of Addai and Mari and how was it recently “solved”?

f. Under what circumstance was the bishop to surrender his cathedra?

g. What kinds of liturgical books emerged in the fifth century and thereafter?

h. What does the president’s greeting and the assembly’s response mean?

i. What is the theological shape of the collect?

j. What is the significance of the opening of the lectionary at the ambo in the sight of the people?

k. What is the significance of the steps up to the ambo?

l. What is the mystagogy of the gestures and postures accompanying the reading of the gospel?

m. From the various regional traditions attending the General Intercessions, what is their theological significance? How is this significance changed in the Prayers of the Prone (pp. 155ff.)?

n. What is the theology of what we now call the Preface dialogue?

o. What is the consistent tradition about the petition for divine intercession in all eucharistic prayers?

p. What is the significance of the blessing of the faithful before communion?

q. What is the history of the Creed at Mass?

r. What are the circumstances that attended the decline in reception of communion by the faithful? How bad did this decline become (p. 167)?

s. Why did Trent reject a vernacular liturgy?

t. What are the remarkable features of the Missal of 1570?

u. What is remarkable about the advice of St. Francis de Sales?

v. What is the significance of the gestures of concelebrants in the Missal of Paul VI?

θ TEXT The Catechism of the Catholic Church §§1322–1419 [The italics in CCC 1336 are likely to be typographical error; they are not in the first edition or in the Latin.]

a. What is “new” about CCC 1122?

b. Connect CCC 1130 with CCC 1323 and CCC 1402 — what is emphasized?

c. What life-long commitment is implied in CCC 1327?

d. Anything new to you in CCC 1329?

e. Anything new to you in CCC 1331?

f. Where are the res contenta and the res non contenta in CCC 1353(see CCC 1108)?

g. What is the significance of CCC 1382?

h. Connect CCC 1166 with CCC 1385, CCC 1394–1395, and CCC 1457 — what is emphasized?

i. What are the nuances of CCC 1398–1401, especially 1400?

j. Connect CCC 1403 with CCC 1107 and CCC 1130 — what is emphasized?

θ online U.S. Bishops, “The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist” at

θ CollR, The Order of the Mass and the Admonitions and Invitations

θ CollR, The Order of the Mass in English and Spanish

θ CollR, Dynamics and Symmetries of the Mass

θ TEXT The Liturgy Documents: The Directory on Masses with Children, pp. 230–247

k. To what issues is the Church sensitive in §2?

l. Connect §8 with the Rite of Baptism of Infants — where are the continuities?

m. What is the structure of the presentation of §§9–15? What issues are highlighted?

n. What is significant about §17?

o. What is paramount in §21?

p. What shines out in §22?

q. What is the special burden of §23?

r. Reading §§30–54, what can be said similarly of Mass with adults?

θ CollR,111–116 McCabe, “Eucharistic Change”

s. What two misconceptions about Aquinas’s doctrine of transubstantiation does McCabe clear up?

t. What is non-Aristotelian about Aquinas’s doctrine of transubstantiation?

u. What, says McCabe, should be one of our guiding principles in discussing the Eucharist?

v. Why does McCabe belabor the differences between appearances and signs?

w. Why did Jesus choose bread and wine?

x. Why does McCabe discuss creation before he discusses transubstantiation?

y. Is transubstantiation a change?

z. What is bread? (What, for that matter, is wine?)

aa. In what does the miracle of Eucharist essentially consist?

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Lesson Eight

The Sacrament of Marriage

Themes: Introduction • Biblical Foundations • Old Testament • Jesus and the Jesus Traditions • Paul and the Letter to the Ephesians • Additional Statements • Historical Decisions • The Development of a Theology, Liturgy, and Law of Marriage • Statements of Earlier Church Teaching • Vatican Council II and the New Code of Canon Law • Theology of Marriage: Summary

θ Refer The Ceremonial of Bishops, §§ 598–620

θ TEXT The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume One, pp. 715–758

θ CollR, 117 Exhortation before Marriage

ο TEXT The Church at Prayer/Volume III: “The Sacraments,” pp. 185–207

θ TEXT Vorgrimler, pp. 283–313

θ TEXT The Catechism of the Catholic Church §§1601–1666

θ TEXT “Matrimony” (Chapter XVIII of The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church)

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