Praying for the pope and bishops as they address how the Church can live more fully the sacrament of reconciliation Pope Francis, recognizing the enormous challenges facing the family, has called the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to consider “pastoral challenges to the family in the …
Understanding the sacraments: The sacrament of holy orders
This celebration is a rich and profound liturgy that expresses the mystery and power of the ordained ministry The Diocese of Knoxville is celebrating two ordinations within a month. On May 31, Bishop Stika ordained four men to the priesthood, and on June 14 he will ordain three seminarians to …
Understanding the sacraments: The liturgical year
Introducing the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and the mystery of Christ unfolding In this column I have been looking at the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, which laid the foundation for the reform of the liturgy. So far we have looked at the principles that guided the liturgical reform, …
Understanding the sacraments: Sacred art and furnishings
Unity, not uniformity, is the Church’s criterion in identifying sacred creations that praise God In my last column I interrupted my series on the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy to talk about the cathedral church of a diocese, summarizing the discussion found in the Ceremonial of Bishops. …
Understanding the sacraments: What is a cathedral?
The building is ‘a symbol of the spiritual temple that is built up in souls’ How is a cathedral different from all of the other church buildings in a diocese? The most authoritative answer to this question is provided by the Ceremonial of Bishops (chapter 3), a text promulgated by …
Introducing the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: the most sacred mystery of the Eucharist
As part of the observance of the Year of Faith we have been looking at the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium), the first document promulgated by the Council. So far we have looked at the Constitution’s understanding of the liturgy (my first column) and the …
Understanding the sacraments: Principles of reform
Vatican II liturgy restoration ensured faithful would experience an encounter with Blessed Trinity Last month, in recognition of the Year of Faith, I introduced the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium). I began by looking at the constitution’s description of the liturgy in order to understand …
Understanding the sacraments: Christ is always present
The Second Vatican Council and the liturgy The Year of Faith, which began on Oct. 11, 2011, and concludes on Nov. 24, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council as well as the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. …
Understanding the sacraments: Mystical rites
A catechesis of the sacrament of holy orders in which Christ authorizes, empowers ministers of grace Baptism, Eucharist and confirmation are the sacraments of initiation through which we receive new life in Christ. Penance and anointing of the sick are sacraments of healing through which we are restored to spiritual …
Understanding the sacraments: ‘A great mystery’
A mystagogical catechesis of the sacrament of marriage and the sacrament’s effect on our lives Marriage is intimately woven into the plan of salvation as revealed in the Old and New Testaments. “Sacred Scripture begins with the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God and …
Understanding the sacraments: ‘Heal the sick’: a mystagogical catechesis
Healing was an important part of Jesus’ earthly ministry; the apostolic Church continues this ministry Healing was an important aspect of Jesus’ earthly ministry—“his many healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that ‘God has visited his people’ and that the Kingdom of God is close at …
Understanding the sacraments: Penance–a mystagogical catechesis
Mercy is stronger than sin for penitents who undergo conversion through the action of the Holy Spirit The purpose and effect of the sacrament of penance is to heal our relationship with God. “Indeed, the sacrament of reconciliation with God brings about a true ‘spiritual resurrection,’ restoration of the dignity …
