marriage and holy orders

Marriage and Holy Orders

Marriageand Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Marriage

The Marriage at Cana by Giotto di Bondone

The Sacrament of Marriage (1)

The Sacrament of Marriage

Marriage is that sacrament by which a baptised man and woman are bound together by vows to an exclusive lifelong commitment to one another and

to accepting and raising children. In this sacrament God gives grace for the fulfilment of

these duties.KEY DEFINITION

The Sacrament of Marriage (2)

What are the roots of Marriage?

The Garden of Eden by Jacob de BackerThis picture emphasises how God established the

marriage of man and woman from the beginning of human creation.

What are the roots of Marriage? (1)


God created human beings as male and female.

This complementarity is the natural basis of Marriage, which, throughout history, has provided a stable and loving environment for the procreation and raising of children.



Marriage is naturally monogamous and indissoluble but, due to the Fall, polygamy and divorce have often been tolerated.

Jesus says that these latter practices were not part of God’s intention in creation.



They said, “Moses allowed a man to write

a certificate of divorce, and to put her away.” But Jesus said

to them, “For your hardness of heart he

wrote you this commandment. But

from the beginning of creation, ‘God made

them male and female.’ For this

reason a man shall leave his father and

mother and be joined to his wife, and the

two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one

flesh. What therefore God has joined

together, let not man put asunder.”

Mk 10:2-9


Christ and the sacrament of Marriage

Christ and the sacrament of Marriage (1)

Jesus The groomThe bride MaryThe steward

The jarscontaining the water

transformed into wine.

This picture shows the miracle at Cana, where Christ transformed water into wine at the prayer of his mother. This is a symbol of

the blessing he gives to Marriage and his elevation of this union into a sacrament.



The Catechism affirms that Marriage was “raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a Sacrament” (ccc. 1601).

When a man and woman are baptised, they become members of the Church which is the ‘Bride of Christ’. This relationship of Christ with his Church is then made present in their sacramental Marriage, marking it with a specifically Christian character.

‘Marriage’ from The Seven Sacraments

by Weyden



St Paul confirms this by referring to Marriage as a mysterion, which can be translated as ‘sacrament’. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery (mysterion) is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the Church.

Eph 5:31-32


• Joy in loving union, and a foretaste of the ‘Wedding Feast of the Lamb’ (Rev. 19:7).

• Sacrifice, in that the spouses follow Christ in giving their lives for each other unto death.

• Fruitfulness, in both the growth in holiness of the spouses and acceptance of children.

This link with Christ and the Church implies:



What is necessary for the sacrament?

Marriage of the Virgin by Giotto di BondoneThis picture shows the marriage of Mary and Joseph. The

dove represents the Holy Spirit, whose presence makes the consent of the spouses sacramental.

What is necessary for the sacrament? (1)


The spouses confer the sacrament on one another. They must vow freely, have no impediments (such as previous valid Marriages), be committed to one another for life and be open to children from God.

Following the established rite, each must say, “I take you ...” in the presence of a minister and witnesses.



As Marriage is indissoluble until death, divorce is impossible. An annulment is the recognition by the Church that there was never a valid Marriage.

All valid Marriages between Christians are sacramental. When both spouses practice the same Catholic faith, however, they share a common, supernatural vision for their relationship and receive many blessings.


SummaryQuestions

to reinforcekey points

Discussionquestions

Practicalactivities

Presentation Part II

Summary Activities I

Please select an activity or go immediately to part II of the presentation

Summary Activities I

Summary

Activities Menu Presentation Part II

• Marriage is that sacrament by which a baptised man and woman are bound together by vows to an exclusive lifelong commitment to one another and to accepting and raising children. In this sacrament God gives grace for the fulfilment of these duties.

• The relationship of Christ with his Church is made present in a sacramental Marriage. This also implies that joy, sacrifice and fruitfulness are characteristics of Marriage.

• The spouses confer the sacrament on one another. Following the established rite, each must say, “I take you ...” in the presence of a minister and witnesses.

Summary I

Questions to reinforce key points

Joy

Sacrifice

Fruitfulness

What does the link between Christ and his Church imply for Marriage itself?


123

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answers

Questions to reinforce key points I

Discussion questions


• Discuss why marriage is considered to be a fundamental and necessary institution in human society.

• Marriage was “raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a Sacrament” (ccc.

1601). Discuss what is special about Christian Marriage.

• Discuss some experiences of what makes a joyful, sacrificial and fruitful Christian Marriage.

Select one or more of the following

Discussion questions I

Practical activities


• Read through the Rite of Marriage, making a special note of what promises the spouses make.

• Read John 2:1-11 (the miracle at Cana) and Ephesians 5:21-6:4 (on Marriage and family life).


Practical activities I

The Sacrament of Holy Orders

The Ordination of Saint Lawrence by Fra Angelico

The Sacrament of Holy Orders (1)

The Sacrament of Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament in which a baptised man

receives the authority and ability to share in the

particular mission that Christ entrusted to his apostles.

There are three orders of this sacrament: episcopate,

presbyterate and diaconate.

The sacrament is conferred through

the laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer of the

bishop according to the rite of the Church.

KEY DEFINITION


Pope Sixtus IIhands the chalice and paten

to the newly ordained deacon, Lawrence, for

service at the altar.

This picture shows the ordination of St Lawrence by Pope St Sixtus II. It reminds us of the three-fold nature of Holy Orders and

the way in which the sacrament is conferred.

Priest Bishop Deacon

The Book of the Gospel

which every ordained minister is bound to

proclaim.


Where do Holy Orders come from?

Christ Teaches his Disciples by Duccio di Buoninsegna

Where do Holy Orders come from? (1)


Jesus called disciples to follow him in a variety of ways, shown forth today by the many forms of lay, consecrated and ordained ministry and service.



From among his disciples, Jesus set aside twelve men, the ‘apostles’, specially ordaining them to:• Govern with his authority,

“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven” (Mt 18:18).

• Teach in his name, “Make disciples … teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20).

• Sanctify with the power of his sacraments, “Do this in memory of me” (Lk 22:19).


How are Holy Orders passed on?

How are Holy Orders passed on? (1)


The apostles conferred Holy Orders on their successors, the bishops; they in turn conferred the sacrament to ordain priests and deacons.

Today in the person of Christ those in Holy Orders:• Govern – by uniting, protecting

and leading the faithful to their heavenly homeland.

• Teach – by preaching and explaining Scripture and Tradition with authority.

• Sanctify – by conferring the sacraments and interceding with God for his people.



THE THREE SACRAMENTAL ORDERS

Bishopsare the successors of the apostles. They usually govern dioceses, can confer Holy Orders on others, and normally administer Confirmation. Together with the Pope they exercise an infallible teaching authority for the whole Church.




Priestsare co-workers of the bishops, particularly as governors and teachers of parishes (where they are properly called ‘Father’). They sanctify the faithful through the celebration of the Eucharist, the forgiveness of sins in Confession, Baptism and the Anointing of the Sick. They also preside at Marriages.




Deaconsassist the work of the bishop and his priests, especially by assisting at the altar, proclaiming the gospel and works of charity. While a promise of lifelong celibacy is the normal condition for reception of Holy Orders, a permanent deacon may be married.


The call to Holy Orders

Christ handing the keys to St Peter by Pietro PeruginoThis reminds us that Christ called his apostles by name and continues to call men to Holy Orders, “You did not

choose me, but I chose you.”

The Call to Holy Orders (1)


Jesus has said explicitly that the call to Holy Orders is his initiative rather than ours. “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (Jn 15:16).

The call is discerned and freely accepted by the man who receives it. The Church tests this call and prepares the candidate for Holy Orders by means of spiritual, human, academic and pastoral formation, usually in a seminary.



For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Heb 5:1Christ on the Cross by

Velazquez


SummaryQuestions

to reinforcekey points

Discussionquestions

Practicalactivities

Concluding Prayer

Summary Activities IIPlease select an activity or go immediately

to the concluding prayer

Summary Activities II

Summary

Activities Menu Concluding Prayer

• Holy Orders is the sacrament in which a baptised man receives the authority and power to share in the particular mission that Christ entrusted to his apostles. There are three orders of this sacrament: episcopate, presbyterate and diaconate.

• In the person of Christ those in Holy Orders govern, teach and sanctify the people of God.

• The sacrament is conferred through the laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer of the bishop according to the rite of the Church.

Summary II

Questions to reinforce key points

To govern

To teach

To sanctify

What are the three duties of those in Holy Orders?

Activities Menu

123

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answers

Concluding Prayer

Questions to reinforce key points II

Discussion questions

Activities Menu

• Discuss why the sacrament of Holy Orders is necessary for the continuation of Christ’s mission.

• Discuss ways in which vocations to the priesthood might be encouraged.


Concluding Prayer

Discussion questions II

Practical activities

Activities Menu

• Read through the Rite of Ordination for a priest, making a special note of what promises he makes.

• Invite a bishop, priest or deacon to talk about his vocation, training, ordination and/or experiences in sacred ministry.


Concluding Prayer

Practical activities II

Final Prayer

Prayer of St Ignatius of Loyola Take Lord, and receive all my

liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will – all that I have and call my own.

You have given it all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace. That is enough for me.

Amen.

Final Prayer

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