Fifth Catechesis: The sacraments, special moments for the transmission of the faith

1. Opening hymn

2. Recitation of the "Our Father".

3. A reading from the Bible: Mt 28, 16-20.

4. A reading from the Teaching of the Church:

1. The baptized, by regeneration and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are consecrated as a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, in order that through all those works which are those of the Christian man they may offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim the power of Him who has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. Therefore all the disciples of Christ, persevering in prayer and praising God, should present themselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Everywhere on earth they must bear witness to Christ and give an answer to those who seek an account of that hope of eternal life that is in them (Cf. LG, No. 10)..The faithful exercise their priesthood above all through a holy life and by receiving the sacraments.

2. The sacraments are God's masterpieces because the great saving events are made present and operational in them, especially the Resurrection of Christ through which we were reconciled with God and share in his same divine life. By virtue of the Church's mediation, the saving grace of the seven sacraments comes to us throughout our whole lives: Baptism regenerates us as children of God and introduces us into his family; Confirmation increases our insertion into Christ and the Church; the Eucharist brings to completion our incorporation into Christ and our belonging to the Church, Penance repairs the wounds and restores the communion broken by sin; the Anointing comes to our aid so that we will live our sickness with Christ and give a co-redeeming meaning to our suffering; Matrimony sanctifies the human love between a man and woman making them a visible sign of the union of Christ and the Church; the Sacrament of Orders consecrates priests as ministers of Christ and enables them to preach, sanctify and govern the people of God.

3. The coherence of family life as the domestic church, both in the most important and in the most common, ordinary moments, is of the greatest importance in transmitting the faith to children. For this it is very advisable to give them an appropriate and suitable explanation and thus aid the preparatory catechesis for each sacrament. In this way each child will understand and incorporate into his/her life the differences and the riches of grace signified by each one of the sacraments.

4. In this regard, early reception of the Sacrament of Baptism indicates in the facts the importance the parents give to generating their children to God's life together with natural life. Something similar occurs when children are prepared from a very tender age, through an adapted catechesis and taking advantage of the circumstances, to look forward to receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. When the time comes for their First Communion, their preparation through the family and/or parish catechesis will be facilitated and enriched. The same can be said about the Sacrament of Penance: if children see their parents going to receive forgiveness from Christ in this sacrament, the desire to receive it will grow in the children. The preparation for Confirmation is a delicate period that can either strengthen them in their adherence to Christ or be a transition towards a certain abandonment of devotion. For this reason it requires special follow-up by parents. The same should be said about choosing a state in life when they are youths. While respecting their personal decision scrupulously, parents should guide their children in choosing a state whether it is self-giving in Marriage or the state of virginity.

5. Reflections of the leader.

6. Dialogue:

• Why do the sacraments let us take part in the mission of Jesus Christ?
• How can we make children appreciate and have a desire to receive the sacraments?
• · How can we help them to overcome the difficulties they may encounter?

7. Commitments.

8. Recitation of the "Hail Mary" and invocation: "Regina familiae. Ora pro nobis".

9. Prayer for the family:Grant us, Lord, that we who have received the sacraments will manifest in all the circumstances of life the mysteries of the death and resurrection of your Son in which we have shared. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

10. Closing hymn.

Index

© Pontifical Council for the Family and Archdiocese of Valencia 2005. Reproduction is authorized for the intended purposes of these catecheses.