1

Topic 1: FAITH
Faith -It is the assurance of things hoped for. Heb. 11:1
-Complete trust in something or someone not seen.
-It’s a gift from God that enables one to trust and believe in God and His
revelation. Mk.16:16, Jn. 3:16
-Catholic faith means believing everything the Church teaches.

What we are supposed to believe

 The existence of the One living God.
 All that God has revealed to us.

How God has revealed Himself to us

 Through the universe He created.
 Through one’s conscience.
Conscience – It is the voice of God in our heart that guides us to do good and
avoid evil.
 Sacred Scriptures.
 Sacred Tradition.
 Through Jesus Christ – the perfect way God has revealed Himself to us. Heb. 1:1-2

Teaching what God has revealed

The Catholic Church, through the inspiration and Guidance of the Holy Spirit, teaches what God
has revealed. Mt. 18:17, 28:19, Jn. 14:26

Sources of Catholic Teaching

 Sacred Scriptures.
 Sacred Tradition – God’s word given to the Apostle’s by Jesus handed down to us.
 Magisterium.
 2

THE APOSTLE’S CREED

The Creed is a brief summary of what we (Catholics) believe.
I believe means to accept or hold true something said by another person.
I believe in the Apostle’s Creed means that I firmly believe all the truth contained in it.
The Apostle’s Creed contains the principal truths of our Christian religion taught by the
Apostle’s.
The Apostle’s Creed has 12 Articles.

The Twelve Articles of the Apostles Creed

-All articles are important and if just one is omitted or changed, faith would be destroyed.
a) I believe in God the Father Almighty creator of Heaven and Earth.
b) I believe in Jesus Christ our Lord.
c) I believe Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin
Mary.
d) I believe Jesus Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
e) I believe Jesus descended to the dead; on the third day he rose again.
f) He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
g) I believe He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
h) I believe in the Holy Spirit.
i) I believe in the Holy Catholic Church the Communion of Saints.
j) I believe in the forgiveness of sins.
k) I believe in the resurrection of the body.
l) I believe in life everlasting. Amen
 3

The 1st Article: I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY,

CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
A. In God the Father Almighty
i. God
-Is the creator of heaven and earth, creator of all people and things and He is our loving Father.
Gen. 1:1, Mt. 6:24-34
Calling God, Father, means He is the beginning of all things and the Ultimate Authority. Mt. 6:9
-God is love. 1Jn. 4:8, Is. 49:15
-No one knows the Son better than the Father and no one knows the Father better than the Son
and whoever the Son has decided to reveal to. Mt. 11:27
-God created us so that we may know Him, love Him, serve Him here on Earth and later go back
to Him in Heaven. Jn. 14:1-3, 17:24
-For us to go to heaven: we should;
- Believe in God.
- Keep His Commandments and those of the Church.
- Receive the Sacraments and pray.
N.B All this encourages us to do God’s will. Mt. 7:21

ii. Characteristics of God

a) God is purely a spirit – has no body. Exo. 33:12-23
b) God is Eternal – has no beginning or end. Exo. 3:14, Is. 40:28
c) God is everywhere (Omnipresent). Ps. 139:7-12

Other Characteristics of God

i. All powerful (Omnipotent) – He can do all things. Lk. 1:37, 5:5-6
ii. All knowing (Omniscient) – He examines all our thoughts. Ps. 139:1-2
iii. He is wise – He directs all things in order for His holy will or purpose to be fulfilled. Lk.
1:26-38
iv. Truthful – He does not lie and cannot be lied to. Jn. 14:6
v. He is good – he loves all His creations, and He does good things for them. Mt. 5:45, Jn.
3:16
vi. Faithful – He keeps all His promises. Mt. 24:35, 28:20, Exo. 3:8
vii. Merciful (Compassionate) – He forgives everyone their sins when they confess truthfully
or sincerely. Lk. 15:11-24
viii. Holy (Righteous) – He hates sin, even small sins and loves good things. Is. 6:3
 4

iii. The persons of God

-There is only One God. Is. 44:6, Rev. 1:8
-In this one God – there is three Persons: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.
-These three persons together are called The Holy Trinity.
-The three persons cannot be separated from one another – they are inseparable.
-They are equal to one another but also distinct from one another.

 Being equal means: The Father is equal to the Son, is also equal to the Holy Spirit. In
other words, no one is more powerful than others. Jn. 17:22
 Being distinct means: The Father is not the Son; the Son is not the Holy Spirit and
the Holy Spirit is not the Father.

Father
Is not Is not

Son Holy Spirit

Is not
-The three persons do the following for us:
God the Father – Creates us.
God the Son – Saves or Redeems us from sin.
God the Holy Spirit – Sanctifies us and grants us eternal life.

Signs that God exists

 5

B. Creator of Heaven and Earth

I. God created the Angels
-In Heaven, God created Angels.
-Angels are servants of God who cannot die.
-Angels are spirits.
-Angels are intelligent and their intelligence is internally continuous – it keeps on growing.
-They have intellect and spiritual education, and they are very many in number – Every human
being has a Guardian Angel.
-God created Angels in a state of grace (better condition) and blessed them.
-The good Angels serve God eternally, love and protect us. Ps. 91:11
-Our Guardian Angels love, guide and protect us both spiritually and bodily. Ps. 91:11
-Some angels defied God and went against his will. They are called demons. Isa. 14:12-14
-God threw them away from his kingdom.
-Demons violate our spirit and body – they want us to perish forever. 1Pt. 5:8
-The leader of the demons is Satan (Lucifer).
-The good Angels are categorized in 9 groups and divided in three main divisions.

The three main divisions of the Angels

1. A.) Seraphim
B.) Cherubim
C.) Thrones

2. A.) Dominations
B.) Principalities
C.) Powers

3. A.) Virtues
B.) Archangels
C.) Angels – Guardian Angels
 6

II. God created people and things

-There is nothing to God. Lk. 1:37, Acts. 9:1-19, 12:6-11
-God shows forth his Almighty power through:
a) His creation
b) Him becoming man (Incarnation) Jn. 1:1-5 and His resurrection.
c) Him redeeming human beings from sin.

Other examples to show God’s power

i. He made Sarah, Hannah and Elizabeth conceive who were thought to be barren in their
old age.
ii. He saved Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego from a burning furnace. Dan. 3:16-24, 91-93
iii. He saved Daniel from the Lion’s den. Dan 6:17-25
-God created the universe out of nothing in order to shower upon us his love and to make us
share in his glory. Gen. 2:4b-15
-God created the universe: Freely – Directly – With wisdom – with love – Orderly. Gen. 1:1-2:4a
-When God willed to create human beings; He said, “Let us make man in our own image and
likeness.” Gen. 1:26-27
 God’s image in us is our spirit which does not die but goes back to God when one dies.
 We are like God since, we can reason (think), we are capable of solving problems, we
are able to love, we have vision, we can listen, able to talk and we can distinguish
between good and evil.
-Adam and Eve were the first people to be created.
-God created the body of Adam from dust and breathed in him life. Gen. 2:7
-God created Eve from the rib of Adam and gave her life.
-God created Adam and Eve in a state of holiness and eternal life (not to die) and blessed them.
-God placed Adam and Eve in a state of close friendship with him, understanding and
togetherness with other creations.
-God asked Adam and Eve to eat all the fruits of the garden but not the fruit of the tree in the
middle of the garden. Gen. 2:16-17
-Adam and Eve listened to the lies of Satan and did not follow what God asked them. They
committed the first sin known as the Original Sin.
 7

The Original Sin

Disobedience
Pride
Rebelling against God. Gen. 3:6

-Every human being is born in the state of sin except the Virgin Mary. Immaculate Conception –
full of God’s grace.
-Being born in the state of original sin means we are born without God’s grace.
-Since God is compassionate to his creation, he promised to send a savior who would save
human beings from sin. Gen. 3:15
-The Virgin Mary was not conceived with original sin because she was to become the mother of
the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Isa. 7:14, Lk. 1:28-31
-Adam and Eve were given the following punishments for their sin:
a) They were chased from paradise.
b) They experienced challenges and problems. Gen. 3:16-20
c) Their intelligence and will were weakened.
d) They were inclined to sin.
e) They were to die.

The 2nd Article: I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD

-Jesus is the essence of our Faith.
-If we are to foster Christianity, the first thing is to preach about Christ. Acts. 4:20-21
-Those called to proclaim Jesus, firstly they need to know him and testify about him in their life.

A. I believe in Jesus Christ

-In the African Traditional Culture, children were given names that had a meaning, so that those
names may impact their lives positively; E.g
Nyakio – means a hardworking lady.
Murimi – means one who is a farmer.
-The name Jesus shows or expresses his identity and mission – saving people from their sin and
death. Lk. 1:35, Mt. 1:21
 8

-The name Jesus means Joshua or God saves.

-Peter proclaimed that “there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we can be
saved.” Acts. 4:12
-Christ means the anointed one of God (Hebrew) and the Savior in Greek.
-Jesus is the Savior filled with the Holy Spirit and became King, Priest and Prophet. Isa. 11:2,
61:2
-The work of Jesus was guided by the Holy Spirit.

B. The Only Son of God

-In the Old Testament, the name “Son of God” was given to Angels, Kings and the Israelites.
-In the New Testament, the only Son of God Is Jesus Christ because he has a unique and eternal
relationship with God. Mt. 11:27, Jn. 14:8-11
-Through the only Son, we can call ourselves children of God though we cannot know God
exactly the way He is.
-During the Baptism and Transfiguration of Jesus, God the Father said, “This is my beloved Son.”
Mt. 17:5, Lk. 9:35
-Jesus was the Son of God since the beginning of time.
-After His resurrection He told His Disciples that “Am going back to my Father who is also your
Father.” Jn. 20:17
-Jesus showed his trust to the Father at the cross when he said, “Father into your hands I
commend my spirit.” Lk. 23:46

C. Our Lord
-In the New Testament, the name Lord is used to refer to God the Father or God the Son
(Jesus).
-“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master’ (Lord) and its true.” Jn. 13:13
-Professing that Jesus is Lord is accepting that He is God.
-The Holy Spirit teaches and helps us profess that Jesus Christ is God. 1Cor. 12:3
-Jesus shows us he is Lord by his resurrection, when he defeated death and darkness.
-The Lordship of Jesus is one of sacrificing oneself for the love of others.
-When we profess that Jesus is Lord, we denounce the worship of other gods, the devil, we
refuse to be ruled by wealth, lust and other worldly things.
 9

The 3rd Article: I BELIEVE JESUS WAS CONCEIVED BY THE

POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WAS BORN OF THE VIRGIN
MARY
-The Holy Spirit was sent to sanctify the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary and make it divine so
that she would conceive the Messiah.
-Messiah is one who saves.
-Jesus Christ is the Messiah since he saved us from our sins through his passion, death and
resurrection.

A. Why the word became flesh Jn. 1:1-5

-For us men and our salvation.
 To save us by reconciling us with God. 1Jn 4:10
 For us to be aware of God’s love. Jn. 3:16
 To be our prime example of holiness.
 For us to participate in his Godliness –i.e. for us to become children in the child. 2Pt
1:4
B. Incarnation
-It’s the event/incident of the son of God becoming man.
-This event/incident renews and makes unique our Christian hood.
-It is the mystery of the union of the divine nature and the human nature within the one
person of the world.
-Incarnation shows the great humility of Jesus.
-Jesus was born by the power of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
-Being born of the Virgin Mary Jesus was made one of us, He looks like us in everything
except sin.

C. Born of the Virgin Mary

-Virgin Mary was prepared both body and soul to be the mother of the son of God.
-She was conceived without the original sin (Immaculate Conception) full of grace.
-She was protected from the original sin by the benefits of the death and resurrection of her
son. (Adults LK 1:47)
-The church teaches that Mary was and remained a virgin before, during and after the birth
of Jesus.
 10

-When the gospel talks of the “brothers of Jesus” these are the relatives of Jesus – cousins.
-Even Jesus calls his disciples who do Gods will his brothers and sisters. Mt 12:47-50
-If Jesus had his brothers and sisters then at the cross he wouldn’t have left his mother
under the protection of John.
-We know that Jesus Christ is truly God because of the many miracles he performed (and
especially by resurrecting himself.)-Adults
-Virgin Mary is also our mother because she is united with Jesus her son in the salvation
process of making us worthy of new life in our hearts.
-Virgin Mary is called the mother of God because she is the mother of the eternal son of
God who became man, while being God.
-Jesus announced that Virgin Mary is our mother from the cross when he said to her
“behold your son” and to Saint John: “behold your mother” Jn. 19:25-27
-Mary was assumed into heaven both body and soul immediately after her death.
-Mary gives Christians hope that one day we shall share in the resurrection.
-The church celebrates the three gifts given to Mary for accepting to be the mother of God
on:
- 1st Jan – Mary Mother of God
- 15th Aug – Assumption of Mary
- 8th Dec – Immaculate Conception

-Jesus desired all the Christians to give her proper honor as the mother of God.
=>That’s why we have various Marian devotions to the blessed Mary e.g., prayers such as;
Hail Mary, Hail Holy Queen, Memorare, Holy Rosary.
-The foster father of Jesus is called Joseph. Mt 1:18-20
-Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a manger. LK 2:7
-We commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas day
-Before Jesus began his teachings he lived in Nazareth. LK 2:39-40, 52
-Jesus showed his Godliness through:
i. His wonderful teachings
ii. His holy life
iii. His miracles
iv. His death and resurrection
 11

Adults
1. The entire life of Jesus was a mystery
-Is life was a mystery of salvation –what he says, does and his existence is salvation.
-He was born poor to enrich us-he loved us more. 1cor 8:9
-All his life he was obedient. Lk2:51
-His words changed /transformed people and sanctified them. LK5:10, LK5:20
-In healing and casting out demons he took our weakness and our sickness.
-Through is death and resurrection we are made worthy.
-From the beginning of his public life, Jesus is a “servant” who completely offered himself
willingly for the work of salvation which will be completed in his “baptism” of passion.

2. The mystery of the childhood of Jesus and his hidden life

-He followed Jewish customs and traditions as a descendant of Abraham.
 He was circumcised on the 8th day.
 He was presented to the temple.
-When his mother fled to Egypt it was a sign of Jesus life encountering opposition.
 Children under two years were killed. Jn. 1:11
-Epiphany is a clear manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah, the son of God and the savior of the
world not just of the Jews.

3. The public life of Jesus

-He started is public life by being baptized by John
-He was baptized in River Jordan with sinners raking the suffering, death and challenges of sin
even though he is not a sinner
-The Holy Spirit descends on him, God confirms him as his beloved son and tells the people to
listen to Him

4. Jesus’ Temptations
 12

-It took place in the wilderness where he was led by the Holy Spirit after forty days.
-This is the final stage of preparation for his mission.
-It was about his role as the suffering Messiah.
-By overcoming them, he became a famous Messiah a hero and a politician.
-Finally, he will proclaim the kingdom of God.

=>Jesus the perfect Evangelizer – he proclaimed the kingdom of heaven and did so with
Gods authority. Mt 9:25, Mk 6:34

5. Jesus evangelized through:

a) Language – He uses parables, similes and stories-His words further explain his deeds.
b) His way of acting – His attitude to the poor, the sick, the sinners, women and
children, the law and the temple.
c) His Miracles – These were signs of Gods power and his presence among men.
-His miracles aroused wonder “who is this man?” but also opposition, jealousy and
hatred.
-They were means to understand Jesus, to understand his divine power for these who
were open to his teachings.
d) His silence/Gaze – His silence before Pilate spoke a clear language.
-His gaze – The way he looked at his disciples, touched their heart and they followed
him and shared his life. Jn. 1:35ff
e) His power over Demons – It was clearly shown that Satan would be defeated and
Gods kingdom would be established. Mk. 9:14-29

The 4th Article: I BELIEVE JESUS CHRIST SUFFERED UNDER

PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED AND WAS BURIED

A) Reasons Pilate is mentioned in the creed

-To put the life of Jesus in the history of our world.
-To show that Jesus truly was a man.
-To show Jesus encountered the Roman rule.
 13

-To explain that Jesus’ death is true and not a myth.

 This was God’s plan to redeem the world.
B) The opposition Jesus faced
-Jesus met opposition and hostiles from the Pharisees and the leader of the Jews religion
because of certain deeds, such as: expelling demons, forgiving sins, healing on the Sabbath
day but especially on three issues:

i. The Law
-The Jews people could not full obey the law (Acts 13:38-41, 15:10, Jn7:9), so they had a
day of atonement every year.
-The Jews obeyed the law only superficially.
-Jesus wanted the law to be written in a man’s heart. Jer. 31:31-33
-Jesus abolished the dietary law by purifying all foods. Mk. 7:14
-Jesus healed on the Sabbath. Mt. 12:9-14, Mk. 2:23-27, Lk. 13:10-17
-Jesus understood that Gods commandments should be a guide to living a good life, not
a hindrance or a burden.

ii. The Temple

-Jesus had special respect to the temple.
-For Jesus the Temple is a place to meet with God, the house of prayer. Lk. 2:50, Mt.
21:13
-Jesus was angry when he saw the temple being turned into a market place he drove out
the merchants, so the chief priests and the Pharisees sought to kill him. Mk 11:15, Lk.
19:45-47
-Jesus foretold the distraction of the temple. Mk. 13:1-2
-Jesus physical death announces the demolition of the temple.
-Jesus resurrection is a symbol of the rebuilding of the temple. Jn. 2:19

iii. Faith in the One True God

-Jesus did the work of redemption as God – He forgave sins, resurrected the dead,
cast out demons; many things He did to spread the kingdom of God.
 Forgiveness of sin was a major obstacle. Mt 9:1-8
-Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors and called them self-righteous blind –This
became a big stumbling block to the Pharisees and scribes.
-Jesus said, before Abraham, “I was” – “I AM” Jn. 8:48-59
-Jesus called God, His Father. Jn. 5:6-18
Jesus said, “The Father and I are one.”

C) THE TRIAL OF JESUS

 14

-Jesus was condemned to death for blasphemy – Behaving like he is equal to God.
-According to St John, “many believed in him”, even though in an imperfect sense.
-The sins of those responsible for Jesus’ death e.g. Judas Iscariot, the Sanhedrin, Pilate
is known to God alone.
-Jesus forgave them all on the cross for that Lk. 23:33-34 and peter followed Jesus’
example. Acts 3:17
-No one knew what the scripture says about “the suffering servant” if they would know
Jesus was the Messiah, they would not have crucified him.
-All sinners are the source of Christ’s suffering.

D) CHRIST’S REDEMPTIVE DEATH IN GODS PLAN OF SALVATION

-The suffering, death and resurrection are the foundation of Christian life
-By accepting death, Jesus sacrificed himself for mankind, present and future
-Jesus redeemed us by his suffering, death and resurrection and brought us the Holy
Spirit. Isa. 53:4-6, Mt 20:17, Acts 2:1-4
-Jesus died on Good Friday, the day of preparation of the Jewish Passover
-Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from sin and eternal fire and to restore us the
grace and blessings we lost through sin.
-Jesus’ death on the cross was a sacrifice of salvation.
-Peter tells the Jews that Jesus’ death occurred according to God’s plan. Acts 2:23
-Jesus’ death is not a weakness of any kind, it shows the capacity of the love of God.
The killing of the Son of God is not a gesture of Salvation but the height of sin. Mt.
21:33-46
The intervention of God turns it to Salvation.
-God made him sin for our sake. 1Jn. 4:10

E) Christ has offered Himself to the Father for our sins

-No one takes my life from me; I lay it down on my own accord. Jn. 10:18
-The whole life of Christ is a sacrifice to the Father as he came down from heaven to do
the will of the Father.
-John the Baptist portrays Jesus as a troubled servant who lets himself to be led to the
slaughterhouse silently.
-Jesus willingly embraces the Father’s love of redemption during the last supper; he
introduced the free gift of his life.
-The culmination of Gethsemane’s agony is the despair of Jesus’ humanity, but he still
receives the cup (death) of redemption. Mt. 26:42
-For everyone’s benefit, Jesus tasted death. Heb. 2:9
-During the time of Jesus Christ in the tomb, his divine soul continued to possess his
Spirit and body, though separated by death. As a result, Christ’s dead body “saw no
corruption.” Acts. 13:37
 15

- “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” by these words, Jesus showed he is
safe at the hands of God.

The 5th Article: I BELIVE JESUS DESCENDED TO THE DEAD, ON

THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN
-When the creed says "He was buried" it says that Jesus did indeed died; he tested death, His
body separated from his soul.

-Jesus, like everyone else, died and his spirit went where the dead were.

-Hell was not a place of torment, but a place of rest where the spirits who died before Christ
awaited redemption.

-Jesus descended into hell to proclaim the good news of salvation to the holy spirits and also to
announce their entry into heaven on the day of His Ascension. 1pt. 3:19

-Through His resurrection, Christ revealed His Godliness. 1cor. 15:14-20 this is a mystery of
faith.

-Jesus resurrected in body from the dead and this was done by the power of God.

-Just like Jonah stayed in the belly of the fish for three days, Jesus stayed in the heart of the
earth for 3days.

-Christ is the essence of our faith.

-The scriptures were fulfilled and will continue to be fulfilled in Christ.

Important things to show truely Jesus Resurrected

a. Empty tomb – It was empty though it was protected. Lk. 24:1-8

-What the disciple saw in the tomb clearly indicates that Jesus resurrected. Jn. 20:9

b. Jesus appeared to different people – The soldiers were bribed to contradict and
disapprove the reality of resurrection. Mt. 28:11-15

-Jesus appeared to His disciples and followers before he ascended to heaven: Mary
Magdalene at the tomb, holy women as they left the tomb, the two disciples on their
way to Emmaus (Lk. 24:13), to Peter, to disciples in the absence of Thomas, to all
eleven disciples after eight days (Jn. 20:19-28), to the disciples at the shore of the lake
Galilee (Jn.21:22), at Mt Galilee, to James (1cor 15:7), on the day of his ascension.

-In the New Testament, the work of Jesus' resurrection is of the Father – the Father raised him
 16

to revel that he is the Son of God and to restore him into his original glory.

-Christ shared and participated in his resurrection because he is equal to the father.

-By death, Jesus delivers us from the darkness of sin and death.

-By His resurrection He begins a new life – eternal life as we will be resurrected.

-The followers thought that the Kingdom Jesus spoke of was earthly- royal attire, palace and
mansion – but they found humility and devotion to others. Mk 10:35-44, Mt 20:20-28

NB - They saw the power of God in the resurrection of Jesus.

-Jesus descended into hell, that is, away from the face of God.

-Jesus resurrected with a glorious body, on the third day after his death, the Christian Passover.
Lk. 24:5, Mt. 28:6 ff, 1Cor. 15:11

-We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus during Easter, every Sunday and in every Holy Mass.

-We as Christians who believe in the resurrection of Jesus we should not despair of God.

-In our daily lives and every time, we meet the risen Christ through faith e.g. in our own life’s in
other people’s life’s, in the midst of the sick, the poor, those experiencing different challenges
of life.

NB -We can have the victory of the future life if we have patience and trust in God in our daily
life.

The 6th Article: HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND IS SEATED

AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER
A. He Ascended into Heaven
-Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after his resurrection. LK. 24:50-53, Acts 1:9-12

-Jesus ascended body and soul.

-Jesus led the apostles to Bethany (Mt Olives) where he ascended before their eyes and a cloud
came over Him.

-Jesus ascended by his Divine power before the Apostles.

 17

=> ST Thomas- Jesus ascended no by the power proper to a natural body, but by the virtue
proper to his as God and by that which belongs to a blessed spirit.

-The act of ascending to heaven enlightened the apostles and gave them hope- he was going to
prepare a place for them and he will return to take them. Acts 1:9-12, Jn. 14:3

-Only the one "from the father “can return from the father. Jn. 16:28

=> Heaven- It is a place above human ability and potential.

- It is not a place but a state of life - a life of living by the joy of God.

The Meaning of Ascencion to Us

i. We will be assumed into heaven in glorified bodies.

ii. We Catholic Christians believe that over heavenly life has begun. Jn. 5:24

iii. Through our earthly life, we tasted the sweetness of heaven.

iv. After death we will be with God by living a worthy life.

v. While we are here it is time to build the Kingdom of Heaven.

B. Is Seated at The Right Hand of the Father

-This means that Christ is in the glory and honor of God.

-This honor and glory he had it from all eternity.

Reasons Why Jesus Ascended to Heaven

i. To receive a reward for His glorious work of redemption. LK24:26, PHIL 2:8-9

ii. To pray to God his Father for us as our messenger. Rom. 8:34, Jn. 2:1

iii. To draw our souls to Him and prepare a place for us. Jn. 14:2-3

iv. To send the Holy spirit to us. Jn. 16:7, 14:2, Phil 2:9
 18

The 7th Article: I BELIVE HE WILL COME AGAIN TO JUDGE THE

LIVING AND THE DEAD
-At every Mass, believers proclaim the great mystery of Faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen,
and Christ will come again.

-Jesus will come to us again the same way He was taken. Acts 1:11

-The resurrection of Christ symbolizes the union of his humanity with the power and authority
of God.

 It means "Jesus is Lord, "He has power and authority because God has put all things
under His feet. 1Cor. 15:27

-The kingdom of Christ, though present with us now, will be manifested fully in the second
coming of Christ for which the church awaits and prays for.

-Every year in her liturgy the church renews our hope of the second coming of Christ. Rev.
22:20

A. Advent
-During this period, we all live in hope and spread the gospel.

-It is when we give Christ a place in our souls to transform us into His likeness.

-It is time to wait (redemption) and being vigilant. 1Pt. 5:8, Mk 14:34

B. He Will Come To Judge

-Before the second coming of Christ, the church must undergo the final test. LK. 18:8, Mt 14:12

-God will destroy evil in the final judgment when everyone’s life and all the secrets of their
heart will be made public.

-Christ is the Light, truth and life, and everyone is called to choose: there are some who choose
light and some who go to death because they have chosen darkness. Jn. 3:19

-Eternal life does not come later, it begins now, in the life we live today and not tomorrow. Jn.
17:3

C. The Living and the Dead

 19

-Judgment on the living is through the Holy Spirit reminding us of the evil we have done.

-Judgment on the dead will depend on how we lived (God’s Judgment is perfect.)

-At the Day of Judgment, the end of the world, Christ will come in glory to bring about the
complete victory of good over evil.

-The glorious Christ, when he comes at the end of time to Judge the living and the dead, will
reveal the secret state of the heart, and will repay each one according to their deeds and
according to his receiving or rejecting grace.

D. Personal Judgement (Particular)

-Everyone will be judged at death and at the last day. Heb. 9:27-28

-This Judgment will take place as soon as the soul is separated from the body.

The 8th Article: I BELIVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

-The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity; God equal to the Father and the Son.

-The Holy Spirit is lord and giver of life. Gen. 2:7

-He proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and
glorified.

THE FATHER THE SON

THE HOLY SPIRIT

-In the Old Testament he spoke through the prophets. Jer. 1:4-10, Isa. 6:5-9

-Jesus promised the Apostles that he would send to them the Holy Spirit. Jn14:25-26

-The coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost completes our redemption.

-The Holy Spirit works with the Father and the Son from creation to the fulfillment of the plan
of salvation.
 20

-The Holy Spirit is God. Mt. 28:19

-No one can profess, “Jesus is lord" except by the Holy spirit. 1cor. 12:3

-The main duty of the Holy Spirit is to sanctify.

-When God sends His Son, He sends also the Holy Spirit, their mission is united/joined.

-Just as the Holy Spirit unites the Father and the Son, so he is with us. He connects us to God.

-The Holy Spirit gives us the courage we need to live our Christian life.

-Different names given to the Holy Spirit: Giver of life, Advocate, Consoler, Helper, Intercessor,
Paraclete etc.

-No one knows the thoughts of God except the spirit of God.

During His Life-Time Jesus Reveals the Holy Spirit

i. He alludes to the Holy Spirit in speaking to Nicodemus. Jn. 3:5 ff

ii. When speaking to the Samaritan woman. Jn. 4:10 ff

iii. When celebrating the feast of tabernacle. Jn. 7:38-39

iv. He speaks openly of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. Lk. 11:13, Mt. 10:19-20

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

A) Wisdom B) Understanding C) Counsel D) Fortitude E) Knowledge F) Piety G) Fear of the Lord

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

I) LOVE II) JOY III) Peace IV) Patience V) Kindness VI) Generosity VII) Faithfulness

VIII) Gentleness IX) Self-control

Symbols of the Holy Spirit

*Dove * Fire * Living water * Chrism oil * Cloud * Imposition of hands * Light

The Holy Spirit does the Following in our Lives

 21

i. He enlightens us to understand all the teachings of our religion/faith. Jn. 14:26

ii. He strengthens us to do well and to turn away from evil.

iii. He sanctifies us and gives us life in our souls. 2pt. 1:9

iv. He leads the church.

How the Holy Spirit guides/leads the Church

-The Holy guides the church by his power and through its leaders in the following ways.

a) Speaking to them all as he spoke to the prophets.

b) Enlightens it so it does not miss the truth. Jn. 14:25, Jn. 15:16, Jn. 16:13

c) Sanctifies it.

d) Strengthens it.

The 9th Article: I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH THE

COMMUNION OF SAINTS
-The church has no other light than that of Christ. e.g., sun and moon.

Church – is a liturgical gathering.

- Is a local community.

- Is a whole community of believers.

A. Symbols Of the Church

i. People of God – people on the way towards (all of us, everyone).

ii. Pilgrim people – People on the way towards their final fulfillment.

iii. Sheepfold – Christ is the gate of salvation (we follow him spiritually).
 22

iv. Vineyard – A cultivated field planted by God to bear fruits (i.e., to do good

for others).

v. Temple of God – The perfect worship rendered to God (Treat ourselves well

with respect).

vi. The New Jerusalem – Build on the twelve apostles (to live as the beginning of

the church, as it was given by Christ).

vii. The holy city – the place where God dwells.

viii. The family of God – The name given for the church in the African synod.

B. The Origin Of The Church

-It was in the mind of the holy trinity – communion – God wanted to share his life and

happiness Gen: 1:26.

-The remote preparation is in the call of Abraham, the father of a great nation. Gen

12:1-4

-In the election of Israel, Israel is to be the sign of future gatherings, assemblies.

-The announcement of the new covenant. Jer 31:31-34.

-Christ instituted that covenant:

 By preaching the good news.

 Gathering disciples around himself.

 From among them, he chose 12 Apostles on which he wanted to build his church-the

new Israel.

 From among these, he chose Peter, his Vicar on earth.

 On the Pentecost, he pours out the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and all the believers.
 23

 The Catholic Church is a Christian family founded by Jesus Christ, of one faith, under the

leadership of the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome.

-Christ originally ordained peter to be the head of the church with the help of his fellow

apostles. Jn 21:15-17, Jn 1:41-42, Mt 16:18-19

-Nowadays the Holy Father, the bishop of Rome is the successor of Apostle Peter, and the

bishops are the successors of the Apostles.

-In the Catholic Church there are two types of believers: the laity and the clergy, some of whom

take vows and are called monks.

=> The laity – These are believers without any priestly rank.

=> The clergy – Are these faithful’s who have been given the sacrament of holy orders, namely

deaconate, priesthood, and bishop.

=> Monks – they are lay believers or clergymen dedicated to God in the church for their own

salvation and that of the world.

i) By formally taking the oath of allegiance before the church.

ii) By living the council of the gospel: poverty, obedience, and chastity.

iii) By following the lifestyle adopted by the church.

Responsibility Of the Lay Faithful In The Church

a) To proclaim the word of God and witness it in their daily lives.

b) To share the mission of Jesus christ, the good shepherd, by helping build and guide the

church.
 24

c) Sharing in priestly duties by participating in holy mass, helping to sanctify the world, and

fulfilling their daily responsibilities.

-The laity are involved in the leadership of the church through the church council, apostolic

associations, and various ministries.

-The church council (Laity council) – is an apostolic council in which the laity individually or by

joining a group or association are empowered and assisted to co-operate effectively with

church leaders in the mission of the church at the level of sub parish/outstation, parish,

Diocese, National and even Regional.

The Purpose of The Laity/Church Council

I) To instill the spirit of the Gospel in the world so that it can penetrated and

changed by it.

II) Enabling lay people to make appropriate plans to announce Christ with their

words and lives.

III) To help the laity to guide people who are yet to believe so that they may be

bestowed upon them the gift of faith and live more reverently.

 Lay people are involved with the leadership of the church because through baptism

and confirmation they receive the Holy Spirit and all his gifts so that the whole world

may find salvation.

 The invisible leader of the church is the holy spirit.

- Jesus Christ founded only one church, the catholic church.

C. Marks Of the Catholic Church

 25

 ONE * HOLY * CATHOLIC * APOSTOLIC

i. The Church Is One

- The church is one in the sense that it has a symbol of unity – Jesus, its

founder.

- Jesus prayed for his followers to be united with the holy trinity. Jn 17:21.

- It professes the same faith, the same sacraments, the leadership of the

Apostles, one love, Holy mass(liturgy) and all the readings go together all

over the world Eph 4:3-5.

ii. The Church Is Holy

- It is holy because the son of God who is holy founded it.

- Its holy because the Father, source of all holiness, so ordained it.

- Christ offered himself to purify it and make it a sacrament of salvation.

- The Holy Spirit, who dwells in the souls of the Faithfull, assists the church to

gather together the children of the father.

- Christ made it sacred because he promises to be with the church till the end

of time Mt 28:20

- All Christians are called to live a holy life. 2Pt. 1:3-4

- The church recognizes the virgin Mary who is the mother of God, all the

saints as models and intercessors in the church.

- Has ways of truth: The Teaching Authority (Magisterium), Sacred Tradition,

Apostolic Succession.

- Has ways of Holiness: Sacraments, Liturgy, Word of God

 26

iii. The Church Is Catholic (Universal)

- It is for all nations. Mk 13:10, Gal. 4:26

- Wherever the church is, Christ is there.

- It confesses the same faith, celebrates the seven sacraments and the worship

of the Holy Mass in the same way.

- Jesus Christ the first and greatest missionary sends apostles to preach to all

nations. Therefore, every Christian should be a missionary and spread the

good news to every creature. Mk 16:15, Mt. 28:18-20

- It has existed since it was founded by Christ who is the truth and the corner

stone. Jn14:6.

iv. The Church Is Apostolic

- It’s built on the leadership of the Apostles. Eph. 2:20

- The succession of the leadership of the apostles is seen through the

ordination of Deacons, Priests and the consecration of the bishops.

- The Holy Father, together with the Bishops share Jesus’ work of:

 Spreading the Good News

 Teaching faith to the people.

 Sanctifying Christians through sacraments and blessings.

 Protecting the church.

 Nowadays there are S.C.C ‘s which are a church, the church begins in the families,

S.C. C’s, the parish Diocese up to the Vatican.

 The Pope stays in Rome.

 27

D. The Communion of Saints

- The most important member of this union is Christ.

- The term ‘communion’ has two meanings:

i) Communion through the holy things – things that are blessed (rings

&holy water) communion of faith, communion of sacrament,

communion of charisms/talents, communion of charity bearing each

other’s cross.

ii) Communion of holy people

a) The Church militant(pilgrim) – which is here on earth, who strive

to be faithful to God.

b) The suffering church (purgatory) – those who are being sanctified

and purified that they may later enter heaven.

c) The Triumphant church (in heaven) – They are in God’s glory and

see God as he is, they have won the battle on earth. 2Tim 4:7

The 10th Article: I BELIVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS

- Every sin has a social effect, sin breaks relationship with oneself, others and

with God.

- The inclination towards sin is part and parcel of being human.

 28

- All human beings are affected by the state of the original sin at the moment

they are conceived. This sin was committed by Adam and Eve.

- The weakness towards sin shows itself in our personal moral weakness and in

injustices and sins within the society.

- Among human beings, it’s only the virgin Mary who was preserved from the

stains of the original sin.

Sin => is an act of freely and knowingly choosing evil.

 Going against God’s commandments and those of the church in your thoughts, words,
actions and what you fail to do.
 When we sin, we are making a choice against God’s love.

The Two Types of Sin

a) Mortal sin – once committed turn one completely away from God and from

each other.

Conditions for any sin to be mortal

I) Its subject matter must be grave.

II) Committed with full knowledge of the sinful action and the gravity of the offense.

III) Committed deliberately and with complete consent.

b) Venial sin – weakness our relationship with God and with each other.

- Sins that are not deliberately committed and lacking full knowledge.
 29

OCCASSIONS OF SIN

I) A Person

II) Place

III) Something /item – e.g., Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired

- To believe in the forgiveness of sins is to believe that the Holy Spirit, through

the church, remits our sins and their punishments through the merits of

Jesus our redeemer. Mt 16:18, Jn 20:21-23

- In the faith and baptism, Christ has tied the forgiveness of sins.

- In this article we confess our belief that there is forgiveness of sins.

- The Apostle’s creed has united faith for the forgiveness of sins in the Holy

Spirit, the Church and in the Communion of Saints.

- By giving the holy spirit to the Apostles, Christ gave them the power to

forgive sins Jn 20:21-23

- The two instruments for the forgiveness of sins are:

i) Priests ii) Sacraments

- The two means for the forgiveness of sins are:

I) Baptism ii) Penance or Reconciliation

Through baptism – one is forgiven the original sin and all other sins

committed before baptism.

Through penance – one is forgiven the sins committed after baptism.

After baptism, there- is no reparation/satisfaction of sins, but the human

weakness remains.

- ‘’ Penance is a baptism of suffering.’’

 30

- There is no sin the church cannot forgive, what is important is true and

sincere repentance.

- Forgiveness is also found among people (forgiving one another), during Holy

Mass, in contrition and experiencing the pain caused by sin, the Lord’s

prayer.

The 11th Article: I BELIVE IN THE RESURECTION OF

THE BODY

-This is one of the most important parts of our faith. 1Cor 15:13-14; 2

-We firmly believe that the righteous, after the death, will live for eternity with the resurrected

Christ, and he will resurrect them on the last day.

-Our resurrection is the work of the Holy Trinity, like the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

-The word body describes a person in his weak and dying state.

-The resurrection of the body shows that after death there is life of the spirit and of the mortal

body.

-The resurrection of the body means at the end of the world in the supreme reign of God, the

soul of every deceased person will return to their body and all people will be resurrected. Job.

19:25-26, Mt. 22:30-32, Jn 6:28-29

 31

A. Christ Resurrection and Our Resurrection

i. Revelation of the resurrection step by step

-Hope in the resurrection of the dead is the inner fruit of faith in God, creator of the

whole person, soul, and body.

-Faith in the resurrection rests on faith in God who is God of the living and not of the

dead. Mk 12:27

-Jesus is the resurrection and life.

-Jesus will resurrect those who believe in him and receive the Holy Eucharist.

-Jesus gives signs and promises by bringing some people back to life. E.g., Lazarus

Jn 11:17-44, Jairus’ daughter Lk 8:54-56, Mk 5:41-43, Window’s son at Nain Lk

7:11-16

-With the sign of Jonah and the Temple – Jesus announces his resurrection. Mt 12:38-

41, Jn 2:18-22

-Our resurrection is confirmed through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jn

20:11-18

ii. How will the dead resurrect?

Resurrection – The reunification of our souls with our glorified bodies.

Who will resurrect – All people who have died.

Resurrection of eternal life and resurrection of Judgment (Hell).

How – With their bodies which will be glorious and spiritual bodies.

This is beyond our mind and understanding and can only be grasped by faith.

When – The last day, the end of the world – the second/final coming of Christ.
 32

iii. We have risen together with Christ.

-If it is true Christ will resurrect us, then we have already risen with him (certainly)

in our baptism.

-We truly share the heavenly life of the risen Christ, but this life remains hidden with

Christ in God.

-We become part of Christ’s body when we receive his body and blood in the

Eucharist.

-We ought to respect our bodies for being in Christ and others who suffer. 1Cor 6:13-

20

B. Dying in Christ Jesus

-To rise with Christ, it is necessary to die with Christ.

Death

- In the face of death, the mystery of the human condition becomes enormous.

- In one sense, physical death is normal, but in faith, death is truly the wages of sin.

- For those who die in the grace of Christ, death is a participation in the death of our lord,

to be able to share in resurrection.

- Death is a product of sin – it entered the world because of sin.

- Physical death is the last enemy of man, and he must be defeated. 1Cor 15:54

- For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain (the meaning of Christian death). Phil .1:21

- After a person’s death, his soul goes before God for individual judgment.
 33

- The result of the judgment is:

i) The spirit may go to heaven or

ii) The spirit may go to purgatory or

iii) The spirit may go to hell.

- Jesus the son of God died for us in obedience and complete freedom to the will of God

his Father.

- By his resurrection, Jesus conquered death, thus opening the possibility of salvation to all

people.

The 12th Article: I BELIVE IN LIFE EVERLASTING.

AMEN

-A Christian who unites their death with the death of Jesus, sees death as a journey to Jesus and

enter eternal life.

-To believe in eternal life is to believe that after death, good people will receive an eternal

reward in heaven in the communion of the Holy Trinity. Jn 3:36, 5:24-29, Mt 25:31-40

i) The Particular (Personal) Judgment

-Death completes a person’s life as a clear moment to accept or reject God’s grace

given by God himself. e.g., the poor Lazarus Lk 16:16-19-31, the thief on the cross

Lk 23:39-43.

ii) Heaven

Heaven – Is a state of eternal happiness in the glory of God.

 34

-Those who die in grace and friendship with God, and those who have received full

sanctification live forever with Christ.

=>They are like God, because they see him “as He is” face to face.

-Heaven is man’s ultimate destiny and the fulfillment of his innermost aspirations, a

supreme and perfect happiness.

iii) Final Sanctification – Purgatory

-Those who go here are those who die in grace and friendship with God but are not

fully sanctified, although they are sure of their eternal salvation.

-The church has offered special prayers for them and most importantly the Eucharistic

offering.

-The Church also encourages almsgiving, works of mercy and penance for the dead.

iv) Hell

-The greatest torment of hell is eternal separation from God.

-Hell is for those who do not love, who commit mortal sins against God.

-Hell is eternal and unquenchable fire.

v) Final Judgment

-The church strongly believes and acknowledges that on the Day of Judgment, all

people will appear with their own bodies before the judgment of Christ to give an

account of their own actions. Mt 25:14-30, 25:31-46

vi) Hope For a New Heaven and a New Earth

-At the end of time, the kingdom of God will receive its fullness.

-Then the righteous will reign forever with Christ glorified in the body and in spirit.
 35

AMEN

-The word Amen has the same roots as the word “believe”.

-In the book of the Prophet Isaiah, the lord of truth/Amen – that is, God is faithful to

his promises.

-Amen at the end of the creed, repeats and confirms its first word – “I Believe”.

-Jesus Himself is the Amen. Jesus takes our ‘Amen’ to the father. Because all God’s

promises find their “Yes” in Him.

-Amen is a short way of saying – let it be so.

 36

TOPIC 3: LITURGY, GRACE, SACRAMENTS,

SACRAMENTALS AND PRAYERS
A. LITURGY
-It is a public worship.
-It is the act, in the Holy Spirit, of Christ himself and his Church, of glorifying and
worshipping God the Father and thus carrying out the mystery of salvation by sanctifying
the people.
-It is a celebration of divine worship, the proclamation of the Gospel and to active charity.
-Liturgy is the central act of Christ.
-Liturgy are actions that involve both the leader as well as the believers.
-The essence and culmination of the Liturgy is the celebration of the sacrifice of the Holy
Mass – Eucharist.

i. PRINCIPLES OF LITURGY
1. Liturgy is not the worship of one person alone according to his/her wishes.
2. During worship there must be one leader.
3. During Mass, let each one fulfil their duty diligently and orderly.
4. In the liturgy, the believers are to participate in the whole rite of worship,
that is, prayers, hymns and all acts of worship. Not just to be spectators.
5. These principles are for the communion of Saints as well as for Christians, so
in the liturgy the believers share with their leader.
N.B. - For Christians to reap all the goods of the liturgy, they must participate in the
right way.

ii. AIMS/INTENTIONS OF LITURGY

a) To thank God for offering his only Son so that we might have redemption.
b) To praise, worship, glorify and honor God.
c) For uplifting and nurturing the faith of Christians.
d) God speaks with his creations, Jesus preaches the Gospel and we listen.
e) Our hearts rise, we are united with God and our faith grows. 1Cor. 15:28
 37

In Summary:

God
Praise and The grace of
Thanksgiving JesusSanctification

People
These are the two things which happen during liturgy through Jesus Christ; i.) Praise and
Thanksgiving to God and ii.) The grace of sanctification to the people.

iii. WAYS OF CELEBRATING LITURGY

1. Celebrating the Word of God and various Sacraments (Holy Mass)
2. Prayers from the Breviary
3. Rites of profession – Priesthood and religious life
4. Celebrating various blessings.
5. Rites of burying the dead.

iv. BENEFITS OF LITURGY

a) We participate in a heavenly liturgy in which Christ and the Saints glorify God
face to face.
b) We are given the grace of redemption by being sanctified.
c) We are formed into a stable nation of God.

v. THE LITURGICAL YEAR

-The church celebrates the Paschal Mystery which is the great event of our Salvation
during the Liturgical Year.
-In the Liturgical Year, we remember and celebrate all the events and mysteries of
our redemption and thus we receive its grace.
-It starts with the First Sunday of Advent, normally around end of November or
beginning of December, and ends with the feast of Christ the King.
-The Liturgical Year is established between two important feasts in the Church:
Christmas and Easter.
 38

-The Liturgical Year has the following seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and
Ordinary Time.
-Some of the most important feasts are: Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension of
our Lord, Pentecost, Holy Eucharist, Assumption of our Lady into Heaven, All Saints
and Christ the King.

LITURGICAL YEAR
Christ the King
Christmas
Christmas
Eve

ADVENT
Immaculate Heart ORDINARY
Sacred Heart
Corpus Christi
Holy Trinity
TIME CHRISTMAS
Pentecost Baptism of
our Lord
Ascension of
our Lord
EASTER
ORDINARY
LENT TIME

Ash Wednesday

1. The advent Season

-It is the first season of the Liturgical Year.
 39

-It lasts for four Sundays and some days depending on Christmas Day.
-It begins either at the end of November or beginning of December.
-It’s a period of spiritual preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus on
Christmas day – His coming into our hearts.
-We also prepare for his final coming in glory at the end of time.
-We normally devote ourselves to a Christmas Novena from 16th to 24th December.
-The Liturgical color for this season is Purple.
-The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated during this season on 8th December.
-Normally a Wreath is prepared with four candles. The candles are three Purple and one
Pink.
-During this Season, we do not sing Gloria and the flowers in the Church are normally at a
minimal.
-The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudate Sunday. The Liturgical Vestments for this day
are to be Rose in Color.

2. Christmas Season
-Christmas is the feast of the Birth of Jesus.
-This Season begins on Christmas Eve 24th December.
-It is celebrated in a very Solemn way all over the world and beyond.
--It is the celebration of God the Father’s love for humanity.
-The Season is signified by the Crib of Jesus made before the Christmas Vigil Mass.
-The celebration of the Christmas Liturgy continues as a Solemnity for Eight days following
Christmas day known as Christmas Octave.
-Some of the main Feasts during this Season are; St. Stephen, St. John the Evangelist, Holy
Innocents, Holy Family and Mary Mother of God.
-Epiphany is the Feast of the manifestation of Jesus as Lord and savior of all people
represented by the wise men (Magi) who brought precious gifts to the child Jesus.
-This Season ends with the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus.
-Then for a few weeks we begin the Ordinary Season until the beginning of Lent on Ash
Wednesday.
-The liturgical color of this Season is White.
 40

3. The Lenten Season

-This is a Season of Preparation for the celebration of Easter as we look forward to the
Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.
-It is a Season that Last’s for forty days excluding Sundays.
-The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Vigil.

Ash – It is a visible sign that insists on Fasting during Lent by the words: Repent and
Believe in the Gospel.

Uses of Ash in the Bible

-“He has cast me into the mire, I am levelled with the dust and ashes.” Job. 30:19
-“Judith threw herself down prostrate, with ashes strewn upon her head...” Jud. 9:1
-Jer. 6:26, 25:34
-Dan. 9:3
-Jesus gives an example of repentance. Mt. 11:21

Characteristics of Lent
Prayer – Christians should be serious in Prayer. Mt. 6:5-8, Lk. 18:1-8, 11:9-13
Fasting – Christians offer sacrifices and self-denial for the sake of their conversion. Mt.
6:16-18

Alms giving – Christians practice charitable deeds for the sake of the poor and needy
people. Mt. 6:1-4, Tobit 1:3, 1:8
-On Ash Wednesday and Fridays of Lent, Christians fast from meat and at least one meal.
-God’s interest during lent is to take care of the needy, respect them and give them their
rights.
-Lent is a time of inner searching and probing one’s relationship with God and the neighbor.
-Lent reminds us of our weakness (mortality) hence the importance to reflect on our
baptismal promises, our vocation of discipleship and our sins and to ask God for the grace of
conversion.
-The Liturgical color during this Season is Purple.
 41

-No Gloria and Halleluiah during Lent together with musical instruments and decorating the
Alter.
-The Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday and the liturgical color is Rose.

-Palm Sunday – The Church celebrates the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and
the Liturgical color is Red.

-Holy Thursday – We commemorate the Last Supper, institution of the Holy Eucharist
and washing of the Disciple’s feet.
The Liturgical color during the evening mass is White.

-Good Friday – Is the day Jesus died.

 It’s a day of fasting, mourning and self-denial.

 The Liturgy of this day begins at 3pm with the procession of the Cross of Jesus and
during the Service there is Exaltation of the Cross.
 Liturgical color is Red.

4. Easter Season
-This Season kicks off with the Easter Triduum; Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil
(Holy Saturday).
-On Easter Vigil (Saturday Evening), the Church awaits at the tomb of Jesus in eagerness for
His Resurrection.
-The Liturgy on Easter Vigil starts outside the Church and has four stages: I.) The Liturgy of
Light II.) Liturgy of the Word III.) Liturgy of Baptism (if there is no Baptism, water is blessed,
and we renew our Baptismal Promises) IV.) Liturgy of the Eucharist.
-Lights in the Church on Easter Vigil are switched off until Gloria.
-This Season lasts for Fifty days and ends with the Solemnity of Pentecost.
-At the Easter Vigil, we celebrate with great joy the resurrection of our Lord.
-The Easter Candle is blessed on Easter Vigil and is used during Baptism in the course of the
year.
-The Easter Octave (8 days) goes on from Easter Sunday till Divine Mercy Sunday. These
days are celebrated as Solemnities.
-Main Feasts during Easter are:

 Divine Mercy Sunday – On the Second Sunday of Easter. Christians are called to
follow the footsteps of God the Father who is Merciful.
 42

 Good Shepherd Sunday – To pray for Priestly and Religious vocations.

 Ascension of our Lord – Jesus departs by bidding us farewell but he is still with
us.
 Pentecost – We mark the day the Holy Spirit poured down upon the Apostles and
the Liturgical color is Red.
Pentecost marks the end of Easter Season.
-The Liturgical color of the Easter Season is White.

5. The Ordinary Time

-It is the longest season in the Liturgical year.
-It lasts for thirty-four or thirty-three weeks.
-The Season covers two moments: I.) The first part begins immediately after Christmas
Season and ends with the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. II.) The second part begins
after Pentecost and ends with the beginning of the Advent Season.
-This season is for Christians to celebrate other feasts that are distributed within the
Ordinary Time of the Year.
-The Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of Saints are distributed across all Seasons.
-Important Feasts of our Lord during the Second part of Ordinary Time are: Most Holy
Trinity, Corpus Christi (Most Precious Body and Blood of Jesus) and Sacred Heart of Jesus.

-Jesus Christ King of the Universe is the last Sunday of Ordinary Time. It marks the
end of Ordinary Time since the Sunday after is the First Sunday of Advent.
-The Liturgical color is Green.
 43

vi. Liturgical Colors

Sign/color Significance Uses

Green Signifies hope and new life Used during the Ordinary Time of the
Liturgical year

Red Signifies Blood/Martyrdom, Used during:

Fire and love of Christ for The feast of Pentecost, Palm Sunday,
Human beings Good Friday, Confirmation, Feasts of
Martyrs, Feast of Apostles except John

White/Gold/Yellow Signifies purity and Used during:

victory/glory Easter Season, Christmas Season,
Baptism, Marriage, Feasts of our Lord,
Feasts of our Lady, Ordination,
Professions/Consecration, Feasts of
Saints who are not Martyrs, Feasts of
Virgins, Other Feasts of the Church,
Burial of Infants

Purple/Violate Signifies Used during:

penance/conversion and Advent Season, Lent Season, During
fasting Confessions, At adults’ burial though not
a must

vii. Sunday Worship

-The Resurrection of our Lord is relived and celebrated every week on
the Lord’s Day (Sunday).
-The resurrection of Christ from the dead took place “on the first day of
the week.” Jn. 20:1, Lk. 24:1
 44

-The empty tomb, the resurrection and appearance of the risen Lord to
some people strengthen the faith of the people. 1Cor. 15:4-8
-Every Sunday we meet the risen Lord when we gather for the
Eucharistic celebration as members of his family in the Church.
-Sunday is the center of the Liturgical Season.
-Sunday has its climax in the annual celebration of Easter, the highest
feast of all feasts.
-Easter is the highest feast of all others.

Ways Jesus is present among us Mt. 28:20

 In the celebration of the Eucharist.
 In an assembly of Christians gathered in his name. Mt.18:20, 1Cor.
5:4
 In the one who presides at the celebration.
 Present in the celebration of the Word of God.
 In his Body and Blood that becomes our nourishment for living
the Christian life to the full during the week.

The present Jesus offers us:

 His peace, forgiveness, strength, hope
-This helps us to live in communion with him and with one another.
-We experience peace when we discover how much we are forgiven and
loved by God.
-It is peace we so much desire especially in our African countries where
the Christian communities at times are sharply divided by ethnic wars,
poverty, famine, diseases etc.
-The peace of the Lord needs to bring solace to such troubled hearts and
lives. Jn. 20:19, Lk. 24:36-44
-We are filled with the new life of the Spirit especially when we receive
the Body and Blood of the risen Lord at the Holy Communion
(Eucharist).
 45

-The risen Lord, on Sundays sends us to become witnesses of his

forgiveness, healing and peace.

How to keep the day of the Lord

And other days of Obligation.
 Participate in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Lord.
 Leave works that prevent proper worship of God and disturb the
joy proper to the day of the Lord.
 Relax your mind and body.
Activities allowed are: Caring for the sick, important social services and
attending to family needs like cooking.

B.GRACE
-Grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become
children of God.
-Grace is a participation in the life of God.
-Grace is a spiritual favor given to us by God to help us go to heaven. Lk. 1:30, Rom. 5:2
-The grace of Christ is the gratuitous gift that God makes to us of his own life, infused by the
Holy Spirit into our soul to heal it of sin and sanctify it.
-The preparation of man for the reception of grace is already a work of grace.
-Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us.
-Grace escapes our experience and cannot be known except by faith.
-Special graces are known as Charisms. 1Cor. 12:4-11
Charisms – means favor, gratuitous gift and benefit.
- They are oriented towards sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good
of the Church.
-Jesus Christ merits us these graces by his passion, death and his resurrection.
-The Holy Spirit distributes these graces through the Church. Jn. 1:16, 3:3-8, 1Cor. 12:11
 46

Two types of grace

i. Sanctifying grace – is a habitual gift, a stable and supernatural disposition that perfects
the soul itself to enable it to live with God, to act by his love.
- It’s divine life in our souls. Jn. 1:16, 3:3-8
ii. The grace of help – is a spiritual gift that assists us begin, continue and fulfill the work of
our salvation by doing good and avoiding evil. Jn. 15:5, 1Tim. 2:4
In Summary:
G – God’s
R – Riches
A – At
C – Christ’s
E – Expense

C. SACRAMENTS
-We receive God’s grace through faith and by Sacraments and prayer. Mk.
16:15-16, Lk. 1:13
-The Church hands down to us two precious gifts when we meet together to
worship.

i. The Word of God – Tells us more about Jesus Christ and leads us to
Heaven.
ii. The acts of God – They originate in the Word of God and they are the
Seven Sacraments.

Meaning of Sacrament
i. Sacrament is a visible sign of an interior grace, instituted by Christ and
entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed or given to us.
ii. Sacrament is a visible sign instituted by Christ to offer us the grace of
Salvation. Acts 8:17
-Jesus Christ instituted Seven Sacraments namely:
1. Baptism Jn. 3:3, Mk. 16:15-16
 47

2. Confirmation Isa. 11:2, Acts. 8:14-17

3. Holy Eucharist Jn. 6:1-71, 1Cor. 11:24-25
4. Reconciliation Mt. 16:18-19, 18:18, Jn. 20:21-23
5. Anointing of the Sick Mk.6:13, Jas. 5:14-15
6. Holy Matrimony Gen. 2:21-25, Mt. 19:3-9
7. Holy Orders Lk. 22:21-25, 1Cor. 11:24-25

-These Sacraments bear fruit in those who receive them with the required
dispositions.
The Principal Minister of Sacraments is Jesus Christ for he is the one who
instituted them. Bishops and Priests are ministers by the virtue of Ordination.
-We should receive the Sacraments in a state of Chastity, Fear of the Lord, and
Piety.

Similarity between our natural human needs and the Sacraments for our spiritual needs.

Natural Needs Sacraments

Birth Baptism

Food Eucharist

Initiation to maturity Confirmation

Healthy Relationships Reconciliation

 48

Healing Anointing of the Sick

Marriage Matrimony

Community Civil Leaders Holy Orders

-The Seven Sacraments are divide into three groups:

I. Sacraments of Christian Initiation

 Baptism
 Confirmation
 Holy Eucharist
-They lay the foundation of the Christian life.
-We are born a new by Baptism, strengthened by Confirmation and receive
the food of eternal life through the Holy Eucharist.
-The Holy Eucharist is the central Sacrament around which all the other
sacraments rotate.

II. Sacraments of Healing

 Reconciliation (Penance)
 Anointing of the Sick
-We need them when the new life of Christ is weakened and even lost by
sin.
-Our Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and body, forgives our sin and
restores us to spiritual and bodily health.

III. Sacraments of Service of Communion

 Holy Matrimony
 Holy Orders
-These two Sacraments are directed towards the salvation of others.

-There are Sacraments which are offered/conferred/given/administered only

once. They are Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders.
 49

-They are conferred once because they mark a Christian with a Permanent
Spiritual mark.

The two categories of Sacraments

Sacraments of the dead – They heal us from our spiritual death.
They are; Baptism, Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick
Sacraments of the living – They strengthen our spiritual life and
relationship with God and neighbor.
They are; Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony

1. THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

A. Prefiguration of Baptism in the Old Testament
i. Creation – Water is overshadowed by the Spirit of God to be a fountain
of life and spring of fertility. Gen. 1:2
ii. Noah’s Ark – an example of Salvation through Baptism. Gen. 8:15-19,
1Pt. 3:20
iii. Passage through the Red Sea – True freedom for the Israelites from
Egyptian’s slavery, announces freedom brought about by Baptism. Exo.
14:15-22
iv. Crossing the River Jordan – The chosen nation receives from God the
Promised Land – an image of eternal life.

B. Baptism in the New Testament

i. Christ’s Baptism – All Old Testament prefiguration’s find their fulfilment
in Christ.
-Jesus begins his public life after letting himself be baptized by John the
Baptist. Mt. 3:13, 3:15, Phl. 2:7, Mt. 3:16-17
ii. Christ’s Passover – In his Passover, Christ opened to all people the
fountain of Baptism. Mk. 10:38, Lk. 12:50
-The Blood and Water that flowed from the pierced side of the Crucified
Jesus are types of Baptism and Eucharist – Sacraments of new life. Jn. 3:5,
19:34, 1Jn. 5:6-8
iii. Institution of the Sacrament of Baptism – After his Resurrection, Christ
gives the Apostles this mission. Mt. 28:18 -20
 50

iv. Baptism in the Church – From the day of Pentecost, the Church has
celebrated and administered Baptism. Acts 2:38, 2:41, 8:12-13, 10:48,
16:15, Rom. 6:3-4, col. 2:12, Gal. 3:27, 1Cor. 6:11, 12:13

Is Baptism necessary for Salvation?

-Yes – It restores the relationship with God which was lost through original
sin. Jn. 3:5, Mk. 16:16

Types of Baptism
 The Baptism of water and Spirit – That is, the Baptism of repentance is
the Sacrament of Baptism. Jn. 3:3-7
 Baptism of Blood – Those who suffer death for the sake of faith are
baptized by their death for and with Christ. Mt. 2:16-18
 Baptism of desire – Along with complete remorse, that is Spiritual
Baptism. Jn. 8:56

= > Children who die without Baptism, the Church entrusts them to the loving
mercy of God.

C. Effects (The Grace/Fruits) of Baptism

 Forgiveness of original sin and all other personal sins.
 We are born a new of water and Spirit. Rom. 8:7
 Christians are incorporated into the Church and share in her mission.
1Cor. 12:13, Eph. 4:25
 Shares in Christ’s Priesthood. 1Pt. 2:5-9
 They receive the Holy Spirit and become temples of the Holy Spirit.
 They receive sanctifying grace.
 They are given the three theological virtues: Faith, Hope and Love
 They become heirs of heaven.
 They are sealed with a Permanent Spiritual mark of Christ to become:
Priest, Prophet and King. 1Cor. 6:11, 12:13

D. Signs and Symbols of Baptism

Water – Sanctifies and removes sin to give new life.
Anointing with Chrism Oil – Applied on the forehead. Grants one the gifts of the
Holy Spirit to become Priest, King, and Prophet.
White Garment – Put on Christ and raised with Christ to new life.
Candle lit from the Easter Candle – To be enlightened by Christ and to be light
for others.
 51

Catechumenate Oil – Liberation from sin and the devil.

E. The Stages of the Rite of Baptism

a) The sign of the Cross – Signifies the grace of Salvation.
b) The proclamation of the Word – to en lighten one to live Christ like life.
c) Exorcism – Done through the Catechumenate oil to liberate one from sin.
Rom. 6:7
d) Baptism water – Is consecrated and then the rite of Baptism follows.
 Formula of Baptism – (name) I baptize you in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
e) The anointing with Chrism oil – Imprints a Permanent Spiritual mark of
Christ to make one a true Christian.
f) The white Garment – Symbolizes that one has risen with Christ. Gal. 3:27
g) Lit candle – In Christ one becomes the light of the World. Mt. 5:14, Phil.
2:15
h) F.H.C – The new Christian receives eternal and Spiritual food.
i) Blessings – Concludes the rite of the Baptism.

F. Names
-Names distinguish between things and people.
=> African Culture concerning names – The naming ceremony was an important
ceremony in a community.
- Children were named after famous people in the community or after the
ancestors.
- A child was never named after people who had bad habits, sorcerers, e.t.c
- The name given to a child was to have a positive impact on the life of the child.

=> Old Testament – Particular persons had their names changed to show the
responsibilities given to then by God.
Abram to Abraham – To show responsibility of being the father of a great
nation.
Jacob to Israel – To become a people of God.

=> New Testament – Jesus – means God saves.

- Christ – meaning anointed one of God.
- Emmanuel – means God with us.
- Simon to Peter – Meaning the Rock – To care for the
Church.
- Saul – Paul – To Evangelize to people of the whole World.

=> Christian names – They say who we are.

 52

- Saint’s name helps us to try to imitate them in serving God in our own
ways and gives us someone to pray for us in heaven.

G. God – Parents (Sponsors)

- A sponsor of Baptism is anyone above 18yrs who is receiving Holy Communion and
has been Confirmed.

i. Roles
- To make sure that the child is brought up in the Catholic Faith.
- To help and advice the parents concerning the Wholistic growth of the child.
- To pray for the child.
- To be a good role model to the child.
- To lead the child in the Christian life/way.

ii. What to look for

- Good practicing Christian – firm Catholics.
- Good moral life.
- Receiving Holy Communion.
- If married – then married in the Church.
- One who will take their responsibility seriously.
- One who is courageous to stand up for the Baptized.
- A Missionary.
- A Witness to the Good News.
- A hopeful person.
- A prayerful and listening person.
- Able to maintain a continuous relationship.
- Open to the Holy Spirit.

H. The Ordinary Minister of Baptism

o Bishops
o Priests
o Deacons

 At a point death – Anyone can baptize even an unbaptized person

as long as they have the required intention, and they know the
formula of baptizing in the Catholic Church.
 The required intention is to will to do what the Church does
when she baptizes.
 Who can receive Baptism – Every person not yet baptized and
they desire to be baptized.
 53

I. The one who is to be Baptized should:

i. Denounce the devil (Satan) and all his things and follow Jesus Christ
faithfully in the Church.
ii. Promise to follow the Catholic religion until death.
iii. To know and believe all the great doctrines of the Church.
iv. To want to be baptized.

 The visible sign of the Sacrament of Baptism is being poured water on

the head with the words: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
 Those who die for faith or as Catechumens and those who without
knowing of the Church but sincerely strive to fulfil the will of God are
saved even if they are not baptized.

2. THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

-In our African Societies – one becomes a member of the community through initiation from
childhood into adulthood and being given more responsibilities.
-In the Church – after Baptism and Eucharist, one is confirmed.

-Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace.

-It is the sacrament of Christian maturity.
-It makes us mature Christians by giving us the power of the Holy Spirit to profess and defend
our faith courageously.
-In Baptism, the Christian becomes one in the Catholic faith and in Confirmation he is further
strengthened to live as a Christian.
-The sacrament of confirmation offers us the Holy Spirit and his gifts to make us strong
Christians and strong soldiers of Jesus Christ so that we can testify to our faith in both words
and deeds.

A. Confirmation in the economy of Salvation

i. In the Old Testament – The Prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord
would rest on the Messiah. Isa. 11:2, 61:1, Lk. 4:16-22
ii. The Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus
 Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lk. 1:35
 At Jesus’ Baptism – the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus was the Sign that He
was the one who was to come. Mt. 3:13-17, Jn. 1:33-34
 54

 His whole life and work/mission are carried out in communion with the Holy
Spirit. Jn. 3:34
 The fullness of the Spirit was not to remain uniquely the Messiah’s, but to be
communicated to the whole Messianic people. Joel 3:1-2, Ez. 36:25-27
iii. Institution of the Sacrament
- On several occasions Christ promised his outpouring of the Spirit. Lk. 12:12, Jn. 3:5-
8, 7:37-39, 16:7-15, Acts 1:8
- This promise he fulfilled first on Easter Sunday and then more fully on Pentecost.
Jn.20:22, Acts 2:1-4, 2:38, 8:14-17, 19:5-7

B. The signs of confirmation

i. The significance of anointing
-Anointing in Biblical and other ancient symbolism is rich in meaning.
Oil
-A sign of abundance and joy. Ps. 23:5, 104:15
-It cleanses and refreshes – after bath.
-A sign of healing – it is soothing to wounds and bruises.
-It makes radiant with beauty, health and strength.
-Ordinary fuel for lamps (even in the sanctuary lamp.)
-Used for anointing. Exo. 29:21, 1Sam. 16:12-13, Is. 61:1, Lk. 12:12, Jn. 3:5, 7:37-
39, 16:7-15
ii. The outward signs of Confirmation
Laying on of hands – Receiving the Holy Spirit.
-Missioned to witness and profess the Faith in words and deeds.
Anointing – A sign to consecration.
-Imprints a Permanent Spiritual mark of the Holy Spirit.
-Enables the confirmed to be the “fragrance” of Christ. 2Cor. 2:15

C. The rite of confirmation

-Takes place after the Homily during Eucharistic celebration (Holy Mass.)
 Renewal of Baptismal promises.
 Laying on of hands by the Bishop as he says a special prayer.
 Anointing with Chrism oil while saying “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Amen
 The sign of peace is a slight slap – Concludes the rite of the sacrament.

D. The effects of confirmation

-The full outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
o It roots us more deeply in the Divine love of God. Rom. 8:15
o It unites us more firmly to Christ.
 55

o It increases the gift of the Holy Spirit in us.

o Renders our bond with the Church more perfect.
o It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by
words and deeds as true witnesses of Christ.
o It helps us to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the
cross.
o Imprints us with a permanent Spiritual mark.
o Increases and strengthens the theological virtues. Acts 1:8, 1Cor. 12:1-11
o We become members in the Church.

Just like Baptism, Confirmation is only Conferred/given

once.

E. Who can receive this Sacrament

-Every Baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive this Sacrament

N.B A person to be confirmed, must profess the faith, be in a state of grace, have the
intention to receive the sacrament and be equipped with the teachings about
confirmation. Lk. 24:49, Acts 8:14-17

F. The Minister of this Sacrament

-The Ordinary Minister of Confirmation is the Bishop.

-Incase the Bishop is not available, he can choose and assign a Priest to confer the
sacrament of confirmation.

-If a Baptized Christian is in danger of death, any Priest can confer to him/her the
Sacrament of Confirmation. Acts 8:1, 1Cor. 112:1-11

G. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

-According to the Scriptures and tradition of the Church, the Seven Gifts of the Holy
Spirit are Is. 11:1-4;
1. Wisdom – The ability to recognize God’s presence in the world.
2. Understanding – To get to know the mysteries of our Christian faith.
3. Counsel – The ability to respect God’s plan and to follow His Holy will for us.
4. Fortitude – The strength to defend the cause of justice and truth.
5. Knowledge – Ability to distinguish between good and evil.
6. Piety – To help us carry out the demands of being a Christian today.
 56

7. Fear of the Lord – To inspire us with proper love and respect for God.

-When the Bishop lays his hands on the candidate, He prays for them to receive these
gifts to empower them to be active Christians.
-As active Christians, we need to make the Holy Spirit in us active by stirring the Gifts of
the Holy Spirit in us through; Prayers (Morning and Evening), Reading the Bible,
Participating in Mass, Living a Sacramental life, Participating in S.C.C,
Participating in Faith Association E.g. C.W.A, C.M.A, YOUTH, Y.C.W, P.M.C,
SACRED HEART

H. Fruits of the Holy Spirit

-The best way to test ourselves whether we are growing in the Spirit is to examine our
relationship with God and others.
-A Christian should check the fruits of his/her relationship with God and others.
-The fruits are Gal. 5:22; Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness,
Gentleness, Goodness, Self – Control.
-These are attitudes of those Christians who are open to the action of the Holy Spirit in their
lives.

-The Sacrament of Confirmation challenges us to help our neighbors in their Spiritual and
Corporal needs.

I. Works of mercy
-Faith without good works is dead. Jas. 2:17-18
i. Spiritual works of Mercy
1) Instruct the ignorant.
2) Counsel the doubtful.
3) Admonish sinners.
4) Bear wrongs patiently.
5) Forgive offenses willingly.
6) Comfort the afflicted.
7) Pray for the living and the dead.

ii. Corporal works of Mercy

1) Feed the hungry.
2) Give drink to the thirsty.
3) Shelter the homeless.
4) Clothe the naked.
5) Be charitable.
6) Visit the sick and prisoners (inmates).
7) Bury the dead.
 57

J. God – parents
-Any Christian over 18yrs and has also been confirmed and without any impediments to
being a sponsor of confirmation can be a God – Parent.

Roles
i. To teach the conformant the ways of a Christian.
ii. To pray for them.
iii. To be a role model of a Christian life and counsel the person.

3. THE SACRAMENT OF EUCHARIST

-The Eucharist completes Christian Initiation.
-This Sacrament is Jesus in the form of bread and wine.
-The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life.
-All other Sacraments are bound and oriented towards the Eucharist.
-The presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is obscured but still real after
Transubstantiation.
-The Holy Mass embraces the past, the present and the future.
-The grace of the Eucharist is Christ himself.

A. Different names of this Sacrament

i. Eucharist – An action of thanksgiving to God. Lk. 22:19, 1Cor.
11:24, Mt. 26:26, Mk. 14:22
ii. The Lord’s Supper – A memorial banquet.
-Because of its connection with the Last Supper.
-Anticipates the “wedding feast of the Lamb,” in the Heavenly
Jerusalem. 1Cor. 11:20, Rev. 19:9
iii. The Breaking of Bread – Jesus used this rite. Mk. 8:6, Mt.
14:19
-By this action, his Disciples recognized him after his
Resurrection. Lk. 24:13-35
iv. The Eucharistic assembly – It is celebrated amid the assembly
of the faithful, the visible expression of the Church. 1Cor.
11:17-34
 58

v. The Memorial of the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection – It

makes present Christ’s one Sacrifice.
vi. Most Blessed Sacrament – Because it is the Sacrament of
Sacraments.
-The Eucharistic species reserved in the Tabernacle are called
by this same name.
vii. Holy Mass – The Liturgy concludes with the sending forth
(mission) of the faithful to fulfil God’s will in their daily lives.

The Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of

Jesus Christ, true God, and true Man in the form of bread and
wine.

B. The Eucharist in the Economy of Salvation

i. Prefiguration in the Old Testament
 Bread and wine – Were offered for sacrifice as the first
fruits of the earth, as a sign of thanksgiving to the
Creator.
 Unleavened bread at each Passover meal – The haste of
the departure that liberated them from Egypt.
 Manna – Food on the journey through the desert. Dt.
8:3
 Vineyard – Wine was a sign of plenty and of festive joy.
Isa. 25:6, 55:1, 1Cor. 10:16

ii. In the Ministry of Jesus Christ – New Testament

 Multiplication of loaves – Prefiguring the abundance of
this unique bread of the Eucharist. Mt. 14:13-21, 15:32-
39
 Wedding at Cana – The water changed into wine
announcing the Messianic banquet. Jn. 2:11, Mk. 14:25
 59

-Jesus calls himself the bread of life. Jn.6

-Jesus the good Shepherd who gives up his life for the
sheep. Jn. 10:7-18

iii. The Institution of the Eucharist

-Christ instituted the Sacrament of Eucharist in the context of
the Passover meal. 1Cor. 11:23, Mt. 26:26-28
 A meal – Is a sign of friendship, communion, uniting
members, sharing one’s life and nourishment.
-The Eucharist unites us with Christ and with one
another and is the food of life.
 The Passover meal – Celebrating the liberation from
slavery in Egypt – by the blood of the Lamb.

Bread and Wine

-Are the outward signs of the Eucharist.
 Bread – Daily food for many during the time of Christ.
-Symbolizes the struggles of life.
 Wine – A sign of joy, the effect of wine on us.
 Bread and wine are signs of what makes up our daily life:
joy and struggles.

C. Eucharist – The Pascal Meal of the New Covenant

Last Supper Eucharist – Mass

Offertory – The disciples prepared the Last We offer the gifts of Bread and
Preparing the gifts of Supper: Bread and Wine. Wine.
bread and wine

Consecration – Jesus changes the bread and wine Jesus changes the gifts of bread
into his Body and Blood. and wine into his Body and Blood.
 60

Communion – Jesus gives his disciples his Body and Jesus gives us his Body and Blood.
Blood – He is their food. He is our Spiritual food.

D. The Sacrifice of the Eucharist

-"Do this in memory of me." 1Cor. 11:24-25
-we carry out this command of Christ by celebrating the memorial of
his sacrifice.

 we must therefore consider the eucharist as:

i. Thanksgiving
-And praise to the father.
-For the work of creation, loved by God.
-For all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption and
sanctification.
-As worship.

ii. The Sacrificial Memorial

-The Eucharist is not just a commemoration, but it is making present
of the sacrifice of the cross, a re-living.

iii. Sacrificial Character

-"My body given for you, My blood poured out for you.”
-In the Eucharist we receive the very Body which he gave up for us on
the cross, the Blood he poured for us.

Sacrifice – Because it re-presents, makes present, the sacrifice of

the cross.

Sacrifice of the Cross Sacrifice of the Holy Mass

Victim Jesus Christ Jesus Christ

 61

Place Calvary Altar

Priest Jesus Christ Jesus Christ

The kind of Shedding all his Blood Without shedding his Blood
Sacrifice

How often Only once Again, and again

Aim of the Glorification of the Father and our sanctification (Adoration,

Sacrifice Thanksgiving, Atonement)

E. The Effects of the Sacrament of Eucharist

-The grace is Christ himself.
-unites us intimately with Christ.
-Strengthens us to avoid sin.
-Forgives Venial sins.
-Preserve us from mortal sins.
-Increases charity in us committing us to the poor.
-Assures us of the glory to come.
-Preserves, grows and renews the baptismal grace.
-We are helped to grow in faith, hope and charity.

-Jesus gave the apostles and their successors the power to

consecrate (Transubstantiation) the bread to his body and wine into
his blood. Lk. 22:19, 1Cor. 11:23-25
-The priests use this power every time they celebrate the Holy Mass.

F. The Liturgical celebration of the Eucharist – Holy Mass

-Holy Mass – Is the true sacrifice of the New Covenant in which Jesus
Christ through the hands of the priest, offers to God the Father his
Body and Blood in the form of bread and wine, just as He offered
Himself on the cross. 1Cor. 11:23-25
 62

-Offertory – Is a gift we give to God because we acknowledge that we

are nothing without him.
-The holy mass has two main parts-
a) Liturgy of the word
b) liturgy of the Eucharist
N.B – The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist form
one single act of worship.

The Order of The Holy Mass

i. Entrance.
ii. Penitential Rite.
Liturgy of
iii. Gloria.
iv. The Readings and Homily. The Word
v. The Profession of Faith.
vi. General Intercessions – Prayers of the Faithful.

vii. Preparation of the Gifts – Offertory.

viii. Preface – Eucharistic prayer.
Liturgy of
ix. Consecration.
x. The Lord’s Prayer. The
xi. The communion rite.
Eucharist
xii. Final blessing – Dismissal.

The Purpose of Jesus Instituting The Holy Mass

i. To always offer God the Father the best sacrifice.
ii. To grant us his merits on the Cross.
iii. To feed our souls with the grace of that sacrifice. Heb. 5:1-
10,7:27

-The sacrifice of the Holy Mass is offered to God the father Almighty.
Heb 5:1-10, Lev. 9:7
-The sacrifice of the Holy mass is offered with the intention of
worshipping God thanking Him, reconciling ourselves to him and
 63

praying to him. Heb 9:14

-The Holy Mass is offered for the whole Church, that is for all the
living and the dead. Heb. 9:14, Rom. 1:9
-At the Mass, believers offer God the Father the Body and blood of
Jesus Christ.

The State to be in before Receiving The Eucharist

i. To have sanctifying grace, that is not to have mortal sin.
ii. To have faith, piety, and longing for Christ.
iii. One hour fast before receiving the Holy Eucharist.
iv. Keep your body clean.

After receiving the Holy Eucharist, we should;

i. We worship him because he is our God.
ii. Thank him for being our Redeemer.
iii. We pray to him for he is Almighty.

G. The Eucharist is worshipped outside Mass in several ways

i. The presence of Jesus in the Tabernacle:
-Christians genuflect(kneel) for respect.
-They pray in faith in Jesus who is present even while alone or in
groups.

ii. Eucharistic Adoration

-Take a more solemn form when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in
the Monstrance or Ciborium for a period of communitarian prayer.

E.g. Adoration chapel – Where there is perpetual adoration for day

and night.
Eucharistic procession – On the solemnity (feast) of the Body
and blood of Jesus

-To visit the Blessed Sacrament in the church is an expression of

gratitude and love towards Christ our lord who has given his life for
 64

us.

4. THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION

-The new life received in baptism does not overcome the weakness of human nature or
the inclination towards sin, Thats why human beings fall into sin many times.
-For this reason, Jesus instituted the sacrament of Penance to reconcile us with God and
neighbor.
-We carry the gift of life in earthen vessels. 2Cor. 4:7
-We all subject to: Sin – Suffering – Illness – Death.
-Penance or reconciliation is the sacrament of atoning for our sins we have committed
after Baptism. Mt. 16:18-19, 18:18

Names of the Sacrament of Penance

I. Conversion – One goes through a process of transformation and change. Lk.
15:18, Mk 1:15
II. Penance – Consecrates the sinners personal and ecclesial steps to conversion
and satisfaction.
III. Confession – Involves Ones speaking out of his/her sins to her Priest.
IV. Forgiveness – One receives forgiveness of sins through it.
V. Reconciliation – It reconciles a person with God and other people. 2Cor. 5:20

Interior Conversion
-To go on an inner journey to find out what wrong(s) you’re doing against God.
-To have the desire and determination to transform your life in the hope of Gods mercy.
-It is the conversion of the heart.
=> Without inward conversion of heart, all acts of penance are meaningless.
=> Jl. 2:12-13 – Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart

-Inner/Interior conversion is to direct the whole life to change, to turn to God, to put
away sin, to hate the evil deeds we do, to forsake sin/evil. Mk 1:15

The Institution of This Sacrament

-This sacrament was instituted on easter Sunday by Jesus after his resurrection. Jn
20:21-23
-Jesus gave the power to forgive sins to the Apostles and their successors.
 65

 It restores our relationship with God.

 Through it we receive: joy and peace

Only God Forgives Sins Mk 2:7

-During his public life Jesus forgave sins. Mk. 2:5-10, Lk. 7:48
-By the virtue of his divine authority, he gives this power to men to exercise it in his
name.
-Christ wanted his whole church to be the sign and instrument of the forgiveness and
reconciliation that he acquired for us at the price of his blood.

Reconciliation With the Church

-One receives God’s forgiveness and is reintegrated into the community from which sin
had alienated or even excluded them. Lk. 15:1 ff ,19:9

The Sacrament of Forgiveness

-Christ instituted this sacrament for all sinful members of his church.
-The sacrament comprises of two equally essential elements.
i) The act of the penitent (through the Holy Spirit)
-Contrition, confession and satisfaction.
ii) God’s action – Through the church, the act of absolution.

The Acts of The Penitent

-Contrition is sorrow of the soul and detesting the sin committed, together with the
resolution not to sin again.
i. Perfect contrition – Looks at the love and goodness of God to which I have been
ungrateful to by saying No to God.
ii. Imperfect contrition – (Attrition) I am sorry for my sins because I fear God’s
punishment, especially the punishment of hell.

Steps of the Confession of Sins

Prayer to the Holy Spirit:
Come Holy spirit and inspire me to recognize my sins and to repent them whole
heartedly, to confess them openly, that I may truly forsake them. Amen.

1. Examination of conscience – To ask ourselves and being mindful of the sins we

have committed since we last confessed. LK 15:17-19
2. Contrition – To be bitter and have resentment in our hearts over the sins we
have committed and thus to ask God for forgiveness. Lk. 15:11
 66

3. Confession of Sins – To mention the sins openly in the presence of the confessor
priest so that they may be forgiven.
4. Firm resolution not to sin again – To be determined to stop sinning and avoid
the near occasions of sin. Mt. 5:29-30
5. Satisfaction or Penance – Faithfully carrying out the prayers or deeds
commanded to us by the confessor priest to pay the temporary penalties.
6. Absolution – Receiving forgiveness of sins from the father through the church.
7. Thanksgiving – Being thankful to God for His loving mercy upon our lives.

-All mortal sins Must be confessed because they cut offer our relationship with God.
-It is strongly recommended by the church to confess venial sins, because they weaken
the life of God within us.

Regular Confessions of Our Venial Sins Help Us:

i. Form our conscience.
ii. Fight against sinful tendencies.
iii. Let ourselves be healed by Christ.
iv. Progress in the life of the spirit.
v. Makes us sensitive of sin.

-By receiving the gift of the Father’s mercy frequently through this sacrament, we are
encouraged to be merciful as the father is merciful. Lk. 6:36
The Minister of this Sacrament
Bishops and priests

Through this sacrament, the priest performs:

o The service of a good shepherd.
o The service of a good Samaritan.
o The service of a compassionate father.
o The service of a competent judge.

 The priest is the sign and the instrument of God’s merciful love for
the sinner.

Our Attitude
Fear – NO!
Shame – Yes! But not shame that keeps us away from God.

God says: "It is not the big sins that pain me most, but the lack of belief in my merciful
 67

love."

Effects of The Sacrament of Penance

a) Forgiveness of sins, re-uniting us as sons and daughters of God. Lk. 15: 32
b) Reconciliation with God and neighbor.
c) Reconciling us with the church. 1Cor. 12:26
d) Remission of eternal punishment incurred by mortal sin.
e) Remission at least in part of temporal punishment.
f) Peace and serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation.
g) increase of grace.

 The sacrament seal or "Secret of confession" – What the penitent has

made known to the priest remains "sealed" by the sacrament.

5. THE SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK

-It is a sacrament for those who are sick those in danger of death or old age.
-It is a sacrament given to those burdened with sickness and old age so that they may
receive special grace and comfort in their soul and body, and even healed if it is the
good for their salvation. Jas. 5:14-15, Mk. 6:13
-Through this Sacrament, the sick person voluntarily connects their suffering with the
passion and death of Christ for the benefits of the nation of God. Rom 8:17, col
1:24,2Tim 2:11-12

A. Its Foundation in The Economy of Salvation

i. Illness In Human Life:
-We experience powerlessness, limitations, and finitude-
-Every illness can make us glimpse death.
-Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him – We unite our
suffering with the suffering of Christ.

ii. The Sick Person Before God:

-Illness becomes a way to conversion.
-God’s forgiveness initiates the healing. Ps32:5, 38:5, 39:9, Mk 2:5:12

iii. Christ The Physician:

-Christ compassion towards the sick and his many healing of every kind of infirmity are
 68

resplendent sign that "God has visited his people." LK7:16, Mt 4:24, Mk 2:5-12

iv. Healing The Sick:

-Christ invites his disciples to follow him by taking up their cross in their turn. Mt 10:38,
Jas 5:14-15, Mk 6:13

B. Who Can Receive This Sacrament

i. In case of grave illness.
ii. A sick person who suffers another grave illness after receiving this sacrament.
iii. If during the same illness the person condition becomes more serious.
iv. just before a serious operation.
v. Elderly people whose physical weakness becomes more pronounced.

Administers of this Sacrament

Bishops and priests

C. How Is This Sacrament Administered

i. Laying hands on the sick and praying over them in the faith of the church. Jas
5:15
ii. Anointing with the oil blessed by the Bishop – If possible, anoint on the forehead
and hands.

D. The Effects of this Sacrament

i. A particular gift of the Holy spirit - renewing trust and faith in God.
ii. Uniting the sick person to the passion of Christ.
iii. Gives strength to endure suffering of old age or illness.
iv. Forgives sins if not able to confess anymore. Jas 5:15
v. Restoration of health if its Gods will.
vi. Prepare him/her for the last Journey passing over to eternal life.

E. VIATICUM: The Last Sacrament of The Christian

-Viaticum is the name of the Holy communion when it is given in public or private to
someone sick or in danger of death or to soldiers before going into the battle.
-The Eucharist here is the sacrament of passing over from death to life from this world
to the father. Jn 13:1, Jn 6:54

 Sacraments of Penance, Anointing of the sick and Eucharist as

Viaticum form the sacraments that complete the earthly pilgrimage.
 69

6. THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS

-The word “order” means an established civil body, especially a governing
body.
-Ordination – means incorporation into such an established body.
-Today the word “ordination” refers to the Sacramental act which
integrates a man into the order of Bishops, Priests, or Deacons.
-Ordination is also called Consecration for it is setting apart by Christ
himself for his Church.
-The laying on of hands by the Bishop, with a consecration prayer,
constitutes the visible sign of the Sacraments.

The Sacraments of Holy Orders in the Economy of Salvation

a) Priesthood in the Old Testament
-The tribe of Levi was chosen by God and set apart for liturgical services.
Num. 1:48-53, Jos. 13:33, Heb. 5:1, Exo. 29:1-30, Lev. 8:1ff
-The liturgy of the Church sees in the priesthood of Aaron and the service of
the Levites as a prefiguration of the ordained ministry in the New Covenant.
Num. 11: 24-25
Priests: Worship, offering oneself totally.
Prophets: Witness and proclaim the truth.
King: Rule forever in God’s kingdom.

b) Priesthood in the New Testament (The Priesthood of

Christ)
-The Pre-figuration of priesthood in the Old Testament, finds its fulfillment
in Jesus Christ, the “one mediator between God and men.” 1Tim. 2:5, Heb.
7: 13-17
-Jesus is the holy, blameless, and unstained priest. Heb. 5:10, 6:20, Gen.
14:18, Heb. 7:26
-By a single offering (sacrifice of the cross) he has perfected for all time
those who are sanctified. Heb. 10:14
 70

-Jesus called the twelve Apostles to be with him and to continue his
mission.
-he taught them to live as he did. Jn 20:21, Mt. 28:18-20
-Christ instituted the ministerial priesthood at the last Supper by the words
– “Do this in memory of me.”
-In the Gospel of St. John, Christ by washing of feet, expresses the Eucharist
as service. Jn. 13:4-16

The Three Degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders

i. That of Bishops/Episcopate
-The Bishop receives the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, which
integrates him into the Episcopal College.
-As direct successor of the Apostles and members of the college, the
Bishops share in the apostolic responsibility and mission of the whole
Church under the authority of the Pope, the direct successor of St. Peter.

ii. That of Presbytes/Priests

-Priests are united with Bishops in Sacerdotal (Supernatural Powers) and
dignity and depend on them to exercise their pastoral functions.
-They are called to be the Bishops’ co-workers.
-They receive from the Bishop the charge of a parish community.

iii. That of Deacons (The diaconate)

-Ordained for certain services in the Church.

The functions are:

In the ministry of the Word of God.
Divine Worship.
Pastoral Governance.
Service of Charity.
Distribution of communion – Eucharist.
 71

Blessings for marriage.

Permanent Deacons
-They do not receive the ministerial priesthood.
-It’s for married men.
-They perform the same functions as an ordinary Deacon.

The Celebration of the Sacrament

-Laying of hands by the Bishop on the one to be ordained.
-A consecratory prayer is said by the Bishop.
-Ordination imprints an indelible/permanent sacramental character/mark.

The Initial Rites

i. Presentation and election of the candidate.
ii. Instruction by the Bishop.
iii. Examination of the candidate.
iv. Litany of the Saints.

Other several Rites symbolically expressing the Sacrament

o Bishops and Priests – Anointing with Holy Oil/Chrism.
-Asign of anointing of the Holy Spirit.
o Bishops – Giving the Book of the Gospels, the Mitre (to show bride)
and the Crosier as a sign of his apostolic mission.
-To proclaim the word of God, of his fidelity to the Church and
his office as a shepherd of the lord’s flock.

o Priests – Presentation of the Paten and Chalice.

-The “offering of the holy people” which he is called to present
to God.
 72

o Deacons – Given the Book of Gospels to proclaim the Gospel to God.

Who can confer this Sacrament?

Bishops. Eph. 4:11

Who can receive this Sacrament?

Only Baptized willing men, who are ready to embrace celibacy. 1Tim. 3:1-3,
Heb. 5:4-6, Mt. 19:12, 1Cor. 7:32

Duties of the Laity to the Ordained

i. Respecting and honoring the Priests.
ii. To obey them in religious counsel.
iii. Pray for them and fulfill their responsibilities to take care of them.

Duties of the Ordained to the Laity

i. To serve the believers and guide them with love.
ii. Respect and care for them.
iii. Involve the laity in apostolic work and various pastoral activities.
iv. Show them the best examples of the Christian life by word and deed.

Effects of the Sacrament of Holy Orders

i. An indelible /permanent spiritual mark.
ii. The grace of the holy Spirit to properly fulfill their duties.
iii. Priestly capacity.

7. THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY

 73

-Matrimony is a covenant by which a man and a woman (matured adults)

establish between themselves; a partnership of the whole life.
-By its nature it is for the good of the spouses, procreation, and education
of children.
-Matrimony is the union/covenant of one husband and one wife. Gen. 2:24,
Mt. 19:3-6
-Christian marriage is the sacrament of union of two Christians, one
husband and one wife according to the law of the Catholic Church. Eph.
5:21-33
-Marriage was instituted by God Himself and Jesus elevated it and made it a
Sacrament. Gen. 2:18, Mt. 19:1-12

I. Marriage in God’s plan of Salvation

-It begins with the creation of the man and woman in the image and
likeness of God and concludes with a vision of “wedding feast of the Lamb.”
Gen. 1:26-27, Rev. 19;7-9
-God who created man out of love, also calls him to love: fundamental and
innate vocation of every human being.
-A man and a woman were created for one another. Gen. 2:18
The Woman; ‘flesh of his flesh’ means:
His equal.
Nearest in all things.
Given to him as a helpmate.
She represents God from whom our help comes from. Gen. 2;18-25
-They are no longer two but one flesh. Gen. 2:24, mt. 19:6
=> Every man experiences evil round him and within himself.
-This experience makes itself felt in the relationship between a man
and a woman.
-Their union has always been threatened by discord, a spirit of
domination, infidelity, jealousy, and all kinds of conflicts.
=> To heal the wounds of sin, man and woman need the help of the grace
that God in his infinite mercy never refuses them. Gen. 3:21
 74

II. Salvation History reveals the beauty of Marriage

-The books of Ruth and Tobit bear witness to an elevated sense of marriage
and the fidelity and tenderness of spouse.
-God’s covenant with Israel is seen as the image exclusive and faithful
married love: God being the faithful husband and Israel being the unfaithful
wife.
-Christ at the weeding feast at Cana Jn. 2-11 is a confirmation of the
goodness of marriage and the proclamation that marriage is a sign of
Christ’s presence: A sacrament.
-Jesus taught that the union of Marriage is indissoluble. Mt. 19:4-6
-By following Christ, renouncing themselves and taking up their crosses,
spouses will receive the original meaning of marriage and live it with the
help of Christ. Mt. 19:11
=> This grace of Christian marriage is a fruit of Christ’s cross, the source of
Christian life.
-St. Paul refers to the matrimonial union as to that of Christ and the Church.
Eph. 5:25-26, 31-32, Gen. 2:25
-Christian marriage becomes an efficacious/invisible sign, the sacrament of
the covenant of Christ and the Church. Since it signifies and communicates
grace.

III. The main aspects of the sacrament of matrimony

o Oneness – one husband and one wife
o Firm/Solid – till death (indissoluble)
o Legitimate – bound before the Priest and according to the laws of
the Church concerning Matrimony.

IV. Requirements for this Sacrament

Individual freedom – willingness.
Marriage Banns – announced thrice.
Engaged couples should genuinely be interested in getting married.
Pre – marriage teachings and seminars.
 75

No impediments.
To receive the Sacrament of Penance.

Responsibilities of married people

-To live together faithfully until death.
-To love and help one another.
-To desire to have children and raise them well physically and spiritually.

The celebration of Marriage

-Normally the celebration takes place during the Holy Mass.
=> Because of the connection of all the Sacraments with the Paschal
Mystery of Christ.
 By uniting it to the offering of Christ for the Church made
present in the Eucharistic sacrifice.
 By receiving the Eucharist, so that they may in the Body and
Blood of Christ form but ‘one body’ in Christ. 1Cor. 10:17
-The spouses as the ministers of Christ’s grace, mutually confer upon each
other the Sacrament of Matrimony by expressing their consent before the
Church.
=> The Priest or Deacon receives the consent of the spouses in the name of
the Church and gives them the blessings of the Church.

Matrimonial Consent
-A man and a woman, free to contract marriage, who freely express their
consent,
-The Church holds the exchange of consent between the spouses. If the
consent is lacking, there is no marriage.
-Consists in a human act by which the partners mutually give themselves to
each other. “I take you…”. This binds the spouses to each other as one
flesh. Gen. 2:24, Mk. 10:8, Eph. 5:31
 76

-Must be free human act of each of the two spouses, free of coercion
(threat or force) or grave external fear. If this freedom lacks, the marriage
is invalid.

Effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony

I. The Marriage Bond:
-The consent mutually given and received is sealed by God himself Mk. 10:9
in a way that a marriage concluded and consummated between baptized
persons can never be dissolved. It is irrevocable.
II. The grace of the Sacrament:
-To perfect the couples’ love and strengthen their indissoluble unity.
By this grace they help one another to attain holiness in their married life
and in welcoming and educating their children.
III. Increases the sanctifying grace.
IV. Offers the grace to better manage marriage and family life.
V. Offers the lasting grace in marriage until death.

 Christ himself is the source of this grace: He encounters Christian

Spouses through the Sacrament of Matrimony.
 Christ dwells with them.
 He gives them the strength:
-To take up their crosses and follow him.
-To rise again after they have fallen.
-To forgive one another.
-To bear one another’s burdens. Gal. 6:2
-To “be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ” Eph. 5:21
and to love one another with supernatural, tender, and fruitful love.

Mixed Marriage and Disparity of Cult

-The Church does not forbid mixed marriages but discourages it because of
an essential element missing.
 77

o This can have consequences in bringing up their children. The

children should be brought up in the Catholic Faith.
-A dispensation is required in case of the disparity of cult.

The Goods and Requirements of Conjugal love

 Unity
 Fidelity
 Dissolubility
 Openness is essential to Marriage.

 Polygamy is incompatible with the unity of Marriage.

 Divorce separates what God has joined together.
 The refusal of fertility turns marriage life away from its
‘supreme gift’, the children.

The Domestic Church

-The Christian home is the place where children first receive the
proclamation of faith.
-The family home is rightly called ‘the domestic church’, a community of
grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian Charity.

D. SACRAMENTALS
-They are instituted by the Holy Mother Church.
-They are sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the Sacraments.
-They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, obtained by the intercession of
the Church.
-By them men are disposed to receive the chief effect of the Sacraments.
-Are the blessings of the Church on people and things. Lk. 24:50, Jn. 17:1-26

The characteristics of Sacramentals

 78

i. They are instituted for the sanctification of certain ministries of the Church.
ii. They always include prayer, often accompanied by a specific sign.
iii. They derive from baptismal priesthood hence every baptized person is called to
be a “blessing.”
iv. They prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it.
v. The source of their power is the Pascal mystery of the Passion, Death, and
Resurrection of Christ.

 We use sacramentals because they help us spiritually and physically when used
in faith and piety.

Various forms of Sacramentals

i. Blessings of the individual, meals, objects, and places.
ii. Exorcism
iii. Consecration/dedications – Catechists, Lectors, holy oils.

Popular Devotions (Piety)

-Besides sacramental liturgy and sacramentals.
i. Veneration of relics.
ii. Visits to Sanctuaries.
iii. Pilgrimages.
iv. Processions.
v. Stations of the Cross.
vi. Religious dances.
vii. The Holy Rosary.
viii. Medals.

-These expressions of piety extend the Liturgical life of the Church, but do not replace it.
-They are derived from the sacred liturgy and lead people to it, since the liturgy by its
very nature is far superior to any of them.

Differences between Sacraments and Sacramentals

i. The Sacraments are instituted by Christ, Sacramentals are instituted by the
Church.
ii. Sacraments bring/offer sanctifying grace and multiply it, Sacramentals only offer
the grace of help.
iii. Sacraments offer grace by power bestowed in them by Jesus Christ,
Sacramentals are by intercession and blessings of the Church.
iv. There are only Seven Sacraments, the Sacramentals are very many.
 79

E. PRAYER
-Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things
from God. Mt 18:19, Lk. 22:31-49, Gen. 18:16-33, 1Tim. 2:5, Jas. 5:16
-Prayer is a reciprocal call between God and man.

The Forms of Prayer

i. Blessing and Adoration
-Blessing – God blesses the human heart, it can in return bless him who is the
source of every blessing. Eph. 1:3
-Adoration – Exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty
power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Ps. 95:1-6
ii. Prayer of Petition
-Its first movement is asking for forgiveness. Lk. 18:13-14
-it’s centered on the desire and search for the kingdom to come, in keeping with
teachings of Christ.
-First, we pray for the kingdom, then for what is necessary to welcome it and
cooperate with its coming. Mt. 6:10-33, Lk. 11:2-13
iii. Prayer of Intercession
-Consists in asking on behalf of another and knows no boundaries and extends to
one’s enemies. Rom. 8:34, Eph. 6: 18-20, Col. 4:3-4
iv. Prayer of thanksgiving
-Give thanks in all circumstances. 1Thes. 5:18
-Every event and need can become an offering of thanksgiving. Col. 4:2
v. Prayer of Praise
-Recognizes immediately that God is all powerful.
-It lauds God for his own sake and gives him glory, quite beyond what he has
done. Rom. 8:16, 1Cor. 8:6, Acts 2:47, 3:9, 4:21

Reasons to Pray
a. Christ himself commands us to pray. Exo. 20:18, Mk. 9:29
b. Christ gave us examples when he prayed himself. Lk. 6:12, 11:1
c. Christ taught us how to pray. Mt. 6:9-13, Lk. 11:2-4
d. It is the perfect way to receive grace and help from God.

How are we to Pray

 With Piety.
 Full of humility.
 Full of hope.
 80

 With patience.

When (Occasions) are we to Pray

i. Every day in the Morning and in the Evening and during meals.
ii. Every Sunday and days of obligation.
iii. During temptations. Lk. 18:1, 11:5, Mk. 14:38
iv. In times of trouble and in danger of death.

Expressions of Prayer
I. Vocal Prayer
-By words our prayer takes flesh.
-This is the initial form of contemplative prayer.
-It’s the form of prayer most readily accessible to groups.
-Whether or not our prayer is heard depends not on the number of words, but
on the fervor/zeal of our souls. Mt. 6:7

II. Meditation
-It’s above all a quest.
-Engages the thought, imagination, emotion, and desire.
-To meditate on what we read helps us to make it our own by confronting it with
ourselves.

III. Contemplative
-It is a gaze of faith fixed on Jesus, an attentiveness to the word of God, a silent
love.
-It is a gift, a grace, and can only be accepted in humility and poverty.
-A close sharing between friends.
-Makes us participate in the mystery of Christ.

Benefits of Prayer
a. Offers us many graces.
b. Strengthens us to overcome temptations and sin.
c. Connects us to God.
d. Keeps us in doing good deeds.

 In the Church, the most important prayer is the Prayer of

Our Father, the Lord’s Prayer.
 81

Reasons for its importance

i. Was taught by Our Lord Jesus Christ.
ii. In includes all kinds of Christian prayer and petitions.
iii. It’s a summary of the Gospel.
iv. It is an integral part of the Church’s prayer and the celebration of the
Sacraments.

Meaning of the first part of the Lord’s Prayer.

Our father Who Art in Heaven

A. “Father”
-Shows our joy and faith in being called children of God, and God being our
Father.
-We can invoke God as “Father” because the Son of God has revealed him
to us. Mt. 11:27
-In this Son, through Baptism, we are incorporated and adopted as children
of God.

B. “Our” Father
-The adjective does not express possession, but an entirely new
relationship with God.
-Shows our hope in God’s ultimate promise – that he will be our God and
we his children, through Jesus Christ.
-If we pray the Lord’s prayer sincerely, we leave individualism behind,
because the love that we receive frees us from it.

C. “Who Art in Heaven”

-This expression does not mean a place.
-It expresses God’s majesty – that he is close to the humble and contrite of
heart.
-It means that God is in the hearts of the Just, as in a holy place.
-It means those who pray ought to desire the one they invoke to dwell in
them.
 82

-Heaven, the Father’s house, is the true homeland towards which we are
heading and to which, already, we belong.

The seven petitions

1. Hallowed Be Thy Name
-We recognize that God is Holy and desire for every human to glorify him.
-This Holiness was first revealed to Moses and then in Jesus. Exo. 3:4-6, Mt.
610

2. Thy Kingdom Come

-The Church first looks to Christ’s return and the final coming of the reign of
God.
-We pray for the growth of the Kingdom of God in the ‘Today’ of our own
lives and spread to all people.

3. Thy Will Be Done on Earth as It Is in Heaven

-We ask our father to unite our will to that of his Son, so as to fulfil his plan
of Salvation in the life of the world.
-Shows our desire to do God’s will as Jesus Christ did.

4. Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread

-‘Give Us’ – we express our filial trust in our Heavenly father.
-‘Our Daily Bread’ – refers to the earthly nourishment necessary to
everyone for subsistence and also to the Bread of life – The Word of God
and the Body of Christ.
-We trust in God our Father who is always our provider spiritually and
physically.

5. And Forgive Us Our trespasses, as We Forgive Those Who Trespass

against Us
-We ask for God’s mercy and forgiveness, and we also want forgive others.
 83

-This mercy we beg, can only penetrate our hearts if we have learned to
forgive our enemies, with the example and help of Christ.

6. And lead Us Not into Temptations

-We ask for grace to avoid sin and stay in the state of grace.
-We ask God not to allow us to take the path that leads us to sin.
-We implore for the Spirit of discernment and strength.
-It requests the grace of vigilance and final perseverance.

7. But Deliver us from the Evil

-Shows forth the victory already won by Christ, over the “ruler of this
world,” Satan, the angel personally opposed to God and his plan of
Salvation.
-We ask to overcome all evil in Christ.

Amen
-We express our ‘fiat’ concerning the seven petitions – “so be it.”
-We confess our faith to God to grant us what we have asked/prayed for.

Topic 4: COMMANDMENTS
-If you would enter into life, keep the commandments. Mt. 19: 16 – 17
-To transgress one commandment is to infringe the whole law. Jas 2: 10 – 11
-What God commands He makes possible by His grace. 2Cor. 9:8-9

A. THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

-You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind. Mt. 22: 27, Lk 10: 27, Mk. 12: 29- 30
*This is how Jesus summed up man’s duties towards God.
 84

*This echoes the solemn call, “Hear o Israel, the Lord our God is One Lord” Dt.
6:4
-God has loved us first. 1Jn. 4:19
-The love of the one God is recalled in the first of the “ten words.”
Our response to Gods love is made clear in the first three commandments.

-The second greatest commandment is: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Mk. 12:13
-He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Rom. 13:8 – 10
-We love our neighbor by wishing them well and doing good deeds to them. Mt.
25: 40

Why love everyone

i. We are all created by God.
ii. We are saved and redeemed by Jesus Christ.
iii. We are all called to enter heaven. Mal. 2: 10, Eph. 4: 4-6

 NB: the first three commandments talk of God and the other seven are
about our relationship with our neighbors.

B. EXPLANATION OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

FIRST: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD. YOU SHALL NOT HAVE
STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME
Dt. 5: 6-9, Ex. 20: 2-5, Mt. 4:10, 22-37, Lk. 10:27
-In the first commandment, God compels us to believe, hope, love and worship
Him only. Mt. 4:10
 85

-We worship God by directing all our prayers to Him, offering of the Holy Mass
and by following His commandments.
1. You shall worship the Lord your God.
- God’s first call and just demand is that we accept him and worship him. Dt. 6: 13
– 14
- The first commandment embraces faith, hope and charity.
- When we say ‘God’, we confess a constant, unchangeable being, always the
same, faithful and just without any evil.
- We are summoned to believe in God, to hope in Him and to love Him above all
else.

a) Faith
-Our moral life has its source in faith in God who reveals His love to us.
- Obedience of faith is our first obligation. Rom. 1:5, 16:26
We are required to nourish our faith with providence and vigilance.

Sins Against Faith

i. Voluntary doubt – refusing to hold true what God has revealed.
ii. Involuntary doubt – difficulty in overcoming objections connected with the
faith.
iii. Heresy – denial of some truth after baptism.
iv. Apostasy – totally disowning the Christian faith.
v. Schism – the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff (the Pope).
vi. Incredulity – willful refusal to accept revealed truth.

b) Hope
-The confident expectation of divine blessing to help us respond to Gods love
which we cannot do with our own powers.
 86

-We must hope that God will give us the capacity to love Him in return.

Sins against Hope

i. Despair – ceasing to hope for personal salvation from God or the
forgiveness of one’s sins.
ii. Presumption – First – hoping to save yourself without help from God.
Second – Hoping to obtain God’s forgiveness without conversion,
and glory without merit.

c) Charity (love)
-We have to respond to divine charity.
-We ought to love God above everything. Dt. 6: 4-5
Sins against Gods love
i. Indifference – refusing to reflect on divine charity.
ii. Ingratitude – failing to acknowledge divine charity.
iii. Lukewarmness – hesitation in responding to divine love.
iv. Acedia or spiritual sloth – refusing the joy that comes from God.
v. Hatred of God – this comes from pride.
- It is contrary to love of God whom it presumes to curse as the one who
forbids sin and inflicts punishment.

2. Him only shall you Serve.

-The duty of offering God genuine worship concerns man both individually and
socially.
-Charity leads us to render to God what we as creatures owe him in all justice.
-The virtue of religion disposes us to have this attitude.
a) Adoration – to adore God is to acknowledge Him as God, as the
creator and savior, the lord and master of everything. Lk. 4:8, Dt.
6:13
 87

- This is to praise Him and exalt him and to humble oneself. Lk. 1: 46-49
b) Prayer – the acts of faith, hope and charity are accomplished in
prayer.
- Prayer is an indispensable condition of being able to obey Gods
commandment. Lk. 18:1
c) Sacrifice – it is right to offer sacrifices to God as a sign of adoration
and gratitude, supplication and communion.
St Augustine – true sacrifice is every action done so as to cling to God in
communion of holiness and thus achieving blessedness.
- The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken Spirit. Ps. 51:17, Am. 5:21,
Is.1:10-20
- God desires mercy and not sacrifice. Mt. 9: 13, 12:7, Hos. 6:6
d) Promises and vows – fulfilling our promises and vows to God is a sign
of the respect owed to the Divine Majesty and of love for a faithful
God.

3. You shall have no other gods Before Me.

- We are forbidden to honor gods other than the one God who has revealed
himself to us.
a) Superstition – departure from the worship that we give to the true God.
Mt. 23: 16 – 22
b) Idolatry – believing or venerating other divinities.
- refers to false pagan worship and constant temptation to faith. Ps. 115:4 -5, Is.
44:9-20, Jer 10: 1- 6, Bar. 6, Wis. 13: 1-15
- Idolatry rejects the unique lordship of God. Gal. 5:20, Eph 5:5
- Jesus warns us – You cannot serve God and mammon Mt. 6: 24, Rv. 13-14
- God is living, He can hear and see. Jos. 3:10, Ps. 42: 3
c) Divination and magic – recourse to Satan and demons, conjuring up the
dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future. Dt. 18: 10,
Jer. 29:8
-magic or sorcery is gravely contrary to the virtue of religion.
The church, on her part, warns against it.
 88

 Irreligion – is the vice contrary by defect to the virtue of religion.

The main sins are:
a) Tempting God – Putting Gods goodness and power to test by word or deed.
Lk. 4:9, Dt. 6:16, 1Cor. 10:9, Ex. 17:2 – 7, Ps. 95:9
b) Sacrilege – treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions,
persons, things, or places consecrated to God.
- sacrilege is a grave sin when committed against the Eucharist.
c) Simony – buying or selling spiritual things. Acts. 8: 9 – 24, Mt. 10:8, Is.
55:11, Mt. 10:10, Lk 10: 7, 1st Tim. 5: 17-18
 Atheism – Denying or rejecting the existence of God. Rom. 1 :18
- Atheism is often based on a false conception of human autonomy,
exaggerated to the point of refusing any dependence on God.
 Agnosticism – considers the existence of a Supreme Being but cannot
reveal itself. Thus, man cannot know anything about him.

4. You Shall not make for yourself a graven image.

- Beware lest you act corruptly by making a graven image for yourselves in the
form of any figure. Dt. 4:15-16
- God is greater than all his works. Sir. 43: 27 – 28
- God is the author of beauty. Wis. 13:3
- The Christian veneration of images is not contrary to the first commandment.
- By venerating an image, we venerate the person portrayed in it.
- The honor paid to sacred images is a respectful veneration not the adoration
due to God alone.
-Venerating images is contained in the mystery of incarnation of the Word. Nm.
21: 4-9, Wis. 16:5-14, Jn. 3:14-15, Ex. 25:10-22, 1Kgs. 623-28, 7:23-26
 St Thomas Aquinas – religious worship is not directed to images in
themselves, considered as mere things, but under their distinctive aspect as
 89

images leading us to God incarnate. The movement towards the image

does not terminate in it as image but tends towards that whose image it is.

SECOND: YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR
GOD IN VAIN
-You shall not swear falsely. Ex. 20 :17, Dt. 5:11
-Jesus encourages us no to swear at all. Mt. 5: 33-34
1. The Name of the Lord is Holy
- This commandment prescribes respect for the Lord’s name.
- We introduce God’s name in our speech when we: bless, praise and glorify it.
Zech. 2: 13, Ps. 29:2, 96:2, 113: 1-2
- We are not supposed to abuse the name of the Lord for it is holy
- The faithful should bear witness to the Lord’s name by confessing the faith
without giving way to fear. Mt. 10:32, 1Tim. 6:12
-Every improper use of the names of God, Jesus but also the Virgin Mary and all
the saints is forbidden.
- Promises -made to others in God’s name engage the divine honor, fidelity,
truthfulness and authority.
*To be unfaithful to them is to misuse Gods name and in some way to make God
out to be a lair. 1Jn 1: 10
Blasphemy – uttering against God words of hatred, reproach, or defiance,
in speaking ill of God in failing in respect towards Him, in ones speech in
misusing Gods name. Jas 2:7
-It is the use of these names in an offensive way. This is a grave sin.
Oaths – it is an extra ordinary way of worship. It calls God as witnesses of
saying truth, because He is truth Himself.
 90

 St. Augustine – God’s name is great when spoken with respect for the
greatness of His majesty. God’s name is holy when said with veneration and
fear of offending Him.
2. Taking the Name of the Lord in Vain
-Taking an oath or swearing is to take God as a witness to what one affirms. Dt. 6:
13
-This commandment forbids false oaths
- Rejection of false hopes is a duty towards God
-Perjury – is making a promise under oath with no intention of keeping it.

Jesus and the New Testament idea of Oath

-Jesus discourages oath taking. Mt. 5: 33-37, 23: 16, Jas, 5:12
-Jesus teaches that every oath involves a reference to God and that Gods
presence, and His truth must be honored in all speech.
-Following St. Paul, the tradition of the church understands Jesus’ words as not
excluding oaths made for grave and right reasons. E.g., In court. 2Cor. 1:23, Gal. 1:
20
- The invocation of the Divine Name as a witness to truth cannot be taken unless
in truth, in judgement and in justice.

3. The Christian Name

-One gets a Christian name during Baptism.
- The Sacrament of Baptism is conferred “In the Name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Mt. 28:19
- In Baptism, the Lord’s name sanctifies man, and the Christian receives his name
in the church.
- The patron saint provides a model of charity and the assurance of intercession.
- The Christian begins his day, his prayers and his activities with the sign of the
cross. Thus, the whole life is lived in the name of the Lord.
 91

- The sign of the cross strengthens us in temptation and difficulties.

-God calls each one by name. Is. 43:1, Jn. 10:3
- Everyone’s name is sacred and demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the
one who bears it.
- The name one receives is a name for eternity. Rev. 2:17, 14:1

THIRD: REMEMBER TO KEEP HOLY THE LORDS DAY

Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the 7th day is a Sabbath day to
the Lord your God. In it you shall not do any work.
Exodus 20:8-10, Deuteronomy 5:12-15
The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath.
Mark 2:27-28

1. THE SABBATH DAY.

-The 7th day is a Sabbath day of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Exo. 31:15
-The Lord has commanded. As to keep the Sabbath day Deut. 5:15
-The Lord created The Lord created the universe in six days and rested on the 7th.
OK. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Exo. 20:11
-Keeping the Sabbath is a sign of covenant with God. Exo. 31:16
-God's action is the model of human action if God rested and was refreshed on
the 7th day man to ought to rest and be refreshed. Exo. 31:17,23:12, Neh. 13:15-
22,2Chro. 36:21
-Though Jesus was accused of violating the Sabbath law He never failed to respect
the holiness of this day. Mk. 1:21, Jn. 9:16
-The Sabbath day is a day of doing good and not harm a day for the Lord's
mercies. Mk. 3:4, Mt. 12:5, Jn. 7:23, Mk. 2:28
 92

2. THE LORD'S DAY.

-Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week. Mk. 16:2, Ps. 118:24, Mt.
28:1, Lk. 24:1, Jn. 20:1
-The day of Christ's Resurrection recalls the first creation and because it is the
“eighth day” following the Sabbath day, it symbolizes the new creation. Mark
16:1, Mathew 28:1
For Christians, it has become the first of all days, the Lord’s Day – Sunday.

A. SUNDAY FULFILLMENT OF THE SABBATH.

-The ceremonial observance on Sunday for Christians, replaces that of the
Sabbath.
-Christ's Passover announces man's eternal rest in God.1Cor. 10:11
-The Sunday celebration renders to God an outward visible, public and regular
worship.

B. THE SUNDAY EUCHARIST.

-The Sunday celebration of the Lord’s Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the
church life.
-Sunday is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal
church.

OTHER DAYS OF OBLIGATION.

o Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
o The Epiphany.
o The Ascension of Christ.
o The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.
o The Feast of Mary the mother of God.
 93

o Her Immaculate Conception.

o Her Assumption.
o The Feast of Saint Joseph.
o The Feast of the apostles St. Peter and St Paul.
o The Feast of All Saints.
Saint Paul encourages the faithful to meet and worship. Acts 2:42-46, 1Cor. 11:17,
Heb. 10:25
-A Parish is a place where all the faithful can gather for the Sunday celebration.

C. THE SUNDAY OBLIGATION.

The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.
The Faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation.
Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.
Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would
hinder them from observing the Lord's Day.

D. HOW TO KEEP THE SUNDAY HOLY

 Participate in Holy Mass.
 Abstain from labor, switch impaired the worship of God.
 Keep the joy which is proper to the Lord’s Day.
 Proper relaxation of the mind and body.
 Perform acts of mercy.
 Spend quality time with your family.
 Read the Bible and pray.

FOURTH: HONOR YOUR FATHER, YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.

-Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Exodus 20:12,
Deuteronomy 5:16, Luke 2:51, Mark 7:13-18, Ephesians 6:1-3
 94

-According to the 4th commandment, God has Wild. But after him we shall honor
our parents and those whom he has rested with authority for our good.
-This is one of the foundations of the social doctrines of the Church.
-The commandment is addressed to children in their relationship with their
parents and extends to ties of kinship.
-It requires honor, affection and gratitude towards elders and ancestors.
-It extends to duties of pupils, to teachers, employees, to employers,
subordinates, to leaders, citizens to their country and to those who govern it, and
vice versa.
-Respecting this commandment provides, along with spiritual fruits, temporal
fruits of peace and prosperity Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:15
-Failure to observe it brings great harm to communities and to individuals.

1. DUTIES OF FAMILY MEMBERS.

A) Duties of children.
-The respect of children, whether minors or adults, for their parent is nourished
by their natural affection, born of the bond uniting them.
 Filial respect. Sir. 7:27-28
 Gratitude.
 Gratitude.
 Just obedience and docility. Prov. 6:20-22, 13:1, Col. 3:20, Eph. 6:1
 Assistance. – Care in old age, illness, loneliness.
 Harmony in family life.
 Love their parents.

B) The duties of parents towards children.

 Educate their children. Faith. Secular education. Morals.
 Regard them as children of God.
 Respect them as human persons.
 95

 Creating a home full of tenderness, forgiveness, respect, self-love, fidelity

and disinterested service are the rules.
 Role models.
 Provide for their physical and spiritual needs. Luke 17:4, Mathew 18:21-22,
Sirach 30:1-2, Ephesians 6:4

2. THE AUTHORITIES IN CIVIL SOCIETY.

-We are also enjoined to honor all who, for our good, have received authority in
society from God.

A) DUTIES OF CIVIL AUTHORITIES.

-Those who exercise authority should do so as a service. Mathew 20:26
 Respect fundamental rights of the human person.
 Dispense justice humanely.
 Grant political rights.
 Create a conducive condition to exercise freedom.
 Be concerned with the health care, basic education, employment and social
assistance of their citizens.
 Obligation to National Defense.

B) DUTIES OF CITIZENS TOWARDS CIVIL AUTHORITY.

 Regard them as representatives of God.
 Respect and be submissive.
 Loyal collaboration yet ready to voice criticism.
 Service to the common good.
 Co-responsibility for the common good; - this makes It morally obligatory:
To pay taxes.
To exercise their right to vote.
To defend one's country.
-Citizens are obliged to conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities
when they are contrary.
 96

 To the demands of their moral order – Abortion, Euthanasia

 The fundamental rights of persons.
 The teachings of the Gospel.
 Refusing obedience to civil authority when its demand is contrary to those
of an upright conscience is justified in serving God over man. Mathew
22:21, Acts 5:29

FIFTH: YOU SHALL NOT KILL.

-In God's hand is the life of every living thing and the breadth of all mankind. Job
12:10
-Every human life from the moment of conception until death, is sacred because
the human person. Has been willed for its own sake, in the image and likeness of
the living and holy God.
-The murder of a human being is gravely contrary to the dignity of the person and
the holiness of the Creator. Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17
-Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment. Mathew 5:21-
22

-God alone is the Lord of life. Man has. Become the enemy of his fellow man right
from the beginning of human history. Genesis 4:10-11
-The covenant between God and mankind is interwoven. With the reminders of
God's gift of human life and man's murderous violence. Genesis 9:5-6
-Blood is a sacred sign of life. Leviticus 17:14
-Do not slay the innocent and the Righteous. Exodus 23:7
-To turn the other cheek for the love of our enemies. Mathew 5:21 ,5:22-26:38-
39,5:44,26:52
 LEGITIMATE DEFENCE. The act of self-defense can have a double effect. The
preservation of one's life and the killing of the aggression. One is intended,
 97

the other is not. Someone who defends his own life is not guilty of murder,
even if he is forced to deal his aggression a lethal blow.
 INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE. Direct and intentional killing is a grave scene;
hence it is forbidden.
-The Murderer and those who cooperate voluntarily in murder commit a sin that
cries to heaven for vengeance. Genesis 4:10
-We are also forbidden to do anything with the intention of indirectly bringing
about a person's death.
-Moral law prohibits exposing someone to mortal danger without great return, as
well as refusing to assist a person in danger. Amos 8:4-10

A. Abortion.
-Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of
conception. Jeremiah 1:5, Job 10:8-12, Psalms 22:10-11
-Direct abortion, that is willed, is a criminal practice, gravely contrary to moral law.
B. Euthanasia.
-(Mercy killing) – Putting an end to the life of, handicapped, sick, or dying persons.
C. Suicide.
-Everyone is obliged to accept life Gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the
salvation of soul.
-We are stewards, not owners of the life of. God. entrusted unto us.
-Taking your own life is contrary to justice, hope and charity.
-The Church prays for those who have taken their own lives.
D. Scandal.
-It is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil.
-Scandal is grave when given by those who, by nature or office, are obliged to
teach and educate others. Mathew 18:6,7:15,1 Corinthians 8:10-13, Ephesians
6:4, Corinthians 3:21, Luke 17:1
E. Respect for health.
 98

-Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God.

-We must take care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the
common good.
-We need to avoid every kind of excess food abuse, alcohol, tobacco or medicine.
--Those who endanger themselves or others incur grave guilt.
F. Respect for bodily integrity.
-Kidnapping and hostage taking brings on reing of Terror.
-By means of threats, they subject their victims. To intolerable pressure.
G. Terrorism.
-It is against justice and charity since it threatens. Once and kills indiscriminately.
H. Torture.
-You say physical or moral violence to extract confession. Punish the guilty,
frighten opponents, or satisfy hatred. Is contrary to the respect for the person and
for human dignity.
I. Peace.
-Jesus asked for peace of heart and denounced murderous anger and hatred as
immoral.
o Anger. -It is a desire for revenge. Mt. 5:22
o Deliberate hatred. -It's contrary to charity.
-It’s a sin when one deliberately wishes others evil
-It's a grave sin when one deliberately desires others grave harm. Mathew
5:44-50
 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Mathew
5:9

How to obtain peace. (Isaiah 9:5, Ephesians 2:14)

 Safeguarding the goods of people.
 Free communication among human beings.
 Respect for the dignity of people.
 Assiduous practice of charity.
 99

J. Avoiding war.
-We must do everything reasonably possible to avoid it.

SIXTH: YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

-Anyone who looks at a woman lastly has already committed adultery with her in
his heart. Mathew 5:27-28, Exodus 20:14, Deuteronomy 5:18
1. Male and female, he created them.
-God is love, and in himself he lives a mystery of personal, loving communion.
-God has inscribed in us the vocation, capacity and responsibility of love and
communion. Genesis 1:28,5:1-2
-Love is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being.

sexuality.
-Affects all aspects of the human person in the unity of his body and soul.
-It concerns affectivity, the capacity to love and to procreate, and forming bonds
with others.
-Every person needs to accept their identity.
-Moral and spiritual difference and complementarity are oriented towards the
goods of marriage and the flourishing of family.
-Each of the two genders is an image of the power and tenderness of God.
-God has given man and woman an equal personal dignity.

2. The vocation of chastity.

 100

-It is the successful integration of sexuality within the person and thus the inner
unity of man in his body and spiritual being.
-It means being faithful to the current situation you find yourself in.
-Chastity leads us to self-mastery, which is a training in human freedom.
-As human beings, it is either we govern our passions and find peace or let
ourselves be dominated by them and become unhappy. Sirach 1:22
-The virtue of chastity is under the cardinal virtue of temperance, which
encourages us to incorporate our passions and appetites of the senses with
reason.

Helps To Acquire Chastity.

Self-control or Self Mastery.
Self-knowledge.
Be faithful to prayer.
Be attuned to the voice of conscience.
Practice moral virtues.
Modesty.

Forms of chastity.
-Christ is the model for all chastity.
 Married Chastity – That of spouses.
 Chastity incontinence – Anyone not married? (ENGAGED COUPLES)
 Consecrated chastity – Those who give themselves to God with an
undivided heart.
 Friendship – Between boys and girls.

Sins against chastity.

i. Lust. Disordered desire for something.
ii. Masturbation. A selfish act?
iii. Fornication. Union between a married man and unmarried woman.
 101

iv. Pornography. It perverts the conjugal act.

v. Prostitution. Reduces a person to an object.
vi. Rape. Does injury to justice and charity.

Homosexuality.
-Refers to intimate relations of people of the same gender.
-It is contrary to the natural law.
-Society is called to accept persons with deep seated homosexual tendency with
respect, compassion and sensitivity.

3. The love of husband and wife.

-The union of husband and wife signifies their unity, oneness in spirit.
-Holy matrimony is for the good of the spouses (Love) and the gift of children,
continuation of life – These two can't be separated.

4. Offenses against the dignity of marriage.

a) Adultery. Marital infidelity. Mathew 5:27-28,5:32,19:6, Mark 10:12,1
Corinthians 6:9-10, Hosea 2:7, Jeremiah 5:7,13:27
b) Divorce. Marriage is in dissolvable until death. Mathew 5:31-32,19:3-9,
Mark 10:9, Luke 16:18,1 Corinthians 7:10-11
c) Polygamy. Having more than one spouse.
d) Incest. Intimate relationship between relatives or in laws. 1 Corinthians
5:1,3-5, Leviticus 18:7-20
e) Sexually harming (abusing) children under one care, especially they
adopted ones.
f) Free union. Refusing to give you juridical and public form to a liaison
involving sexual intimacy.
 102

SEVENTH: YOU SHALL NOT STEAL

-They are required to take care of earthly goods and the fruits of men's labor.
-Christian's life strives to order these white goods to God and to fraternal charity.
-This commandment enjoins the practice of justice and charity in the
administration of earthly good.
-It forbids theft. Exodus 20:15, Deutronomy 5:19, Mathew 19:18

1. The universal destination and the private ownership of goods.

-God entrusts the earth and its resources to the common stewardship of mankind
to take care of them, master them by labor, and enjoy their fruits. Genesis 1:26-29
-The goods of creation are destined for the whole human race.
-This should allow for a natural solidarity to develop between men.
-Wealth and goods owned are not exclusively for that individual person, but for
the common good of others also.
-The ownership of any property mixes its Holder, a steward of Providence, with
the task of making. It is fruitful and communicating its benefits to others, first his
family.

2. Respect for people and their goods.

-We ought to practice temperance to moderate attachment to these word goods.
-Let's be just preserving our neighbors’ rights and render them what's due to
them.
-Practice solidarity in accordance with the Golden Rule and in keeping with the
generosity of the Lord. 2Corinthians 8:9
-Any form of theft is prohibited by this commandment.
*Fake money *deliberate retention of goods lent or of objects lost *Business
fraud *Paying unjust wages *Forcing up prices by taking advantage of their
ignorance or hardship of the of another *Corruption* Bribery *tax fraud
 103

*forgery *Excessive expenses and waste *appropriation and use for private
purpose of the common goods – Public property

3. Love for the poor.

-God blesses those who came for the aid of the poor. Mathew 5:42t,10:8,25:31-36
-When they pour up the good news preached to them, it is the sign of Christ's
presence. Mathew 11:5, Luke 4:18
-The love for the poor is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes of the Poverty.
Of Jesus and of his concern for the poor. Luke 6:20-22, Mathew 8:20, Mark 12:41-
44
-Love for the poor is One of the motives for the duties of working. Ephesians 4:28
-Being poor is not only material poverty, but also to the many forms of cultural
and religious poverty. James 5:1-6
 St. John Chrysostom recalls – Not to enable the poor to share in our goods
is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are
not ours, but theirs.
 St. Gregory the Great – When we attend to the needs of those amount, we
give them what is their put ours. More than performing works of mercy, we
are paying a debt of justice.
4. The works of mercy.
-These are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his
spiritual and bodily necessities. Isaiah 58:6-7, Hebrew 13:3, James 2:17-18

a) Spiritual work of mercy.

*Instructing *advising *consoling *Comforting *forgiving *bearing
wrongs*Patiently pray for the living and the dead.

b) Corporal works of mercy.

 104

*Feeding the hungry *sheltering the homeless *Clothing the naked *Visiting the
sick and imprisoned *Burying the dead *Giving drinks to the thirsty *Be charitable
to the poor.

 Saint Rose of Lima answered her mother – When we serve the poor and
the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors because in
them we serve Jesus.
-Yeah. Giving arms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity. It is also our C of
justice pleasing to God.
-How can we not recognize Lazarus, the hungry beggars in the parable, in the
multitude of human beings without bread, a roof, or a place to stay? How can we
fail to hear Jesus” As you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to
me”. Mathew 25:45, Luke 16:19-31

EIGTH: YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST YOUR

NEIGHBOR.
-It was said to the men of old, you shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the
Lord what you have sworn. Mathew 5:33, Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 5:20
-The commandment forbids misrepresenting the truth in our relations with
others.
-God is truthful, so people of his nation are called to be children of truth. Romans
3:4, Psalms 119:30
Truthfulness/Authenticity.
-Implies honesty and sincerity.
-These are fundamental values of human life.
-Truth is supposed to show itself in deeds and words.
-We must guard ourselves from:
 105

o Duplicity. (deceitfulness) The state of being doubled.

o Dissimulation (pretense)Concealment of one’s thought, feeling, and
character.
o Hypocrisy. Claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is
the case.

1. Living in Truth.
a) In the Old Testament.
-Attests that God is the source of all truth.
-God's word is truth.
-His law is truth.
-His faithfulness endures to all generations. Psalms 119:90, Proverbs 8:7, 2 Samuel
7:28, Psalms 119:42, Luke 1:50

b) In the New Testament.

-Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. John 1:14,8:12-14:6
-God's whole truth has been manifested in Him.
-As disciples of Jesus, we are called to live in the Spirit of truth, whom the Father
send in His name, and who leads into all the truth. John 16:13
-The truth will make us free and it's sanctifying. John 8:32,17:17
-Jesus teaches the unconditional love of truth. Mathew 5:37
-Whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. John 12:46
-Jesus calls Satan the father of lies. John 8:44

2. To bear witness to the truth

-Before pilots, Jesus proclaims that he came to bear witness to the truth. John
18:37
 106

-We must keep a clear conscience towards gods and toward men. Acts 24:16
-As Christians, let's not be ashamed of testifying to our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:8
-Let's transmit the faith in words and deeds and bear witness to the gospel.
Mathew 18:16
-Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of faith.
 Saint Ignatius of Antioch said. Let me become the food of the beasts,
through whom it will be given me to the reach God.

3. Sins against truth.

i. False witness and perjury.
-A statement made Publicly which is contrary to the truth.
o In court- False witness.
o Under oath-Perjury.
-Acts such as these contribute to the condemnation of the innocent. Exoneration
of the guilty or increased punishment of the accused.
ii. Sins against the reputation of persons.
iii. Rash judgment. Assuming as true.
iv. Detraction. Invalidly disclosing faults or failings of others to person’s who
didn't know about them.
v. Calumny. Telling lies about others which harm their reputation.
vi. Boasting and bragging
vii. Lie Consists in speaking falsehood with the intention of receiving.

4. Respect of the truth.

-The right to the communication of the truth is not unconditional.
-Everyone must conform his life to the gospel precepts of fraternal love.
-We are required in concrete situations to judge whether it is appropriate to
reveal the truth to someone who asks for it.
 107

-The good and safety of others, respect for privacy and the common good are
sufficient reasons for being silent about what ought not to be known, or for
making use of a discrete language.
-The duty to avoid scandal often commands strict discretion. Sirach 27:16,
Proverbs 25:9-10

a) Professional secrets.
Example political office, holders, soldiers, doctors and lawyers, or confidential
information given under the seal of secrecy must be kept safe in exceptional
cases.
 Where keeping the secret is bound to cause very great harm to the one
who confided it, to the one who received it, or to a third party.
 Where the very grave harm can be avoided only by exposing the truth.
-For lawyers. What they say must be truthful, but they cannot always reveal the
whole truth.
-Some cases must be reported. If they harm the community or lead a person to
greater evil, then the aim of reporting is to help the person.

b) The Secret of Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession.

-It is sacred and cannot be violated under any protest.
-The sacrament still is inviolable.
-It's a crime for a confessor in any way to betray a penitent by word or in any
other manner or for any reason.
-The Society has a right – To information based on the truth, freedom, and justice.
-One should practice moderation and discipline in the use of the social
communication media. Examples TV, video ETC.
 108

NINTH: YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOUR'S WIFE.

-Anyone who looks at a woman lastly has already committed. Adultery with her in
her heart. Exodus 20:17, Mathew 5:2-8
-St. John distinguishes three kinds of covetousness or Concupiscence.
 Lust of flesh.
 Lust of the eyes.
 Pride of life. 1John 2:16
-This commandment warns against lust or carnal concupiscence.
-Concupiscence stems from the disobedience of the first sin
-Concupiscence. Is not a sin. It inclines a man to commit sin. Genesis 3:11
-Concupiscence., is any, intense form of human desire – The movement of this
sensitive appetite, contrary to the operation of the human reason.
-Apostle St. Paul – Identifies it with the rebellion of the flesh against the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16,17:24, Ephesians 2:3
-Man comprises of spirit and body, hence, there exists a certain tension or
struggle in him.
-This struggle belongs to the heritage of sin.
-It is a consequence of sin and at the same time confirmation of it. Galatians 5:25
-It is part of the daily experience of the spiritual battle.
-Let's perceive the human body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and a manifestation
of divine beauty.
-Though we are baptized, we must continue to struggle against concupiscence of
the flesh and its disordered desires.

1. Purification of the heart.

-The heart is the seat of moral personality. Mathew 15:19
-Pure in heart refers to those who have attuned their intellects and wills to their
demands of God's holiness in three areas: Chastity (sexual rectitude), Love of
 109

truth, Orthodoxy of faith. Mathew 5:8,1 Thessalonians 4:3-9,2 Timothy 2:22,

Colossians 3:5, Ephesians 4:19, Timothy 1:15,1 Timothy 1:3-4
-Purity of heart is the precondition of vision of God. 1Corinthians 13:12, 1John 3:2

2. Battle of Purity.
 The virtues and gift of chastity. Able to love with upright and undivided
heart.
 By purity of intention. Simplicity of vision, seeking to find and fulfill God's
will in everything.
 By purity of vision. Discipline of feeling and imagination declining in pure
thoughts.
 By prayer.

-Purity requires modesty, which is an integral part of temperance.

-Modesty protects the intimate center of the person.
-It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden.
-Modesty protects the mystery of a person and their love.
-It encourages patience and moderation in loving relationships.

 The Good News of Christ – Continually renews the life and culture of Fallen
Man.
-It combats and removes the error. And people which flow from the ever-present
attraction of sin.
-It never ceases to purify and elevate the morality of people.
-It takes the spiritual quality and endowment of every age and nation and causes
them to blossom.
-It was fortified. Is complete and restores them in Christ.
 110

TENTH: YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBORS GOOD.

-For where Your treasure is there Will your heart also be. Mathew 6:21, Exodus
20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21
-The tenth Commandment unfolds and completes the nineth.
-It forbids coveting the goods of another as the root of theft, robbery and fraud,
which the seven commandments forbid.
-Lust of the eyes leads to the violence and injustice forbidden by the 5th
commandment. 1 John 2:16, Micah 2:2
-Avarice. Extreme grid for wealth and material gain. Originates in the idolatry
prohibited by the first three prescriptions of the law. Wisdom 14:12
-The tenth commandment concerns the intentions of the heart.

The disorder of covetous, desires.

-This commandment forbids greed and the desire to amass earthly goods without
limit.
-It forbids avarice arising from a passion for riches and their attendant power.
-Also forbids the desire to commit injustice by harming our neighbors in his
temporal goods. 1kings 21:1-29, Sirach 5:8
-It is not a violation of His commandments to desire to obtain things that belong
to one's neighbors.
-This commandment requires that envy be banished from the heart.
-Envy can lead to the cost of crime.
-Through the devil's envy, death entered the world. 2 Samuel 12:1-4, Genesis 4:3-
8, Wisdom 2:24
-Envy is a capital sin. It refers to the sadness at the sight of another's goods and
the immoderate desire to acquire them for oneself, even unjustly.
-Envy represents a form of sadness and therefore is refusal of chastity.
 111

-And Website Personal should struggle against it by exercising goodwill.

-Envy comes from pride – The baptized personnel should train themselves to live
in humility.

The desire of the Spirit.

-Grace turns men's hearts away from avarice and envy.
-It initiates them into desire for their sovereign good, instructs them in the desires
of the Holy Spirit who satisfies man's heart. Genesis 3:6
-Law can sometimes become an instrument of lust. Romans 7:15-23
-Christ’s faithful have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires, they are led
by the Spirit and follow the desires of the Spirit. Romans 3:21-22, Galatians 5:24,
Romans 8:14,24

Poverty of heart.
-Jesus asks us to prefer him to everything and everyone. Mark 8:35, Luke 14:33
-Jesus gave the example of the poor widow. Luke 21:4
-The precepts of detachment from riches is obligatory for entrance into the
Kingdom of heaven.
-Blessed are the poor in spirit. Mathew 5:3, Luke 6:20,2 Corinthians 8:9
-The Lord grieves over the rich because they find their consolation in the
abundance of goods. Luke 6:24
 Let the proud seek and love the earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor
in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven – St Augustine
-Trust God is a preparation of the blessedness of the poor. Mathew 6:25-34

I want to see God.

 112

-The promise to see God surpasses all beatitudes. In Scripture, to see is to

possess… Whoever sees God has obtained all the goods of which he can conceive
– St. Gregory of Nyssa.
-This expresses the true desire of man.
-Thirst for God is quenched by the water of eternal life. John 4:14
-It remains for the holy people to struggle with grace from on high to obtain the
good things God promises.
-On this way of perfection, the Spirit and the Bride call whoever hears them to
perfect communion with God. Revelations 22:17,1 Corinthians 15:28

C. THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH.

-They are, in the context of a moral life, bound and nourished by liturgical life.
-Meant to guarantee the faithful the minimum in prayer, moral effort and growth
in love for God and neighbor.

1. Attend Masses on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

-We are required to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of our Lord
by participating in the Eucharistic celebration.
-As well as the principal liturgical feast honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the
Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Saints.

2. Confess Your Sins At least Once a Year

-Ensure preparation for the Eucharist.
-Continues baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.

3. Receive the Sacrament of Eucharist at least during Easter.

 113

-Eucharist is the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.

-Guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in
connection with the Paschal Feast.

4. Observe the Days of Fasting and Abstinence.

-Ensures times of penance in preparation for the liturgical feasts.

5. Provide for the needs of the Church.

-This is done according to one's ability.
-We are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church.

D. THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON.

-The dignity of the human person is rooted in his creation in the image and
likeness of God.
-It is fulfilled in his vocation to divine beatitude.
-It is essential for human beings freely to direct himself to this fulfillment.
-By his deliberate actions, the human person does, or does not, conform to the
good promised by God and attested by moral conscience.
-Human beings make their own contribution to their interior growth; they make
their whole sentient and spiritual lives into means of this growth.
-With the help of grace, we grow in virtue, avoid sin, and if we sin, we entrust
ourselves as did the prodigal son to the mercy of our father in heaven. Lk. 15:11-
32
-In this way they attend to the to the perfection of charity.
 114

1. Man: the image of God

-Christ… makes man fully manifest to himself and brings to light is exalted
vocation.
-It is in Christ, “the image of the invisible God,” that man has been created “in the
image and likeness” of the creator. Col. 1:15, 2Cor. 4:4
-By virtue of his soul and his spiritual powers of intellect and will, man is endowed
with freedom.
-In man, true freedom is an “outstanding manifestation of the divine image.”
-Man, having been wounded in his nature by original sin, he is subject to error and
inclined to evil in exercising his freedom.
-He who believes in Christ has new life in the Holy Spirit. The moral life, increased
and brought to maturity in grace, his reach its fulfillment in the glory of heaven.

2. Our Vocation to Beatitude

-The beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus’ preaching.
-They take up the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham.
-The beatitudes fulfil the promises by ordering them no longer merely to the
possession of a territory, but the Kingdom of heaven. Mt. 5:3-11
-The beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray his charity.
-They expressed the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of his
passion and resurrection.
-The beatitudes respond to the natural desire for happiness.
-The beatitudes revealed the goal of human existence, the ultimate end of the
human acts: God calls us to his own beatitude.
-The New Testament uses several expressions to characterize the beatitude to
which God calls man:
 115

 The coming of the Kingdom of God. Mt. 4:17

 The vision of God. Mt. 5:8, 1Jn. 3:2, 1Cor. 13:12
 Entering the joy of the Lord. Mt. 25:21-23
 Entering God's rest. Heb. 4:7-11
-The beatitude of eternal life is a gratuitous gift of God. It is supernatural, as is the
grace that leads us there.
-The beatitudes teach us the final end to which God calls us: The Kingdom, the
vision of God, participation in the divine nature, eternal life, filiation, rest in God.
-The beatitude of heaven sets the standards for discernment in the use of earthly
goods in keeping with the law of God.

3. Man's freedom
-God created man a rational being, conferring on him the dignity of a person who
can initiate and control his own actions. Sir. 15:14
 St. Irenaeus says man is rational and therefore like God: he is created with
free will and is master over his acts.
-Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not act, to do this or
that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility.
-By free will one shapes one's own life.
-Human freedom is a force of growth and maturity in truth and goodness;
entertains its perfection when directed towards God, our beatitude.
-Freedom makes man responsible for his acts to the extent that they are
voluntary.
-Progress in virtue, knowledge of the good, and ascesis enhance the mastery of
the will over its acts.
-Imputability and responsibility for an action can be diminished or even nullified
by ignorance, inadvertence, duress, fear, habit, inordinate attachments and other
psychological or social factors.
-The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. Rom. 6:17
-Every act directly wield is imputable to its author. Gen. 3:13, 4:10, 2Sam. 12:7-15
 116

-Man's freedom is limited and fallible.

-Man, freely sinned.
-By refusing God's plan of love, he deceived himself and became a slave to sin.
-The exercise of freedom does not imply a right to say or do everything.
-It is false to maintain that man, “the subject of this freedom,” is “an individual
who is fully self-sufficient and whose finality is the satisfaction of his own interest
in the enjoyment of earthy goods.”
-By his glorious Cross Christ has won salvation for all men, for freedom Christ has
set us free. Gal. 5:1, Jn. 8:32

4. The Morality of Human Acts

-Freedom makes man a moral subject.
-When he acts deliberately man is, so to speak, the father of his acts.
-Human acts, that is, acts that are freely chosen in consequence of a judgment of
conscience, can be morally evaluated.
-They are either good or evil.

The sources of morality

-Human acts depends on:
 The subject chosen.
 The end in view or the intention.
 The circumstances of the action.
The object, the intention and the circumstances make up their sources of
the morality of human acts.
-The object chosen is a good towards which the will deliberately directs itself.
-It is the matter of a human act.
-The intention resides in the acting subject.
 117

-Because it lies at the voluntary source of an action and determines it by its end,
intention is an element essential to the moral evaluation of an action's.
-The circumstances, Include the consequences, are secondary elements of a moral
act.
-They contribute to increasing or diminishing the moral goodness or evil of human
acts.
-A morally good act requires the goodness of the object, of the end, and of the
circumstances together.
-An evil end corrupts the action, even if the object is good in itself.
-It is therefore an error to judge the morality of human acts by considering only
the intention that inspires them or the circumstances which side supplied the
context.
 An evil action cannot be justified by reference to a good intention. The end
does not justify the means. – St. Thomas Aquinas

5. The morality of the passions

-The human person is ordered to be attitude by its deliberate acts: the passions or
feelings he expresses can dispose him to it and contribute to it.
-Feelings or passions are motions or movements of the sensitive appetite that
incline us to act or not to act in regard to something felt or imagined to be good or
evil.
-The passions are natural components of the human psyche column they formed
the passageway and ensure the connection between the life of the senses and the
life of the mind. Mk. 7:21
 St. Thomas Aquinas says to love is to will the good of another.
-In themselves passions are neither good nor evil.
-They are morally qualified only to the extent that they effectively engage reason
and will.
-The perfection of the moral good consists in months being moved to the good
not only by his will but also by his heart.
 118

6. Moral conscience
-Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon
himself but which he must obey.
-There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depth.
-The moral conscience, present at the heart of the person, enjoying him at the
appropriate moment to do good and to avoid evil. Rom. 2:14-16
-It also judges particular choices, approving those that are good and denouncing
those that are evil. Rom. 1:32
-Conscience enables one to assume responsibility for the acts performed.
-If man commits evil, the just judgment of conscience can remain within him as
the witness to the universal truth of the good, at the same time as the evil of his
particular choice.
-Man has the right to act in conscience and in freedom so as personally to make
moral decisions. 1Jn. 3:19-20
-In its judgment, the conscience follows the gospel, the 10 commandments, the
precepts of the church and our own responsibility.

The formation of conscience

i. Read the Holy Scriptures and assimilate it in Faith.
ii. Be fervent in prayer.
iii. Examine your conscience before the Lord’s Cross.
iv. Listen and follow the voice of the Holy Spirit
v. Consider and follow the teachings of faith.
vi. Follow the right traditions and customs.
vii. Follow the advice and right example from our friends and especially the
Saints.

7. The virtues
 119

-Virtue is a ritual and firm disposition to do good. Philippians chapter 4 verse 8

-It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but should give the best of
himself.

I. The human virtues

-Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of
intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions and guide our
conduct according to reason and faith.

The cardinal virtues

a. Prudence
-It is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every
circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it. Pro. 14:15, 1Pt. 4:7
 St. Thomas Aquinas says prudence is right reason in action.
-It guides the other virtues by setting rules and measure.
-With the help of this virtue, we apply moral principles to particular cases without
error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.

b. Justice
-Is the moral virtue that consist in the constant and firm will to give their due to
God a neighbour.
-Justice towards God is called the virtue of religion.
-Justice towards men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in
human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons
and to the common good.
-They just man is digging is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the
uprightness of his conduct towards his neighbour. Lev. 19:15, Col. 4:1

c. Fortitude
 120

-Is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the
pursuit of the good.
-It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the
moral life.
-The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to
face trials and persecutions.
-It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice one's life in defense of a just
cause. Ps. 118:14
-In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world. Jn. 16:33

d. Temperance
-Is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides
balance in the use of created goods.
-It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of
what is honorable.
-The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites towards what is good, and
maintains a healthy discretion. Sir. 5:2, 37:27-31
-Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetite. Sir. 18:30
-We ought to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world. Ti. 2:12
-Human virtues acquired by education, by deliberate acts and by perseverance
ever – renewed in repeated efforts are purified and elevated by divine grace.
-With God's help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the good.
-Christ's gift of salvation offers us the grace necessary to persevere in the pursuit
of the virtues.

II. Theological virtues

-The human virtues are rooted in the theological virtues, which adapt man's
faculties for participation in the divine nature. 2Pt. 1:4
-Physiological virtues are the foundation of Christian moral activity.
 121

-They inform and give life to all the moral virtues. 1Cor. 13:13

a. Faith
-It is the theological virtue by which you believe in God and believe all that he has
said and revealed to us, and that holy church proposes for our belief because it is
truth itself.
-By faith man freely commits his entire self to God.
-For this reason, the believer seeks to know and do God's will. Rom. 1:17, Gal. 5:6
-The gift of faith remains in one who has not seemed against it. Jas. 2:26
-When faith is deprived of hope and love, it does not fully unite the believer to
Christ and does not make him a living member of his body.
-The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also
prophecy it, confidently bear witness to it and spread it. Mt. 10:32-33

b. Hope
-It is the theological virtue by which we desire the Kingdom of heaven and eternal
life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our
own strength, but on the help of the grace of the holy spirit. Heb. 10:23, Ti. 3:6-7
-the virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed
in the heart of every man.
-Christian hope takes up and fulfills the hope of the chosen people which has its
origin and model in the hope of Abraham, who was blessed abundantly by the
promises of God fulfilled in Isaac, and who was purified by the taste of the
sacrifice. Gen. 17:4-8, 22:1-18, Rom. 4:18
-Christian hope unfolds from the beginning of Jesus preaching in the proclamation
of the beatitudes. Rom. 5:5, 8:28-30, 12:12, Heb. 6:19-20, 1Thes. 5:8, Mt. 7:21,
10:22, 1Tim. 2:4
 St. Teresa of Avila says hope, Oh my soul, hope. You know neither the day
nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though
your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, it turns a very short time
into a long one. Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the
 122

love that you bear you are God, and the more you will rejoice one day with
your Beloved, in a happiness and rupture that can never end.

c. Charity
-It is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake,
and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.
-Jesus makes charity the new commandment. Jn. 13:34
-By loving his own to the end, he makes manifest the father's love which he
receives. Jn. 13:1, 15:9-12, Mt. 22:40, Rom. 13:8-10
-Christ died out of love for us, while we were still enemies. Rom. 5:10, Mt. 5:44,
Lk. 10:27-37, Mk. 9:37, Mt. 25:40-45, 1Cor. 13:4-7
-Charity is superior to all the virtues. 1Cor. 13:1-3
-The fruits of charity are joy, peace, and mercy.
-Charity binds everything together in perfect harmony. Col. 3:14

8. Sin
-Sin is an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law.
-It is an offense against God.
-It raises up against God in a disobedience contrary to the obedience of Christ.
-It is an act contrary to reason. It wounds man's nature and injures human
solidarity.
-The Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God's mercy to sinners. Lk. 15, Mt.
1:21
-The same is true of the Eucharist, the sacrament of redemption. Mt. 26:28
 God created us without us, but he did not will to save us without us. St.
Augustine
-To receive his mercy, we must admit our faults. 1Jn. 1:8-9
-Where sin increases, grace abundant all the more. Rom. 5:20
 123

a. The gravity of sin

-Sins are rightly evaluated according to their gravity. 1Jn. 5:16-17
-Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God's law,
it turns man away from God, Who is his ultimate end and his beatitude, by
preferring an inferior good to him.

The conditions for a sin to be mortal

 The object is a grave matter.
 Committed with full knowledge.
 Has deliberate consent.
-Through mortal/grave sin, we deprive our hearts the grace of sanctification and
its merits.
-We seclude ourselves from the Holy Trinity in our hearts.

Punishments for grave or mortal sins

 One should be thrown into eternal torment if they don't repent. Mt. 7:23,
25:46
-Through venial sins one goes through challenges and problems on earth.
Lk.12:46-48
-Whoever does not satisfy their penance after confession they will end up in
purgatory.
-Venial sin allows charity to subsist, even though it offends and wounds it.
-Venial sin weakens charity.
-One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, one does not observe the
standard prescribed by the moral law, or when one disobeys the moral law in a
grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent
-Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven, but the blasphemy against the spirit will
not be forgiven. Mt. 12:31, Mk. 3:29, Lk. 12:10
 124

-Sin is not just my personal matter. Every sin has repercussion on others, it is a
chain reaction. For example, throwing a stone into water-the water forms ripples.

b. Vices
-These are root cause of sins.
 They can be classified according to the virtues they oppose, or also be
linked to the capital sins which Christian experience has distinguished. The
saying of St. John Cassian and St. Gregory the great
-They are called capital because they engender other sins, other vices.
They are pride, avarice, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony and sloth or acedia
2Thes. 3:10, 1Pt. 5:5, Lk. 14:11, 1Cor. 5:1-11, Mk. 7:22

c. Temptations
-They come from our bad choices and intentions, bad friends, and the devil. Gen.
3:1-6, 39:7-12, Rom. 7:15, 1Pt. 5:8-9
-Temptation on its own is not a sin, rather, accepting and falling into temptation is
a sin.
For us to avoid sin
a. Overcome temptations.
b. Avoid occasions of sin.
c. Pray and receive sacraments more often. Mk. 14:38

 The catechetical tradition also recalls that there are sins that cry to heaven:
the blood of Abel, the sin of the sodomites, the cry of the people oppressed
in Egypt, the cry of the foreigner, the widow and the orphan, injustice to the
wage earner. Gen. 4:10, 18:20, 19:13, Ex. 3:7-10, 20:20-22, Dt. 24:14-15,
Jas. 5:4
 125

TOPIC 5: THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

 St. Jerome – Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ.

 St. Ambrose – We speak to God when we pray, and we listen to God when

we read the Bible.

A. Meaning of the word Bible

-The word Bible comes from a Greek word Biblion – Singular for Book and Biblia

Plural for books.

-Therefore, the Bible is a library or collection of sacred books.

B. Different names of the Bible

 The sacred scriptures. 2Tim. 3:15

 The word of God. Eph. 6:17

 The word of the Lord. 2Thes. 3:1

C. Explanation

 The sacred scriptures contain the word of God.

 The authors were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

 126

 The books of the Bible are truly the word of God.

 That one Book is Christ.

 All divine scriptures speak of Christ.

 All divine scriptures are fulfilled in Christ.

 God is the Author of sacred scriptures because he inspired its human

authors, he acts in them and by means of them.

 God gives assurance that their writings teach without error she's saving

truth.

D. Different ways in which the Bible is revered

I. It is carried in reverence.

II. It is acclaimed in possession.

III. It is read in an elevated position.

IV. It is the source and foundation of our life.

V. The word of God is incensed.

E. Names showing the function/relevance of the Bible

a) It guides – The lamp for my feet and light for my path. Ps. 119:105

b) Living water source of spiritual nourishment. Jn. 4:10

 127

c) Gives spiritual food. 1Pt. 2:2

d) Penetrates even the hardest of souls – Two-edged sword. Heb. 4:12

e) Purifies our thoughts, changes even the radicalized and refines our

motivation. Jer. 23:29

F. Purpose of writing the Bible

i. To bring people to the correct faith about the One God who created the

whole world, who chose Israel as his people, who saved them from slavery

in Egypt and gave them land to live in.

ii. To encourage the faithful people to live a life that conforms to this faith.

G. Languages of the Bible

-Mainly the Old Testament was written in Hebrew while the New Testament was

written in Greek.

-However, Aramaic was the day-to-day language of communication during the

time of Jesus. Mk. 5:41ff, 7:34, 1Cor. 16:22

Different Books in the Bible

 128

-The Bible is divided into Old and New Testament

-The unity of the Two Testaments proceeds from the unity of God's plan and his

revelation.

-The Old Testament prepares for the New Testament and the New Testament

fulfills the Old.

-Both Testaments are true word of God.

1. The Old Testament

-There are four major groups of books in the Old Testament.

 Torah or Law or Pentateuch

 Historical

 Wisdom writings

 profits

i. Books of Torah

-It means teaching or a guide or hello or a directive. Deut. 2:1ff

-Describes how to worship God alone and live in harmony with others.
 129

-They are also known as books of law of Moses.

 Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deautronomy

ii. Historical books

-They narrate the history of Israel.

-The central figure is Joshua the successor of Moses.

 Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles,

Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1&2 Maccabees

iii. Wisdom books

-They are about two major themes:

 Relationship with God and others.

 To advice on how to live successful life. Prov. 9:10-11

-The main objective is to give wise counsel to questions of life.

 Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, and

Sirach
 130

iv. Prophetic books

-A prophet is a spokesperson of God, he is called and sent by God to deliver God's

message.

 Isaiah, Jeremiah, lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea,

Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,

Zephania, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi

2. The New Testament

-The books are divided into four groups.

 Gospels

 Acts of the apostles

 Apostolic letters

 The Book of Revelation

i. The gospels

-The word Gospel means the Good News preached by Jesus Christ. Mk. 1:1, 15
 131

-The four gospels are named after the four persons believed to have written

them.

 Matthew, Mark, luke and John

ii. letters of Saint Paul

-These are books associated with the Apostle Paull

 Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,

Colossians, and 1&2 Thessalonians

iii. Pastoral letters

-They emphasize on pastoral issues.

 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews

iv. Catholic letters

-They are addressed to all people.

 James, 1&2 Peter, 1-2&3 John and Jude

v. Act on the Apostles

-Narrates the activities of the Apostles after the death, resurrection, ascension

and down pouring of the Holy Spirit.

 132

vi. Revelation

-Talks about end time.

The word of God in the church

I. In the liturgy

1. The word of God is proclaimed whenever the people of God gather to

celebrate in the Holy Mass.

2. Whenever there is celebration of the sacraments.

3. Celebration of the word of God on Sundays when there is no Priest.

4. In the Funeral services.

5. In the liturgy of the Hours breviary.

6. In their duration of the Blessed Sacrament.

II. In Catechesis

1. While teaching catechism

2. Used in evangelization.

III. In small Christian communities

1. The faithful read the Bible text and each share what God has

communicated to the person.

2. They reflect share and pray with the Bible.

 133

IV. In all faith associations meetings

V. In Bible Groups

-Especially prayer groups.