By: Bernadette Parrott
Welcome to our Faith Renewal Series that is exploring The ABCs of Being Catholic. We are invited on a journey through the alphabet to explore Catholic terms, beliefs, and traditions. In this post we focus on the letter “S”.
If you missed our Introduction to this series <click here>. To go back to the letter “R” post <click here>. To go to the letter “T” post <click here>.
Stations of the Cross
August 9, 2021
I love this devotional prayer. In it, I am drawn into meditating on the Passion of Christ. It always brings a tear to my eyes. The pictures, or carvings are found in all Catholic churches. The fourteen “stations” allow us to stop and walk with our Lord through various scenes of the Way of the Cross, to experience, in a small way, the sacrifice made for us.
| 1 | Jesus is Condemned to Death |
| 2 | Jesus Bears His Cross |
| 3 | Jesus Falls for the First Time |
| 4 | Jesus Meets His Mother |
| 5 | Jesus is Helped by Simon |
| 6 | Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus |
| 7 | Jesus Falls the Second Time |
| 8 | Jesus Consoles the Women of Jerusalem |
| 9 | Jesus Falls a Third Time |
| 10 | Jesus is Stripped of His Garments |
| 11 | Jesus is Nailed to the Cross |
| 12 | Jesus Dies on the Cross |
| 13 | Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross |
| 14 | Jesus is Laid in the Tomb |
If you’re travelling, sometimes you can find life size stations of the cross outdoors. We found gorgeous bronze depictions of the Stations of the Cross at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré just outside of Quebec City, and the more modest walk at St. Benedict’s “Painted Church” on the island of Hawaii.
I know for me, even just reading the Stations floods me with images, I can “see” the journey, I can find myself there, afraid to call out that I am a follower of this man, Jesus. I find myself ashamed, exposed – and then I find the love the Jesus has for me, a sinner.
This beautiful devotion is popular on Fridays during Lent. Is it calling to you?
We adore you, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Sanctuary
August 5, 2021
I fall on my knees
Simply put the Sanctuary is the part of the church that contains the altar. You will also find the Tabernacle and the Sanctuary Lamp and the Ambo. A Crucifix is also prominent. It is the place reserved for worship.
The Altar is where the Sacrifice of the Mass, the Eucharist is celebrated. It is to be the focus of attention in the church.
The Tabernacle is the dwelling place of God. It houses the Body of Christ for adoration and keeps safe consecrated hosts that were not consumed during Mass.
The Sanctuary Lamp is a constant reminder to us that Jesus is present in the Tabernacle. This candle, usually kept in a red glass container, burns day and night whenever the Blessed Sacrament is present. It is a reminder to us that Christ’s love for us is never ending. In His presence, we are called to worship.
The Ambo is where the Word of God is proclaimed from. We are nourished by His Word and by His Body. We are sent forth because we have been empowered to do so.
The Crucifix is our reminder of the incredible sacrifice Jesus endured for us. It is the most powerful symbol that is the focal point of our beliefs: Jesus died on the cross to redeem each and every one of us – to redeem me.
So, now that we have all the “technical jargon” done with – let’s take a different look at the Sanctuary. Christ’s sacrifice humbles me. As I gaze upon the Altar, I am drawn into the power of the Eucharist – the power of my own personal transformation that only comes from God. The crucifix calls me to experience a deep longing for forgiveness, it calls me to ponder the incredible sacrifice Jesus me for me – the loss, the suffering, the pain, the anguish, His very death. Just below, my gaze focuses on the Tabernacle and the Sanctuary Lamp – Christ is present for me – am I present for Him? Am I actively seeking to spend time with Him, to share His love with others? And then I can gaze upon the Ambo – does the Word of God set me on fire? Do I take for granted the readings I have heard over and over again, or do I savor the flavor of God’s word and let it penetrate my heart?
In all of the this – as I come forward the Sanctuary,
Do I fall on my knees,
and worship?
Sacrament and Sacramentals
July 29, 2021
After Holy Communion at a recent weekday Mass, Father invited us to meditate on “the face of God” and to spend time with Him gazing upon His face.
Just how do we do that??? With eyes closed, hearts exposed, and an openness to receive His gifts. About seven or eight different types of images flashed before me in those 30 seconds and each one of the seemed to wrap me in warmth, in love.
Where can we find Jesus today? How does he guide us in our everyday lives? Jesus left us with sacred, visible, tangible signs, that He Himself instituted so we can be infused with invisible grace that will lead us to an inward sanctification. Imagine the Holy Spirit coming to dwell with us, within us, just as Jesus promised when he said we would not be alone in our journey. These are our moments of encounter with God. The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments.
There are seven sacraments, each calling us to a deeper relationship with Jesus. Their purpose is to build up the church – all the members of the Mystical Body of Christ.
Initiation
Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Healing
Reconciliation
Anointing of the Sick
Vocation
Matrimony
Holy Orders
| Baptism | We are ‘born’ into the Mystical Body of Christ so that with him we are children of God. |
| Confirmation | We are strengthened and completed in our Baptismal graces and long to act as witnesses to and for Christ. |
| Holy Communion | We are fed with Christ, the Bread of Life, in a community banquet. |
| Penance | We are forgiven when our sins have weakened or killed our friendship with Christ or our fellow human beings. |
| Anointing of the Sick | We regain health or gain strength from Christ to pass through death into eternal life. |
| Holy Orders | Priests are chosen to preach the Good News, form communities and administer the sacraments, which activate Christ’s love for the People of God. |
| Matrimony | Partners are chosen by one another to live a life of responsible love, which mirrors within the family circle Christ’s love for his church. |
The sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders confer upon us an indelible sign that is imprinted on our soul. It remains with us always. It is an invisible sign that we are marked as a child of God. In such, these three sacraments can only be conferred once.
My loving response to God flows from me to God’s people. And thus begins a never-ending relationship – as long as I continue to respond to God’s love. God extends his love to me. I accept. But since his limitless love cannot be contained within my limited being, it influences my personal relationship with others. This same process is going on in each member of the community – with the result that we all love each other because of the love of God in our own hearts. And it is the sacraments that maintain this flow of love.
Who among us wear medals, crosses or crucifixes? Who among us has crucifixes in our homes, or perhaps holy pictures or statues? Perhaps you have Holy Water in your home? Perhaps you carry a rosary with you?
These blessed objects, prayers, or blessings, which are identified by the church as sacred in a unique way are called Sacramentals. They could also include the Bible, making the Sign of the Cross, blessed palms, ashes (on Ash Wednesday), candles, the Way of the Cross and so much more.
Sacramentals helps us to recognize that we are never alone – that Christ is always with us. They do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the same way that the sacraments do, but, with prayer, they can prepare us to receive grace and to cooperate with it in spreading Christ’s love.
As we come to the Sacraments, may our hearts be open to receive the graces that God so deeply wants to experience. As we reach for the sacramental items that we carry, that are in our homes, that remind us that we are children of the Living God, may they, in turn, allow us to share that incredible gift of love and faith with everyone we encounter.
What was my favorite image that passed before me? The image of Jesus with a smile and with arms outstretched towards me. Where do I find my joy? In the arms of the One who loves me unconditionally.
If you missed our Introduction to this series <click here>. To go back to the letter “R” post <click here>. To go to the letter “T” post <click here>.