CL

• Paschal Mystery of Christ

  Christ's death liberates us from sin, Christ's resurrection opens the way to a new life
• John 20: 1-9: 'The Resurrection of Jesus Christ'
• It was Mary Magdalene who first saw that Jesus' body was gone from the tomb
• Simon Peter and John the beloved followed after
• The Liturgical Calendar starts in Advent
• EASTER


  The most important day in the Catholic calendar, Greatest feast in the Catholic Church
• Pentecost is celebrated on the 50th and last Sunday of Easter
• Significance of the Resurrection of Jesus

  • Confirms Christ's divinity
  • Fulfillment of the Old Testament promises
  • Principle and source of our future resurrection
• Vocation


  A particular occupation, business, or profession; a divine call to God's service or to Christian life
• 3 States of Christian Life

  • Priesthood
  • Marriage
  • Single-blessedness
• We are all called to a vocation (one's purpose)
• Church = moral fiber of society
• Matthew 4: 18-22: 'The Call of the First Disciples'
• Peter, Andrew, James, and John were the first people called by Jesus
• Priesthood

  Christ's own priestly ministry on earth coupled with the historical fact that He went out of His way to associate with different kinds of people and do His public ministry (preach, heal, exorcism)
• Priests receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders through which "mission entrusted by Christ to His apostles continues to be "
• Duties of Priests

  • They are sacraments or the VISIBLE SIGNS OF JESUS in the Church
  • Their MISSION is to: preach, sanctify, and govern the Church
• Hierarchy of the Church

  • Vatican (Pope)
  • Archdiocese (Cardinal)
  • Diocese (Bishop)
  • Parish (Priest)
• Types of Priests

  • Religious Priests - belongs to a religious congregation (founded by a saint)
  • Diocesan Priests - belongs to a diocese under the bishop
• Religious Life


  The faithful who bind themselves to Christ in a state of life consecrated to God by the profession of the evangelical counsels
• EVANGELICAL CELIBACY/CHASTITY


  Helps transform in their interior life everything that has its sources in the lust of the flesh (living in purity = both in mind and in spirit), Not allowed to marry or have a family of their own, They're only married to the Church and God so they could fully focus on their vocation
• EVANGELICAL POVERTY


  Helps them to change in their inner being everything that find its source in the lust of the eyes (living a SIMPLE life), Giving up material possessions, They're only allowed to personally keep the stipend given to them
• EVANGELICAL OBEDIENCE


  Enables them to transform in a radical way that which in the human heart arises from the pride of life (discerning the will of God through their SUPERIORS), Superiors: the one who manages their designated group
• Having a strong FOUNDATION of qualities and values is very relevant in building relationships
• Building a relationship is always a two-way process where there is self-revelation and acceptance, or giving and receiving
• Genesis 1: 27: '"God created man in His image and likeness; in the divine image He created him; male and female He created them."'
• MARRIED LIFE


  A commitment under the sacrament of Matrimony, A vocation, a divine calling, where one chooses to build a Christian family according to the will of God
• Sacrament of Matrimony


  The Sacrament of Matrimony or Christian Marriage is a unique sacrament that is built into the very nature of our human reality as created male and female through God's love, in the image of God who is love, called to a covenant of loving one another in sharing God's divine love
• Unitive Purpose


  Entails that man and woman will be together for companionship and friendship for the rest of their lives, Wedding vows: For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health
• Procreative Purpose


  Entails the union of the married couple in God's creative act of bringing an offspring into the world who will be agents of hope of the society. It is a privilege and a responsibility