Creed Article 9

1. THE APOSTLES’ CREED: ARTICLE 9The book is a complete explanation of the 12 Articles of the Apostles’ Creed.

ARTICLE 9:I BELIEVE THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH,

THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS

Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate

To purchase the Book, or for theological inquiries (e-mails only), contact the author:

AUTHOR Rev. Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, SHMI

EDITION 1st Edition, Manila, May 19, 2013

PUBLISHER Sons of Holy Mary ImmaculateQuality Catholic PublicationsIsabella De Rosis St., Multinational1708 Parañaque City, PhilippinesTelefax(02) 828-2338Tel. (02) [email protected]

Loving Father, giver of all that is, help me to remember that every gift I have comes from you. Expand my vision so that I can appreciate your goodness in the world around me.

Jesus, our Redeemer, you are the path to the treasures of my heart and soul. Strengthen my commitment to be a catechist and deepen my capacity to share your truth with those in my care.

Holy Spirit, Love Divine, all life and energy flows from you. Illuminate my thoughts and intensify my desire to grow ever deeper in my faith.

I lift up my prayer to you, God—Father, Son, and Spirit—in humility and hope. Amen.

2. A CATECHIST’S PRAYER


3. WHAT ARE THE THREE PARTS OF THE

9TH ARTICLE?


The 9TH Article of the Creed is divided into three parts:

1. Nature and Mission

of the Church

2. The Four

Characteristics of

the Church

3. The Communion of

Saints

4. NATURE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH:What is the Church?


The Church is the assembly of those who believe in Jesus Christ, who are baptized, and who are in communion with the Pope.

The term Church comes from the Greek word ekklesia, meaning “assembly.” The Church is not simply a building or an institution, but a community of believers.

5. NATURE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH:What are the three requirements to belong to the

Church?


6. NATURE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH:The three requirements to belong to the Church


1. TO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST: The first requirement to join the Church is to believe that Jesus is the Christ, as professed by St. Peter: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Those who do not believe that Jesus is God cannot be called Christians.

2. TO BE BAPTIZED: The second requirement to enter the Church is to be baptized; as Jesus said: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).

3. TO BE IN COMMUNION WITH THE POPE: The third requirement to remain in the Church is to be united with the Pope, because Jesus appointed Simon Peter and his successors as the universal shepherds of his Church, when he said: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18).

7. NATURE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH:What is the mission of the Church?


The mission of the Church is to establish among all peoples the Kingdom of God. This is to be done by means of evangelization and sacramentalization.

EVANGELIZATIONis the process of proclaiming the Gospel to all peoples; it begins

with the kerygma and continues with the catechumenate.

SACRAMENTALIZATIONis the process of sanctifying our life by means of the Sacraments, that are instituted by Christ, and the

Sacramentals.

8. NATURE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH:What are the four symbols of the Church?


1) PEOPLE OF GOD: because the Church is composed of persons of different nationalities but united into one people.

2) BODY OF CHRIST: because the Church is like a spiritual body, with Christ as the head, and we as the members.

3) BRIDE OF CHRIST: because the Kingdom of God is like a spiritual wedding, where Jesus is the groom and the Church the bride.

4) FLOCK OF CHRIST: because the Church is like a community of sheep, with Jesus Christ as her good shepherd.

9. THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH:What are the four

symbols of the Church?


The true Church of Christ is identified by four characteristics:

1. ONE,2. HOLY,3. CATHOLIC,4. APOSTOLIC.

10. THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH:Why is the Church ONE?


The Church is one, as opposite to many, because Jesus wants all his disciples to be united in one community, under the guidance of the Pope. As he said: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18).

The true Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic Church; however, in the course of two thousand years, many Christian Churches and Denominations have separated.

Ecumenism, a Greek word meaning “the common house,” is the movement striving to unite all Christians into the true Church. Jesus desires all his disciples to be united as a family, as he said: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

11. THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH:The Chronologocal Line


12. THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH:Why is the Church HOLY?


The Church is holy, as opposite to sinful, because it is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit initiated the Church on Pentecost day, enriches the Church with countless charisms, and will guide the Church to her final destiny in Paradise.

Although the Church is holy, some of her members commit serious crimes and provoke scandals. Jesus allowed Judas Iscariot to join the college of the Apostles, although he knew he was a traitor, precisely to give us a warning: that in every twelve shepherds, there might be a bad one.

Each of us should strive to achieve perfect holiness, as recommended by St. Peter: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16).

13. THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH:Why is the Church CATHOLIC?


The Church is Catholic, as opposite to national, because she is universal, as Jesus said: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

The term Catholic comes from the Greek word katholikos, which literally mean “all-embracing,” hence “universal.” The Church does not identify herself with any nation, although she is present in every country.

14. THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH:Why is the Church APOSTOLIC?


The Church is apostolic, as opposite to self-made, because it is founded on the Twelve Apostles, as Jesus declared: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church” (Mt. 16:18).

The Apostolic Succession is the unbroken chain of ordinations connecting all the bishops - and the deacons and priests ordained by them - to one of the Apostles.

15. THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH:The Apostolic Succession of Popes


16. THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH:Why is the Church also called ROMAN?


The Church is also called Roman because the two greatest Apostles, Sts. Peter and Paul, died as martyrs in Rome. For this reason, Rome became the center of the Church and the Bishop of Rome is acknowledged as the Pope.

On June 29, 64 AD, St. Peter was crucified upside-down on the Vatican Hill; while St. Paul was beheaded along the Ostiense Way. Their tombs were carefully preserved, and enshrined with two basilicas.

17. THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH:What is the meaning of Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus?


The Latin sentence Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus, means: “Outside the Church there is no salvation.” The expression refers only to those who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded by Christ, would refuse either to enter or to remain in it.

Obviously, it does not refer to those who ignore Christ and his Church without fault of their own, lest all the inhabitants of the Americas before 1492 (arrival of Christopher Columbus), and of the Philippines before 1521 (arrival of Ferdinand Magellan), could not be saved.

For instance, a Catholic who joins Islam for the sake of marrying a Muslim woman: he cannot be saved because he abandoned his faith knowing it was the true one. On the contrary, an honest Muslim, who never had a chance to meet Christ and his Church, but who nevertheless behaves well and follows his conscience: he can be saved, by receiving the baptism of desire.

18. THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS:

Who are the Saints?


The Saints are those who are in the state of grace; meaning, they are in communion with God.

The Communion of Saints is the spiritual solidarity of those who are in communion with God, including those on earth, Purgatory, and Paradise.

It is the Holy Spirit that creates the communion among the Saints and allows an exchange of graces among them. For this reason, we pray for the Souls in Purgatory and ask the intercession of the Saints in Paradise.

19. THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS:What are the three states of the Church?


1. PILGRIM CHURCH: The Church on earth is called pilgrim, because we Christians are on a spiritual journey towards Paradise.

2. SUFFERING CHURCH: The Church in Purgatory is regarded as suffering, because the souls of the departed are being purified of their temporal punishment.

3. GLORIFIED CHURCH: The Church in Paradise is considered glorified, because the saints in Heaven are constantly praising God.

20. THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS:

Who are the Canonized Saints?


The Canonized Saints are those officially declared by the Church as in communion with God in Paradise.

The term canonized comes from the Greek word kanon, meaning “list,” because they are enrolled in the official List of Saints to be venerated throughout the world.

21. THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS:What is the Process of Canonization?


The process of canonization is the procedure by which the Church declares a saint. It comprises three steps:

VenerationA virtuous person can be venerated

in private.

Beatificationa virtuous person can be venerated in public

at the local level.

Canonizationa virtuous person can be venerated in public at the universal level.

22. THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS:What is the difference between adoration and

veneration?


ADORATIONis the worship reserved

for God alone, and consists in worshipping him as

the Creator and Provider.

VENERATIONis the devotion reserved for the saints, and consists in praising their virtues and

asking for their intercession.

Creed Article 9

Documents

Transcript of Creed Article 9