1.Four Central Roman CatholicBeliefs

2. Roman Catholicism Largest branch of Western Christianity Separated from Protestant Christianity duringReformation of the 16th century Beliefs that separate Catholics from theirreformed brethern:1. Role of tradition in addition to Scripture2. Belief in 7 Sacraments3. Existence of Purgatory4. Communion of Saints 3. Tradition Scripture does not stand alone must beinterpreted only by the Church Anointing the Sick is the most importantinterpretation 4. Sacraments acraments are outward signs or symbols instituted by Jesus Provide grace for believers at critical stages of life:-birth (baptism)-coming into adulthood (Eucharist and Reconciliation)-coming of age (Confirmation)-mature vocation in life (marriage or Holy Orders)-End of life (Anointing the Sick) 5. Sacraments Contd Can also be defined as ritualized meetingbetween God and humans Powerful symbols that bring about thespiritual reality which they symbolize 6. Purgatory 7. Purgatory Purification to achieve the necessary holinessto enter heaven i.e. repenting for sins Catholics believe in levels of sin-Venial sin: weakens but does not destroy onesrelationship with God. Ex: using foul language-Mortal sin: does break ones relationship toGod. ex: murdering ones neighbor 8. Forgiveness of sins Mortal Sin forgiven through Sacrament ofReconciliation (confessionals) or perfectsorrow and repentance for sin Venial sins forgiven through same two meansand by imperfect sorrow 9. Purgatory Contd Purgatory also provides a place for ordinaryperson who may not have the faith of a greatsaint, but who does not deserve Hell State of Purgatory =Heaven Catholic prayers for the dead helps thedeceased through Purgatory and into Heaven 10. Communion of Saints The spiritual union of the members ofthe Christian Church, living and thedead, those on earth, in heaven, and for thosewho are in that state of purification Members help each other get to Heaven Includes the Church Triumphant (Saints inHeaven) Church Suffering (souls in Purgatory) Church Militant (Church here on Earth) 11. The Earliest Traditions Passion narratives were earliest part of theGospels, they stress the reality andredemptive value of the suffering and death ofJesus Suffering and death have a value in Christianview of the world Living life in imitation of Jesus and Baptism tojoin themselves to the suffering, death, andresurrection of Jesus 12. Earliest Traditions ContdEarly church preferred that a new believer bebaptized by:going down 3 steps (symbolizing Jesus 3 daysin the tomb)into a pool of blessed water (symbolizingchaos, death and need for a new creation)being immersed 3 times then ascending 3steps (symbolizing Father, Son, Holy Spirit) 13. Contd Person to be baptized wore white garments tosymbolize a sign of new life One could be baptized by pouring water onforehead when immersion is life threateningor impractical Anointing the sick with holy oil so that theprayers will help them spiritually and bodily Priests anoints the sick person to join hissuffering to that of Jesus 14. Death in Dark& Middle Ages Death was an omnipresentfact of existence A great deal of emphasiswas placed on the fear oneshould have at the LastJudgment. This fear is illustrated bythe Medieval hymn DiesIrae (Day of Wrath) whichstresses need &impossibility of beingprepared as possible forthe judgment 15. Comfort withdealing with death Relics (bones, prayerbooks, or clothing of thesaint) were venerated(glorified) Relics were associated withsaints, holy people whoassumed to be in Heavenpraying for the people onEarth Veneration of relics showscomfort w/ presence andcare of deceased. For sick or dying, there hasbeen a sacrament presentlyknown as the Sacrament ofAnointing the Sick 16. Sacrament ofAnointing the SickAt diverse times in Church history, went under various names (holy oil, unction (sacred anointing) of the sick, blessing of consecrated oil, unction of God, office (in the sacrament) of the unction.Purpose is to help dying person join their death to that of JesusRenamed Extreme Unction during late 1100s for one of two reasons: It would be the extreme orfinal anointing of a personsearthly life It was the last in a series ofanointings for a person(Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, etc) 17. SaintsMultiple Saints werevenerated as patron saint ofdeath and dying during Dark& Middle Ages: Mary: Mother of Jesus Saint Anne:Grandmother of Jesus Stephen: First martyr Joseph Martha: sister ofLazarus Archangel Michael Magi from MathewsGospel 18. Communion of SaintsThere was always aconsciousness not only ofdeath, but of a saint to help.This is an indicator of whatwas called the Communionof Saints. 19. After Death One would have Masscelebrated for them and thenwould be buried in sacredground. Sacred ground could bedenied to those found to havedied in open and flagrant sin 20. Reformation In the 1500s, Western Christendom was fractured into many denominations. One of them was the Roman Catholic branch of Christianity The actual spark for theReformation was thesale of indulgences. 21. Indulgences Prayers and other goodworks, done as part of theCommunion of Saints to helpthe deceased, were oftendescribed as indulgences. By the late 1400s, the goodworks in question were toooften gifts of cash often toexpand the art collections ofvarious less then ideal Popes This emphasis on cash wouldenrage Martin Luther andmany other scholars andreformers 22. Martin Luth Martin Luther sought to reformthe doctrine of Purgatory, makingit more reliant on a change ofheart and less reliant on monetarygifts. In many cases, the idea of a stateof cleansing was retained, but theability of the living to pray for andassist the deceased was rejected. By 1530, the idea of Purgatory waspractically eliminated in theReformed traditions. 23. POPE JOHN XXIII CONVENED VATICAN IIUpdate the catholic church Extreme Unction Anointing the sick Commendation of the dying 24. CHANGES MADE FOR CARE OF THE SICK AND DYINGHaving two separate rituals. One for thesick and one for the dyingBoth aspects of the sacrament could becelebrated privately or communalThe sacraments for old ageDeacons as primary ministers of thesacrament 25. CHANGES MADE FOR CARE OF THE SICK AND DYING Spouse of a roman catholic allowed tobe buried in a catholic cemetery The burden of denying suicide victimsin consecrated ground 26. PREPARATIONS FOR ANOINTING OF THE SICKOnce one is aware of sickness they ask priest for anointing of the sick.Priest arrives bringing Holy oil Eucharist A StolePriest gives Confessions and grant absolution before the anointing of the sick 27. ANOINTING OF THE SICKAnointing of the sick takes place in large public room that consist of Temporary altar with a white cloth upon it and a crucifix Beeswax candles The holy oils A bible The ritual book for anointing the sick 28. ANOINTING OF THE SICK Begins with prayers and bible readings Priest will then bless the oils and anointthe ill patient on the forehead and thepalm of her hands Priest will give the sick patient theEucharist 29. IF PATIENT SICKNESS CONTINUES Priest will bring Eucharist once a monthand provide opportunity for confessionand spiritual direction May receive anointing of the sickregularly from the priest 30. THE PATIENCE DEATH SEEMS IMMINENTThe priest will perform the Commendation of the Dying Sub-ritual to the anointing of the sick Performed if death is forthcoming 31. COMMENDATION OF THE DYINGGive absolution without the need for private confessionSacraments are only for the living If Unsure if patients alive church will celebrate a conditional sacramentDying Patient will be anointed on the forehead and palms of the hand 32. COMMENDATION OF THE DYING If patient is still alive she will receivecommunion called Holy Viaticum Records kept in a special booktheSacramental Registry, 33. THE DEATH OF THE PATIENT Once the patient dies the priestconsoles the family Then make arrangements for the funeral Local pastor determined of the deadwas a practical catholic and can beburied by the catholic church 34. BURIAL There is a Vigil (wake service)celebrated the evening before the deadwill be buriedIt has an official text yet Its a sacramentalCall to prayer and bible readingsA reflection of the Christian meaning of deathShould be very clear that people are praying for the decease not to the decease 35. BURIAL Next morning family and friends visit thefuneral home Body transported to the church for FuneralMassMarked by celebration that the deceased is with GodChurch stress that loss is temporaryUse white vestments as a sign of rejoicing in new life 36. FUNERAL MASS Priest sprinkles holy water on thecasket and covers it with a white clothto recall the deceased baptism On the day of her baptism the deceasedwas clothed with Christ. At the time of theresurrection may she join him in eternallife At the end of the mass Priest sayspecial prayer for the deceased 37. CEMETERY There will be a consecration of thegrave, asking Gods grace of eternal rest Everyone returns to the designatedfamily member home Priest moderates a discussion of the deceased for any unfinished business The deceased will have an immediatepersonal judgment after death.