effectively remembers and makes present the pascal mystery 

(the birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return in glory of J.C.)

through prayers, gestures and symbols 

Ecclesiological

Theology FROM the liturgy involves...

Ricoeur - literal + donative

literal = physical

donative = meaning given to symbol as related to physicality of the symbol

Turner - orectic + normative 

orectic = physical that elicits an emotional response 

normative = philosophical, theological, or ideological meaning given to the symbol 

Sign 

-transparent 

-univocal (1-to-1 correspondence) 

-fixed 

-concrete

-objective

Symbol

-opaque            -depth 

-multi-vocal       -versatile

-mobile             -flexible 

Mysterion 

original meaning 

= something hidden 

Mysterion 

St. Paul's meaning

= salvation as hidden in God but now revealed in Christ through the Prophets 

Sacramentum 

Tertullian

1. oath of allegiance of a soldier to Roman Empire

same as Baptism and Confirmation

2. deposit of $ in the temple for a civil law case 

Sacramentum

Augustine 

1. all rites and rituals of OT and NT

2. figures in OT that represent Christ 

3. mystery of trinity and incarnation 

Sacramentum

Peter Lombard

= signs are images and causes of grace

Sacramentum 

Thomas Aquinas

principle cause 

= always God

Sacramentum 

Thomas Aquinas

instrumental cause 

= the physical matter used to communicate the divine grace

Mystagogy 

= teaching of mysteries

How does Hughes apply this notion to all the sacraments (7 aspects)?

1. All - people                                  2. All - time  

3. All - sacraments                          4. All - parts of each ritual 

5. Personal experience 

6. Poetry > Prose

7. Well-celebrated rites

Threefold structure of "Crisis"

1. setting out - something happens, feeling things as changing don't know why

2. adventure of crisis - disorientation/disillusionment 

3. return - to self or community as new person 

Threefold Structure of

"Rites of Passage"

1. Separation

2. Liminality 

3. Re-aggregation

Positive role of

ritual in Crisis 

1. Allows a person to face truth of his/her existence 

2. Gives meaning to experience of crisis 

3. Reconstitutes community 

Negative role of

ritual in crisis 

1. Give in to temptation to manipulate the sacred 

2. Bypass those things one needs to face 

3. Maintain status quo

1. Bible 

2. Personal Experience 

3. Oral experience of Apostles 

4. Neoplatonic Philosophy

5. Experience of Rites/Rituals 

Augustine and Donatist Controversy

2 effects of baptism

1. Permanent (grace) 

2. Can be lost through sin 

3 long-term consequences: 

Augustine's I.D. of sacrament

with the seal

1. Administered/receiving a sacrament

2. Effectiveness depends on holiness of rite ≠ minister

3. Distinction between grace given by the sacra

and their fruitfulness 

6th → 12th Century

Baptism

adults (catechumen) → children (≠ catechumen)

6th → 12th Century

Confirmation

adults (immediately after baptism) →

adults (separate from baptism, willingness of Bishop) 

6th → 12th Century

Marriage/Matrimony  

blessing → begins to function as Sacrament 

6th → 12th Century

Confession/Penance

public (only done once) → private (often as desired) 

6th → 12th Century

Ordination 

only Deacons and Bishops → step latter of various orders

6th → 12th Century

Anointing of the Sick

laying on hands of sick → anointing before death 

6th → 12th Century

Eucharist 

public gathering (1 Bishop, 1 cup) →

clerics prayed for church as people attended silently 

Baptism in Middle Ages 

Influences from Germanic tribes:

Rite of Baptism

= infant 

Baptism in Middle Ages 

Influences from Germanic tribes:

Type of catechumenate 

= none 

no moral catechumanate 

no development or teaching

Why 7 sacraments? 

- perfect # 

- 4 + 3 = union of heaven and earth

- 7 virtues, 7 vices, 7 wonders etc

sacramentum tantum

'branding iron'   = solely the ritual   -ex opere operato

-the rite ≠ minister communicates grace

-the rite is made up of correct matter & form, intention & minister, grace is always administered 

sacramentum et res

sphragis = 'mark'

-refers to what is given permanently

res tantum

-ex opere operantis 

-receiving the grace that's given

-grace can be lost through sin

Aquinas' use to describe the sacramental seal

-artist forming a statue 

-forming a mold to give beauty

-artistic image 

Aristotle 

substance/accidents

substance = essence and unchanging reality of anything

accidents = what is changeable

ex. wt, ht, color etc

Aristotle 

matter/form

matter = physical part of the symbol

form = words 

together = ex opere operato 

Aquinas understands

... the character of baptism

= openness to receive the other sacraments

Aquinas understands

... the character of confirmation

= to function as an adult with community and to proclaim Christ to the world 

Aquinas understands

... the character of ordination

= preaching and celebrating sacraments effectively

Luther 

... understood Lord's supper 

- rejected transubstantiation

- understood it as consubstantiation

-presence of Christ in bread and wine 

Zwingli 

... understood Lord's Supper

-denied it outright 

-mental presence & social sign of faith already  

-sacrament doesn't f(x) as a mediator

Calvin

... understands Lord's Supper 

-receive power of Christ 

-Eucharist does not contain or confer

-Eucharist is reminder of Christ presence 

Baptismal Fonts Types

Hexagonal – 6th day, Good Friday, the emphasis on the cross
Octagonal – 8th day, New Creation, resurrection

How did the image of womb / tomb play out in the construction of early baptismal fonts? 

Theological connection to immersion or submersion pointed to death and resurrection, as fonts were built, different shapes formed

Cross – signified the dying, walking up and down the steps to signify the resurrection

Baptismal fonts

characteristics of the early font: ground

(water, lake, large amounts of water)