Church as Sacrament of Salvation

Essential Question: What does it mean that the Church is THE Sacrament of Salvation and Communion?

The Church as THE Sacrament of
Salvation and Communion

• A sacrament is a visible (efficacious) sign and

instrument through which the invisible grace of
God is conveyed

• Sign = something visible that points to the unseen

• Instrument = something visible that accomplishes

something + is efficacious (produces effect)

• The Church is the channel of God’s grace

• Grace passes from God (origin) through the Church

(channel) to all people (destination)

• Salvation = 1) Being adopted as sons/daughters of God

2) freed from sin. This process is called: Theosis

• Theosis = taking on the divine nature → Grace allows us

to take on God’s nature. “Become by grace what God is by nature” - Irenaeus of Lyon, born 125 A.D.

Sacrament of Salvation

Match

To suggest the Church is a Sacrament means that God allows his people and objects of the world to mediate Grace.

Match each concept regarding Grace to its proper place/concept:

• the origin of grace

• the channel/instrument of grace

• all people

• the purpose of grace

• the process of becoming like God

God

the Church

destination of grace

salvation + spiritual adoption

theosis

• God

• the Church

• destination of grace

• salvation + spiritual adoption

• theosis

II. A ‘church’ itself is a Sacrament, a
place to encounter grace

A. A. A church both

contains (think Tabernacle) and
communicates (by its design) the
invisible grace she
signifies

B. Image for the Church – barque of Peter (boat of Peter) carrying us safely to heaven despite the storms of life

C. Main section of a church – nave (ship) -
carrying us to heaven

The Barque of Peter

•Ecclesia (Latin) →ekklesia (Greek) →
”gathering of the summoned” - entire people

People become members of the Church through Baptism + profession of faith.

•God calls; we respond, with the “obedience of
faith” → entrusting ourselves to Him

What is the "church" + “Church”?

•1) The Magisterium (the teaching office of the Church). "The Church teaches..."

•2) the local community (parish, diocese, local church). I go to this "church" (St. ___)

•3) the universal community of believers

III. “Church”

​4) The clergy + ministers - those who serve the Church

Match

Match each meaning of the word "church"/"Church" to its corresponding connotation

• Magisterium

• church, parish, or diocese

• all members of the Church, united through a profession of faith and Baptism

• those who serve the needs of the Church

the teaching office of the Church

the local community

the universal community

clergy + ministers

• the teaching office of the Church

• the local community

• the universal community

• clergy + ministers

IV. How is the Church a visible sign of God’s grace in the world?

A.

Her Saints (canonized) and saints

B. Institutions she does good through (think “charisms”):
- hospitals, schools, and various charitable organizations

C. Her Sacraments

D.

Her Members - on Earth, in Purgatory, in Heaven
a.The Church on Earth (Church militant)

b.The Church in Purgatory (Church suffering)

c.The Church in Heaven (Church Triumphant)

E. The Baptized are united in faith producing horizontal and vertical communion
a. Vertical - our own relationship with God, shared through common worship

b. Horizontal - our relationship with others, our attitudes and acts of
charity

Match

How is the Church a visible sign of God’s grace in the world?

• people of heroic virtue

• hospitals, schools, and various charitable organizations, religious orders

• Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, etc.

• those on earth, in Purgatory, in Heaven

Her Saints/saints

Her Charisms

Her Sacraments

Her Members

• Her Saints/saints

• Her Charisms

• Her Sacraments

• Her Members

Match

Match each level of Church membership/term with its corresponding definition:

• Church militant

• Church Suffering

• Church Triumphant

• our own relationship with God, shared through common worship

• our relationship with others, our attitudes and acts of
  charity

The Church on Earth

The Church in Purgatory

The Church in Heaven

Vertical Communion

Horizontal Communion

• The Church on Earth

• The Church in Purgatory

• The Church in Heaven

• Vertical Communion

• Horizontal Communion