Topic

Seventh Grade Curriculum

The Life of Grace

Students learn about God’s loving gift of revelation through creation, the prophets, the Incarnation, and the Church. Grace is understood as being central to our relationship with God because it unites us with him and allows us to share in his eternal life. The seventh grade places special emphasis on the role of grace in the seven sacraments and in developing the virtues.

Creed/Scripture

Students develop an understanding of the mystery of Christ through age appropriate teachings on Church doctrine and scriptural references as listed below and in the teacher’s manual. Salvation history and scriptural references are used throughout the seventh grade to emphasize how grace is received through the Paschal Mystery and as part of God’s great plan.

Sacraments

All of the sacraments are presented in depth in the seventh grade.

Christian Life

Throughout the seventh grade, students develop their understanding of the dignity of the human person. Students learn to live out their faith and respond to what they learn by forming a moral conscience and by living out their call to justice and service by imitating the life of Jesus.

Prayer

Throughout the seventh grade, students develop a prayer life that includes participation in the Mass as the greatest prayer, traditional Catholic prayers, and spontaneous prayers.

Topic

Proclamation

Supporting Topics

Related Topics

Aims

Other

Faith

Revelation

Faith, which is reasonable, is a gift

from God by which we believe in him.

Man is created in God’s image and God has revealed himself out of love

for man.

· Through reason we can know that God exists.

· God has revealed himself out of love for man and protects this revelation by the Magisterium of the Church.

· Jesus is the fullness of God’s revelation.

· The greatest mystery and central truth of our Faith is the Trinity.

· St. Thomas Aquinas’ five proofs of God’s existence

· Faith and science

· Evolution

· Body and soul

· Material and spiritual world

· Intellect and free will

· Equal dignity of men

· Sacred Scripture

· Sacred Tradition

· Deposit of Faith

· Trinity

· Students will learn that they were created out of love and are called to be in relationship with God through coming to know him in his revelation.

· Students will learn that faith and reason do not contradict one another.

· Students will learn that faith is supernatural, but not unreasonable, and that faith is the gift God gives so that we can believe in him.

· Prayer: Act of Faith

· Chalk Talk: Man = Body and Soul, Faith and Reason

Salvation History

Scripture

Tradition

Magisterium

The account of salvation history is found in Scripture, which is inspired by God and inerrant. Tradition

guides us in living Christ’s teachings. The Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Church, which is infallible in matters of faith and morals.

· Salvation history is the account of God’s saving action since Creation.

· Together, Scripture, which is the written Word of God, and Tradition, which includes Scripture, constitute the Word of God.

· Scripture is inspired by God and inerrant. It is the truth revealed to us by God.

· The Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Church. It is infallible in matters of faith and morals.

· Creed

· Old Testament/New Testament

· Bible

· Books of the Bible defined

· Public and private revelation

· Deuterocanonical books

· Literal and spiritual senses of Scripture

· Lectio Divina

· Infallibility

· Apostolic succession

· Students will learn that God reveals himself through Sacred Scripture.

· Students will learn that Scripture is the living Word of God.

· Students will learn the importance of Tradition and the Magisterium in coming to know the Word of God.

· Students will know the ways they can come to know and love God in Scripture and Tradition.

· Saint Jerome

· Prayer: Apostles’ Creed

· Scripture: Last Supper

· Chalk Talk: Salvation History Timeline, Apostolic Church

Creation

Man

Angels

The Fall

God creates out of love and everything that he creates is good. God created and tested man. Man fell, but God promised to send a Savior.

· There is only one God, who created all things from nothing (ex nihilo).

· Man is created in the image and likeness of God, with a human nature. God gave him many gifts.

· God created the angels. When they were tested some chose to rebel against God and are now called demons.

· God tested Adam and Eve.

· Man fell, but God promised to send a Savior.

· God’s attributes

· Original justice

· Preternatural gifts

· Supernatural sanctifying grace

· Nine choirs of angels

· Original sin

· Guardian angels

· Redemption, atonement, salvation

· Students will learn that God created them out of love and never abandons them, but saves them from sin.

· Students will learn that God created them to be one with him in heaven for all of eternity.

· Students will learn that God has a plan to save mankind from sin.

· Prayer: Canticle of Creation

· Scripture: Creation, fall of angels (Rev 12), creation of man, fall of man, archangels

· Chalk Talk: Hierarchy of Creation

Abraham

Isaac

Jacob

Joseph

God established a covenant with Abraham and his descendants, promising to bless him and all peoples through him.

· God established a covenant with Abraham, promising him land, descendants, and blessings.

· God called Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac.

· Isaac prefigured Christ.

· Jacob obtained his brother’s birthright and blessing.

· Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, but became the second most powerful man there and was able to save his family from a famine.

· Covenant

· Taking a new name

· Virtues of faith, trust, and obedience

· Sacrifice

· Holocaust

· Scriptural prefiguration

· Family tree of patriarchs

· Timeline of patriarchs

· Providence

· Twelve sons of Israel

· Students will learn that they are each called to enter a covenant relationship of love, trust, and sacrifice with God.

· Students will recognize God’s providence in the lives of the patriarchs and in their own lives.

· Prayer: Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy)

· Scripture: Abraham, Isaac, Abraham’s faith (Gal 3, Heb 11), God’s promises to Abraham and their fulfillment in Christ, Jacob, Joseph

Moses

Passover

Ten Commandments

Joshua

Judges

Kings

God always provides for his people. He protects them and gives them leaders and laws for their own benefit.

· God called Moses to deliver his people from slavery.

· Through the Passover sacrifice and meal, the Israelites were spared from the angel of death.

· God established a covenant with his people and gave them his law.

· Moses and King David prefigured Christ.

· The Israelites were led into the Promised Land by Joshua.

· God gave the Israelites what they asked for, a king.

· Yahweh

· Carmelite order

· Ten plagues

· Exodus

· Paschal Mystery

· Mount Sinai

· Temple worship

· Anointing

· Judges

· Solomon’s wisdom

· Holy oils

· Psalms

· Students will learn to grow in trusting God in all things.

· The students will know the Ten Commandments.

· The students will know some of the Old Testament prefigurements of Christ, and will learn to recognize God’s providential plan in their own lives.

· Prayer: Glory Be

· Scripture: Moses, Exodus, Passover parallels with the Paschal meal, Joshua

Prophets

Elijah and Elisha

Isaiah

John the Baptist

God sent prophets as witnesses to the truth. Prophets called men back to the ways of God.

· Prophets prepared for the coming of Christ.

· Two very important prophets were Elijah and Elisha.

· Isaiah was one of the greatest prophets. He prophesied about the Messiah.

· John the Baptist was the last and greatest of the prophets. He was the herald of the Messiah.

· Major and minor prophets

· Carmelite order

· Brown scapular

· Holy women of the Bible

· Baptism of repentance vs. Sacrament of Baptism

· Students will learn that even now God speaks to them through the prophets, who call them back to God.

· Students will learn that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the prophets.

· Isaiah

· Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, Stations of the Cross

· Scripture: Elijah and Elisha, Isaiah, Christ’s fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecies, suffering servant (Is 52-53), John the Baptist

· Chalk Talk: Prophets and Farmers, John the Baptist

Jesus: True God

and True Man

God the Son

Jesus became man to redeem mankind from sin.

· God promised a Savior.

· Gabriel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Savior.

· Jesus is true God and true man.

· Jesus healed and taught with the authority of God.

· Ecumenical councils clarified the truth about Jesus.

· Annunciation

· Incarnation

· Nativity

· Hidden/public life of Jesus

· Parables

· Hypostatic union

· Jesus’ humanity

· Heresy

· Docetism

· Arianism

· Infallibility

· Blessed Trinity

· Students will learn their need for a Redeemer and will grow in appreciation for the Incarnation.

· Students will learn that through Baptism they may share in God’s life (grace) and become his children.

· Students will grow closer to Christ through knowing who he is and that he is God and man.

· Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

· Prayer: Angelus

· Scripture: Annunciation, Baptism of Jesus, Jesus as God, Jesus as man

· Chalk Talk: Making Reparation, Jesus Christ: True God and True Man

Jesus, our Priest, Prophet, and King

Jesus was sent by the Father into the world to fulfill his threefold office of priest, prophet, and king.

· Jesus’ mission as Priest was to offer himself as a sacrifice to redeem mankind.

· Jesus’ mission as Prophet was to teach us God’s truth.

· Jesus’ mission as King was to establish the Kingdom of God on earth by offering us sanctifying grace.

· Trinitarian theology

· New Adam

· Magisterium

· Baptism

· Confirmation

· Parables and miracles

· Ministerial priesthood

· Common priesthood

· Sanctifying grace and sacraments

· Communion of Saints

· Feast of Christ the King

· Students will learn that as Christians each of them shares in Christ’s mission from the Father to be priest, prophet, and king.

· Students will learn the importance of the sacraments and sanctifying grace in their membership in the Kingdom of God.

· Students will learn that God has a specific plan for each of them.

· Saint Maximilian Kolbe

· Prayer: Act of Hope

· Scripture: Peter, apostolic succession, Holy Spirit/Guardian of Truth, blessing upon Abraham’s descendants, the Beatitudes, Kingdom of God, parables, miracles, sermons, sacraments

· Chalk Talk: Revelation, Priests

Sacrifice

Jesus is the perfect sacrifice offered to the Father and is our one mediator with God.

· A sacrifice is an act of worship and should be offered with a pure heart.

· Jesus is the perfect sacrifice.

· All sacrifices were a preparation for his sacrifice consummated on the Cross.

· Jesus is our one mediator with God, because in his very Person God and man are united.

· Melchizedek was a type of Christ.

· We share in the gift of Christ’s Body and Blood at Mass.

· Ends of sacrifices

· Priest

· Victim

· Altar

· Old Testament priesthood

· Mediator

· Hypostatic union

· Intercessor

· Communion of Saints

· Seven sacraments

· Students will learn that Jesus is the perfect sacrifice and that they are called to exercise their common priesthood through making sacrifices of self-giving love.

· Students will learn that Jesus is their one mediator and will deepen their trust in him.

· Students will learn about their Christian role as intercessors.

· Saint John Mary Vianney

· Saint Louis de Montfort

· Prayer: Morning Offering

· Scripture: Cain and Abel, Melchizedek, priesthood of Jesus (Heb 7), perfect sacrifice of Christ (Heb 10)

Grace

Redemption

Jesus, who is the source of all grace, dispenses his grace through the Church.

· Grace is a share in God’s life. We receive grace in Baptism.

· The seven sacraments are the ordinary means of grace.

· Jesus won grace for us by his life, death, and Resurrection.

· Jesus had the power to perform miracles, heal the sick, and forgive sins because he is truly God.

· Mediatrix of grace

· Original sin

· Preternatural gifts

· Sanctifying grace

· State of grace

· Mission

· Literal and spiritual senses of Scripture

· Students will learn their need for the free, unmerited gift of grace.

· Students will learn that they will be transformed through the sacraments and by living a life of grace.

· Students will grow in faith and love for Jesus by studying his divine actions in Scripture.

· Saint Louis Marie de Montfort

· Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit

· Scripture: exorcism, authority, forgiveness of sin, Jesus forgives sin, founding of the Church

· Chalk Talk: The Life of Grace

Catholic Church

Papacy and Apostles

Jesus built his Church on Saint Peter and the other apostles in order to spread the Gospel throughout the world.

· Jesus called the twelve apostles with Saint Peter as their head to be the first leaders of his Church. Their authority has been passed down by apostolic succession to the Pope and bishops.

· The Body of Christ includes all those united to Christ in the Communion of Saints.

· The true Church of Christ can be identified by four marks: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

· Twelve tribes of Israel

· Apostolic travels

· Primacy of Peter

· Indefectibility

· Holy Orders

· Church hierarchy

· Images of the Church

· Church as human and divine

· Kingdom of heaven

· Mystical Body of Christ

· Timeline of Church foundations

· Non-Christian religions

· Students will learn that they are part of the Mystical Body of Christ and that each of them, as part of the Church, has been entrusted with the mission of Christ.

· Students will learn how Christ lives and works through the hierarchical structure of the Church.

· Students will know that the Church is trustworthy because of Christ’s promise that the Church would be indefectible.

· Twelve apostles

· Prayer: Apostles’ Creed

· Scripture: calling the Twelve, Good Shepherd, lost sheep, Peter as Pope, key as sign of power

· Chalk Talk: The Communion of Saints

Pentecost

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles on Pentecost, at which time the Church was born.

· The twelve apostles spread the Gospel throughout the world, preaching to all nations and baptizing the followers of Christ.

· The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son and gives life to the Church.

· The Holy Spirit sanctifies and protects the Church.

· Evangelization and early Church

· Novena prayers

· Martyrdom

· Missions/missionaries

· Infallibility

· Indefectibility

· Titles and symbols of the Holy Spirit

· Church history

· Ex cathedra teachings

· Roman Catholic/Byzantine Catholic

· Western and Eastern rites

· Students will learn that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that the Church is sanctified and protected.

· Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

· Prayer: Saint Michael the Archangel

· Scripture: Pentecost, promise to send the Holy Spirit

Grace

Sanctifying grace is a supernatural gift from God that is a share in his own life and necessary for salvation.

· Sanctifying grace is necessary for salvation. It makes us adopted children of God.

· We must learn to cooperate with grace, which perfects our nature.

· We receive sanctifying grace through the seven sacraments. They are the ordinary channels of grace.

· Mortal sin removes the life of grace.

· A soul in the state of grace is free from mortal sin and has the theological virtues.

· Actual grace inspires us to do good and helps us to grow in holiness.

· Supernatural gift

· State of grace

· Pelagianism

· Predestination

· Grace, good works, and merit

· Original sin

· Immaculate Conception

· Sacraments of healing, initiation, and service

· Students will learn that it is their duty to retain and develop a relationship with God through sanctifying grace.

· Students will learn that only with grace can they reach their goal of eternal life with God in heaven.

· Students will recall that Jesus is the source of all grace.

· Saint Augustine

· Prayer: Eternal Rest Prayer, Prayer of Saint Augustine

· Scripture: sanctifying grace as a participation in the divine nature

· Chalk Talk: Hierarchy of Creation, Growing in Grace

Theological Virtues

The theological virtues are gifts infused in us by God that bring us into union with him.

· The virtues are permanent dispositions of the soul to do good.

· We grow in virtue through practice and prayer.

· The theological virtues have God as their immediate object.

· Natural vs. supernatural virtues

· Firm and complete faith

· Ways to grow in hope

· Charity, an act of the will

· Students will learn to nurture the theological virtues, which direct them to believe in God, trust in his promises, and love as God loves.

· Students will learn how much God loves them and will grow in confidence in him.

· Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

· Saint Clare

· Saint Francis of Assisi

· Prayer: Act of Faith, Act of Hope, Act of Charity

Cardinal Virtues

Seven Capital Sins

The cardinal virtues are the foundation of a good life, which leads to the beatific life.

· All moral virtues hinge upon the cardinal virtues.

· The four cardinal virtues correspond to the four faculties of the soul.

· The capital vices are the root of all other vices.

· Each capital vice has an opposing virtue.

· Prudence and the true good

· Justice and giving what is due

· Temperance and self-control

· Temperance and the senses

· Fortitude and endurance in doing right

· Seven capital sins

· Vice

· Students will learn that the moral virtues help them to be happy and to achieve their supernatural destiny.

· Students will know which virtues they must develop to safeguard against the capital vices.

· Saint Thomas More

· Saint Maria Goretti

· Prayer: Our Father

· Chalk Talk: Spiritual Exercises

Seven Sacraments

The seven sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ to be visible signs that confer grace.

· Jesus, our Savior, restored grace for mankind.

· The sacraments continue Jesus’ saving work.

· Every sacrament has matter and form that point to the reality of the effects of the sacraments.

· Each sacrament confers a special sacramental grace.

· Efficacious signs: ex opere operato

· Sacramental signs

· Disposition in receiving sacraments: opus operantis

· Sacred mysteries

· Steps for a good Confession

· Steps for a worthy Communion

· Minister of the sacraments

· Prefigurements of sacraments

· Students will learn that through the sacraments Jesus continues his saving work.

· Students will know that the sacraments are effective.

· Saint Thomas Aquinas

· Prayer: discernment of vocations, Abandonment Prayer

· Scripture: seven sacraments: institution and examples

Baptism

In Baptism, our sins are washed away and grace is poured into our souls. We receive an indelible seal that identifies our souls as being united to Christ.

· Jesus reconciled man to God through the gift of himself in the Paschal Mystery. We accept and participate in this gift of justification through Baptism.

· God’s call to reconciliation comes through the Church.

· Certain responsibilities are associated with the life we receive in Baptism.

· Those who do not know about Baptism or who have not been able to receive it before they die may be saved through the Baptism of desire or Baptism of blood.

· Temple of the Holy Spirit

· John’s Baptism

· Jesus’ Baptism

· Sacrament of Baptism

· Gifts of the Holy Spirit

· Theological virtues

· Effects of Baptism

· Original sin

· Institution of Baptism

· Sanctifying grace

· Students will learn that in Baptism the life of grace is restored in them; they are therefore reconciled with God and become children of God.

· Students will learn that in Baptism they make a covenant with God. This covenant with God brings certain responsibilities.

· Prayer: renewal of baptismal promises

· Scripture: Prodigal Son, reconciliation (Is 57, Rom 5, 2 Cor 5, Col 1), the Fall, Baptism of Jesus, Jesus and Nicodemus, great commission

· Chalk Talk: Before and After Baptism, Effects of Baptism

The Rite of Baptism

The elements of the Rite of Baptism draw us to a deeper understanding of the reality that is effected in the Sacrament of Baptism.

· Water is the matter of Baptism. It is a sign of cleansing and nourishing.

· The minister says the form of Baptism.

· Both the matter and the form are essential for Baptism to be effective.

· At Baptism we vow to give up sin and live according to the way of Christ.

· Old Testament prefigurments

· Baptism by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling

· Child of God

· Brother of Jesus

· Temple of the Holy Spirit

· Exorcism

· Elements of the Rite of Baptism

· Sacred chrism

· Infant Baptism

· Vow

· Duties of the baptized

· Students will learn that through the rite of Baptism they are nourished with grace through which they can keep their vow to give up sin and live a life in Christ.

· Students will learn the importance of the elements of the Rite of Baptism. They will discover what the Rite reveals about the sacrament.

· Prayer: Glory Be

· Scripture: institution of Baptism, Creation, flood, Red Sea, Naaman, crossing the Jordan, Baptism of John the Baptist, woman at the well, healing pools

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens God’s grace within us to assist us in living our Christian faith and in being witnesses of Christ.

· The Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity, to be our counselor and comforter.

· Confirmation is the sacramental outpouring of the Holy Spirit and his gifts.

· Confirmed Catholics have a responsibility to live the gospel, serve God, and live a moral and sacramental life.

· Titles for the Holy Spirit

· Symbols for the Holy Spirit

· Pentecost

· Matter, form, minister, and effects of Confirmation

· Confirmation sponsor

· Sacrament of Initiation

· Sanctifying and sacramental grace

· Renewal of baptismal promises

· Patron saints

· Students will learn that through an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Confirmation strengthens them so that they may live out their faith as their initiation into God’s family is completed.

· Students will know the outline for the Rite of Confirmation.

· Prayer: Come Holy Spirit

· Scripture: apostles and Mary in the upper room (Acts 2)

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

The gifts of the Holy Spirit help us to recognize and respond to God’s will.

· The mystery of God within us, when we are in the state of grace, is the indwelling of the Trinity.

· We must pray so that we may be responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and use his gifts well.

· We can know that we are responding to the gifts of the Holy Spirit when we see his fruits in our lives.

· Temple of God

· God’s children

· Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: definitions and examples

· Spiritual exercises

· Twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit: definitions and examples

· Students will learn that they must be rooted in Christ in order to have a fruitful spiritual life.

· Students will learn how the gifts of the Holy Spirit help them live as Christians and to mature in their faith, so that they might be worthy temples of God and bear much fruit.

· Saint Teresa of Avila

· Prayer: Divine Praises

· Scripture: Indwelling of the Trinity (Jn 14:23), Isaiah prophecies the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Is 11:2)

Eucharist

The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

· Jesus is the Bread of Life.

· Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

· During the prayers of Consecration, the bread and wine are changed into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus.

· We must receive the Eucharist worthily.

· Old Testament prefigurements

· Titles for the Eucharist

· Institution of the Eucharist

· Wedding at Cana

· Matter, form, and minister of the Sacrament of the Eucharist

· Transubstantiation

· Real Presence

· Tabernacle

· Eucharistic adoration and Benediction

· Students will learn that the Eucharist is Jesus and that through the Eucharist their lives are transformed and brought into union with the Mystical Body of Christ.

· Students will learn the importance of spiritual nourishment.

· Students will learn the steps to a worthy Communion and will begin to recognize the effects of a worthy reception of Holy Communion.

· Saint Anthony of Padua

· Prayer: Spiritual Communion

· Scripture: multiplication of the loaves and fish, Bread of Life discourse, Last Supper

· Chalk Talk: Transubstantiation

Mass

Sacrifice

The Mass is the greatest form of worship that we can offer to God.

· The Mass makes the Paschal Mystery of Christ present for us.

· The Mass is both a sacrifice and a meal. In the Mass, the sacrifice of Christ is made present.

· We must prepare well in order to participate fully in the Mass.

· At Mass, through the ministry of the priest, Jesus offers himself as the perfect victim and sacrifice.

· Covenant

· Parts of the Mass

· Readings and canon of the Mass

· Four ends of Mass

· Priest, altar, victim

· Remembrance

· Reverence and preparation for Mass

· Students will learn that the Mass is a remembrance and representation of the Last Supper sacrifice through which they too can join Jesus’ worship and offering to God the Father.

· Students will learn the parts of the Mass and be able to identify which parts use the language of sacrifice.

· Saint Francis of Assisi

· Blessed Miguel Pro

· Prayer: Prayer before a Crucifix

· Scripture: Road to Emmaus, the Mass (Mal 1:11; 1 Cor 11:26; Heb 3:8), Breaking of the Bread

· Chalk Talk: Beyond Space and Time

Holy Communion

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.

· The Eucharist is Jesus, the source of all grace.

· The Eucharist crowns all of the other sacraments.

· Grace for every sacrament comes from Christ and his sacrifice, truly present in the Eucharist.

· We must prepare ourselves to receive Holy Communion worthily.

· Eucharistic devotions enable us to be with Jesus, to worship him, and to pray to him.

· Saints with devotion to the Eucharist

· Daily Mass

· Relationship of the Eucharist to the other sacraments

· Attire for Mass

· Eucharistic fast

· Non-Catholics and Communion

· Monstrance

· Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

· Adoration

· Benediction

· Forty hours devotion

· Students will learn that the Eucharist is the source of all grace and the center of their Catholic faith.

· Students will learn that the Eucharist deepens their relationship with Christ.

· Students will learn the opportunities they have to grow in knowledge and love of our Eucharistic Lord.

· Saint John Neumann

· Prayer: Prayer before Communion

· Chalk Talk: Eucharist as Source and Center

Sin

Conscience

Even though we suffer from an inclination to sin, God gives us a conscience that, if well-formed, guides us in judging right from wrong.

· As a result of original sin, man suffers from an inclination to sin, also called concupiscence.

· The devil, the world, and the flesh can lead us into temptation.

· We must avoid occasions of sin in thought, word, deed, and omission.

· Conscience is the faculty that allows us to judge right from wrong. The Church helps us to properly form our consciences.

· Original justice

· Fallen human condition

· Good news of Jesus

· Temptation

· Object, intention, circumstance

· Seven capital sins

· Original and actual sin

· Mortal and venial sin

· Sacrament of Penance

· Examination of conscience

· Student will recognize the weakness of their fallen nature and will grow in trust for Jesus’ mercy.

· Students will know how to develop a well-formed moral conscience.

· Saint Louis of France

· Prayer: Our Father

· Scripture: sin and grace (Rom 7), conscience (Rom 2)

· Chalk Talk: Before and After the Fall, Occasions of Sin, Forming a Conscience

Mercy

God is just, but also merciful and offers forgiveness to the repentant sinner.

· Jesus came to save sinners. He is the Divine Physician.

· Jesus taught us to love sinners, but hate sin.

· Jesus calls us to conversion.

· All Christians are called to do acts of Penance.

· Sacraments of healing

· Person and actions

· Steps to a good Confession

· Perfect contrition

· Imperfect contrition

· Examination of conscience

· Heaven, hell, purgatory

· Reasons for penance

· Examples of penance

· Students will learn that God’s mercy and justice is for all.

· Students will learn that each of them is called to conversion through repentance, contrition, and penance.

· Saint John of the Cross

· Prayer: Chaplet of Divine Mercy

· Scripture: God’s mercy, repentant woman, woman caught in adultery (Jn 8), no greater love (Jn 15)

· Chalk Talk: Justice and Mercy, Change of Heart

Sacrament of Penance

Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Penance as the ordinary means for the forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism.

· Jesus gave his apostles and all priests the power to forgive sins.

· Jesus’ words at the institution of the sacrament, help us to better understand Penance.

· Titles for the Sacrament of Penance

· Steps to a good Confession

· Matter, form, and effects of Sacrament of Penance

· Absolution

· Seal of confession

· Rite of Penance

· Temporal punishment due to sin

· Students will learn that God’s loving mercy is boundless and for everyone.

· Students will learn that grace can be restored to their souls in the Sacrament of Penance.

· Prayer: Act of Contrition

· Scripture: Jesus institutes the Sacrament of Penance, forgive others as God forgives us, healing of paralytic

· Chalk Talk: Confession

Anointing of the Sick Preparation for Heaven

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick helps a person prepare for death by healing him from sin, and if it is God’s will, brings about physical healing.

· Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick to care for the body and soul of those who are sick and dying.

· The sacrament strengthens a person to embrace God’s will.

· The sick may also receive the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist in the Rite of the Anointing of the Sick.

· Indulgences are spiritual riches offered to us through the Church for the good of our life after death.

· Consequences of original sin

· Last Rites

· Holy oils

· Viaticum

· Plenary and partial indulgences

· Purgatory

· Treasury of the Church

· State of grace

· Matter, form, and effects of the Anointing of the Sick

· Students will learn that they can experience God’s mercy in the sacraments, especially in Penance and the Anointing of the Sick.

· Students will learn that Jesus exercises his power to heal us miraculously through his priests.

· Students will learn that indulgences affect their eternal reward.

· Blessed Damien de Veuster

· Prayer: Prayer for a Happy Death

· Scripture: Anointing of the Sick, healing, miracles, power to heal is given to the apostles (Mk 6, Jas 5)

Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the sacrament by which men become ordained ministers.

· The Sacrament of Holy Orders is a sacrament of service that was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper.

· To receive this sacrament a man must be called by God to the ministerial priesthood.

· There are three degrees of Holy Orders

· In the Sacrament of Holy Orders an indelible mark is placed on the priest’s soul.

· Sacraments of initiation, healing and service

· Apostolic succession

· Alter Christus

· Priest, Prophet, and King

· Common priesthood

· Matter, form, and effects of Holy Orders

· Apostolic letter: Ordinatio Sacerdotalis

· Vocations

· Ordinations

· Permanent deacons

· Act of Love by Saint John Vianney

· Students will learn that the Sacrament of Holy Orders is for men who are called by God to this vocation.

· Students will learn about their call to worship because of their share in the common priesthood.

· Prayer: Prayer for Priests

· Scripture: ordination of deacons (Acts 6), Last Supper, God calls to the priesthood (Jn 14; 1 Tim 2; Heb 7, 10)

· Chalk Talk: The Sacraments

Matrimony

Marriage was instituted by God at the time of Creation and made a sacrament by Jesus.

· Matrimony is a sacrament of service. Its purpose is mutual love and support, and procreation.

· The family is the core unit of society.

· Spouses help each other to know, love, and serve God, and raise children in the Faith.

· God’s grace is necessary for marriage to be strong and flourish.

· Blessings of marriage

· Indissolubility of marriage

· Sacrificial love

· Maturity

· Valid Christian marriage

· Divorce vs. annulment

· Covenant of matrimony

· Minister, matter, form and effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony

· Attacks on marriage

· Preparing for marriage

· Discerning vocations

· Students will learn that spouses receive many blessings through the Sacrament of Matrimony and that they are to support each other and help each other to know, love, and serve God.

· Students will learn that marriage models Christ’s love for the Church and is dependent upon his grace.

· Saint Rita of Cascia

· Prayer: Prayer for Families

· Scripture: a helper fit for Adam (Gen 2), God’s blessing for marriage (Gen 1), wedding at Cana

Sacramentals and Piety

Sacramentals are sacred signs established by the Church to bestow grace on those who use them with the right disposition. We honor the saints and ask them to pray for us.

· Sacramentals are tangible elements of our Faith.

· Blessings consecrate objects, peoples, or places for service to God.

· Popular piety is a particular people’s way of expressing reverence and devotion to God and the saints.

· We honor the saints and ask them to pray for us.

· Blessings

· Examples of sacramentals

· Mysteries of the Rosary

· Reverence for blessed objects

· Apostolic letter: Rosarium Virginis Mariae

· Latria, dulia, hyperdulia

· Relics

· Students will learn that they can receive many blessings by properly using sacramentals.

· Students will learn that their devotion and love for God and the saints can be expressed in a very personal way that links them to their family’s cultural heritage.

· Students will learn that sacramentals and popular piety will draw them closer to Christ present in the sacraments and will strengthen their adherence to Catholic doctrine.

· Prayer: The Rosary

Blessed Virgin Mary

Jesus gave us Mary, his mother, to be the Mother of the Church also. As the Mother of God, Mary was given special privileges.

· Love and devotion to Mary is truly Christian.

· Mary is honored because of her role in Christ’s work of salvation and her exemplary discipleship of Christ.

· Mary’s special privileges were given by the power of Christ in anticipation of her role in salvation history.

· We can embrace Mary as our mother by consecrating ourselves to Jesus through her.

· Life of Mary

· Mediatrix of grace

· Co-redemptrix

· Marian dogmas

· Immaculate Conception

· Assumption

· Mother of God (Theotokos)

· Perpetual virginity

· New Eve

· Act of Total Consecration to Mary

· Our Lady of Lourdes

· Our Lady of Fatima

· Students will learn that Mary is the Mother of the Church and that she leads them to her Son.

· Students will learn that Marian devotions can be very helpful in their spiritual journey.

· Students will learn that they can entrust themselves to Mary who will lovingly lead them to Jesus.

· Saint Louis de Montfort

· Prayer: Hail, Holy Queen

· Scripture: Mary as our mother (Jn 19), wedding at Cana, conception of Christ, virginal birth / presentation, finding in the temple, Crucifixion, Easter appearances, Ascension, full of grace, Mary’s virginity

· Chalk Talk: Mary’s Graces, Mediatrix of Grace