Sacraments. Baptism & Confirmation

Sacraments in General

Baptism

Confirmation

1. I. SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL
2. Introduction.
   • Preliminaries: Signs
   • Preliminaries: What is liturgy?
   • What is Fundamental Theology of the Sacraments?
   • Describe the relationship of Sacramental Theology with Christology, Ecclesiology and Sacred Liturgy.
   • Define "Mysterion"; "Sacramentum". Why is this the theological-hermeneutical key of the treatise. What is hermeneutics?
   • What are the sources of Sacramental Theology?
3. From the Mystery of Christ to the Sacraments [Appendix]
   • What is the content of the "Mystery" in the New Testament (mainly in St. Paul's Epistles) and where is it revealed?
   • Does this "Mystery" continue? If so, in what form?
   • How is the "Mystery" attained and made visible?
   • How appropriate or fitting is the Sacramental economy to the condition of man in need of salvation?
4. The concept of Sacrament of the New Law
   • Trace the theological development which leads to the specific definition of Sacrament, from the patristic period to the beginnings of the scholastic period.
   • Analyse the notion of Sacrament. What is the concept of Sacrament according to St Thomas Aquinas?
   • What is the stand of the Protestant reformers?
   • Describe the Sacramental doctrine of the Council of Trent and of the Roman Catechism.
   • How about the contemporary renewal of Sacramental Theology? Can you discuss the Sacramental doctrine in Vatican II and in the Catechism of the Catholic Church? What direction did post-Vatican II theology take?
5. Origin of the Sacraments
   • Who is the principal author of the Sacraments?
   • What do we mean when we speak of the Christological origin of the Sacraments?
   • Describe the way the Sacramental sign was determined by Christ.
   • What authority has the Church have over the Sacraments?
   • What about the number of the Sacraments?
   • Does the Sacramental order make sense from the anthropological and ecclesiological points of view?
6. The Sacramental sign
   • Explain the structure of the Sacramental sign: res et verba.
   • What is meant by the "unity of the Sacramental sign"?
   • What is Sacramental matter and form? [Review of matter and form.]
   • Give an overview of the celebration of the Sacraments.
7. Salvific content of the Sacraments
   • Why distinguish between the res et Sacramentum and the res tantum?
   • Explain the three-fold meaning of the Sacraments: (i) the source of sanctification in the Paschal Mystery, announced and prefigured in the Old Testament; (ii) the actual sanctification; (iii) its consummation in glory.
   • How about the cultural dimension of the Sacraments? Can we consider the Sacraments as expressions of faith?
8. Sanctification through the Sacraments
   • Do all the Sacraments confer sanctifying grace?
   • And the Holy Spirit?
   • What is Sacramental grace?
9. The Sacramental character
   • Where can we find the doctrine about the character in Sacred Scripture and Tradition?
   • What is the nature of the character?
   • Which Sacraments imprint character?
   • Does the character involve a mission? some grace? Explain.
10. Salvific efficacy of the Sacraments
    • What does efficacy ex opere operato mean? Does it make the opus operantis superfluous for sanctification?
    • What do we mean by the operative presence of the Holy Spirit in the Sacraments?
    • What is the efficacy of the Sacraments in relation to the faith of the Church and of the subject?
    • Instrumental causality of the Sacraments.
11. Minister of the Sacraments
    • Minister of Christ and of the Church: What spiritual power is necessary to carry out validly the Sacrament?
    • Is the intention of the minister necessary for validity?
    • When are the Sacraments administered sub condicione (conditionally)?
    • Does the validity and efficacy of the Sacraments depend on the faith and sanctity of the minister?
    • Should the minister have good moral dispositions?
    • Are there situations in which there is an obligation to give or to deny the Sacraments?
12. Subject of the Sacraments
    • What are the conditions for the valid reception of the Sacraments?
    • What moral dispositions are needed for a fruitful reception of the Sacraments?
    • How does one assure an active and conscious participation in the Sacramental liturgy?
    • Recovery of the Sacraments?
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    1. II. BAPTISM
14. Baptism in Sacred Scripture
    • What figures and prophecies of Baptism are there in the Old Testament revelation?
    • How about the baptism of John?
    • Relate the institution of Baptism in the Gospels.
    • Describe the effusion of the Holy Spirit and Baptism in the Acts of the Apostles.
15. The effects of Baptism
    • What does participation in the Death and Resurrection of Christ mean? And incorporation into the Church?
    • What is the effect of Baptism on sin and the punishments due to it?
    • Explain what new life in Christ means: divine filiation through sanctifying grace, the supernatural virtues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
    • What character does Baptism confer? What does this character entitle one to?
    • Why does one start to share in the common priesthood of the faithful with Baptism? What does common priesthood mean?
16. Sacramental sign and minister
    • Describe the rite of Baptism.
    • What are the conditions for validity?
    • What are the conditions for licitness?
    • Who is the ordinary minister and the extra-ordinary minister in emergency cases?
17. Necessity and subject
    • How necessary is Baptism for salvation?
    • What is baptism of blood? of desire?
    • Why is Baptism a Sacrament of Christian initiation?
    • Who can receive Baptism (general conditions of the subject)?
    • Explain the why and wherefore of the Baptism of children: historical evolution, legitimacy, special cases; the destiny of children who died without receiving Baptism.
    • Explain the catechumenate, dispositions for validity, and special cases in the Baptism of adults.
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    1. III. CONFIRMATION
19. Confirmation in Sacred Scripture and in the life of the Church
    • Where can we find the institution of Confirmation in the New Testament revelation?
    • Descibe the liturgical practice of the primitive Church and the distinction between Baptism and Confirmation.
    • How did these diversify later on?
    • How about the practice of the Eastern Churches?
    • Is Confirmation really a Sacrament?
20. The gift of the Holy Spirit
    • Discuss the general aspects of the specific effects of Confirmation
    • What character and Sacramental graces does Confirmation give?
    • What do we mean by the "plenitude of the common priesthood of the faithful".
21. Sacramental sign, minister, necessity and subject
    • Describe the liturgical celebration of Confirmation.
    • What is Chrism? Describe the anointing with chrism and the formula; historical evolution; conditions of validity and licitness.
    • Who is the minister in the Eastern and Western traditions.
    • How necessary is this Sacrament? What is its place in Christian initiation.
    • Who can receive Confirmation?
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First Edition, 2 June 2005

Hong Kong SAR

People's Republic of China

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