History of the Church
Christ Be With Me
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of the Christ.
May your salvation, Lord, be ever with us.
St. Patrick
"Share with us the fruits of your victory."
Lord, share with me the fruits of your victory. When you rose again you brought to the holy women and the apostles the joyful news of a world redeemed. Make me a witness to your risen life. You promised to all people that we would rise up again in the newness of life. Make me a herald of your Gospel. You showed yourself to your apostles and breathed the Holy Spirit upon them. Renew in me the presence of the same creator Spirit. You promised to be with your disciples to the end of the world. Stay with me today, and remain with me always.
Amen.
Adapted from the Intercessions, Morning Prayer, Tuesday within the Octave of Easter..
IF ONE WANTS, THERE IS ENOUGH MATERIAL IN THIS SESSION TO STRETCH INTO THREE SESSIONS. ESPECIALLY THE VATICAN II KNOWLEDGE COULD BE A SESSION BY ITSELF.
AT THE END I HAVE INCLUDED SOME MAPS THAT CAN BE USED AS HANDOUTS TO MAKE CLEARER THE SPREAD OF THE CHURCH IN THE EARLY YEARS, ALSO A CHART SHOWING HOW CHRISTIANITY EVOLVED UP TO THE PRESENT DAY.
HISTORY
Why do we study Church History?
To Seek Understanding for our Faith; To Recognize past Mistakes; To take From the Old and add the New; To be Diverse But Not Adverse.
Compare Church to a growing family:
Love and courtship... The wedding day... Birth of children... Teaching the children and their growing up... Setting down of norms... Mistakes made in their upbringing... Differences in characters... Heartbreaks... Joy in meetings and reunions...
Birth of the Church and early spread.
LITURGY & SACRAMENTS:
Mass: Easter: Christmas:
The Catacombs / Persecution:
Church & State - 2Roman Empires
The Bible
Heresies, Councils, Schisms & Reunifications.
Missionary expansion:
The Eastern Churches
THE CRUSADES
Religious Orders.
Christianization of America
THE PROTESTANT REVOLT - REFORM
The Inquisition(s)
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
The Industrial Revolution
Two World Wars:
The age of Communication:
VATICAN II
What is a Council of the Church?
Why is a Council called?
What is an Ecumenical Council?
Why was Vatican II called?
What was its effect on Catholics?
What was its effect on other Christian denominations and other Religions?
What was discussed at Vatican II:
The Church.(What it is and its position in the modern world).
Revelation.
Liturgy.
Communications.
Ecumenism.
Eastern Churches.
Bishops.
Priests and their formation.
Religious life.
Laity.
Missions.
Education.
Non Christians.
Religious freedom.
Vatican II
Pope John XXIII:
Old man thought would be just a stopgap Pope. In 3 months after his election, announced his intention for the Council. His wishes: To increase fervour of Catholics to serve the needs of Christians.
Aggiornamento - Bringing the Church up to date. Opened a window to let in some fresh air.
18 months before Council, established secretariat promoting Christian unity. Bishops asked to submit proposals for subjects for discussion, also 60 theological faculties and universities. 10 commissions to study particular questions, headed by a central one to assist him and decide on subjects for debate.
Oct. 11 1962 opens with +2500 fathers. The Pope said: In the past the Church used severity and punishment. What is required now is mercy, understanding and outpouring of riches received from Christ.
Viewed from outside there was the impression of two groups: Reactionaries (Conservatives) trying to preserve the faith whole and entire. Progressives had the same idea but also the need to express the faith in language the modern world understood. The two parts were united in Cross of Christ: The upright steady and firmly planted, the crossbar like faith open to everyone.
From the start, the bishops were concerned with the pastoral needs of the Church. There was a great enthusiasm for dialogue with non-Catholic Christians and Orthodox, in fact observers from other faiths were invited to attend some sessions.
John XXIII passed away while the Council was in progress, but his successor Paul VI carried on with the process to the Council’s closing sessions.
What was discussed: The Church.(What it is and its position in the modern world.); Revelation; Liturgy; Communications; Ecumenism; Eastern Churches; Bishops; Priests and their formation; Religious life; Laity; Missions; Education; Non Christians; Religious freedom.
Liturgy: (changes most seen and first felt)
New forms of ancient and unchanging truths and ways of life and worship; Use of Latin and Vernacular Translations; Physical changes: Altar, Blessed Sacrament, Baptismal font, Lectern; New churches take new forms, heritage in old ones kept.
Mass itself: Unnecessary introductory prayers omitted; ‘Secreta’ now said loud; Sign of Cross two times only; New prayer of the faithful; Homily compulsory Sundays; ‘Body of Christ – Amen’; Last Gospel omitted; Readings by lay people, Gospel - Priest or Deacon; Changes in the vestments of the celebrant; More concelebration; Vernacular; Liturgical readings in 3 cycles - more different Gospel readings; Sacraments: Liturgy simplified and in the vernacular; Ancient ritual of the Cathecumenate brought back; Restoration of order of Permanent Deacons. (Can be married); New rite of Marriage outside Mass with regular readings etc; Change of name Extreme unction to Anointing of the sick - (more liberal); Music - new forms and instruments allowed; Art - modern art used in keeping with Divine Worship.
Ecumenism:
One of the principal aims of this Council was to restore unity among Christians. We are all encouraged to join in Ecumenical activity and meetings, but leave the debates to the theologians. From the different attitudes of other denominations, the Catholic Church can see why it had certain problems. We are encouraged to study the history of other Christian groups and separated Churches. We are also encouraged to pray together with other denominations.
The Church Before Vatican II
The Church was identified with the kingdom of God, and considered a perfect society.
The Catholic Church is the one true Church. Outside the Church there is no salvation. Conversion was needed: other Christian Churches were seen as lacking ecclesial character, and it was generally taught that outside the Church there could be no salvation. Certainly, outside Christianity, other religions were deemed as having no salvific value.
Divine revelation only existed in Israel (Old Testament) and Christianity (the Fulfillment of the prophet i.e. promises of the Old Testament in the New).
The Church is based on the sacrament of Holy Orders and the Hierarchy. A direct unbroken lineage could be traced, from the mandate given to St. Peter by Christ, to the present pontificate.
The Church was seen in an authoritarian and monarchical mould. The Church was centralized (Rome), with its focus on the Pope.
The Church was a teacher: it was engaged in a monologue - teaching the world.
An emphasis was given to the sacrament of ordination. Through Holy Orders, the charismatic power to teach, preach, forgive, sanctify, dispense divine graces, and govern, was given to the Church.
Catholic life was generally devotional. The lay-person was expected (in the words of Cardinal Octaviani) "to pray, to pay, and to obey". The laity to a great extent was passive.
Membership to the Church was defined clearly and in a legalistic manner.
The Roman Catholic Church was legalistic in theological emphasis - uniformity in worship and belief was important.
The Church After Vatican II
The Church is seen as the pilgrim people of God, and seen as sacrament and mystery (Encyclical ‘Lumen Gentium’)
The Catholic Church is now seen as the heart of the one true Church; salvation is not seen as the exclusive possession of the Catholic Church.
The Church recognizes that divisions exist within itself and in the wider Christian community. Therefore, ecumenism is important. The Church must become involved in dialogue, which necessitates not only speaking to the world but also listening to it with sensitivity.
There are elements of divine revelation outside Israel and Christianity.
The Church is based on baptism and on the priesthood of all. It is charismatic and must reflect its collegial character.
Catholic Life is Sacramental and Scriptural: people belong to the Church in different ways and in different degrees.
Laws are less important. Theological pluralism flows from the reality of cultural pluralism in the world. Unity rather is to be seen in diversity, as the Church strives for active participation of all its members according to individual gifts and graces.
The Churches are centered on the local Church and its Bishop.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH –
INDEX OF IMPORTANT WORDS TO BE DISCUSSED AND EXPLAINED.
Hierarchy: Council: Ecumenical: Heresy: Schism: Encyclical: Catacombs: Crusades: Conclave: Cardinals: Infallible: Monastic: Vulgate: Patriarch: Rite: Evangelization: Latin: Byzantine: Excommunication: Spirituality: Order: Orthodox: Catholic: Islam: 'Conversion': Absolution: Recant: Indulgences: Basilica: Justification: FID. DEF.; Decree: Dogma:
