Confirmation

A Cathachumen is a person studying and growing to be ready for the sacrament of confirmation. I am currently partaking in this activity. Basically you are asked to reflect on your Catholic life. Things such as what will you do next is commonly asked. That’s a tough question. What are we going to do after? Will we feel any different? My hope is that the Holy Spirit will guide me better to make better decisions. Is it likely to happen? Yes if I listen. But sometimes it’s hard to hear so I hope I also gain some better hearing.

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The Sacraments are with us

The sacraments correspond to human nature focusing mainly on sin. Such as Baptism and reconciliation help human kind with our inclination to sin and allow us to be saved despite it. Matrimony represents the human inclination to find a partner that love him or her. Anointing of the Sick reflects human nature to seek comfort and forgiveness at the end of our life. The sacraments are there for us throughout our lives. We just have to seek them.

Jesuits

The Society of Jesus, more commonly known as the Jesuits are a religious order in the Catholic Church. They were established by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Members have to take vows of poverty, chastity, obedience to Christ, and obedience to the Pope. Jesuits are one of the most well known religious orders in the Catholic Church. They are also the largest order. 

Sacerdotalism

Sacerdotalism is the belief that a priest is an essential mediator between Christ and His Church. People cannot go to God by themselves but must go through a Priest. A Priest is necessary whether it is through receiving Eucharist, Reconciliation, or Anointing of the Sick. 

 

Transubstantiation

Transubstantiation is the term used for the conversion from the bread and wine to the Body and Blood of Jesus. It is the change of the substance but not the accidents. The accidents are the physical properties and the substance is what it truly is.  Many Protestant Churches believe in consubstantiation. This is the belief that  Christ is around it but that it is not his true body and blood.

Source of Salvation

Many people question the source of salvation in the Catholic Church. Whether by faith alone, faith and works, or only works. According to the Bible one is saved by faith and works. One must believe in Christ and also work to be like him.

Schism

Schism has had a profound effect on the Catholic Church. Schism is the separation from the Church due to no longer accepting the authority of the Pope. The two largest schisms in the Catholic Church are the Orthodox Churches and the Protestant Churches. Schism hurts the Church and is considered the greatest wound against unity. This is because it usually involves a large group of people leaving the Church at once.