Sacramentum Caritatis
Encyclopedia
Sacramentum Caritatis is the first post-synod
al (Rome
, October 2, 2005-October 23, 2005) apostolic exhortation
by Pope Benedict XVI
. It was signed February 22, 2007.
The document expounded on the sacrament
of the Eucharist
. Following an introduction, it consisted of three parts, each presenting a different perspective of the Church
's understanding of the Eucharist.
and is divided in three parts revolving around the Eucharist as a mystery (1) to be believed, (2) to be celebrated, and (3) to be lived.
To be believed
Because the Eucharist does not offer us any mere thing but the very person of Jesus Christ it is to be considered the source and summit of Christian life. The Eucharist is par excellence, the mystery of faith itself because our faith is contained in it. Faith is first of all awakened by God's word and then nourished and made to grow in the encounter with risen Jesus Christ who is present in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Paragraphs 7-11 interprets the bible as presenting Jesus freely giving himself in sacrifice for us and bringing about the new and eternal covenant of the radical newness which is contained in every Eucharistic celebration. He is literary the bread of life which came down from heaven (ref Jn 6:51). These same paragraphs together with paragraph 12 present the Trinitarian dimension present in the Eucharist where Jesus was sent by the eternal Father and conceived at his birth by the power of the Holy Spirit. The bread and wine transubstantiate into the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the same way: as sent by the Father and transformed by the Holy Spirit (par# 13). Since the beauty of the Eucharist pertains directly to Christ in his person, it enables the participants a glimpse into the eschatological state of affairs (par # 33).
To be celebrated
In the celebration of the Eucharist, Jesus Christ shows us how the truth of love can transform even the dark mystery of death into the radiant light of the resurrection. Through the Eucharist, He becomes all in all, present in his totality within the members of the Church (par #36). The individual members make up the spiritual stones of the Church. Singing is an expression of joy and, if we consider the matter, an expression of love. The new man sings a new song. (par #42)
To be lived
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
al (Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, October 2, 2005-October 23, 2005) apostolic exhortation
Apostolic exhortation
An apostolic exhortation is a type of communication from the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. It encourages a community of people to undertake a particular activity, but does not define Church doctrine...
by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
. It was signed February 22, 2007.
The document expounded on the sacrament
Sacrament
A sacrament is a sacred rite recognized as of particular importance and significance. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites.-General definitions and terms:...
of the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
. Following an introduction, it consisted of three parts, each presenting a different perspective of the Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
's understanding of the Eucharist.
Content
This 32,000 word document concerns the sacrament of the EucharistEucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
and is divided in three parts revolving around the Eucharist as a mystery (1) to be believed, (2) to be celebrated, and (3) to be lived.
To be believed
Because the Eucharist does not offer us any mere thing but the very person of Jesus Christ it is to be considered the source and summit of Christian life. The Eucharist is par excellence, the mystery of faith itself because our faith is contained in it. Faith is first of all awakened by God's word and then nourished and made to grow in the encounter with risen Jesus Christ who is present in the sacrament of the Eucharist. Paragraphs 7-11 interprets the bible as presenting Jesus freely giving himself in sacrifice for us and bringing about the new and eternal covenant of the radical newness which is contained in every Eucharistic celebration. He is literary the bread of life which came down from heaven (ref Jn 6:51). These same paragraphs together with paragraph 12 present the Trinitarian dimension present in the Eucharist where Jesus was sent by the eternal Father and conceived at his birth by the power of the Holy Spirit. The bread and wine transubstantiate into the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the same way: as sent by the Father and transformed by the Holy Spirit (par# 13). Since the beauty of the Eucharist pertains directly to Christ in his person, it enables the participants a glimpse into the eschatological state of affairs (par # 33).
To be celebrated
In the celebration of the Eucharist, Jesus Christ shows us how the truth of love can transform even the dark mystery of death into the radiant light of the resurrection. Through the Eucharist, He becomes all in all, present in his totality within the members of the Church (par #36). The individual members make up the spiritual stones of the Church. Singing is an expression of joy and, if we consider the matter, an expression of love. The new man sings a new song. (par #42)
To be lived