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CBCPPastoralExhortationfortheJubileeofMercyandRenewedCatechesisinthespiritofPCPIIandtheNewEvangelizationInthisforthcomingyearofrenewaldedicatedtomercy,theEucharistandthefamily,underthelightofPCPII,howshallweasapeoplerespond?Forourgatheringletmerephrasethequestion:Inthisyearofrenewaldedicatedtomercy,intheYearoftheEucharistandtheFamily,onthe25thyearofPCPII,howshallweministersincatechesisrespondaswetakethepathtowardtheNewEvangelization?Letusdrawourimmediateanswerfromthepastoralletter:

Asyourbrothersandpastorsinthefaith,ouransweris“Ifwewantrenewal,letuslearnhowtokneelagain.”Ourgenerationseemstohavelostthereligiousgestureofkneeling;wehavebecomemoreaclappinggeneration.Weseemtohavecompromisedthevirtueofhumilitywithacultureofself-securityandindependence.Ourthrow-awayconsumeristculturecanhardlyimaginekneelingdownbeforeoneanother,liketheLordwhowashedthefeetofHisbelovedones.IfwearetorestoreacontemplativeviewofcreationasPopeFrancisinvitesus,wemustlearntokneelagainbythefeetoftheLordandbecaughtinaweatthewonderofHistendernessandmercy.

KneelingisaveryimportantgestureinourChristianculturethatwemustregainandsafeguard.OrigensaidkneelingisnecessaryifwewanttoadmitoursinsbeforeGodandseekHismercy.KneelingsymbolizessomeonewhohasfallenbuttrustsinthelovingmercyofGod.

Whenourbodiesfailtomovewiththeprayerdispositionsoftheheart;whenwelosetheimportanceofkneelingandbowing,ourprayercanbecomedryandevenboring.Prayingwiththebodybykneelingorbowingorraisingourhandscanignitethedyingembersofourspirituallives.

Ifwewantrenewal,letuslearntokneelagaininbody,inheartandattitude.

(Thus)

Beggingformercy,wekneelinrepentance.AdoringtheEucharist,wekneeldownandworship.Withhumbleservice,wekneelinthefamilyandwashoneanother’sfeet.

Ifwedreamofrenewal,letuskneelagaininrepentance,inadorationandinservice(ofthefamily).

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PlacingtheinvitationtokneelinthecontextofrenewingtheministryofcatechesisinthelightoftheYearoftheJubileeofMercy,theYearoftheEucharistandtheFamilyandinthe25thYearofPCPIIleadsustothreethemesforourreflection:

1.BeforetheFather’sMercifulGaze,letuskneelandapproachtheSacramentofReconciliation2.InAdorationofJesus,theFaceofGod’smercy,letuskneelbeforeSacramentoftheEucharist3.LetuskneelinHumbleServicetoandintheFamilythroughaseriousandprayerfulreflectionontheSacramentofHolyMatrimonyandtheChristianFamilyguidedbyPopeFrancis’AmorisLaetitia(TheJoyofLove)

1.BeforetheFather’sMercifulGazeletuskneelandapproachtheSacramentofReconciliationWereadfromthePastoralLetter:

Wecannotcelebratemercywithoutrepentance.CelebratingtheJubileeofMercy,wearealsoinvitedtokneeldowninhumilityandrepentanceespeciallyinthesacramentofreconciliationwherewekneeldowntoconfessoursinsandreceivepardon.

AndfromPopeFrancis’MisericordiaeVultus,weread:

Mercy:thewordrevealstheverymysteryoftheMostHolyTrinity.Mercy:theultimateandsupremeactbywhichGodcomestomeetus.Mercy:thefundamentallawthatdwellsintheheartofeverypersonwholookssincerelyintotheeyesofhisbrothersandsistersonthepathoflife.Mercy:thebridgethatconnectsGodandman,openingourheartstothehopeofbeinglovedforeverdespiteoursinfulness(MV#2).

ThesethoughtsinviteustogivespecialattentiontotheSacramentofReconciliationintheministryofcatechesis.1.1.God’smercyistobehighlightedincatechesisandcelebrationoftheSacramentofReconciliation.Onhindsight,theSynodontheNewEvangelizationin2012proposedtheSacramentofPenanceastheSacramentoftheNewEvangelizationinitsFinalListofPropositions.Proposition33:THESACRAMENTOFPENANCEANDTHENEWEVANGELIZATIONstates:

TheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationistheprivilegedplacetoreceiveGod’smercyandforgiveness.Itisaplaceforbothpersonalandcommunalhealing.Inthissacrament,allthebaptizedhaveanewsandpersonalencounterwithJesusChrist,aswellasanewencounterwiththeChurch,facilitationafullreconciliationthroughtheforgivenessofsins.Here

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thepenitentencountersJesus,andatthesametimeheorsheexperiencesadeeperappreciationofhimselforherself.TheSynodFathersaskthatthissacramentbeputagainatthecenterofthepastoralactivityoftheChurch.

Ineverydiocese,atleastoneplaceshouldbeespeciallydedicatedinapermanentwayforthecelebrationofthissacrament,wherepriestsarealwayspresent,allowingGod’smercytobeexperiencedbyallthefaithful.Thesacramentshouldbeespeciallyavailable,evenonadailybasis,atplacesofpilgrimageandspeciallydesignatedchurches.Fidelitytothespecificnormswhichruletheadministrationofthissacramentisnecessary.EverypriestshouldconsidertheSacramentofPenanceanessentialpartofhisministryandoftheNewEvangelization,andineveryparishcommunityasuitabletimeshouldbesetapartforhearingconfessions.1

TheSynodFathersgavetheirofficialstamponProposition33instatingintheirmessage,no.3:

TheChurchisthespaceofferedbyChristinhistorywherewecanencounterhim,becauseheentrustedtoherhisWord,theBaptismthatmakesusGod’schildren,hisBodyandBlood,thegraceofforgivenessofsinsaboveallinthesacramentofReconciliation(italicsmine)….2

ItcanbesurmisedherethatPopeFrancisindeclaringtheJubileeYearofMercytookseriouslytheSynod’sproposition.

Inthepresentday,astheChurchischargedwiththetaskofthenewevangelization,thethemeofmercyneedstobeproposedagainandagainwithnewenthusiasmandrenewedpastoralaction.(MV12)

WerecallthatlastMarch4and5(FridayandSaturdayprecedingtheFourthWeekofLent)PopeFrancisinvitedallchurchestohold24HoursfortheLordwhentheSacramentofReconciliationwouldbeavailablealldayforthefaithful.ThispastoralserviceisaninitiativetohighlightGod’smercyinthisSacrament.HewroteinMV:

Somanypeople,includingyoungpeople,arereturningtotheSacramentofReconciliation;throughthisexperiencetheyarerediscoveringapathbacktotheLord,livingamomentofintenseprayerandfindingmeaningintheirlives.LetusplacetheSacramentofReconciliationatthecentreoncemoreinsuchawaythatitwillenablepeopletotouchthegrandeurofGod’smercywiththeirownhands.Foreverypenitent,itwillbeasourceoftrueinteriorpeace.(MV17)

1FromtheListofPropositions2From the Message of the Synod Fathers on the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith (October 2012)

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Inasimilarvein,wecansaythatwewhoareinvolvedinfaithformationareaskedtoleadthecatechizedinunderstandingandappreciatingtheSacramentofmercyastheUSSCBcallsit.

WhilealltheSacramentsbringusanexperienceofthemercythatcomesfromChrist'sdyingandrising,itistheSacramentofReconciliationthatistheuniqueSacramentofmercy.3

InhighlightingthissacramentinourcatecheticalprogramthenormativepointofreferenceforcatecheticsfortheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationistheRiteofPenance.4AllowmetoofferthefollowingsuggestionstakenfirstfromourownCatechismforFilipinoCatholics(CFC):

1773.ManypoorlycatechizedFilipinoCatholicsarestillplaguedbyfears,superstitioustaboos,andirrationalguiltfeelings,basedonanun-ChristianviewofavengefulGod.

1774.(Thereistheurgentneedforcatechesistohighlight)theChristianimageoftheTriuneGod(as)clearlypresentedinthenewRiteofPenance.TheultimatepurposeofthesacramentisthatweshouldloveGoddeeplyandcommitourselvescompletelytoHim:totheFatherwho‘firstlovedus”(1Jn4:19),toChristwhogavehimselfupforus(cf.Gal2:20;Eph5:25),andtotheHolySpiritwhohasbeenpouredoutonusabundantly”(cf.Ti3:6;RP5).

ThisisconfirmedintheNationalDirectoryforCatechesis,bytheUSCCB:

DiocesesandparishesshouldpresentcatechesisfortheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationthathighlightsthefollowing,amongothers:

• theactionofGodinthesacrament,namelyGod'sdesireforalltobereconciledwithHim,toliveincommunionwithHim,andGod'sgiftofthegraceofconversion

• theTrinityatworkinthesacrament:• God'ssuperabundantmercy,cf.theparableoftheProdigalSon

/MercifulFather• Christ'slovethatismorepowerfulthandeath,morepowerful

thansin(JPII,DMno.8)• ThemediatingactionoftheHolySpiritfortheFather'smercy

andtheSon'slovetoeffectinus.5

3USCCB, Catholic Catechism for Adults, p. 243. 4 NDC, p.132. 5 Ibid.

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Fromexperienceasacatechistformanyyearsandasparishpriestforthepastthreeyears,Iurgedusprieststomakeoursimpleyetcommittedcatechists(volunteerandprofessional)whoarepreparingthechildrenfortheirFirstConfessionandFirstHolyCommunionwitnessthroughustheimportanceandbeautyofthesetwosacraments,inparticularthesacramentofPenance.ThefollowingaredirectivesfromtheNDCregardingtheCatechesisforChildren'sFirstReceptionoftheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliation.1.QuotingfromtheGeneralCatecheticalDirectory(1971)itstates:

SincethecelebrationofFirstConfessionprecedesFirstCommunion,catechesisfortheSacramentofReconciliation...mustbekeptdistinctbyaclearandunhurriedseparation.Thisistobedonesothatthespecificidentityofeachsacramentisapparentandsothat,beforereceivingFirstCommunion,thechildwillbefamiliarwiththerevisedRiteofReconciliationandwillbeateasewiththereceptionofthesacrament.6

2.CatechesisforChildren'sFirstReceptionoftheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationmustalwaysrespecttheirnaturaldisposition,ability,age,andcircumstances.Sincethefamilyisintimatelyinvolvedwiththeformationofachild'smoralconscience,parentsshouldbeinvolvedinthepreparationoftheirchildrenforthissacramentsothattheycanaffirmandreinforcefrequentparticipationinthesacraments.TheyorientthechildtowardGodandencouragecontinualgrowthintheunderstandingofGod'smercyandlove.73.DiocesesandparishesshouldpresentcatechesisforChildren'sFirstReceptionoftheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationthathelpsthechildrento

• AcknowledgeGod'sunconditionalloveforus• TurntoChristandtheChurchforthesacramentalforgivenessandreconciliation• Recognizethepresenceofgoodandevilintheworldandtheirpersonalcapacityforboth• Recognizetheirneedforforgiveness,notonlyfromtheirparentsandothersclosetothem,butfromGod• Explorethemeaningofthesymbols,gestures,prayersandscripturesoftheRiteofReconciliation• UnderstandhowtocelebratetheRiteofReconciliation• Understandthat"sacramentalConfessionisameansofferedchildrenoftheChurchtoobtainpardonforsin,andfurthermorethatitisevennecessaryperseifonehasfallenintoserioussin"(GDC,Addendumno.3).8

6 GCD, Addendum, no. 5. 7 NDC, p. 135. 8 Ibid.

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Sinceconversionisalifelongprocess,catechesisfortheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationisongoing.Childrenhavearighttoafullercatechesiseachyear.1.2.TheChristiancommunityisinvolvedinforgivenessandreconciliationOurCatechismforFilipinoCatholics(CFC),followingtheRiteofPenance,mentionsanotherdimensionthathastobehighlighterintoday’scatechesisonthesacramentofPenance.

1776.Thesecondemphasisistoview“confession”asacommunitarianandecclesialaction.Incontrasttotheinadequateindividualisticnotionofpenancewhichoftencharacterizedthe“routineconfessions”inthepast,wenowrecognizethatthewholeChristiancommunityisinvolvedinforgivenessandreconciliation.Forlikeeachofhermembers,theChurchherselfneedstobebothforgivenandforgiving,reconciledandreconciling.Thus,theChristiancommunityineveryEucharisticcelebrationpraysasChristtheLordtaughthisdisciples:“Forgiveusoursinsasweforgivethosewhosinagainstus”(Mt6:12).

1788.Inrecentyears,theChurchhasespeciallyencouragedpenitentialcelebrationswhichinvolvetheproclamationofGod’sWord,suitablesongs,psalms,periodsofsilence,ahomily,andcommonprayersandlitanies,climaxinginthecommunalrecitationoftheLord’sPrayer.ThesecelebrationshaveprovenveryeffectiveinfosteringthespiritofpenancewithintheparishorBECcommunity.TheyhelptheordinaryadultFilipinoCatholictopreparemoreeffectivelyforconfession,andcontributeeffectivelytothegradualformationofaChristianconscienceinthechildrenandyouth.Bothadultsandyouthareaidedtowardthat“perfectcontrition”thatcomesfromlovingGodmoredeeplyandpersonally(cf.RP36f).

ThiscommunitariandimensionofPenanceisalsoaffirmedintheCatholicCatechismforAdults,USCCB:

TheSacramentofPenanceisanexperienceofthegiftofGod'sboundlessmercy.Notonlydoesitfreeusfromoursinsbutitalsochallengeustohavethesamekindofcompassionandforgivenessforthosewhosinagainstus.Weareliberatedtobeforgivers."Itisinpardoningthatwearepardoned."(PrayerofSt.Francis)9

9USCCB, Catholic Catechism for Adults, p. 242.

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1.3.ThenewsinsinthenewevangelizationThePastoralLetteroftheCBCPproposesnewoffensesthattheCatholicfaithfulneedtobeawareandforwhichtheyneedtoberepentantandtheyneedtoconfessinthecelebrationofthesacrament.

WemustkneeldownincontritionbeforeGodforoursinsagainstMotherNature.Wekneeldowninsorrowforthescarsonnature,thedestructionofcomplexlivingsystemssacrificedonthealtarofeconomicprogress.

Wekneeldownbeforethepoorwehaveignored;theywhomtheLordassuredwillinherittheKingdom.Wekneeldowninsorrowforourabusesagainsttheweakandthevulnerable.

Wekneeltoseekmercyfromthosewehavemarginalizedandmisjudged,suspectedandgossipedabout.

WeneedtokneeldownandseekpardonforourmisplacedprudenceandcowardicetostandfortheLordanddiewithHim.

ToconcludeourreflectionontheSacramentofPenance,letuslookbacktothePastoralLetter:

Ifwewantrenewal,wemustlearnthehumilityofkneelingfromtheheartandwiththeknees.

Itiseasiertorememberthatwearesinnerswhenwekneel.Itiseasiertosharethesamemercykneelingdown,notfromahighermorallevelbutfromoursharedsinfulcondition.

2.InAdorationofJesus,theFaceofGod’smercyletuskneelbeforetheSacramentoftheEucharistTheSynodFathersonNewEvangelizationaffirmedthat“theEucharistmustbethesourceandsummitoftheNewEvangelization,”urging“Christ’sfaithfultorenewtheirunderstandingandlovefortheEucharisticcelebration….”10InJanuary2016,ourfeetandourkneesleadustoCebufortheFiftyFirstInternationalEucharisticCongressechoingthewordsofSaintPaultotheColossians“Christinyou,ourhopeofglory”(1:27).

10Synod on New Evangelization, Proposition 34.

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Thesuccessful51stInternationalEucharisticCongressinCebulastJanuaryisalivingproofourgreatloveandfaithintheEucharist.Indeed,“weFilipinosfeelnaturally“athome”inbreakingbreadtogetherwithJesus.”(PCPII281)2.1.TheEucharistasEncounterwithJesus,lookingatusIfwedreamofrenewal,letusrediscoverthepowerofkneelingagaininsilentadorationoftheBlessedSacramenttheLambofGod.Thus,thePastoralLetteroftheCBCPgivesusaspecificfocusonhowtodeepenfurtherourappreciationoftheEucharist---revitalizeourfaithintherealPresenceofJesusintheBlessedSacramentbypreservingandprotectingourtraditionoftheEucharisticadoration.Henceourcatecheticalprograminthesecomingyearsshouldtakethisdirection.

Bendingthekneebeforethetabernacleingenuflection,kneelingdownatthecelebrationoftheEucharist,kneelingdowntoadoretheexposedBlessedSacrament—thesearelittlebutsublimeactsofadorationthatwemustpreserveandprotect.

OurcatechistsneedtorealizethatourfaithintherealpresenceofChristinthebreadandwineconsecratedintheHolyMassconsistsnotonlyinouractiveparticipationinthecelebrationoftheHolyMass,butalsoinspendingtimeinadorationoftheLordintheBlessedSacrament,throughtheholyhourdevotionorinshortvisits.TheCatechismforFilipinoCatholicsaffirms:

AshiningqualityofCatholicprayerandpietyisdevotiontotheBlessedSacrament(cf.CCC1378-81)WorshipoftheEucharistis“thefocuswhereallotherformsofpietymustultimatelymerge”(MF64).NowthepracticeofreservingconsecratedhostswasinitiallytoofferViaticumtothedying,andHolyCommuniontothesickanddisabled.Thispracticeofreservation“ledtothepraiseworthycustomofadoringtheheavenlyfoodpreservedinchurches”(EM49).BeliefintherealpresenceofourLordJesusChristintheSacramentofLovenaturallydevelopedintovariousformsofEucharisticdevotion:personalprayerbeforetheBlessedSacrament,hoursofadoration,BenedictionoftheBlessedSacrament,andtheChurch-widecelebrationoftheFeastofCorpusChristi(cf.DC3)….(CFC1733)

CFCobservesthatourpersonaldevotiontoChristintheBlessedSacramenthasfilledoutourlivesinauniquefashion.Howeveritisalsonoticeableamongtoday’sFilipinoCatholics’theirlackofproperrespecttotheEucharistasconsequenceoftakingforgrantedthisbeautifuldevotion.

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IntheCCCwereadtheroleofthedevotiontotheBlessedSacramentinourChristianlife:

PrayingbeforetheBlessedSacramentinvariabledrawsusintodeepersharinginChrist’sPaschalMystery.Wecometoenjoyhisintimatefriendship,pouroutourheartsbeforeHim,offerallourthoughtsandactions,withHimtotheFatherintheHolySpirit.Weexperienceadeepeningofourfaith,hopeandlove.OurauthenticChristianattitudesanddispositionsarenourished,sothatwecanbetterreachouttoothersinlovingservice.Inbrief,drawingclosetoChristintheBlessedSacramenthelpsusto“pullthingstogether,”sothatweactuallylivemorelikehowweprayandworship.(CCC1734)

TheUSCatechismforAdultssuccinctlystates:“…EucharisticadorationanddevotionflowfromandleadtotheEucharisticLiturgy,theMass.”11TheUSNationalDirectoryforCatechesisdecreesthatinpresentinglifelongcatechesisfortheEucharistdiocesesandparishesshouldencourage“visitstotheBlessedSacramentandotherEucharisticdevotion,andteachesappropriatedevotionalgestures,postures,andproperconductinchurch.”122.2.TheEucharistasParticipationinthesacrificeofJesusontheCrossThePastoralLettergivesanotheraspectoftheEucharistthatcatechesistodayshouldhighlightmorethanever:

KneelingattheconsecratorywordsoverthebreadandwineisnotonlyanactofhumilitybutabowingwelcometomeettheLordwhoHimselfhasstoopeddowntoreachouttous.ThoughhewasintheformofGod,hedidnotregardequalitywithGodsomethingtobegrasped.Rather,heemptiedhimself…becomingobedienttodeath,deathonthecross.(Phil2:6)

TodaythereisaneedtohighlighttheEucharistasthesacramentfromSuppertoSacrificeontheCross.WereadthefollowingaffirmationsontheEucharistassacrificeintheCFC:

TheEucharistisasacrificebecauseChristispresentpreciselyas“offeringhimselfforusasasacrificetotheFather”(EM3b)….IntheEucharist,theDeathandResurrectionofChristarenotjustremembered,buteffectivelyproclaimedandmadepresent.Brieflythen,theEucharistisasacrificebecauseit:

11Ibid., p. 224. 12NDC, p. 125.

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• represents,makespresent,thesacrificeoftheCross;• isitsmemorial;and• appliesitsfruit(cf.CCC1341,1366;cf.Trent,ND1546-48).(CFC1690).

Therefore,theMassisnotasacrificeseparatefromtheCross.Rather,thesacrificeoftheCrossanditssacramentalrenewalintheMassare,apartfromthedifferenceinthemannerofoffering,ONEandtheSAMEsacrifice.ItisthissacramentalrenewalwhichChristinstitutedattheLastSupperandcommandedhisapostlestocelebrateinhismemory.TheMassis,thereforeasacrificeofpraise,ofthanksgiving,ofpropitiationandofsatisfaction(Instr.Rom.Missal2).(CFC1691).

…HereagainweseethecalltoactivelyparticipateintheMass,sharinginChrist’srolebothasPriestofferingsacrifice,andasVictimbeingoffered,byjoiningallourownactivitiestoChrist’sredeemingwork.

PCPIIexplainshowthelayfaithfulliveChrist’spriesthoodinthreedimensions:

• asaconsecrationtoGod(inBaptism);• asmediatingGod’splantotransformtheworld(inConfirmation);and• asasacrificeoflifetogetherwithChristcelebratedintheEucharist(cf.

PCPII413)(CFC1692).

FilipinoCatholicsusedtobeurgedto“attend”MassonSundaysandHolyDaysofObligation.ButnowthisischangedtoemphasizethattheChurchtogetherwithChristactuallycelebratestheEucharist.IntheMassJesusactuallyincorporatesusintohisveryownredeemingsacrifice.Therefore,incelebratingonthealtar“thesacrificeoftheCrossbywhich‘ChristourPassover[PaschalLamb]hasbeensacrificed’(1Cor5:7),theworkofourredemptioniscarriedon”(LG3)….(CFC1697).

AgainfromtheUSCatholicCatechismforAdults,weread:

TheMassisasacrificeinthesensethatwhenittakesplace,JesusChrist,throughthebishoporpriestcelebratingtheMass,makespresentsacramentallyHissaving,sacrificialdeathontheCrossbywhichHeredeemedusfromoursins.ThisEucharisticsacrificeisthememorialofChrist'sredeemingdeath.

TheMassisalsothesacrificeoftheChurch.TheordainedpriestintheMasslinkstheEucharisticconsecrationtothesacrificeoftheCrossandtotheLastSupper(EE,29),thusmakingitpossiblethatthesacrificeofChristbecomesthesacrificeofallthemembersoftheChurch."Thelivesofthefaithful,theirpraise,sufferings,prayer,andworkareunitedwiththoseofChristandwithHistotaloffering,andsoacquireanewvalue"(CCC1368).Thisalsoreminds

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usoftheimportanceofsacrificeineachindividual'slife.Inaself-centeredculturewherepeoplearetaughttoextendthemselvesonlyforsomethinginreturn,thesacrificeseachofusmake,followingtheexampleofJesus,whofreelysacrificedhislifeinloveforall,pointtotherealityandpowerofGod'sloveforus.

TheofferingofChristunitesthemembershereonearthandthoseinheaven....DrawingfromthebenefitsofChrist'ssacrifice,theMassisalsoofferedforthefaithfuldeparted---whohavediedinChristbutmaynotyetbetotallypurified---sotheymayenterthegloryofheaven.13

ThroughtheparticipationintheEucharist,wealsoparticipateinthePaschalMysteryofChrist,thatis,inhisdyingandrising,whichismadepresentforustheEucharisticsacrifice.ThisparticipationinthePaschalMysteryreachesitsconsummationwhenwereceiveHisBodyandBloodinHolyCommunion.Christ'svictoryandtriumphoverdeathisthenmadepresentinthelivesofthosewhoparticipateintheEucharist.14

ParticipationinthecelebrationoftheEucharisticsacrificeisasourceandmeansofgraceevenapartfromtheactualreceptionofHolyCommunion.(Thisshouldbestressedespeciallyforthoseinirregularsituationinmarriedlife.)15

TheUSNationalDirectoryforCatechesisstatesthatthediocesesandparishesandindividualChristians(CCC1303),inrecognizingtheEucharistastheheartofChristianlifeforthewholeChurch,shouldsetamongothersthefollowingobjectivesforthelifelongcatechesisfortheEucharist:

• HelpspeopleunderstandthattheEucharististhemysteryinwhichChrist'ssacrificeontheCrossisperpetuated;thatitisamemorialofChrist'spassion,death,andResurrection;andthatitisasacredbanquetinwhichthePeopleofGodsharethebenefitsofthePaschalMystery,renewthecovenantthatGodhasmadethroughthebloodofChrist,andanticipatetheheavenlybanquet• Helpsthefaithfultounderstandthat,intheEucharist,"ChristassociatesHisChurchandallhermemberswithHissacrificeofpraiseandthanksgivingofferedonceforallonthecrosstoHisFather(CCC1407)16

13Catechism for Adults, USCCB, pp. 220-222. 14Ibid., pp. 224-225. 15Ibid.16NDC,p.123.

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MoreoverinitsthemesfortheCatechesisforChildren'sFirstReceptionoftheEucharist,theNDCstates:

BecausereceptionoftheEucharist,especiallyforthefirsttime,isintegraltothechild'sfullincorporationintotheecclesialcommunity,thepastorhasaresponsibilityindeterminingeverychild'sreadinesstoreceiveFirstCommunion.ParentsalsohavetherightandthedutytobeinvolvedinpreparingtheirchildrenforFirstCommunion.

(Hence)DiocesesandparishesshouldpresentcatechesisinpreparationforthefirstreceptionoftheEucharistthat• TeachesthattheEucharististhelivingmemorialofChrist'ssacrificeforthesalvationofallandthecommemorationofhislastmealwithhisdisciples• DevelopsinchildrenanunderstandingoftheFather'slove,oftheirparticipationinthesacrificeofChrist,andofthegiftoftheHolySpirit.17

Finally,theNDChighlightsanelementinthecatechesisforFirstHolyCommunionthatweinthePhilippinesshouldapplyaswell–amystagogyonFirstHolyCommunion:

...EucharisticcatechesisordinarilyfollowsreceptionofthesacramentandsupportstheyoungChristian'sgrowthintothemysteryoftheEucharistandthelifeoftheChurch.18

2.3.ThesinsagainsttheHolyEucharisttodayIfyouwantrenewal,kneelagain.WekneeltoatoneforthecountlessprofaneactionsagainsttheEucharist.AswebowdownandadoretheEucharist,wealsobegformercyforthesacrilegeanddesecrationtheSacredSpeciesarerepeatedlysubjectedtoinmanycommunities.Weseekpardonforliturgicalexperimentsandabuses;thenarcissismamongordainedministersseekingpopularityratherthanpiety;fortakingtheMassforgranted;fortheirreverentattireandthecoldinteriordispositionwhenweattendMass.

17Ibid.,pp.126-128.18Ibid.

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3.LetusKneelinHumbleServicetoandintheFamilythroughaSeriousandPrayerfulReflectionontheSacramentofHolyMatrimonyandtheChristianFamilyGuidedbyPopeFrancis’AmorisLaetitia(TheJoyofLove)Jesusgotupfromthemeal,tookoffhisouterclothing,andwrappedatowelaroundhiswaist.Afterthat,hepouredwaterintoabasinandbegantowashhisdisciples’feet.(John13:4)Amen,amenIsaytoyou,theservantisnotgreaterthanhisLord,andtheapostleisnotgreaterthanhewhosenthim.Ifyouunderstandthis,youshallbeblessedifyoudoit.(Jn13:17)IntheGospelofJohn,insteadofanaccountoftheinstitutionoftheEucharist,thereisthenarrativeoffootwashing(Jn13:1-20)atthebeginningoftheLastSupper,whichsetsthetoneofhumbleservice,exemplifiedbyChristandfulfilledinhisdeathontheCross.ThemandatetheLordgaveonHolyThursdayto“DoasIhavedone”isadailyobligationwemustfulfillwithhumility,withjoy,withfaith,withlove.TheCBCPPastoralLetterinvitesustoconsiderthefamilyastheplaceforkneelingtoserveandexerciseloveandcharity.Letuskneelagainathome…forfeetwashing.Whereloveandserviceprevailinsteadofprideandgrudgekeeping;wherethehumilityofpardonandbeingpardonedprevailsoverrevengeandbitterresentments;wheresiblingswashoneanother’sfeetandparentsdothesame;wherethecultureoffamilykneelingispresent,thedreamofrenewalinfamilylifewillnotbefarfromsight.TheSynodFathersonNewEvangelizationaffirmedintheirmessagethat:

FamilylifeisthefirstplaceinwhichtheGospelencounterstheordinarylifeanddemonstratesitscapacitytotransformthefundamentalconditionsofexistenceinthehorizonoflove.19

ThefamilyasdomesticchurchandhavenofcharityisechoedintherecentlypromulgatedPostSynodalApostolicexhortationofPopeFrancisAmorisLaetitia.HedrewfromtheresultsofthelasttwosynodsonmarriageandChristianfamily.Inthisdocumenthededicatedawholechapter(ChapterIV)onthethemeofloveorcharity,offeringameditationontheletterofPaultotheCorinthiansonlove,unprecedentedinpapaldocuments.20Hewrote:“Wecouldalsopointtothepresenceinmanyfamiliesofacapacityforselflessandlovingservicewhenchildren

19Message of Synod Fathers, p. 22. 20Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love).

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provetroublesomeandevenungrateful.ThismakesthoseparentsasignofthefreeandselflessloveofJesus.”(AL162)Fr.RobertHateraffirmsthat:“EvangelizationbeginsinChristianfamilies.Fromthefirstseedsoffaith,plantedinfamilylife,God’sgracebeginsanunfoldingprocessthatlastsalifetime.Fromamother’ssmiletoafather’ssacrifice,God’sspiritpermeatedafamily,centeredonloveandfaithfulness.”21OnlyonthebasisofthisexperiencewilltheChurch’spastoralcareforfamiliesenablethemtobebothdomesticchurchesandaleavenofevangelizationinsociety.(AL290)3.1.ProvidingAnAdequateMarriagePreparation:afundamentalservicetoengagedcouplesAnimportantservicethatfamiliescanoffertheirmembersandtheChurchaswellistopreparewelltheengagedcouplessoontogetmarried.

ThosebestpreparedformarriageareprobablythosewholearnedwhatChristianmarriageisfromtheirownparents,whochoseeachotherunconditionallyanddailyrenewthisdecision.Inthissense,pastoralinitiativesaimedathelpingmarriedcouplestogrowinloveandintheGospelofthefamilyalsohelptheirchildren,bypreparingthemfortheirfuturemarriedlife.Norshouldweunderestimatethepastoralvalueoftraditionalreligiouspractices.(AL208)

Alongwithapastoraloutreachaimedspecificallyatfamilies,thisshowstheneedfor“amoreadequateformation...ofpriests,deacons,menandwomenreligious,catechistsandotherpastoralworkers”.(AL202)

TheSynodFathersstatedinanumberofwaysthatweneedtohelpyoungpeoplediscoverthedignityandbeautyofmarriage.Theyshouldbehelpedtoperceivetheattractionofacompleteunionthatelevatesandperfectsthesocialdimensionofexistence,givessexualityitsdeepestmeaning,andbenefitschildrenbyofferingthemthebestcontextfortheirgrowthanddevelopment.(AL205)Thesacramentofmarriageisnotasocialconvention,anemptyritualormerelytheoutwardsignofacommitment….Marriageisavocation,inasmuchasitisaresponsetoaspecificcalltoexperienceconjugalloveasanimperfectsignofthelovebetweenChristandtheChurch.Consequently,

21Hater, Rober (Fr.), The Parish Guide to New Evangelization, (Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, 2013), p.104.

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thedecisiontomarryandtohaveafamilyoughttobethefruitofaprocessofvocationaldiscernment.(AL72)

Inthisregard,theSynodFathersagreedontheneedtoinvolvetheentirecommunitymoreextensivelybystressingthewitnessoffamiliesthemselvesandbygroundingmarriagepreparationintheprocessofChristianinitiationbybringingouttheconnectionbetweenmarriage,baptismandtheothersacraments(e.g.SacramentofReconciliation).TheFathersalsospokeoftheneedforspecificprogramsofmarriagepreparationaimedatgivingcouplesagenuineexperienceofparticipationinecclesiallifeandacompleteintroductiontovariousaspectsoffamilylife”.(AL206)

…(E)achlocalChurchwilldiscernhowbesttoprovideasuitableformationwithoutdistancingyoungpeoplefromthesacrament.TheydonotneedtobetaughttheentireCatechismoroverwhelmedwithtoomuchinformation.Heretoo,“itisnotgreatknowledge,butrathertheabilitytofeelandrelishthingsinteriorlythatcontentsandsatisfiesthesoul”.Qualityismoreimportantthanquantity,andpriorityshouldbegiven–alongwitharenewedproclamationofthekerygma–toanattractiveandhelpfulpresentationofinformationthatcanhelpcouplestolivetherestoftheirlivestogether“withgreatcourageandgenerosity”.Marriagepreparationshouldbeakindof“initiation”tothesacramentofmatrimony,providingcoupleswiththehelptheyneedtoreceivethesacramentworthilyandtomakeasolidbeginningoflifeasafamily.(AL207)

…(T)heprimaryobjectiveistohelpeachtolearnhowtolovethisveryrealpersonwithwhomheorsheplanstosharehisorherwholelife.Learningtolovesomeonedoesnothappenautomatically,norcanitbetaughtinaworkshopjustpriortothecelebrationofmarriage.Foreverycouple,marriagepreparationbeginsatbirth.Whattheyreceivedfromtheirfamilyshouldpreparethemtoknowthemselvesandtomakeafullanddefinitivecommitment.

Thedecisiontomarryshouldneverbeencouragedunlessthecouplehasdiscerneddeeperreasonsthatwillensureagenuineandstablecommitment.(AL209)

Bothshort-termandlong-termmarriagepreparationshouldensurethatthecoupledonotviewtheweddingceremonyastheendoftheroad,butinsteadembarkuponmarriageasalife-longcallingbasedonafirmandrealisticdecisiontofacealltrialsanddifficultmomentstogether.Thepastoralcareofengagedandmarriedcouplesshouldbecenteredonthemarriagebond,assistingcouplesnotonlytodeepentheirlovebutalsotoovercomeproblemsanddifficulties.ThisinvolvesnotonlyhelpingthemtoaccepttheChurch’steachingandtohaverecoursetohervaluableresources,butalsoofferingpracticalprograms,soundadvice,provenstrategiesand

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psychologicalguidance.Allthiscallsforapedagogyoflove,attunedtothefeelingsandneedsofyoungpeopleandcapableofhelpingthemtogrowinteriorly….ItisalsoimportanttoremindthemoftheavailabilityofthesacramentofReconciliation,whichallowsthemtobringtheirsinsandpastmistakes,andtheirrelationshipitself,beforeGod,andtoreceiveinturnhismercifulforgivenessandhealingstrength.(AL211)

Short-termpreparationsformarriagetendtobeconcentratedoninvitations,clothes,thepartyandanynumberofotherdetailsthattendtodrainnotonlythebudgetbutenergyandjoyaswell.Thespousescometotheweddingceremonyexhaustedandharried,ratherthanfocusedandreadyforthegreatstepthattheyareabouttotake.Thesamekindofpreoccupationwithabigcelebrationalsoaffectscertaindefactounions;becauseoftheexpensesinvolved,thecouple,insteadofbeingconcernedaboveallwiththeirloveandsolemnizingitinthepresenceofothers,nevergetmarried.Hereletmesayawordtofiancés.Havethecouragetobedifferent.Don’tletyourselvesgetswallowedupbyasocietyofconsumptionandemptyappearances.Whatisimportantistheloveyoushare,strengthenedandsanctifiedbygrace.Youarecapableofoptingforamoremodestandsimplecelebrationinwhichlovetakesprecedenceovereverythingelse.Pastoralworkersandtheentirecommunitycanhelpmakethisprioritythenormratherthantheexception.(AL212)

Thecouplecanalsomeditateonthebiblicalreadingsandthemeaningfulnessoftheringstheywillexchangeandtheothersignsthatarepartoftherite.Norwoulditbegoodforthemtoarriveattheweddingwithouteverhavingprayedtogether,onefortheother,toseekGod’shelpinremainingfaithfulandgenerous,toasktheLordtogetherwhathewantsofthem,andtoconsecratetheirlovebeforeanimageoftheVirginMary.Thosewhohelppreparethemformarriageshouldhelpthemexperiencethesemomentsofprayerthatcanprovesobeneficial.(AL216).Anothergreatchallengeofmarriagepreparationistohelpcouplesrealizethatmarriageisnotsomethingthathappensonceforall.Theirunionisrealandirrevocable,confirmedandconsecratedbythesacramentofmatrimony.Yetinjoiningtheirlives,thespousesassumeanactiveandcreativeroleinalifelongproject.Theirgazenowhastobedirectedtothefuturethat,withthehelpofGod’sgrace,theyaredailycalledtobuild….Thisfactneedstoberealisticallypresentedtonewlymarriedcouplesfromtheoutset,sothattheycangraspthattheweddingis“justthebeginning”.Bysaying“Ido”,theyembarkonajourneythatrequiresthemtoovercomeallobstaclesstandinginthewayoftheirreachingthegoal.Thenuptialblessingthattheyreceiveisagraceandanincentiveforthisjourney.Theycanonlybenefitfromsittingdownandtalkingtooneanotherabouthow,concretely,theyplantoachievetheirgoal.(AL218)

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3.2.PassingontheFaith:ANecessaryServicefortheFamilyasdomesticchurchEstablishedbythesacramentofmatrimony,theChristianfamilyasthedomesticChurchisthelocusandfirstagentinthegivingoflifeandlove,thetransmissionoffaithandtheformationofthehumanpersonaccordingtothevaluesofthegospel.InimitatingChrist,thewholeChurchmustdedicateherselftosupportingfamiliesinthecatechesisofchildrenandyouth.22

Enablingfamiliestotakeuptheirroleasactiveagentsofthefamilyapostolatecallsfor“aneffortatevangelizationandcatechesisinsidethefamily”.(AL200)

Familycatechesisisofgreatassistanceasaneffectivemethodintrainingyoungparentstobeawareoftheirmissionastheevangelizersoftheirownfamily”(AL287)Educationinthefaithhastoadapttoeachchild,sinceolderresourcesandrecipesdonotalwayswork.Childrenneedsymbols,actionsandstories.Sinceadolescentsusuallyhaveissueswithauthorityandrules,itisbesttoencouragetheirownexperienceoffaithandtoprovidethemwithattractivetestimoniesthatwinthemoverbytheirsheerbeauty.Parentsdesirousofnurturingthefaithoftheirchildrenaresensitivetotheirpatternsofgrowth,fortheyknowthatspiritualexperienceisnotimposedbutfreelyproposed.(AL288)3.3.Familiesmustbecomeplacesofprayer.Letuskneelagainathomeforfamilyprayer….Thefamilythatpraystogetherstaystogether.Thefamilythatkneelstogetherwillberefreshedandrenewedtogether.Thefamilythatkneelstogetherwillremainyoungandfreshandnew.Kneelingempowersfamiliestostandupagainstthestormsoflife.Kneelingisstrength.Childrenlearnbyimitation.That’struewithlanguageandit’struewithprayer….Evenmorefundamentally,whenweprayregularlyasafamily,wegiveGodgreateropportunitytoworkwithus,togiveusthegraceweneedtofacethechallengesthatawaitusandmakethesacrificesthedayasksofus.Boundtogetherbygrace,we

22Synod, Proposition 48

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becomemorecapableofwitnessingtoChristintheotherfieldstowhichhecallsus.23Thefamilyiscalledtojoinindailyprayer,toreadthewordofGodandtoshareinEucharisticcommunion,andthustogrowinloveandbecomeevermorefullyatempleinwhichtheSpiritdwells.(AL29)Mothersoftencommunicatethedeepestmeaningofreligiouspracticeinthefirstprayersandactsofdevotionthattheirchildrenlearn...(AL174)Wepastorshavetoencouragefamiliestogrowinfaith.Thismeansencouragingfrequentconfession,spiritualdirectionandoccasionalretreats.Italsomeansencouragingfamilyprayerduringtheweek,since“thefamilythatpraystogetherstaystogether”.Whenvisitingourpeople’shomes,weshouldgatherallthemembersofthefamilyandbrieflyprayforoneanother,placingthefamilyintheLord’shands.ItisalsohelpfultoencourageeachofthespousestofindtimeforprayeralonewithGod,sinceeachhashisorhersecretcrossestobear….(AL228)TheSynodFathersnotedthat“thewordofGodisthesourceoflifeandspiritualityforthefamily.AllpastoralworkonbehalfofthefamilymustallowpeopletobeinteriorlyfashionedandformedasmembersofthedomesticchurchthroughtheChurch’sprayerfulreadingofsacredScripture.ThewordofGodisnotonlygoodnewsinaperson’sprivatelifebutalsoacriterionofjudgmentandalightindiscerningthevariouschallengesthatmarriedcouplesandfamiliesencounter”.(AL228)Itisessentialthatchildrenactuallyseethat,fortheirparents,prayerissomethingtrulyimportant.Hencemomentsoffamilyprayerandactsofdevotioncanbemorepowerfulforevangelizationthananycatechismclassorsermon.(AL288)Familyprayerisaspecialwayofexpressingandstrengtheningthispaschalfaith.AfewminutescanbefoundeachdaytocometogetherbeforethelivingGod,totellhimourworries,toaskfortheneedsofourfamily,toprayforsomeoneexperiencingdifficulty,toaskforhelpinshowinglove,togivethanksforlifeandforitsblessings,andtoaskOurLadytoprotectusbeneathhermaternalmantle.Withafewsimplewords,thismomentofprayercandoimmensegoodforourfamilies.Thevariousexpressionsofpopularpietyareatreasureofspiritualityformanyfamilies.Thefamily’scommunaljourneyofprayerculminatesbysharingtogetherintheEucharist,especiallyinthecontextoftheSundayrest.Jesusknocksonthedooroffamilies,tosharewiththemtheEucharisticsupper(cf.Rev3:20)….TheEucharististhesacramentofthenewcovenant,whereChrist’sredemptiveworkiscarriedout(cf.Lk22:20).TheclosebondbetweenmarriedlifeandtheEucharistthusbecomesallthemoreclear.Forthefoodofthe

23ScottHahn,pp.91-92.

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Eucharistoffersthespousesthestrengthandincentiveneededtolivethemarriagecovenanteachdayasa“domesticchurch”.(AL318)ConclusionKneelingforRenewalInthisYearoftheFamilyandtheEucharist,weareinvitedtokneeldowntobringrenewaltothefamily.WekneeltoserveliketheLord.WeenvisioneveryFilipinoCatholicfamilytobemissionarydisciplesoftheEucharist.IntheJubileeYearofMercy,thisYearoftheFamilyandtheEucharist,letusreturntothespiritualvalueandbeautyofkneeling.Tertullianevenwentsofarassaying“Noprayershouldbemadewithoutkneeling”.(DeOratione,23)Howcanweberenewedwithoutprayer?Howcanwepraywithoutkneelingforrepentance?Howcanwereceivemercyifweareproudandself-secure?HowcanweworshipwithoutkneelingdownwhentheApostlehimselfsays“AtthenameofJesuseverykneeshouldbendofthoseinheavenandonearthandundertheearth.”HowcanweshowthatweareHisdiscipleswithoutkneelingdowntowashoneanother’sfeetasHehasmandated?BylovewewillbeknownasHisdisciples.InthisYearofMercyletuskneelagain.Ifwewantrenewal,lettheheartandbodykneel.LetthemindandthelegsbendbeforetheLord.Letthesoulandthekneesbowtogetherinworshipandhumility.AsministersincatechesisinthisYearofMercy,inthisYearoftheEucharistandFamily,inthe25thYearofPCPIIaswecontinuetotakethepathtowardtheNewEvangelization,letourkneelingbeforetheLordgiveusinspirationtorenewourcatechesisonthesacramentsofReconciliation,theEucharistandtheHolyMarriage.