The Sacraments are at the very centre of the Christian life, yet many today receive them without a clear understanding of what the graces they signify and contain. This document from the International Theological Commission explores the relationship between the faith of the recipient and the power and grace conferred by the sacrament looking at what is needed for the fruitful reception of the sacraments in order for them to help the receiver grow in faith. There is "a profound unity between the act by which we believe and the contents to which we give our assent.... In the Christian conception it is not possible to think of a faith without sacramental expression, nor a sacramental practice in the absence of ecclesial faith" [51] The document treats each sacrament but gives saves its most comprehensive treatment for marriage exploring the challenges posed by the increasing number of marriages where the spouses have an incomplete understanding of marriage as a sacrament.

In September of 2014 thirty new members were appointed for a five-year term to the Vatican's International Theological Commission. These theologians, clerical and lay, were chosen from twenty-six different countries and from five continents. The commission was charged with composing three documents of contemporary theological importance, one of which was that of the relationship between faith and the sacraments. This finished document was published, with the approval of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and by Pope Francis in Spanish in early 2020 under the title: La Reciprocidad entre Fe y Sacramentos en la Economía Sacramental. A subsequent English translation was published thereafter under the title The Reciprocity Between Faith and Sacraments in the Sacramental Economy. This present volume contains the text of the English translation. There follows an introduction by a member of the ITC, Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM, Cap., and subsequently followed by six explanatory and interpretive commentaries on various chapters of the document. Dr. John Yocum considers the contemporary relevance of the topic. Dr. Christopher Ruddy examines the dialogical nature of the sacramental economy of salvation. Dr. Jennifer Holmes Martin discusses the relationship between faith and the sacraments of initiation. There are two commentaries for section four concerning faith and the sacrament of marriage. Professor John Grabowski treats the strictly theological issues relating to faith and marriage. Canonist Timothy Cavanaugh takes up the canonical issues regarding faith and its relationship to enacting a valid sacramental marriage. Dr. Daniel Keating rounds off the commentaries by surveying the conclusion of the document, that is, the present need for evangelization so as to enliven the faith of the faithful, and the present relevance of the new ecclesial movements within the Church today. These commentaries are aimed at aiding priests and seminarians as they address or prepare to address the pastoral and theological concerns they encounter or will encounter on a daily basis. This volume could also be used in parish adult education groups as well, wherein the laity could better understand the relationship between faith and the sacraments.

The document intends to highlight the relationship between faith and sacraments. It can contribute to overcoming the fracture between faith and sacraments in the Christian existence of believers, if it occurs.

Engaging Ecclesiology presents eight challenging and thought-provoking essays from the 2021 Edinburgh Dogmatics Conference (EDC), which is a biennial event led by the Rutherford Centre for Reformed Theology. Considering the pressing reality of the decline of the church, particularly in Europe, the essays question the nature and purpose of the church in society today. Using rigorous biblical and theological examination, the contributors provide solutions and clarity to the ecclesiastical quandaries that have arisen over recent times. The EDC creates a positive forum for the constructive discussion of Reformed Theology. The essays represent a unified front in the face of the growing disunity and schisms found in the church.

The sacramental economy was instituted by Christ and entrusted to His Church in order to build up the Body of Christ in a twofold communion: binding the members together with God and one another. Touched by Christ: The Sacramental Economy is an introductory course on Sacramental Theology suitable for all who seek a deeper understanding of how the Church’s sacraments constitute channels of grace, nurture supernatural life, and heal us from our sins. Lawrence Feingold expertly describes the nature of the sacraments; their purpose, fittingness, and relationship with Christ and the New Covenant; their relationship with the Old Covenant rites that prefigured them; the character and grace that they communicate; and the nature of their causality. Touched by Christ shows that the sacraments of the New Covenant should be understood as instruments of Christ’s humanity that are used as words of power to communicate the sanctification that they signify, infuse grace, communicate the Holy Spirit, and build up ecclesial communion in those who receive them with the right dispositions.

The period of the catechumenate is focused on helping new disciples understand the doctrines and precepts of the Church in a way that flows from the liturgy. This period imbues catechumens with a spirit of prayer and service as catechists guide them to a deeper relationship with Christ. Catechetical Sessions for the Catechumenate provides models and suggestions for leading catechumens through the many aspects of the Catholic faith, including fifty prayerful and theologically sound sessions to use when catechizing the unbaptized and the uncatechized. The sessions are organized in five categories: Beliefs, Catholic Living, Holy People, Prayer and Liturgy, and Sacraments, allowing the catechist to integrate doctrinal teachings into sessions in a prayerful and formative way that reflects the vision of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. This material can also be adapted to your parish’s unique needs, including to a year-round catechumenate model. The sessions include: Theological backgrounds for each session topic Engaging and interactive catechetical scripts Liturgical recommendations for the Celebrations of the Word Opportunities for catechumens to live their faith Summary statements for wrapping up each session Organizational chart for scheduling the sessions according to the liturgical year Also included in this book is an organizational chart for scheduling the sessions according to the liturgical year. With a helpful overview of the period of the catechumenate, and guidance for forming catechumens, this resource will help catechists and initiation team members share their faith, teach Catholic beliefs, and help catechumens live their developing faith as disciples of Christ.

In every age, the Church must proclaim anew the beauty and abundance of grace contained in the Sacrament of Marriage. Married couples constitute the majority of the faithful, and they are often pillars of support in parishes, schools, apostolates, volunteer groups, and almost every other Catholic institution. Beginning with his apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis has expressed his desire for the Church to offer a better and more thorough preparation of engaged couples for marriage. The Holy Father has called for a relatively broad approach, inspired by the baptismal catechumenate, that would enable couples to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage with greater awareness, beginning with an experience of faith and personal encounter with Jesus. Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life provides pastoral guidelines for dioceses and parishes in strengthening preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage. By investing renewed energy toward this effort, the Church can help couples understand the gift of the Sacrament of Marriage, the meaning of spousal love, and marriage as their authentic vocation.