Q&A Potpourri #7
Question:
What are the material signs of a sacrament?
Answer:
The material signs of a sacrament are those elements of the sacrament that effect our senses and direct our minds to the spiritual reality that the elements signify.
Each sacrament has its own material signs:
- Baptism: water, oil, candle, white garment
- Confirmation: oil, laying on of hands
- Eucharist: bread, wine
- Reconciliation: the confession of the penitent and the words of absolution from the confessor
- Holy Orders: oil, laying on of hands
- Matrimony: the bride, the groom, the vows they make
- Anointing of the Sick: oil, laying on of hands, water
Question:
Where in the Bible do you find the stories of Holy Thursday?
Answer:
The readings for the Mass on Holy Thursday evening commemorate the Passover, the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, and the institution of the priesthood.
- Reading I: Exo 12:1-8, 11-14
- Responsorial Psalm: Psa 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18
- Reading II: 1 Cor 11:23-26
- Gospel: Jn 13:1-5
Read these different passages and you’ll find the stories of Holy Thursday.
Question:
Why do Catholics honor and celebrate the rosary?
Answer:
Catholics honor and celebrate the rosary because it is a time-tested method of contemplating the significant events of the life of Christ, it is a powerful weapon against the devil, and because it helps to strengthen our relationship with Christ and our devotion to His mother.
Question:
What does the priest say at the end of Mass?
Answer:
He says, “Go in the peace of Christ,” or “The Mass is ended, go in peace,” or “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” We respond by saying, “Thanks be to God!”
Question:
Does a saint have only one feast day?
Answer:
Typically, a saint only has one feast day, but there are a handful of saints who have more than one. For example, St. Peter has three (Feb 22, June 29, Nov 18), St. Paul has three (Jan 25, June 29, Nov 18), and St. Joseph has three (March 19, May 1, Dec 27). Mary has 17 different feast days (!!), at least one in every month except April.
Peace of Christ to you,
Nicholas Hardesty,
WIMM Board Member
Director of Religious Education, Blessed Mother Catholic Church
Feel free to email your questions to nicholashardesty@gmail.com
The priiest may also say, ‘Ite Missa Est’, (The Mass Is Ended), as at the end of some Masses on EWTN.