Signs & Symbols Signs & Symbols of the Catholic of the Catholic

FaithFaith

Remember the Remember the Sacraments?Sacraments?

Sacraments Sacraments are Visible are Visible SignsSigns of of Invisible Invisible Grace, Grace, Instituted by Instituted by Christ, for Christ, for our our SanctificatioSanctificationn

Other Signs & SymbolsOther Signs & Symbols

The faithful of The faithful of the church the church express and express and perceive spiritual perceive spiritual realities through realities through physical gestures, physical gestures, rituals, signs, and rituals, signs, and symbols.symbols.

Symbols Borrowed from Symbols Borrowed from CreationCreation

God speaks to us God speaks to us through creation.through creation.

““I am the vine, you I am the vine, you are the branches. are the branches. Whoever remains in Whoever remains in me and I in him will me and I in him will bear much fruit, bear much fruit, because without me because without me you can do nothing.” you can do nothing.” -- John 15:5 -- John 15:5

Ancient Christian Ancient Christian Symbols -- FishSymbols -- Fish

The Greek word The Greek word “ICTHUS” and acronym “ICTHUS” and acronym for “Jesus Christ Son of for “Jesus Christ Son of God Savior” God Savior” (Iesous (Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter).Christos Theou Yios Soter).

Jesus said to them, Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of will make you fishers of men." –Mark 1:17men." –Mark 1:17

The CHI RHOThe CHI RHO The symbol of the The symbol of the

Savior's name. Two Savior's name. Two Greek letters to Greek letters to signify the name of signify the name of Christ.Christ.

The military symbol The military symbol used by used by Constantine: Constantine: "In "In hoc signo vinces"hoc signo vinces" (In (In this sign you shall this sign you shall conquer).conquer).

White Robe of BaptismWhite Robe of Baptism Signifies innocence Signifies innocence

and the removal of and the removal of original sin.original sin.

““These are the ones These are the ones who have survived the who have survived the time of great distress; time of great distress; 8 they have washed 8 they have washed their robes and made their robes and made them white in the them white in the blood of the Lamb.”blood of the Lamb.”

Revelation 7:14Revelation 7:14

Priestly VestmentsPriestly Vestments

Religious OrdersReligious Orders

Fire & LightFire & Light ““You are the light You are the light

of the world. . . . of the world. . . . Just so, your light Just so, your light must shine before must shine before others, that they others, that they may see your good may see your good deeds and glorify deeds and glorify your heavenly your heavenly Father.” Father.”

– – Matthew 5:14-16.Matthew 5:14-16. Lux in TenebrisLux in Tenebris

Easter FireEaster Fire

Father, we share in the light of your glory through your Son, the light of the world. Make this new fire holy, and inflame us with new hope. Purify our minds by this Easter celebration and bring us one day to the feast of eternal light.

IncenseIncenseBy its burning it By its burning it symbolizes the zeal symbolizes the zeal with which the with which the faithful should be faithful should be animated; by its animated; by its sweet fragrance, the sweet fragrance, the odor of Christian odor of Christian virtue; by its rising virtue; by its rising smoke, the ascent of smoke, the ascent of prayer before the prayer before the throne of the throne of the Almighty.Almighty.

IncenseIncense Frankincense was one of the Frankincense was one of the

gifts brought to Jesus by the gifts brought to Jesus by the Magi.Magi.

““Another angel came and stood Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne. The was before the throne. The smoke of the incense along with smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the went up before God from the hand of the angel.”hand of the angel.”

--Revelation 8:3-4.--Revelation 8:3-4.The Thurible is carried The Thurible is carried

by the Thuriferby the Thurifer

WaterWater Water is an ancient Water is an ancient

sign of cleansing.sign of cleansing.

““Wash away all my Wash away all my guilt; from my sin guilt; from my sin cleanse me. . . . cleanse me. . . . Cleanse me with Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, make pure; wash me, make me whiter than snow.me whiter than snow.

--Psalm 51--Psalm 51

The Water of BaptismThe Water of Baptism We use water in We use water in

Baptism symbolizing Baptism symbolizing our freedom from sin.our freedom from sin.

We bless ourselves We bless ourselves with the sign of the with the sign of the cross as a reminder of cross as a reminder of our baptism.our baptism.

The blessing of the The blessing of the congregation is called congregation is called the “asperges”.the “asperges”.

Holy OilsHoly Oils Oil of Chrism – Oil of Chrism –

used for Baptism, used for Baptism, ConfirmationConfirmation, & , & Holy OrdersHoly Orders

Oil of Oil of CatechumensCatechumens

Oil of the SickOil of the Sick ““Christ” means Christ” means

the “anointed” the “anointed” one.one.

Anointing with OilsAnointing with Oils Oil is a sign of Oil is a sign of

abundance (of grace) abundance (of grace) and joy.and joy.

Oil is a sign of Oil is a sign of cleansing and healingcleansing and healing

Oil in Confirmation is Oil in Confirmation is a sign of a sign of Consecration.Consecration.

By the anointing you By the anointing you will receive the “mark” will receive the “mark” or “seal” of the Holy or “seal” of the Holy Spirit.Spirit.

Essential Rite of Essential Rite of ConfirmationConfirmation

Laying on of Laying on of handshands

Anointing with ChrismAnointing with Chrism