The Great Fast is a time for us to enter more deeply into the mystery of God’s transformative gifts that are offered to us through the Church. For Byzantine Catholics, the “sacrament of sacraments” (meaning the “greatest” sacrament, from Pseudo-Dionysius) is the Holy Mystery of the Eucharist. St. John Chrysostom Parish is offering a 5-part class of prayer, discussion, and reflection for Catholic adults Saturday afternoons (1:30 – 3:00pm), March 8th through April 5th so that together we may inspire each other to a fuller understanding and experience of the divine reality of the Eucharist in our lives. The course will also encourage participants to stay after the class for Confession and Vesperal Divine Liturgy when possible.
We will investigate questions such as:
- What is a Sacrament/Holy Mystery?
- What’s “mystagogy?”
- How does the Holy Spirit relate to Christ and the Eucharist?
- How should I approach the Sacred Mystery?
- What does Confession have to do with the Eucharist?
- And much more
Sign-up is required; email Ben to confirm.
Instructor: Benjamin Peter Olsen (parishioner at St. John Chrysostom)
Detailed Outline:
Part 1: Prelude
- Introduction to Christian Mystagogy & Ground Rules
- This is the Christian Mystery! Elder Aimilianos
- God’s Energies & Sacraments, 5 Epiclesis of Divine Liturgy (Wellspring of Worship)
- Pray Preparatory Prayers (Green Book) together in the Sanctuary
- Proskomedia in the Sanctuary
- Homework: Memorize a preparatory prayer of your choice, read all of Wellspring of Worship selection
Part 2: Confession & The Word
- Divinization (Part 1) – Archbishop Raya
- Liturgy of the Word (Wellspring of Worship)
- Made for Union & Confession texts
- Reflection & Discussion
- Prayers for deeper understanding of confession: Casoslav Holy Spirit prayer, Prayer of St. Ephraim
- Homework: pray one of these confessional prayers daily, read The Eyes of the Gospel Selection, Raya
Part 3: Anaphora
- Anaphora (Wellspring of Worship, The Eyes of the Gospel)
- Homework: continue praying preparatory prayers/confessional prayers, read Celebration Raya text
Part 4: The Body of Christ
- Divinization (Part 2) – Archbishop Raya
- Communion (Wellspring of Worship)
- St Simeon the Translator Prayer
- Celebration Raya Text & Discussion
- Homework: pray St Simeon the Translator prayer, read Heart of the World text
Part 5: Eucharistic Life
- Finale (Wellspring of Worship)
- Short Christ Our Pascha Reading
- Heart of the World Discussion
- Reflection questions + Feedback form
Sources & Reference Material:
- Christ our Pascha, Ukrainian Catholic Catechism
- Ruthenian Liturgical Books
- Celebration, Metropolitan Joseph Raya
- The Eyes of the Gospel, Metropolitan Joseph Raya
- The Divine Liturgy: A Commentary in the Light of the Fathers, Heiromonk Gregorios
- Confession, Adrienne von Speyr
- Made for Union: The Sacramental Spirituality of St. Nikodemus
- Heart of the World, Hans Urs von Balthasar
- The Wellspring of Worship, Fr. Jean Corbon