MCC Sacramental Theology & Liturgy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which liturgical document from the Second Vatican Council reformed the celebration of the sacraments?
- Lumen Gentium
- Sacrosanctum Concilium (Correct answer)
- Gaudium et Spes
- Dei Verbum
Correct answer: Sacrosanctum Concilium
Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 1963) was Vatican II's foundational document reforming sacramental and liturgical practice.
Question 2: In sacramental theology, 'ex opere operato' means the sacrament is effective because:
- The minister is personally holy
- The recipient has sufficient faith
- The rite itself is validly performed (Correct answer)
- The community prays fervently
Correct answer: The rite itself is validly performed
Ex opere operato ('by the work worked') means sacramental grace flows from the valid performance of the rite itself, not from the worthiness of minister or recipient.
Question 3: What is the term for the essential words and actions required for a sacrament to be valid?
- Epiclesis and anamnesis
- Matter and form (Correct answer)
- Rite and rubric
- Intention and contrition
Correct answer: Matter and form
Classical sacramental theology identifies 'matter' (the physical element/action) and 'form' (the words spoken) as the essential components of each sacrament.
Question 4: Which sacrament is received only once and leaves an indelible spiritual mark (character)?
- Anointing of the Sick
- Reconciliation
- Holy Orders (Correct answer)
- Marriage
Correct answer: Holy Orders
Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders each imprint an indelible character; Holy Orders is the one among these answer choices that configures a man to Christ as priest.
Question 5: The Liturgy of the Word in Mass traditionally concludes with which element?
- The Offertory Procession
- The Prayer of the Faithful (Universal Prayer) (Correct answer)
- The Preface Dialogue
- The Sign of Peace
Correct answer: The Prayer of the Faithful (Universal Prayer)
The Liturgy of the Word ends with the Prayer of the Faithful, also called the Universal Prayer or Bidding Prayers, before the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins.
Question 6: In Catholic teaching, which sacrament is referred to as the 'sacrament of initiation' that seals Baptism with the gift of the Holy Spirit?
- Eucharist
- Confirmation (Correct answer)
- Holy Orders
- Matrimony
Correct answer: Confirmation
Confirmation seals and perfects baptismal grace, conferring the Holy Spirit in a fuller way to strengthen the recipient as a witness of Christ.
Question 7: The term 'anamnesis' in liturgical theology refers to:
- A prayer asking the Spirit to transform the gifts
- A memorial that makes past saving events truly present (Correct answer)
- The final blessing at Mass
- The procession of gifts to the altar
Correct answer: A memorial that makes past saving events truly present
Anamnesis (Greek for 'memorial') is not merely recollection but the liturgical re-presentation of Christ's saving acts, making them truly present for the worshipping community.
MCC Sacramental Theology & Liturgy 2
Which liturgical document from the Second Vatican Council reformed the celebration of the sacraments?