New RCIA catechist here

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Marie5890

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(I apologize if this isn’t the correct forum for this question)

I went thru the RCIA program myself back in '06-07 and was received into full communion at the Easter vigil of '07…

I now find myself asked to help with the RCIA program.

My question is what is the difference between the Magisterium (sp?) and Sacred Tradition?

Can you give me examples?

(For an example of what I am looking for, is the Immaculate Conception considered part of Sacred Tradition or does it fall under the teachings the Magisterium…)

We are teaching a Jewish man right now and he does have questions like “why is there a Pope and why is he elected?” etc

That one I can answer with Sacred Scripture (my own Mormon religious background has me well grounded in knowledge of the Bible)

But the history of say things like the Immaculate Concepiton, the Rosary, celebate priests etc…are not as easy for me to explain at this point.

Thank you
 
May I suggest you get a copy of The Catholicism Answer Book by Rev John Trigilio Jr. and Rev Kenneth Brighenti. It has the 300 most frequently asked question regarding our faith. It will give you great insight to things like:

Why pray a rosary?
Why are priests celibate?
Why can’t Catholics divorce or remarry?
What ae the lost or missing books of the Bible?

They provide much detail to help you answer all of those tough questions. And there are a bunch of them. God Bless you.
 
My question is what is the difference between the Magisterium (sp?) and Sacred Tradition? *Magistrium is people , a body of scholars, while Sacred Tradition is the teachings handed down from Christ *

Can you give me examples? *The magisterium advised the Pope on Birth Control, Stem Cells, etc… Sacred Tradition tells us Mary was every virgin, Mary was assumed into heaven etc *

…he does have questions like “why is there a Pope and why is he elected?” etc *Christ estiblished the first Pope *

But the history of say things like the Immaculate Concepiton, ( Tradition ) the Rosary( form of prayer) , celebate priests ( *a discipline *)

Fell free to private message any time
 
Texas_Roofer said:
My question is what is the difference between the Magisterium (sp?) and Sacred Tradition? Magistrium is people , a body of scholars, while Sacred Tradition is the teachings handed down from Christ
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Good answer, but to be more precise, the Magisterium is not just any body of scholars, but specifically the Pope and the bishops who by their teaching authority pass on Tradition. I would also add that Tradition is the teachings that come from Christ, but are not explicitly recorded in the Bible. It is the understanding of what Christ taught, that comes from Christ and was passed on to the apostles and their successors the bishops (i.e. the Magisterium).

The usual examples of Tradition are the teachings on Mary such as, she was ever virgin and also the assumption of Mary. I would also giveas examples, the Mass, the Real Presence, and perhaps even the Trinity as other examples of Tradtion (as the word Trinity is not in the Bible but we have the understanding that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
 
Marie5890 said:
(I apologize if this isn’t the correct forum for this question)

I went thru the RCIA program myself back in '06-07 and was received into full communion at the Easter vigil of '07…

I now find myself asked to help with the RCIA program.

My question is what is the difference between the Magisterium (sp?) and Sacred Tradition?

Can you give me examples?

(For an example of what I am looking for, is the Immaculate Conception considered part of Sacred Tradition or does it fall under the teachings the Magisterium…)

We are teaching a Jewish man right now and he does have questions like “why is there a Pope and why is he elected?” etc

That one I can answer with Sacred Scripture (my own Mormon religious background has me well grounded in knowledge of the Bible)

But the history of say things like the Immaculate Concepiton, the Rosary, celebate priests etc…are not as easy for me to explain at this point.

Thank you
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Welcome Home and God Bless You, yes in many years experience I can attest that those who have been through a conversion process themselves make the best teachers and mentors for others. You will also learn more probably this year than you did during your own formation, there is no better way to grow in your faith than to teach it to others.

Rely on good resources, beginning of course with the CCC, to explain what you cannot yet put into words yourself, and especially learn to navigate and search these forums and the CA home page library.

specifically the Magesterium refers the whole entire teaching and governing authority of the Catholic Church on Earth, not only as she is the repository and guardian of Divine Revelation, but as she holds and wields the authority given by Christ himself to the apostles headed by Peter, the first bishops headed by their pope.

Divine Revelation is received, handed on and taught through Sacred Tradition, and part of that Revelation has been written down and even translated into other languages, and disseminated for the use of the Church in teaching and worship, and for edification of the faithful, in the book we now call the Bible.

So Tradition is not separate from the Bible, rather, the Bible is part of the Tradition, as in the part where Paul reminds Timothy, a newly ordained bishop, to hold fast to the Tradition that has been handed on to him. Paul here is speaking not only of the Hebrew Scriptures but also of everything the apostles had been teaching and doing, based on their commission from Christ.

For a picture of how what has now been formally defined as doctrine, such as the Immaculate Conception, was handed on through tradition for centuries, because it was believed in the early Church, check out features on CA such as Fathers Know Best, where the history of those teachings is described in the work of the Early Church Fathers, and how they themselves discerned the basis for those beliefs through their knowledge of Hebrew Scriptures. If I have time before work I will search for such a link for you, I will be browsing AAA and apologetics forums here, but mostly CA homepage including This Rock
 
Thank you all very much. You have been very helpful and I have a clearer picture.

Have a great week 🙂
 
Marie5890 said:
(I apologize if this isn’t the correct forum for this question)

I went thru the RCIA program myself back in '06-07 and was received into full communion at the Easter vigil of '07…

I now find myself asked to help with the RCIA program.

My question is what is the difference between the Magisterium (sp?) and Sacred Tradition?

Can you give me examples?

(For an example of what I am looking for, is the Immaculate Conception considered part of Sacred Tradition or does it fall under the teachings the Magisterium…)

We are teaching a Jewish man right now and he does have questions like “why is there a Pope and why is he elected?” etc

That one I can answer with Sacred Scripture (my own Mormon religious background has me well grounded in knowledge of the Bible)

But the history of say things like the Immaculate Concepiton, the Rosary, celebate priests etc…are not as easy for me to explain at this point.

Thank you
Click to expand...
From your post and the responses by others, I also want to add that “Tradition” has two different meanings in Catholicism. Sacred Traditions are teachings that stem from the Apostles, which would include the Trinity, even though such doctrines were not defined for many years after the apostles were called back to the Lord… There are other “traditions” (often separated with a small “t”) that are Church-made teachings that do not come from the Apostles. The rosary is one. It is a changeable tradition, unlike Sacred Tradition. The Pope might (has previously) add more mysteries to the rosary. Or perhaps, the Church may decide that people need to meditate longer on the mystery, so may add 5 more beads to the decades. Or maybe blue might be a better color for the liturgical period of lent than purple. Such devotional, disciplinary and canonical laws are not to be confused with “Tradition” capital “T”, Sacred or Apostolic Traditions.

Regards
 
MAGISTGERIUM
The Bishops of the world in union with the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) make up the MAGISTERIUM (that teaching authority sent by Christ Mt28:16-20 GO TEACH ALL NATIONS I AM WITH YOU TILL THE END). Their duty is to teach, sanctify and govern. Teach the Word of God, faith and morals, what we must believe and moral standards. Sanctify by preaching the Word of God and administering the sacraments. Govern the Church for good order, [Jn 17:21 THAT THEY MAY BE ONE as you Father are in me and I in you that they also may be one in us THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE you SENT ME].

[LK 22:29 I appoint you (all apostles) a kingdom as my Father has appointed me 30 That you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel 31 Simon Satan has desired to have you (all apostles) 32 I have prayed for you (Peter alone) that your (Peter’s) faith FAIL NOT when you (Peter) are converted, strengthen your brethren.] When Peter is converted his faith will never fail (infallible), he is to strengthen all the brethren as Universal Pastor. Christ said Satan wanted to sift all the apostles (you plural) as wheat, but Christ prayed that only (you singular) Peter’s faith fail not. This was said in the presents of the other apostles, who must be in union and agree with the faith of Peter.

[Lk 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that HE went out into a mountain to pray, and CONTINUED ALL NIGHT IN PRAYER to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and OF THEM HE CHOSE TWELVE, whom also he NAMED APOSTLES; JN 17:18 As you have SENT me into the world I also SENT them into the world 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE CONSECRATED IN TRUTH. 20 I do not pray for these alone but for those who will BELIEVE IN ME THROUGH THEIR WORD 21 THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE as you Father are in me and I in you THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE you SENT ME.] Christ is praying for one specific VISIBLE sent group, the Apostles Fellowship (Magisterium), whom he consecrated in truth. Hearing their word and BEING ONE IN FELLOWSHIP, with THEM, the world may believe the Father sent him. I don’t think Christ meant, he would only be with that fellowship and it would only be one, just while the apostles were alive, but to the end of the world.

[Mt 28:16 THE ELEVEN disciples 18 JESUS SPOKE TO THEM, ALL POWER IS GIVEN TO ME in heaven and in earth 19 GO TEACH ALL NATIONS BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 TEACHING to observe ALL things whatever I have COMMANDED you I AM WITH YOU always even TO THE END.] That’s the great commission to the Church, the apostles fellowship. Christ to whom all power in heaven and earth is given, sent with his authority that apostles fellowship or Magisterium, to TEACH ALL NATIONS, to observe what he taught, they were to go to all nations (universal, catholic). Only the apostles fellowship were sent to teach all nations, with the authority of Christ. Christ promised to be with them till the end. Those individuals would not be around till the end, but their SENT successors in the Apostolic Fellowship would, by sending and passing on their authority to teach, sanctify and rule by laying on of hands from bishop to bishop, in an unbroken line, till the end.

What did people do when they accepted Christ? [ACTS 2:41 they that RECEIVED HIS WORD WERE BAPTIZED 42 THEY CONTINUED STEDFASTLY in the APOSTLES DOCTRINE, FELLOWSHIP in BREAKING BREAD=mass and in PRAYERS. 1Cor 1:9 God is faithful you were called into THE FELLOWSHIP OF his Son JESUS CHRIST. 10 I appeal to you BRETHREN by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you AGREE that there be no dissensions among you that you BE UNITED in the same mind and the same judgment. 1Jn 4:6 We are of God Whoever knows God LISTENS TO US and he who is not of God DOES NOT LISTEN TO US BY THIS WE KNOW the spirit of TRUTH and the spirit of ERROR] The Apostolic Fellowship or Magisterium, who will be endued with power from on high, by whom the Church will be guided into ALL TRUTH (Infallible) and teach all things whatsoever Christ said. If he neglect to hear THE CHURCH treat him as a heathen, MT 18:17.

Paul even checked his teaching with that one fellowship. [Gal2:1 Then fourteen years after I WENT UP AGAIN TO JERUSALEM with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up BY REVELATION, and COMMUNICATED UNTO THEM that GOSPEL which I PREACH among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, LEST BY ANY MEANS I SHOULD run, or HAD RUN, IN VAIN.]
 
Scripture indicates, to be a valid minister one must be SENT, [Rm 10:14 …how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 how shall they preach EXCEPT THEY BE SENT?]

The Sacrament of Holy Orders, ordination, by laying of hands gives the GIFT of the Holy Spirit to enable an ordained minister to fulfill his mission.

[2 TIM 1:6 …stir up the GIFT OF GOD IN YOU BY THE PUTTING ON OF MY HANDS 7 GOD HAS GIVEN US the SPIRIT OF POWER. [2Tm4:2 PREACH THE WORD; be prepared in season and out of season; CORRECT, REBUKE and ENCOURAGE—WITH great patience and CAREFUL INSTRUCTION] 1Tm5:1 Do not REBUKE an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers,

Titus 1:5 For this I left you in Crete that you should set in order …and ORDAIN ELDERS in EVERY CITY AS I APPOINTED YOU. Titus1:7 For A BISHOP must be blameless, as THE STEWARD OF GOD; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD AS HE HATH BEEN TAUGHT, that he may be able BY SOUND DOCTRINE both TO EXHORT and TO CONVINCE the gainsayers.

Titus1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore, REBUKE them SHARPLY, so that they will be sound in the faith] Titus2:1 But SPEAK THOU the THINGS WHICH BECOME SOUND DOCTRINE: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. [Titus2:15 THESE, then, are the THINGS YOU SHOULD TEACH. ENCOURAGE and REBUKE WITH ALL AUTHORITY. Do not let anyone despise you.]

Acts 14:23 when they had ORDAINED elders IN EVERY CHURCH and prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord on whom they believed. Acts 20:28 Take heed of yourself, and the flock over which the HOLY SPIRIT has MADE you OVERSEERS TO FEED THE CHURCH OF GOD purchased with his own blood,

1 TIM 5:17 Let the elders that RULE well be counted worthy of DOUBLE HONOUR especially they who labour in the WORD AND DOCTRINE. 1 Tin 4:13 Till I come attend to READING to EXHORTATION to DOCTRINE 14 Do not neglect THE GIFT in you GIVEN you by prophecy WITH THE LAYING ON OF the HANDS of the presbytery 16 TAKE HEED to yourself TO THE DOCTRINE continue in them for in doing this you shalt both SAVE yourself and THOSE WHO HEAR YOU.]
 
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