Dear EDGE Family,

This week at Edge, we started off with two fun games and then heard from Deacon Andy Cirmo on the Sacraments of Marriage and Holy Orders (since he is living out both)! The Sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony are revealed in Scripture, and they both lead not only to personal holiness, but also to the holiness of others. After the teaching, the youth had an opportunity to discuss these vocations. Our night ended with time for the youth to use drawing and imagination as a new meditative way to pray and reflect on their thoughts about each vocation.

Main Ideas: 

• God gives us different vocations because He made us unique and calls each of us to holiness in our own way.

• In the Old Testament, priests reminded the Israelites of God’s presence and offered sacrifices. Deacons, priests, and bishops do that today, but the sacrifice they share with us is Jesus’ perfect sacrifice.

• After the Fall, people made a lot of mistakes in regard to marriage, forgetting God’s original plan. Jesus made matrimony a sacrament, reminding us how beautiful and important marriage is.
  
  

Catechism Reference: 
“Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so. They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God.” (CCC 1534)

Scripture Reference: 
“On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:1-2, 11)

Family Reflection Questions: 

• Why do you think God gives us two different paths — marriage or religious life — by which we can reach heaven?

• How do these vocations help us become holier?

• Have you ever thought about your vocation?