Sacramentality, Mediation, And Communion - 1516 Words

Sacramentality, mediation, and communion – three properties of Catholicism that are central to its understanding. Like Catholicism, these three properties are universal and can be found in the writings of Catholic authors dating back thousands of years ago. From the first written Scriptures found in the Bible to the modern day works of writers like Flannery O’Connor, these three properties can be found portrayed in works of both fiction and nonfiction. However, these properties are not always easy to find for the untrained mind or even to differentiate for those who do have a better understanding. Sacramentality is the notion that all of creation potentially bears the presence of God. Essentially, one experiences the invisible God through the visible world. Mediation goes hand in hand with sacramentality. It occurs when God is not only present in creation but also works through it. Instead of something symbolizing or reminding you of God, it actually speaks to you and brings you closer to Him. The last property of the Catholic Church is communion. Communion is God’s way of reaching us through the communities in which we live. All three of these properties have close ties to each other. Flannery O’Connor portrays all three – sacramentality, mediation, and communion – in her book Mystery and Manners. In the section â€Å"Catholic Novelists and Their Readers,† O’Connor portrays the three properties by describing the duty of a Catholic novelist and what effect their relationshipShow MoreRelatedA Profound Southern American Catholic Novelist, By Flannery O Connor1616 Words   |  7 Pagesprotagonists endure a spiritual transformation that leads her characters into enlightenment. O’Connor weaves blatant instances of sacramentality, mediation, communion, mercy, and human dignity into the development of each of her stories. O’Conner revealed sacramentality in thousands of examples throughout her literary marks of genius. In â€Å"Wise Blood,† Hazel’s car exposed sacramentality as a symbol of himself. The car’s beat-up, rugged state and unreliable features mirrored Hazel’s own broken-down spirituality