This document provides information about liturgy and the Catholic Church's worship practices. It defines liturgy as the public and official prayer service and worship offered by the Church to God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. It describes some of the key elements of liturgy including signs, symbols, rituals, gestures, responses, sacred vessels, vestments, and colors. It also discusses the liturgical calendar and provides details about the Mass and other sacraments.
This document provides information about liturgy and the Catholic Church's worship practices. It defines liturgy as the public and official prayer service and worship offered by the Church to God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. It describes some of the key elements of liturgy including signs, symbols, rituals, gestures, responses, sacred vessels, vestments, and colors. It also discusses the liturgical calendar and provides details about the Mass and other sacraments.
This document provides information about liturgy and the Catholic Church's worship practices. It defines liturgy as the public and official prayer service and worship offered by the Church to God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. It describes some of the key elements of liturgy including signs, symbols, rituals, gestures, responses, sacred vessels, vestments, and colors. It also discusses the liturgical calendar and provides details about the Mass and other sacraments.
To define something is to begin by identifying what it is
not. Liturgy is not…. 1. Private prayer, although it requires moments of individualized prayer and is always deeply personal. 2. Evangelization, although persons are certainly drawn to faith in Christ because of the quality of our liturgical celebrations. 3. Catechesis, although we certainly grow in understanding truths of our faith because of liturgical celebration. 4. The celebration of a “feel-good” sense of community of the faithful. Liturgy is … 1. The work of God. 2. The work of God drawing us to union with the Divine. 3. The action of God transforming us more perfectly into being the Body of Christ. 4. Our work, but this work is that of surrendering, of giving over control rather than grasping it. 5. Our work, because it is first the work of Christ who gave himself to the point of death and who now leads us to this point and beyond. 6. Ritual immersion in the paschal mystery. The liturgical act being done is nothing less than God acting to transform us and our surrendering to that transformation by choosing to pass through the doorway of death to new life. 7. Most of us understand that term paschal mystery refers to LITURGY It is the public and official prayer service and worship offered by the Church to the Father through the Son, in The Holy Spirit.
- (Katekesis sa Liturhiya, p.3)
HOW IS LITURGY BEING CELEBRATED? 1. Signs and symbols (Ex. Water, wine and bread, oil, sacred images, etc.) 2. Rituals (Ex. Washing of the hands, use of incense, etc.) 3. Gestures or actions (Ex. Kneeling, standing, sitting, raising of the eyes, genuflecting, bowing, etc.) 4. Responses (words and songs) WORSHIP Worship is an external act by which we show respect to another. Religious adoration may be paid only to God because of his infinite and uncreated goodness: this is known as Latria. Veneration of the saints because of their excellence is called Dulia. The special veneration given to Mary, the Mother of God, in virtue of her singular privileges and perfections is called Hyperdulia.
LITURGY Liturgy is the official public worship of the Church. This includes all the rites, ceremonies and prayers by which the Christian community assembles to worship God under its authorized head as part of the Universal Church. The chief liturgical service is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This corporate activity of the Mystical Body of Christ unites Head and members in adoration, praise, petition, thanksgiving and reparation, and is expressed in prayer, sacrifices, sacraments and sacramentals. THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS The Mass is the Holy Eucharist offered as a sacrifice of the New Covenant in which our Lord, through the ministry of the priest, offers Himself to God in an unbloody manner under the appearance of bread and wine. The Mass is, under a double aspect identical with the sacrifice of Calvary. In both sacrifice Christ is the victim and the high priest. The Mass is offered to God in adoration, praise, petition, thanksgiving and reparation. The Mass is divided into two principal parts: the Liturgy of the Word once known as the Mass of the Catechumens, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist that used to be Mass of the Faithful. LITURGICAL BOOKS The principal liturgical book for the Mass is the Roman Missal. The inclusion of readings from the Old Testament in the post Vatican II Mass has necessitated, for practical purposes, the breakup of the missal into two books: the Sacramentary, containing the prayers and rubrics that are the same in every Mass; and the Lectionary containing the Scripture readings. There is another book, seldom used, containing only the Gospel know as Evangelary or the Book of Gospels. SACRED VESSELS AND ALTAR LINENS The priest needs only two sacred vessels for the Holy Mass: the paten, a small plate in gold or gilded silver, on which the Sacred Host is laid, and the chalice, also made from gold or gilded silver out of respect for the precious blood. The unconsecrated large host is laid on the paten which is placed over the fold purificator (12”x 18”) covering the chalice and this is covered by a small linen covered stiff material for protection from dust and impurities. The purificator is used to wipe the chalice during the offertory and after communion. After the two species are consecrated, the chalice must rest on the corporal (18”x18”), a white linen cloth spread in the middle of the altar. The corporal catches any bits or drops of the Sacred Host. Sacred Hosts for giving communion are kept in a covered vessel known as the ciborium. Holy communion is taken to the sick in a small pyx or custodia. SACRAMENTAL APPURTENANCES
Fragrant gums and spices that emit white smoke of
pleasing fragrance when burned are sacramentals used in solemn Masses and other liturgies. The incense is stored in the incense boat. It is used by sprinkling it over burning coal briquettes in a censer or thurible. The censer is made of metal suspended by three chains. Candles are an important sacramental of the Church used at almost all liturgical services. They Are symbol of faith and recall “the true light that enlightens everyman who comes into the world” (John 1, 9). They are a symbol of good example: “Even so let your light shine before men, in order that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Mt 5, 15f). they are also a symbol of sacrifice, hope, zeal and joy. Candles, prescribed for liturgical use should be of beeswax. Two are used at Low Mass, six at High Mass, and fourteen if the Blessed Sacrament is exposed. They are solemnly blessed on Candlemass, February 2, the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin. Near the altar, on the credence table, are placed the ampullas or cruets containing the wine and water, and also a manurtega (9”x12”) or small towel.
During Mass or Benediction an Altar Bell is also used. The aspergillum is used to sprinkle holy water to a congregation.
VESTMENTS The vestments of the priest during the celebration of the Holy Mass has been greatly simplified after Vatican II. The amice, alb, cincture and maniple have been done away for practical reasons. Unfortunately, these vestments had not only allegorical and edifying significance, but also supplied lessons to the faithful. Only two are generally used today: the chasuble and stole.
The stole hangs around the neck and represents the spiritual power and dignity of the priest. Near the altar, on the credence table, are placed the ampullas or cruets containing the wine and water, and also a manurtega (9”x12”) or small towel.
During Mass or Benediction an Altar Bell is also used. The aspergillum is used to sprinkle holy water to a congregation.
COLOR OF THE VESTMENTS The vestments of the priest during the celebration of the Holy Mass has been greatly simplified after Vatican II. The amice, alb, cincture and maniple have been done away for practical reasons. Unfortunately, these vestments had not only allegorical and edifying significance, but also supplied lessons to the faithful. Only two are generally used today: the chasuble and stole.
The stole hangs around the neck and represents the spiritual power and dignity of the priest. COLOR OF THE VESTMENTS The ecclesiastical colors speak a language of their own, a language of faith and of love, as does the whole liturgy. From the past, an allegorical meaning has been attached to men in color. For the chasuble, only five colors are now approved by the Church: white, red, green, violet, and black. Green, white and red may be replaced by cloth of gold which is worn only on great solemnities. COLOR OF THE VESTMENTS White - is the sum of all colors and signifies the joy and purity of the soul. White vestment is the peaceable garments for the feast days of Christ, Light of the World, of the Holy Trinity, our Lady, the Angels, Confessors and Virgins. It is also worn from Christmas to Epiphany, and during Eastertide, when the Church sings her most cheerful hymns in honor of the Birth and Resurrection of the Redeemer. COLOR OF THE VESTMENTS Red – signifies the fire of Love towards God, and it is consequently the liturgical color for the feast of the Holy Spirit, the God of Love; for feast day on which the suffering and the cross of Christ isd recalled; for the feastdays of the Apostles and the Martyrs, who shed their blood for faith out of love for the Redeemer. Green – is the color of hope, worn on ordinary days. COLOR OF THE VESTMENTS Violet – is the color of humility and penitence and is worn in time of repentance, during Advent and Lent. Rose – symbolizes subdued joy, relieved repentance. It may be used on the Third Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Black – is a symbol of death and mourning. It may still be used at funeral liturgies, though white is usually preferred. THE CHURCH CALENDAR The Church calendar is based primarily on three recurring patterns: weekly Sunday celebrations, annual seasons, and special days,. Like yearlong drama, the observance of these occasions helps us learn the Catholic faith and take part regularly in the life of the Church. THE CHURCH CALENDAR Sunday celebrations – the Eucharistic celebration of “the Lord’s Day” – on Sunday, the day of Jesus’ Resurrection – is the oldest element of the Christian calendar. Sundays can provide us with regular despite from work, learn about God and enjoy being together. Annual seasons – the Church also observes special seasons, each lasting several days or weeks. THE CHURCH CALENDAR The Church year begins, not on January 1, but with Advent – Christmas – Epiphany cycle of seasons, which focuses on our Lord’s coming to earth. Advent, which means “coming” begins on Sunday closest to November 30 and lasts until Christmas. It is a time when we can examine our lives in preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth. In this season, we also prepare ourselves for Christ’s future return in glory to judge the world and to establish the kingdom. Advent is followed by the Christmas season, which begins Christmas Day and recalls the Lord’s birth. The Sunday after Christmas is dedicated to the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary and Joseph). In the Philippines the Sunday between January 2 and 8 is Epiphany, which remembers the visit of the Magi; and the Sunday after Epiphany commemorates the Baptism of the Lord. ACTIVITY 3 (Reflection) 1. How is it possible for man to experience God’s Presence? 2. What way do we experience God’s Presence in our lives? 3. What way do you concretely share your experience of God’s Presence in your Congregation/ Church? 4. What are the effects of experiencing God’s Presence?