LITURGY

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?