YEAR 8 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TERM 3 LITURGY
Liturgy is "the whole Christ“: Head and Body, celebrates — Christ, the one High Priest, together with his Body, the Church in heaven and on earth.
The Catholic liturgy uses signs and symbols whose significance, based on nature or culture, has been made more precise through Old Testament events and has been fully revealed in the person and life of Christ.
Signs & Symbols Some of these signs and symbols come from the world of creation (light, water, fire, bread, wine, oil), others from life in society (washing, anointing, breaking bread), others from Old Testament sacred history (the Passover rite, sacrifices, laying on of hands, consecrating persons and objects).
Why is it important to use signs & symbols? These signs are closely linked with words. Though in a sense the signs speak for themselves, they need to be accompanied and vivified by the spoken word. Taken together, word and action indicate what the rite signifies and effects.
Sacraments Sacraments in the Catholic Church are efficacious signs, perceptible to the senses, of grace. According to the Church's theology, they have been instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, and through them divine life is bestowed on us.
7 sacraments There are seven Sacraments: Baptism Eucharist Confirmation Penance, also called Confession and Reconciliation Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders Matrimony
Grace It is God's gift of salvation granted to sinners for their salvation. Grace in this context is something that is God- given, made possible only by Jesus Christ and none other. The view that Christians have on grace is that it is undeserved mercy that God gave to us by sending his son to die on a cross to give us a way to be with him for the balance of eternity.
Liturgical clothings Alb: A full length undergarment worn by priests, acolytes and servers. Symbolises purity of new life given at baptism
Stole: special long, scarf- like garment. Symbolises through Holy Orders, priests have received the spiritual gifts that Jesus first gave the Apostles. Also be worn to show their office.
Chasuble: Large outer garment. To be worn during Mass, and usually covered with symbols such as cross, grapes, wheat or a fish.
Surplice: (Late Latin superpelliceum, from super, "over" and pellis, "fur") is a liturgical vestment of the Western Christian Church. The surplice is in the form of a tunic of white linen or cotton fabric, reaching to the knees or to the ankles, with wide or moderately wide sleeves.
The cassock, an item of clerical clothing, is an ankle-length robe. The cassock (or soutane) comes in a number of styles or cuts, though no particular symbolism attaches to these. A Roman Catholic Church cassock often has a series of buttons down the front – sometimes thirty-three (symbolic of the years of the life of Jesus).
Sacred Vessels The chalice, ciborium and paten are sacred vessels used on the altar during Mass.
Chalice The Chalice is the cup that holds the wine that becomes the blood of Christ.
Ciborium & Patem The ciborium and the paten hold the altar breads that become the body of Christ in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Sanctuary Lamp From the earliest biblical times, lamps have been used as a symbol of honour to God. God told Moses to have a lamp stand constructed and placed outside the Holt of Holies (Exodus 25: 31-40; 26:35) Lamp is used in every church and chapel near the tabernacle when Jesus is present in the Blessed Sacrament.
Candles Candles are the development of lamps. They are used in liturgies to honour the presence and prayer of Jesus. Candles are always placed on or around the altar. They may also be carried in the entrance procession on either side of the processional cross.
Paschal candle A special candle with markings that recall the sufferings, death and Resurrection of Jesus. It is blessed during the celebration of Easter. It symbolises Jesus Risen.
LITURGICAL COLOURS
Lental – Violet/purple
Easter - White
Good Friday - Red
Ordinary time - Green
Liturgical calendar year