Cathal Barry
Cathal Barry presents an overview of Church teaching on liturgical celebration
Over the past number of weeks this column has dealt with the liturgy in some detail. Therefore, it is perhaps worth reiterating some of the main points in brief in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The Church teaches that the liturgy is the work of the whole Christ, head and body. “Our high priest celebrates it unceasingly in the heavenly liturgy, with the holy Mother of God, the apostles, all the saints, and the multitude of those who have already entered the kingdom,” the Catechism states.
In a liturgical celebration, the whole assembly is leitourgos, each member according to his own function. The baptismal priesthood, according to the Church, is that of the whole Body of Christ. However, some of the faithful are ordained through the sacrament of Holy Orders to represent Christ as head of the Body.
The liturgical celebration involves signs and symbols relating to creation (candles, water, fire), human life (washing, anointing, breaking bread) and the history of salvation (the rites of the Passover). Integrated into the world of faith and taken up by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Catechism states that these “cosmic elements, human rituals and gestures of remembrance of God become bearers of the saving and sanctifying action of Christ”.
The Liturgy of the Word is an integral part of the celebration, according to Church teaching. The meaning of the celebration is expressed by the Word of God which is proclaimed and by the response of faith to it.
The Church also maintains that song and music are closely connected with the liturgical action. The criteria for their proper use are the beauty expressive of prayer, the unanimous participation of the assembly and the sacred character of the celebration.
Likewise, sacred images in churches and homes are intended to awaken and nourish faith in the mystery of Christ.
Principal day
Sunday is the principal day for the celebration of the Eucharist because it is the day of the Resurrection. It is the pre-eminent day of the liturgical assembly, the day of the Christian family, and the day of joy and rest from work. Sunday is “the foundation and kernel of the whole liturgical year” (Sacrosanctum Concilium).
The Church teaches that the faithful who celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours are united to Christ our high priest, by the prayer of the Psalms, meditation on the Word of God, and canticles and blessings, in order to be joined with his unceasing and universal prayer that gives glory to the Father and implores the gift of the Holy Spirit on the whole world.
The Catechism recognises that the Church needs places where the community can gather.
“It is in these churches that the Church celebrates public worship to the glory of the Holy Trinity, hears the word of God and sings his praise, lifts up her prayer and offers the sacrifice of Christ sacramentally present in the midst of the assembly. These churches are also places of recollection and personal prayer,” the Catechism says.
