LiturgyComes from the Greek:Laos + Ergon = public work done on behalf of the people

Key Elements in achieving a proper Definition:1.) Action of Jesus Christ2.) Organized community3.) Centered on the Trinity4.) Participation in the Paschal Mystery

“The Church celebrates in the liturgy above all the Paschal Mystery by which Christ accomplished the work of our salvation.” CCC # 1027 The heart of our Catholic Faith

2 goals of any Liturgy Glorify God Sanctify Man

NOT MERELY ENTERTAINMENT OR A SHOW OR A PLAY

SACRED ACTION

There are other liturgies besides the Mass.

“The exercise of the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ each according to one’s own station in life, through signs perceptible to the senses, whereby the Paschal Mystery is celebrated, through which God is glorified and humanity

is sanctified.”

The unfolding of the whole mystery of Jesus Christ in time.

“Time vs. eternity”

Importance of symbols in the Liturgy

2 hinges of the Liturgical Year: Celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) Liturgy of the Hours (Breviary)

Liturgical Days Sunday Solemnities Feasts Obligatory

Memorials Optional Memorials Ferial Days

(Weekdays)

Liturgical Seasons (Cycle) Easter Triduum Easter Season Lent Christmas Season Advent Ordinary Time

SUNDAY… OR SATURDAY NIGHT

3RD COMMANDMENT: “KEEP HOLY THE SABBATH”

Solemnity/ Holy Day begins with the evening of the preceding day (4:00 pm-traditionally)

Celebration of the Paschal Mystery on the First Day of the Week

Tradition handed on from the apostles

Origin: Christ’s Resurrection

The Church encourages the “Lord’s Day” to be a day of rest and recreation.

Works of Mercy Apostolate---

charitable deeds

SOLEMNITIES LIST OF SOLEMNITIES

Begins on the evening preceding the actual day

Stress an important celebration in the life of Jesus Christ, his Mother, and the life of the Church

Mass --> Gloria, 3 Scripture Readings (OT, NT, Gospel), and Creed

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God Epiphany of our Lord Saint Joseph Annunciation Easter and its octave Holy Trinity Corpus Christi Sacred Heart Birth of Saint John the Baptist Saints Peter and Paul Assumption of the Blessed Virgin

Mary All Saints Christ the King Immaculate Conception Christmas and its octave

FEASTS EXAMPLE OF FEASTS

Celebrations of important events in the life of our Lord, the apostles, and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

“Small step down from Solemnities”

Celebrated within the limits of the natural day--- Midnight to midnight

Mass Gloria, usually only 2 readings (usually OT+Gospel), NO CREED

The Baptism of our Lord

The Birth of Mary The Feast of Saint

Matthew The Feast of the

Archangels Saint Andrew Dedication Saint John

Lateran Numerous others

DEFINITION:OBLIGATORY VS. OPTIONAL

Celebration of saints in the life of the Church.

Commemorate their life and their death.

Veneration Martyrs, Saints Rely on their intercession Mass No Gloria, 2

Readings (usually OT+Gospel), No Creed

Obligatory--- The Mass must be celebrated in honor of the Saint--- Special Opening, Closing Prayers/ Preface

Optional--- The Priest may opt not to celebrate the Saint of the Day during the Liturgy.

Fancy name for “Weekdays” No particular celebration (Sunday,

Solemnity, Feast, Obligatory Memorial, Optional Memorial) occurs on these days.

Within every celebration whether Solemnity or Ferial Day, we still celebrate the Suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. *The Eucharist is the same on a weekday as on Sunday--- It is the same Jesus Christ!

Seasons of the Year--- celebration of the whole mystery of Jesus Christ

Advent Christmas and its Octave Christmas Season Ordinary Time Lent Easter Triduum Easter Season Ordinary Time Cycle Repeats itself…

N.B. The Yearly Cycle in the Church consists of 3 years. Year A, B, and C. Used to incorporate more of the readings of the Gospels.

Unfolds the mystery of Jesus Christ throughout the year.

Christ is the beginning (alpha) and the end (omega) of every year.

He is the “Lord of all time” Even time is encompassed by Christ. Sacramental force which nourishes us. Heaven meets earth/ time meets eternity

Importance of color in the liturgy

Each day of the year has a specific color assigned to the celebration this it is commemorating.

Each color has a specific meaning expressing a theological meaning.

Liturgical colors: White/gold/silver Green Red Purple Black Rose

Some people wear Blue, but blue itself is NOT a true liturgical color.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!• The beginning of the

Church’s Liturgical year.• -------------• Ancient Expectancy of

the Messiah made present

• Renew our desire for Christ’s 2nd coming.

• Extra emphasis on prayerfulness, vigilance.

• Stay awake

Length of time: 4 weeks in advent

Liturgical Color: Purple and Rose (3rd Sunday of Advent)

Liturgical Tradition: Advent Wreath

Commemorate the beginning of salvation and the first fruits of the Paschal Mystery.

Remember the “marvelous exchange” by which share in divinity.

Heaven’s glory – made manifest (Incarnation)

Octave--- 8 days (Special Solemnity) Why 8?

Nativity Baptism of our Lord Epiphany

Length of time: About 2 weeks

Liturgical Color: White Special Liturgical Note: All

genuflect during the creed on Christmas at the words “By the power of the H.S. he became man.”

2 sections Part I begins after the Christmas Season

and lasts until Ash Wednesday. Celebration of the total mystery of the

Church from Creation to Pentecost. Christ working and teaching among us. Liturgical color: Green Motto: “Live ordinary time in an

extraordinarily good way.”

Commemorates the 40 days in the desert

Preparation for the Paschal Mystery

Intense preparation of catechumens

Penance is more public; communal nature of sin

We go to the desert Radical transformation Listen to the call of the

Lord. Culminates in the

Triduum

Length of time: 40 days

Liturgical color: Purple and Rose

Tradition: Prayer, Fasting, Abstinence

Special day(s) in Lent: Ash Wednesday Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday

Monday of Holy Week

Tuesday of Holy Week

Spy Wednesday

MOST SACRED DAYS OF CHURCH CALENDAR

Holy Thursday

Good Friday

Holy Saturday

Easter Vigil Mother of all Vigils Most sacred day of the

Church year

Begins with Easter Sunday

Commemoration of Christ’s victory over sin and death.

Sending out of all to proclaim the Kerygma

Gives meaning to our faith

This is repeated every SUNDAY!

Contains an Octave Liturgical Color:

White Length of time: 50

days Major celebrations

within season: Easter Ascension Pentecost

2 sections Part II begins after the Easter Season

until Advent. Celebration of the total mystery of the

Church from Creation to Pentecost. Christ working and teaching among us. Liturgical color: Green Motto: “Live ordinary time in an

extraordinarily good way.”

Various names for the Official prayer of the Church.

Liturgy of the Hours (LOH) The Divine Office The Roman Breviary The Opus Dei (Work of God) “The Hours” Loosely “Christian Prayer”

Official prayer of the Church offered at various times during the day in order to sanctify the Church.

Old Testament Reference

New Testament Reference

Clear beginnings: Monks in Middle Ages

* St. Benedict Use of Psalms (150) Reform of the 2nd

Vatican Council (1960s)

Consistency throughout the ages: Psalms, Prayers, Canticles, Readings.

Office of Readings Morning Prayer Daytime Prayer

Midmorning Prayer Midday Prayer Midafternoon Prayer

Evening PrayerNight Prayer

Office of Readings--- Matins Morning Prayer--- Lauds Mid-Morning Prayer--- Terce Midday Prayer--- Sext Mid-Afternoon Prayer--- None Evening Prayer--- Vespers Night Prayer--- Compline