Module 1
An Introduction to Liturgy
of the Catholic Church
Primary Source Material on the
Liturgy of the Catholic Church
Catechism of the Catholic Church (Part Two: The Celebration of
the Christian Mystery)
1983 Code of Canon Law
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Vatican II
Introductory notes to the Roman Missal, and the Rites of Baptism, Confirmation,
etc.
Our fundamental duty as
people … is to direct the
whole of our life and activity
toward God as Creator and
Savior.
In broadest terms we call this
activity worship, as it pertains
to that honor and praise due to
God in either our private or
communal lives.
The word 'liturgy' comes from the
Greek leitourgia [from leos for
people, and ergon for work.]
Prior to the time of Christ, it meant
any public duty or service, or in
Jewish terms, service in the temple.
In Christian terms liturgy refers to
the official public worship of the
Church
… especially as distinguished from
private devotions.
Liturgy …
Liturgy is particularly directed
toward giving proper honor to
God and making us more holy
and acceptable to God.
It is always God-centered,
and God directed.
Liturgy is where Christian
meets Christ in the fullness
of his redeeming activity.
Nuances of Liturgy
Work of the people
Work of Christ done on behalf of
the people
Work of the people imitating
God.
Purpose of Liturgy is …
… to give glory and honor to God
through public, communal prayer.
Purpose of Liturgy is …
… to build up the faith of the
people.
Purpose of Liturgy is …
… to teach the faithful the meaning of
Christ's words through the sacred
mysteries.
Liturgy is not simply an intellectual
exercise, but an act of the whole
person, including the senses and
emotions.
Liturgy includes …
… the spoken word, music,
gestures, movements and
actions, and symbolic and
material things.
Give examples of the following
liturgical elements
spoken word,
music,
gestures,
movements and actions, and
symbolic and material things
The highest form of liturgy is found in
the sacraments, especially the
Eucharist.
Liturgy is also found in any celebrations of
the Word, in the Liturgy of the Hours,
consecration of Religious, Rites
associated with Adult Initiation and rites
of blessing and other public sacramentals.
Liturgy is
Multi-dimensional
God
Liturgy occurs vertically, that is
the going-out of ourselves to
God …
Us
Liturgy is
Multi-dimensional
God
… and horizontally, that is the
on-going relationship between
ourselves and neighbor …
Us
Liturgy is
God
Multi-dimensional
…united in a single act of
public, communal
worship.
Us
Rites
A rite is an established, ceremonious,
usually religious act. Rites fall into
three major categories:
-rites of passage, generally changing
an individual's social status, such as
marriage, baptism, or graduation.
Rites
-rites of worship, where a
community comes together to
worship, such as the Mass.
-rites of personal devotion, where
an individual worships, including
prayer and retreats, etc.
Ritual
Kinds of rituals: public, private,
secret
Religious:
Public; liturgy
Private: devotions, novena
Secret:
Secular:
public rituals: graduation, investiture,
private: cleansing
Secret:
![The word 'liturgy' comes from the
Greek leitourgia [from leos for
people, and ergon for work.]
Prior to the time of Christ,](/p?url=https%3A%2F%2Fscreenshots.scribd.com%2FScribd%2F252_100_85%2F189%2F580829793%2F6.jpeg&__src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scribd.com%2Fpresentation%2F580829793%2FModule-1-1&__type=image)
