Chapter Two

Signs and Symbols• Signs: Anything that points to

something else– Words, objects, actions

• Symbols: Special signs which are part of what they point to

– Evoke deeper meaning than signs

• People can be signs and symbols

• Symbols more powerful than signs, but not identical to what they point to

• Sacraments are celebrations that are “woven from signs and symbols”

Signs and Symbols

• Liturgy first celebrated by Christ– Church also celebrates liturgy

• Whole community united with Christ celebrates liturgy– “Common priesthood”– “Ministerial priesthood”

Who Celebrates the Liturgy?

• Common priesthood– We share in Christ’s mission as priest,

prophet, and king

• How do we share in priestly ministry of Christ?

– As witness, when we live in community, through service, and worship

How is the liturgy celebrated?

• Ministerial Priesthood

- At service of common priesthood

- Holy Orders

- Priest represents Christ when presiding at Eucharist

How is the liturgy celebrated?

• Sacraments celebrated with:

– Signs and symbols

– Words and actions

– Singing and music

– Icons

• Signs and symbols come from God’s creation, from human life

How is the liturgy celebrated?

• More signs incorporated by Church since Pentecost– Scripture reading– Processions– Holy water– Kneeling– Anointing with oil – Candles– Incense

How is the liturgy celebrated?

• Word of God an integral part of sacramental celebrations

• Visible signs accompanying Word of God

– Lectionary

– Procession

– Incense

– Professions of faith

How is the liturgy celebrated?

• Music expresses what is in our hearts

• Music with liturgy contributes to:– Prayerfulness– Building of community– Increasing solemnity of the

liturgical rites

How is the liturgy celebrated?

• Use of icons--holy images used to focus our attention on Jesus– Statues, painting, stained glass

– Images of Mary and saints

How is the liturgy celebrated?

• Worship in Church structured around yearly, weekly, and daily schedules

• Liturgical year

When is the liturgy celebrated?

Christ’s birth Christ’s Life

Christ’s death Christ’s resurrection

• Roots of liturgical year are in Judaism

– Passover

– Pentecost

– Succoth (Feast of Booths)

When is the liturgy celebrated?

• Sunday– Original feast day for Christians

– Day Christ rose from the dead

• 321: Constantine declares Sunday day of rest

• Day of gathering in community to listen to word of God

When is the liturgy celebrated?

• Sunday Eucharist– Foundation and heart of Catholic

life– Communal celebration of Sunday

Mass– Public testimony of belonging to

Church– Serious obligation for Catholics

When is the liturgy celebrated?

• Easter– First annual feast celebrated by early

Church

– Yearly celebration in early Church

• Council of Nicea in 325– Resolves dispute over when to celebrate

Easter

– Sunday following first full moon after Spring equinox

When is the liturgy celebrated?

• Easter Vigil– climax of celebration of Easter Triduum

• Easter Season– 50 day period after Easter

• Ascension Thursday– 40 days after Easter

• Pentecost– 50 days after Easter, “birthday” of the Church

When is the liturgy celebrated?

• Lent in early Church– 40-day period of preparation for those

preparing to be baptized

• Lent means springtime

• Time of conversion with emphasis on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving

When is the liturgy celebrated?

• Christmas– Celebration of Epiphany (revelation or showing

forth) in Eastern Church

• Western Church by year 336– Celebrated Christmas December 25

• Connection between winter solstice and the Incarnation

When is the liturgy celebrated?

• Advent– Season of preparation for

Christmas

– Attention on second coming of Christ

– Season of joyful and spiritual expectation

When is the liturgy celebrated?

• Ordinary Time– Other weeks of liturgical year

– Many feast days commemorating Mary and saints

– Other feast days focusing on particular

truths of our faith

– Constant source of grace for the Church

When is the liturgy celebrated?

• Variety of liturgical rites in Church– Reflecting diverse cultures– Maintaining unity with

Tradition

• Church is “catholic”--universal

Where is the liturgy celebrated?

• Church– buildings constructed as house of prayer

• Key elements of Church:– Altar

– Tabernacle

– Lectern

– Holy Oils

– Baptisery

– Reconciliation Chapel

Where is the liturgy celebrated?