The Mass
The Liturgical Year; Liturgical Movement; Symbols Used at Mass
The Liturgical Year; Liturgical Movement; Symbols Used at Mass
I. The Liturgical Year – (show slide of liturgical year)
A.
Five seasons
1. Advent
2. Christmas
3. Ordinary Time (Part 1)
4. Lent
5. Easter
6. Ordinary Time (Part 2)
B.
Spiral versus circle
C.
Colors for each season are used in the vestments and in the church environment
– each color signifies a different meaning and a different season.
II. Church Architecture – especially gothic – churches shaped like cross, etc.;
A.
Stained glass windows in gothic churches – began in Middle Ages as way of
praising God, decorating church, as well as teaching people – many of whom
were illiterate – important aspects of faith.
B.
Church furnishings: altar (mention altar stone containing relic because early
church celebrated Masses at martyrs’ or saints’ tombs), ambo/pulpit, credence
table, baptismal font (usually located at entrance of church – a symbol of
baptism as the “entrance” into Catholic faith; blessed oils (describe oils)…
C.
Compare Catholic churches to Protestant churches – Catholic churches tend to
use much more sacred imagery and symbolism; Protestant churches, especially
evangelical and fundamentalist churches tend to be very simple and plain.
III. Sacred Images: Crucifix (versus cross without body in Protestant churches), statues and
images of saints, etc. These images meant to draw our imaginations and hearts to God.
Iconography – images of the Lamb of God, the chi-rho, alpha and omega, etc.
IV. Sacred vessels and linens: chalice, paten, purificator, pall, corporal…(show slides of different
sacred vessels and linens)
V. Vestments – from Roman society; names of vestments: chasuble, stole, dalmatic, alb, altar
server robes, cinctures, etc.
VI. Sacred Symbols
A.
In the liturgy we use of all our senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch – our faith
is so all-encompassing that it affects all of us
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File: Eucharist-Lit Year, Symbols, etc
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Holy water – ask them: “What is the first thing you do when you come into
church?” Bless selves with holy water – ask them why: reminder of baptism;
opportunity to recommit ourselves to God and to our faith.
Sign of the Cross – “I belong to you, God;” (also info from DVD “Biblical Walk
through the Mass,” Ascension Press, Westchester, PN, 2011), crossing ourselves
at Gospel, etc.
Candles – different kinds and different meanings
1. Paschal/Easter candle – represent Jesus (“Light of the world”)
2. Sanctuary lamp
3. Altar candles; candles by ambo – Jesus present in the Word and on the
altar.
4. Votive candles – represent us and our prayers
5. Incense – ancient symbol in many religions of prayer rising up before the
deity; we inherited it from our Jewish roots.
Bells – from Middle Ages; meant to call people’s attention to consecration at a
time when priest’s back was turned to them and they were “doing their own
thing during” Mass.
Environment: banners and decorations in the environment, flowers, etc. All
these things are additional ways to express our faith, to intensify our celebration
of a particular season or feast, or to help focus our attention on some special
aspect of the liturgy.
VII. Movement and Gestures used at Mass and Liturgies – as Catholics, we use our bodies a lot
during Mass to express different things.
A.
Procession (vs. “parade;” represent our pilgrimage of faith; when done outdoors
gives us a chance to witness our faith to ourselves and others).
B.
Genuflection
1. We usually genuflect toward the front of the church (tabernacle and
altar) on entering or exiting the pew (also info from General Instruction
of Roman Missal regarding genuflection and bowing).
2. From Middle Ages – a way to acknowledge being in the presence of
royalty or someone important >> shows our humility before God
C.
Bowing – we bow before altar, at the words in the Creed (“he was born of the
Virgin Mary and became man”), before receiving communion; again, an
expression of our humility before God.
D.
Standing – beginning of Mass all the way to the Gloria; Gospel; Creed and Prayer
of the Faithful; Our Father until Lamb of God; to receive communion; Post
Communion Prayer until Dismissal; signifies being at attention and ready for
prayer; special honor/respect (reading of Gospel),
E.
Sitting – a position of relaxed attention during readings, homily and after
communion;
F.
Kneeling – a position for profound and humble prayer
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File: Eucharist-Lit Year, Symbols, etc
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
Striking breast at the Confiteor - while reciting the words “through my fault,
through my fault, through my most grievous fault,” (mea culpa), as a show of
remorse, a tradition that had not always been followed in the U.S.
Holding hands at Our Father – a sign of our unity; in some churches, the orans
position with hands raised is used instead of holding hands at the Our Father
Kissing altar and Book of the Gospels – a sign of affection and respect
Liturgy as dance and drama
Importance of uniformity of worship >> communal prayer vs. individual prayer
(e.g., pre-Vat II Mass where people were “doing their own thing”) – we do this
together.
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File: Eucharist-Lit Year, Symbols, etc