THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF CULTURE
SYMBOL
→ Symbols connect us with realities that are beyond our direct
grasp and beyond our ability to speak AND are an essential part
of culture
→Symbols make use of tangible, observable objects (such as the
earth, rocks, water, plants, bread, precious stones, oil, etc.) to
permit us to get in touch with our desires, our energies, our
powers, and ultimately with God.
SIGN
→Signs are objects or gestures that express one specific message or
meaning.
→For example, a STOP sign means “stop” and nothing else.
HABIT/ROUTINE
→Habits are daily rituals of living. When people do things, they tend
to do them in the same way each time. Most of our daily rituals
around eating, and getting up and going to bed have become
habits. We repeat them without thinking.
RITUALS
→Rituals are bodily actions surrounded by language that make
symbols effective within a culture.
→Associated with all aspects of human life, rituals can include
birth, marriage, adolescence, death, birthdays; all the necessities
of life, relations to the earth, day-to-day activities around food,
sleep, relationships, and so on.
→Rituals use symbols to connect us to community, to give order to
life, to resolve conflict, to guide us through changes in life, to
initiate us, and to engage us with the important moments of
human living.
SYMBOLIC MEDITATION
→Human beings need to express their beliefs, values, and meanings
by way of symbols and rituals.
→These symbols and rituals mediate between earthly, bodily aspects
of human beings and their basic desires, primary energies and
relation to God.
BELIEFS AND BEHAVIOURS AMONGST VARIOUS CULTURES
Fill in the chart comparing your (our) cultural behaviours and beliefs with other cultural behaviours and
beliefs re: the following issues:
Issue
Carrying heavy loads
Holding hands
Clothing
Eating
Streets
Pets
Smiling
Public Display of Affection
Personal Space
Left-handedness
Time
Age
Our Culture
Other Cultures
Cultural Research Project
Choose a culture and research the following aspects aspect's of the culture.
Religious Background
What are the religious beliefs of the people? How do their beliefs differ from
Christianity?
Historical Background
What are the major events in this country’s history? Who are their national
heroes? What holidays do they celebrate? Have they experienced war, famine or
other tragedies in their recent history? How does the past affect the present?
Social Background
What people groups live in this country? What is the population and age
expectancy? What are the social challenges facing the country? Describe the family
and social structure. How do these characteristics impact your ministry?
Cultural Background
What specific traditions and customs do the people practice? What does the art
and music reveal about the people’s view of themselves and their world?
Economic Background
What is the major source of income? (industry, agriculture, tourism) What is the
standard of living? Average income?
Using the internet, search through a variety of sources (do NOT use Wikipedia).
Keep a list of all sources used. Some suggestions to use are:
World Skip: http://www.worldskip.com
Links to news, sports, weather, events and links to countries around the world
A+ Country Reports Online: http://www.countryreports.org/
Country Information from around the world
Country Studies, Area Handbooks: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/cshome.html
In depth information on a country’s history, society, government and economy
World Flag Database: http://www.flags.ndirect.co.uk/
Flags from around the world to view and download
Altapedia Online: http://www.atlapedia.com/
Maps and statistics for countries around the world
Compile your research into a multi-paragraph assignment that you will submit typed, double spaced
with a title page.
Due Date: Tuesday February 17th
Movements & Gestures with Meaning
Examples of movements:
 Sign of the Cross – symbolizes the Holy Trinity
 Shaking Hands – In the Church it symbolizes a sign of peace
- In the broader community it symbolizes a greeting
Kissing – Symbolizes you love/care for that person
**Our actions and gestures have more meaning beyond what they express as
literal actions.
Examples of gestures:
Clapping hands together – blessed the performer
Raising hands – The priest blesses the congregation by raising his hands
Participation NOT Observation”
 Rituals “happen” when people participate in them
 People do not merely deserve rituals
 Nothing is more boring than observing a ritual and not knowing what is
happening

For example, fans at a sporting event are not just spectators they are
actual participants

A sports team has an advantage at a home game because there is an
enthusiastic supportive crowd that improves the team’s performance
 If rituals are to have any kind of meaning for us we must be able to enter
into them wholeheartedly
Rituals involve the following characteristics:
 Consist of movements and gestures that convey a meaning
 Are often repeated
 Called symbolic celebrations because they break us out of life’s
routines
 Connected to important events
 Often include significant words that support the actions
 Link people with their past
 Are often communal actions
 Require people’s wholehearted participation
Literal Thinking vs. Symbolic Thinking
 Communication by way of symbols is based on the human ability to think
symbolically.
 Our Western culture (e.g. scientific) has made it difficult to think
symbolically in a natural way
 For example: The Moon
 Often, our first thoughts are that from the literal term, not the symbolic.
 As a result, when we see things only at their literal level, we endanger our
ability to recognize the deeper meanings they can convey to us.
 We endanger our ability to recognize the sacred.
Literal Thinking: “That’s All There Is”
 Involves considering something only at face value or just being concerned with
the “facts”
 Tends to reduce all of life to just the observable, measurable things; closes the
door to possibilities
 Literal thinking is often necessary in everyday life though. E.g. driving – speed
and direction
Symbolic Thinking: “There’s More Here Than Meets The Eye”
 Symbolic thinking helps us discover the many meanings that the things of our
world can have.
 Symbolic thinking helps us see the special-ness of all things and a skill
necessary for celebrating the sacraments
Symbols as the Language of Faith
 As powerful conveyors of meaning, symbols are well suited for communicating
experiences of faith
 Symbols as a language of faith as preached in the Bible:
 Jesus as the Good Shepherd
 God’s Kingdom as a mustard seed that becomes a tree with many branches; a
treasure in a field; a wedding feast, etc.
 The Church is rich with symbols reflecting rituals, tradition, sacraments and
history: (list some)
Assignment
Theme 5: The Church’s Use of Symbols and Rituals
Complete the following assignment using the attached reading. Pages 38-45 in your text
All aspects of the assignment will be checked for completion and understanding.
1. Read page 44, “Rituals are Powerful”
a) Copy “The Four Traits of Rituals” from the reading into your notebook. Remember to
include the title and to summarize each trait in your own words.
2. From the reading, fill in the blanks for the following statement. Use the readings to locate the
answers:
According to the C.C.C., signs and symbols occupy a very ______________ place in human life.
That is because humans are both ______________ and ____________. Because we are both body and
spirit, we express and perceive __________________ realities through ______________ signs and
________________. Because we live in relationship, we need ______________ and _____________ to
communicate with others through ____________________, _________________ and ___________________.
3. Read page 45 “The Church’s Use of Symbols and Rituals” and answer the following questions:
a) How are the sacraments of the Catholic Church symbolic and ritualistic?
b) List the Seven Sacraments of the Church.
4. Copy Principle #5 into your notes and summarize in your own words. (Hint: Use themes and
concepts from Theme 5)
5. Complete the Sacrament chart using the reading as a guide.
The Church’s Symbolic Actions
1. Birth
Sacrament of :______________________________________
Symbol Used:___________________________________Ritual:__________________________________________
2. Passage of Maturity into the Church
Sacrament of :______________________________________
Symbol Used:___________________________________Ritual:__________________________________________
3. Growth of Maturity
Sacrament of :______________________________________
Symbol Used:___________________________________Ritual:__________________________________________
4. Failure to Grow spiritually/sin
Sacrament of :______________________________________
Symbol Used:___________________________________Ritual:__________________________________________
5. Getting Married
Sacrament of :______________________________________
Symbol Used:___________________________________Ritual:__________________________________________
6. Service of Leadership
Sacrament of :______________________________________
Symbol Used:___________________________________Ritual:__________________________________________
7. Sickness
Sacrament of :______________________________________
Symbol Used:___________________________________Ritual:__________________________________________
8. Death
Sacrament of :______________________________________
Symbol Used:___________________________________Ritual:__________________________________________