Introduction to the Liturgy Mass and the Sacraments

Liturgy Public, communal, and official worship of the Church Public, communal, and official worship of the Church Public – sign of our faith to the local community Public – sign of our faith to the local community Communal – said in community, not alone Communal – said in community, not alone Official – governed by the Church Official – governed by the Church The Mass (or Eucharist) is the central liturgy of the Catholic Church Liturgy of the Hours – the official nonsacramental, communal prayer of the Church

Liturgy Taken from Greek work – liturgia – public work Taken from Greek work – liturgia – public work For Christians – participation of the People of God in the work of God For Christians – participation of the People of God in the work of God Vocabulary Vocabulary Liturgical celebration or ritual – Mass or any other specific liturgy (Baptism, etc.) Liturgical celebration or ritual – Mass or any other specific liturgy (Baptism, etc.) Liturgist – person who plans and coordinates liturgical celebrations Liturgist – person who plans and coordinates liturgical celebrations Congregation – people gathered for a liturgical celebration Congregation – people gathered for a liturgical celebration Celebrant – person who leads or presides at a liturgical celebrations (only ordained ministers may preside at sacramental liturgies). Celebrant – person who leads or presides at a liturgical celebrations (only ordained ministers may preside at sacramental liturgies).

Liturgy and the Trinity The Church’s liturgy is completely Trinitarian. The Church’s liturgy is completely Trinitarian. Father – source of all blessings and workings of salvation history Father – source of all blessings and workings of salvation history Son – present in the assembly (Body of Christ), the scripture (Liturgy of the Word), and the Eucharist Son – present in the assembly (Body of Christ), the scripture (Liturgy of the Word), and the Eucharist Holy Spirit – the saving work of Christ is actually made real and present in the liturgy. Holy Spirit – the saving work of Christ is actually made real and present in the liturgy.

Parts of the Liturgy – introductory rites Introductory rites Introductory rites Entrance hymn Entrance hymn Greeting Greeting Penitential rite Penitential rite Kyrie (Lord, have mercy) Kyrie (Lord, have mercy) Gloria Gloria Collect Collect

Liturgy of the Word First reading (Old Testament) First reading (Old Testament) Responsorial psalm Responsorial psalm Second reading (New Testament -- usually an epistle) Second reading (New Testament -- usually an epistle) Gospel Acclamation Gospel Acclamation Gospel Reading Gospel Reading Homily Homily Profession of faith (Nicene or Apostles’ Creed) Profession of faith (Nicene or Apostles’ Creed) Prayers of the faithful Prayers of the faithful

Liturgy of the Eucharist Offertory Offertory Presentation and preparation of the gifts Presentation and preparation of the gifts Invitation to prayer Invitation to prayer Prayer over the offerings Prayer over the offerings

Liturgy of the Eucharist Consecration Consecration Preface Preface Holy, holy, holy Holy, holy, holy Consecration Consecration Memorial proclamation Memorial proclamation Concluding doxology Concluding doxology

Liturgy of the Eucharist Communion Communion The Lord’s prayer The Lord’s prayer Sign of peace Sign of peace Lamb of god Lamb of god Communion Communion Prayer after communion Prayer after communion

Concluding rites Final blessing Final blessing Dismissal Dismissal

Liturgical Year Celebration of God’s time – eternal and timeless Celebration of God’s time – eternal and timeless Remembers the past, celebrates the present, and looks forward to the future Remembers the past, celebrates the present, and looks forward to the future Celebrates the important events in the life of Christ Celebrates the important events in the life of Christ

Advent Means “coming” Means “coming” Begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Mood is of hopeful anticipation Mood is of hopeful anticipation Readings from Isaiah, gospels about John the Baptist Readings from Isaiah, gospels about John the Baptist Liturgical color – purple or royal blue Liturgical color – purple or royal blue

Christmas and Ordinary Time Christmas season starts on Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus and the mystery of the Incarnation Christmas season starts on Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus and the mystery of the Incarnation Season lasts three Sundays – the feast of the Holy Family, the Epiphany, and the Baptism of Christ Season lasts three Sundays – the feast of the Holy Family, the Epiphany, and the Baptism of Christ Liturgical color – white Liturgical color – white Ordinary time – reflect on the events in Jesus’ life Ordinary time – reflect on the events in Jesus’ life Sundays are counted by ordinal numbers Sundays are counted by ordinal numbers Liturgical color -- green Liturgical color -- green

Lent and the Triduum Lent – solemn season preparing for Easter Lent – solemn season preparing for Easter Begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday Begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday Time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving Time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving Liturgical color -- purple Liturgical color -- purple Triduum – Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday Triduum – Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday Holy Thursday – Last supper, the institution of the Eucharist and the institution of the priesthood Holy Thursday – Last supper, the institution of the Eucharist and the institution of the priesthood Good Friday – solemn liturgy commemorating the Passion of Christ Good Friday – solemn liturgy commemorating the Passion of Christ Holy Saturday – the celebration of the Easter vigil – the greatest celebration of the Liturgical Year; reception of new members into the church. Holy Saturday – the celebration of the Easter vigil – the greatest celebration of the Liturgical Year; reception of new members into the church.

Easter and Ordinary Time Easter season lasts fifty days until the feast of Pentecost Easter season lasts fifty days until the feast of Pentecost Readings focus on the appearances of the Risen Christ and the growth of the early Church (Acts of the Apostles) Readings focus on the appearances of the Risen Christ and the growth of the early Church (Acts of the Apostles) Feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost Feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost Liturgical color – white Liturgical color – white Ordinary time – lasts from Pentecost to the Feast of Christ the King Ordinary time – lasts from Pentecost to the Feast of Christ the King