1. CHARACTERISTICS OF RITUALS
Religious Studies 3
CHARACTERISTICS OF RITUALS

2. RITUALS vs. ROUTINES RITUAL Full of deeper meanings
Concern the process, not the end result
Breaks through the boredom of daily schedule
ROUTINE
Empty of a deeper meaning
Are done to provide a physical result
Contributes to the boredom of the daily schedule

3. JOURNAL QUESTION:
Describe the last good Birthday Party that you went to. (Maybe it was your own.) What made it a good party? Why was it memorable?

4. 1. Movements & Meaningful Gestures
Rituals involve movements and gestures that convey meaning
They have meaning beyond the literal actions
Examples:

5. 2. Repeated Actions Rituals are often repeated
The RITUAL is repeated, not necessarily the SAME PEOPLE do it every time
Examples:
Visiting a gravesite
Anniversaries

6. 3. Symbolic Celebrations
The celebration is symbolic, all of which include the following:
MUSIC
PHYSICAL SYMBOLS
ENVIRONMENT
Example: Running water to symbolize rebirth

7. 4. Connected to Important Events
Rituals celebrate special occasions
Usually connected to our “firsts”
Examples:
Birthdays
Anniversaries

8. 5. Include Significant Words
Words usually support the action
Too many words detract from the ritual
Examples:
Toasts
Prayers

9. 6. Links to the Past Rituals link people with the past
Links to the past remind people of who they are
Examples:
Fourth of July
Thanksgiving

10. 7. Communal Actions They involve a whole group of people at once
People celebrate a common identity
Example:
Mass
The Pledge of Allegiance

11. 8. Require Participation
The people make the ritual happen
Participation increases when understanding is high
Example:
Doing “The Wave”
Singing “Happy Birthday”

12. JOURNAL QUESTION:
Evaluate the school Mass today in light of the 8 Characteristics of a Good Ritual. Specifically,
Identify at least two characteristics that it embodied really well
Identify one characteristic that could have been addressed to make it even better. Explain.