December 23, 2020

rituals of the catholic mass

! Throughout the ritual, the Mt Alvernia College Opening Mass projected the ethos, values, beliefs and legacy of the MFIC and diverged from traditional Catholic Masses. The objection is based merely on the assumption that God didn’t intend such rituals to be a part of worship for his people in the New Covenant. Similarly, the words “Praise for our death; that makes our life real, the knowledge of loss that helps us to feel” contributed to the experiential dimension of the Mass helping them to understand the ethos of being a Franciscan. Similar to common Masses, artistic material was used to create a Franciscan experience as well as Jesus Christ to begin the year in his tradition. A ritual would be nothing without participants. By using this passage the Mass demonstrates the MFIC value for suffering to follow Jesus’ footsteps. I doubt your non-denominational friend would be fine with having the bride and groom just say, “Okay, we’re married. Turner reintroduced “Communitas” which examines the communal equity experienced in Liminality which is the middle section of the ceremony (Goldburg, 2009). The Opening Mass at Mount Alvernia College is a ritual that differs from traditional Catholic masses due to its Franciscan distinctiveness. Your intention is simply to show that we are “naturally hardwired” for ritual, and ritual in the form of sacrifice is most befitting when it comes to the worship of God. Mass is the main Eucharistic liturgical service in many forms of Western Christianity.The term Mass is commonly used in the Catholic Church, and in the Western Rite Orthodox, and Old Catholic churches. The altar is a symbol of Christ at the heart of the assembly and so deserves this special reverence. Let’s get on with it.’”. Ritual Mass: Readings from the OT: Readings from the NT: Responsorial Psalms: Alleluia Verse / Verse before the Gospel : Gospels: Corrrection (updated 3/15/13): Reading #817.2 was incorrectly listed as Hosea 8:30-35, but is actually Joshua 8:30-35. The Mass begins with the entrance song. Through Victor Turner’s theory of religious ritual, the Exegetical procession of the Opening Mass examines the sense of community within ritual. Published on the web with permission of the author. Hence it is a dictate of natural reason that man should use certain sensibles, by offering them to God in sign of the subject and honor due to him, like those who make certain offerings to their lord in recognition of his authority (ibid). This representation, as Fr. For instance, just to have graduating seniors come and grab their diplomas off a table set up in a parking lot would not be fitting for a commencement event. Additionally, it is annually recurrent and is called a communal ceremony (Frawley, 2014) in that it establishes the values of the FOTH (Franciscans on the Hill) community. Following is the text of the Celebration of Matrimony (The Order of Celebrating Matrimony #58-69). Sequentially, the legacy of the MFIC and their mission to support communities such as the Indigenous people was apparent in the Mass and demonstrated this strong connection (MFIC, 2012). The word “rituals” can have many meanings, so I’m not sure which one you’re specifying. I am writing this blog to address the definition of ritual by examining a Catholic high school’s Opening Mass. Accordingly the Mass ritual is divided into four parts: Introduction, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Conclusion. The texts and responses spoken by all the people are indicated in bold type below.Some of the greetings and prayers spoken by the presider (the priest or bishop) at each Mass are also included, in order to help you understand the structure and flow of the Mass more fully. And if this is true of secular things, how much more true is it of divine things? According to Aquinas, the most befitting exterior gesture for worshipping God is sacrifice. A sacrament is an action made holy or special because of its believed ability to demonstrate a religious truth. Leave a comment. It was this sort of reasoning that led Aquinas to conclude. The Mass: Structure and Meaning (Source: USCCB) Introductory Rites. Liturgy and Sacraments. Father Jamie Utronkie, CC explains the different aspects of the Catholic Mass. The focus of ths blog is the ritual of the Catholic Mass. Portrait of St. Pius V, who codified the Roman Mass for all time. All throughout there are certain parts of the structure, which differ from that of a traditional catholic mass. If it’s fitting to our human nature to use sensible signs when we’re communicating our appreciation and respect for worldly things, then it’s even more fitting to use sensible signs when communicating our appreciation and respect for God, since he is far superior in dignity to any worldly thing, and since we have a natural obligation to order all things—including our bodies—to him. Rituals are full of important symbolism. By the very definition of ritual, and Turner and Lovat’s examination of this, the Opening Mass identifies as a ritual. You can take your cue from St. Thomas Aquinas, who teaches that it’s befitting to man that he should “employ sensible signs in order to signify anything” (Summa Theologiae II–II:85:1). Unusually, the Opening Mass acknowledged the Aboriginal grounds on which the College was built differing from traditional Masses. The Mass, in particular, is the most important ritual in Catholics as it is the Lord’s Supper. Gestures of Worship: Relearning Our Ritual Language This article by Helen Hull Hitchcock is about the importance of ritual language and gestures as part of liturgical reform. Yes, my original priest just basically did everything he was supposed to. Participants are crucial to performing a meaningful and rich ritual. As a result, the Opening Mass is considered a ritual that presents the Franciscan tradition. In the Roman Catholic mass, the Eucharist or “host” (the round wafer) is a symbol of the sun.It is normally placed during ceremonial masses on a monstrance with a crescent moon, symbolizing the plunging of the sun into the womb of the goddess. They may argue that such ritualized forms of worship were only for the Old Covenant. Ritual is an outward behaviour which expresses an inner intention; by creating a tradition, the Opening Mass becomes a perfect example of a ritual. Mass is an important Catholic ritual celebrated in the Catholic community. San Damiano Cross Credit: Gerhard Ruf / akg-images / Unive. I read through the girm and info given me which was quite interesting. By examining the very definition, the Opening Mass is a ritual and diverges from traditional Catholic Masses with the uniqueness of the MFIC. Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); excerpts from the English translation of The Order of Celebrating Matrimony© 2013, ICEL. Community. Lighting candles is one of the symbols used in the Catholic Mass at the college Opening Mass, it is distinctly Franciscan because it had Franciscan symbols on it. As to what must be offered in sacrifice, and how it is to be offered: God must tell us. Since we’re in the New Covenant, we don’t need all that stuff anymore. That’s for another time. The Mount Alvernia Opening Mass is an example of a Catholic ritual and it reflects the ethos, beliefs and traditions of the Franciscan way of life. So, as human beings not only do we need to use sensible things to communicate how much we appreciate something, we sense that we need to use special words and gestures that befit the dignity of the thing being celebrated. Click on the following link for a description and explanation of the complete outline of the Order of Celebrating Marriage With Mass. For instance, the traditional Catholic Mass continues with mundane activities after the Mass has concluded, whereas the Opening Mass exits into their already spiritual atmosphere. Catholic Rituals Prior to 2 nd Vatican Council (1960s & earlier) Post 2 nd Vatican Council (1970s to present day) Services: Before entering a church, men had to remove their hats but women were expected to keep their heads covered by a hat or a scarf. Fact Sheet: The Meaning and Ritual of Catholic Religious Services What is the Catholic Mass? In the Old Testament he told his people to offer a variety of things (animals, grain, etc.) The Catholic Church teaches that in the New Testament the what is Christ himself, and the how is under the appearance of bread and wine in the Mass. Nevertheless, if the Holy Mass is the central act of our Catholic life, then Mass-going must surely remain one of the most indicative of these factors. At the beginning, the school captain lit “the new College candle with gum leaves and flowers painted on it in recognition of the fruits the earth yields here in Australia” (Bishop, 2014) which also symbolises St Francis’ appreciation of Ecology. Not that other parish priests I saw were not, however he had a deep reverence the entire time which was really obvious. This weekly tradition to connect to the community’s spirituality reinforces their introspective experience, creating communal ritual. Dear Catholic Exchange: Is there somewhere I can get a list of all the rituals of the catholic church, and if possible get a list of all their origins as well? The Catholic Church teaches that in the New Testament the what is Christ himself, and the how is under the appearance of bread and wine in the Mass. The Ritual Mass texts may not be used, except perhaps partially, when the rite is celebrated during especially important liturgical seasons or on high ranking feasts. For instance the sprinkling of holy water from an olive branch exemplifies a common blessing ritual and contributes to the school’s Communitas. Some of the habits and rituals involve traditions that are followed at home while others refer to common ceremonies honoring the birth of Jesus Christ. Preparation of the Gifts The early Christians each brought some bread and wine from their homes to the church to be used for the Mass and to be given to the clergy and the poor. The school song “My God, My All” was sung to welcome the community and the congregation’s dedication to their Lord. Its prayers and rituals are the hallmark of our faith. That’s for another time. Your intention is simply to show that we are “naturally hardwired” for ritual, and ritual in the form of … There’s more to the story, however. I’ve […] The lighting of candles often begin rituals to open the audience’s minds to their God and to introduce the Mass. And most still think that rituals at weddings are important. By recognising the previous mythology and land owners, the connection to Aboriginal spirituality was strengthened. See, for example, Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 10:16 and 11:24-29, and Matthew 28:19. We have used colors in the background and text so that this presentation cannot be downloaded with ease. Our rituals are publicly carried out, with the exception of the Sacrament of Confession. Your intention here is not to persuade your friend that the offering of Christ’s one sacrifice in the Mass is the highest form of worship. A Nuptial Mass is a Ritual Mass within which the sacrament of matrimony is celebrated. A nativity scene with handmade figures featuring Virgin Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. The Catholic Church has a number of rituals and practices like the Mass, Baptism, Confession, receiving Communion, praying the Rosary, Last Rites, etc. Welcoming the procession was the hymn “Canticle of the Sun” written by St Francis himself. In turn, this demonstrated the legacy of the MFIC communicating the value of living simply and suffering for greater causes for instance poverty and illness. Additionally, through the mythology of Jesus Christ and St Francis the procession understands that the ritual preaches that living through suffering and simplicity closers their connection to God. As a congregation, saying the Franciscan Creed focused the procession on the message that, “Christ was poor and Christ was crucified; we seek to share in His poorness and in His suffering” which symbolised the Franciscan mission for simplicity to find a life of love over selfishness. The Catholic Church never calls itself the "Roman Catholic Church", that is something that the English started after the protestant revolt. The mythology of Jesus, St Francis and the MFIC all contribute to making the Mass a ritual in expressing the purpose of the ceremony. The term is used in some Lutheran churches, as well as in some Anglican churches. The first part of the Mass in the Western (Latin) Church is the Liturgy of the Word, and its main focus is on Bible readings as an integral part of daily and weekly worship. The passage used, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:24-25) describes the Paschal mystery which is a Catholic belief that God brings new life out of suffering. Notice that in the above examples we recognize that not just any rituals will do. Their founder, Elizabeth Hayes wrote in her diary, “The spirit of St Francis in a religious community is seen by poverty, simplicity, penance – either by austerities or labours…” (Hayes, pp.57) which was demonstrated through the mythology depicting their sacrifices and suffering. Furthermore, this physical action reinforced the Franciscan ethos, contributing to the experiential portion of the ritual. in a variety of ways. Mythology is an important element within religion especially establishing the stories of its origin. In fact, it is described as the “the source and summit of the Christian life.” The term Mass is derived from the Latin word ‘missa’ meaning dismissal. The Opening Mass, similar to other Catholic Masses, is a ritual that comprises a formal sequence of words and actions intended to re-establish the significance of the meaning of the practice and to beneficially affect the participants through Franciscan values and spirituality. The Catholic laity who lived on at home knew no other marriage service than that of their forefathers. And I bet your non-denominational friend doesn’t mind them. Similarly, the San Damiano Cross was hung at the lectern reminding the congregation of their purpose by following St Francis’ mission and his dedication to God. The traditional Catholic mass involve four main parts, the gathering of the community or the Opening Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and finally the Concluding Rites. Merely having soldiers gather together in a field and saying with a bullhorn, “Hey guys, pretty good job,” and then sending them on their merry way doesn’t do justice to the value of their sacrifice. There are no non-ritual cultures. Your task now is to draw out the reason why your friend intuitively believes this. After I grew up, moved away, etc. Your intention here is not to persuade your friend that the offering of Christ’s one sacrifice in the Mass is the highest form of worship. The reason for this is that man is a body-soul composite. (Although even in this scenario there is some formality!). These artistic representations of the religion increased the spirituality in entering the new academic year. Catholics believe that by focusing on loving others, humans experience the fullness of life in Jesus. To challenge that assumption, we can begin with passages in the New Testament that provide evidence that the early Christians viewed ritual as essential to their worship. Some Christians, especially those who call themselves “non-denominational,” criticize Catholicism for its rituals, especially those of the Mass. The Mass as a Representation of the Crucifixion . The fact that every culture in human history has had rituals indicates that ritual corresponds to something in human nature. The Mass incorporates the Bible (Sacred Scripture), prayer, sacrifice, hymns, symbols, gestures, sacred food for the soul, and directions on how to live a Catholic life — all in one ceremony. All ri… Italics indicate the rubrics, the instructions to the presider. Rituals of the Mass. With good reason therefore we consider the number of people coming to Mass, not only on Sundays but also very specially on weekdays. The members of the FOTH community played a large part in the mass. eafan September 12, 2011, 2:47am #21. The main narrative of Catholic Masses is the incorporation of the Gospel. Catholic Mass is the celebration of the Eucharist or Holy Communion, an essential sacrament in the Catholic Church. Even American culture, which historically has tried rid itself of formality and tradition, has rituals. A ritual – either secular or religious – is a celebration or action that has a special meaning or purpose. This makes the Opening Mass unique from traditional Masses and enforces a stronger sense of community. Rituals of the Mass. The Mass is the central, most important rite of the Catholic Church. It makes sense, therefore, for us to use ritual—formal words and gestures by our bodies—to communicate the value of the things we’re celebrating, and how much we appreciate those things. This is shown through the community ritual of Franciscan 5. He argues that other things that pertain to worship, such as “genuflections, prostrations, and other manifestations of this kind of honor” may also be shown to men, although when directed to God they are performed with different intentions (Summa Contra Gentiles 3:120). Hi again, I just wanted to thank everybody here for the responses and help! The Catholic Mass is a highly structured ritual, however the Opening Mass at Mt Alvernia College diverges from tradition by reflecting the Franciscan ethos, beliefs, values and the legacy of their founders – the Missionary Franciscan Sister of the Immaculate Conception (MFIC). At Mass these ritual actions are called 1) the Preparation of the Gifts, 2) the Eucharistic Prayer, 3) the Communion Rite. In every ritual there are key elements, including Place, Time, Participants, Leader or expert, Form or pattern, Community and Symbols. Being a Calendrical Rite it’s anticipated as it was prepared in advance (Vine, 2014). I think it’s safe to say that your friend will not deny that these secular rituals are good. The body is essential to our personhood and thus is essential to our communicative powers. It is rarely, if ever, used by other Protestant churches, such as in Methodism. And couples who get married by an Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas dressed up in their camouflage outfits do not befit the dignity of marriage. Common Christmas practices in Catholic tradition. The meaning behind lighting candles at a mass is to signify the solemnity of the occasion. Rites and Ceremonies The point of entry into the world of Catholic ritual is the Mass, the main worship ceremony of the Church. “But,” Aquinas continues, “it is agreed by any man that sacrifice should be offered to no person unless he is thought to be God or unless one pretends to think so.”. Ms. Anno Dear Ms. Anno, Peace in Christ! We encourage you to purchase this booklet from TAN for $2.00 and less if bought in bulk. Our central rituals would be the Seven Sacraments: Baptism; Confirmation; Eucharist ; Anointing of the Sick; Confession; Holy Orders; Matrimony Before entering a church men are expected to remove their headgear but women are no longer obliged to cover their heads. ! Many Roman Catholics follow the weekly rites of confession followed by Sunday Mass, which includes Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is recognised as the cross that inspired St Francis which demonstrates the Masses’ Franciscan divergence. A religious ritual is a structured, often public, set of actions, based on tradition relating to one’s religion or beliefs (Smart, K. (2014, February). His rationale for this is that the exterior sacrifice signifies the interior sacrifice by which the human mind offers itself to God as the “principle of its creation,” “the author of its actions,” and “the end of its happiness.” Since such attributes can only be ascribed to God, St. Thomas concludes that sacrifice and worship ought to be given to God alone. Graduation ceremonies, or in military procedures, is a ritual that differs from Catholic. Reverent at all times during the Mass its Franciscan distinctiveness to cover their heads he told his to! 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