bible

What is the liturgy? Give some examples of official liturgical actions of the Church. 

  • The liturgy, which means “work” is the official public worship/ rituals due to God offered by the church. Examples include the mass, funerals, the sacraments and the Liturgy of the Hours. 


 Why is liturgy fitting for the human person?

  • 1) The Liturgy is fitting for humanity because one it deepens our love of God and neighbor 

  • 2) it teaches since as material beings we learn through words, signs, and symbols 

  • 3) we are ritualistic. 


What place does the Liturgy have in the life of the church? Who acts in the liturgy?

  • It is the greatest flash most efficacious action of the church since through it God continues/actualizes the work of redemption and sanctification of the world liturgical participation is one way we unite ourselves to such work. I involves the action of God and the church in heaven and on Earth; clergy and laity according to the proper function of each.


What is the biblical basis for the Liturgy?

  • Old Covenant: centered around God's chosen people Israel a Priestly people who had a formal hierarchy (levitical priesthood)  sacrifices, rituals, times of prayer, scriptural reading, sacred spaces ( he temple and synagogues), holy objects (Ark of the Covenant, 10 commandments Etc)  and feast days (the Passover being the greatest). 

  • New Covenant: since the church is the new Israel it is not surprising that Israel's public worship foreshadows the Liturgy established by Christ for his church Christ gave the apostles authority to issue sacraments and lead public worship. 


What accounts for the diversity of the Catholic liturgy?

  • The church has various liturgical traditions and rites since not everything in the Liturgy is of divine institution (i.e. sacred tradition) there can be diversity and change in the celebrations, expressions, symbolism, and organization of the different rites.


*Considering its diversity, what accounts for the unity of the Catholic liturgy?

  • The different rights of the Catholic Church share a: 

  • Common hierarchy: Full communion with the Pope and has valid Apostolic succession 

  • Common Faith: Follow the doctrinal teaching of the church 

  • Common worship: Have a valid Mass / Divine Liturgy + 7 sacraments.


What is the liturgical calendar? What are the five seasons of the church and the color of each?

  • The yearly cycle of feast days holy days events in the Life of Christ and Saints in the Catholic Church.  Advent (purple), Christmas (white) ordinary time (green), lent (purple) and Easter (white).


Explain the role of Sunday in the Liturgy? Why did Catholics change the observance of the Sabbath to Sunday?

  • Sunday is the day of the Lord's resurrection and a holy day of obligation to attend Mass. The third commandment calls us to keep holy the Sabbath which the church, since Apostle times, has chosen Sunday as its day of rest.


What is a Holy Day of Obligation? Give some examples.

  • A day in which one is required to attend mass in addition to Sunday these include Christmas, three Marian feast days (Mother of God (jan 1), Assumption (august 15th), Immaculate Conception (dec 8)), and All Saints Day (nov 1). 


What is the Liturgy of the Hours (ie Divine Office)? 

  • The official public prayer of the church recited morning, midday, evening, and night to make holy the entire course of the day. 


Who is required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours?

  • It is required for clerics (deacons, priests, Bishops) and consecrated (religious sisters and brothers) and encouraged but optional for laity.


What are sacred buildings (i.e. churches)?

  • Houses of God and symbols of the church that likes in that place as well as of the Heavenly Jerusalem above all they are places of prayer and worship.


Why are sacred buildings fitting? Are they necessary? Explain.

  • Jesus Christ is spiritually present everywhere a Christian worship is not tied to a singular place nonetheless it is fitting that the people of God in their Earthly condition have places in which the community can gather to celebrate the liturgy.  


Describe the following privilege places in the church building altar, Tabernacle. 

  • Alter: the raised structure in the church in which the priest confects the Tabernacle / sacrifice. It is a place of sacrifice and table for the reception of the Eucharistic meal. 

  • Tabernacle the place in the church building which contains the consecrated hosts it is considered the holiest part of the church since it contains the Eucharist. 


Describe the following privilege places in the church building; lectern (ambo), chair (Cathedra), baptistry. 

  • Lectern: the place in the church from which scripture is read and/ or homily is preached.

  •  Chair: expresses the office of the bishop or priest presiding over the Liturgy who sits in it.

  • Baptistry: the place in the church where one is officially received as a member of the body of Christ and cleansed of all sin.


What is the meaning of the statement “Lex orandi, Lex credendi?” How does this relate to the liturgy?


  • Latin for the “law of prayer is the law of belief” the relation liturgy since our worship and prayer should reflect what is believed in and not contradict.


What is Sacred Music what are the criteria for the proper use of music in the liturgy?

  • Music used in the Liturgy primarily to teach and facilitate worship while Gregorian chant hold Pride at police in the Liturgy other music that Fosters reference and conforms with Catholic Doctrine used.


What is the purpose of sacred art/holy images in the liturgy?

  • Really just images are used in the literature key to teach the faith and promote reverence images of Christ can be used because they are icons of God in the flesh.


What is a sacramental?

  • Secret signs instituted by the church that dispose us to receive Grace.


 Give examples of sacramentals.

  •  ex: blessings, holy water, relics, crucifixes, Stones, holy images, icons, Medals, rosaries, sculptures, blessed objects.


 Defend the use of sacramentals in the liturgy.

  •  God works through sacred objects in scripture (like Ark of Covenant) Catholics do not worship sacraments as God only venerate / honor as a reminder of God.


What is the rite of exorcism (i.e major exorcism)? Why is it part of the liturgy? 

  • When the church asks through the authority of Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the devil and withdrawn from his dominion it is liturgical because it is an official prayer rite of the church that can only be performed by priests and Bishops. 


What are the basic steps of a major exorcism?

  • 1) conduct medical scientific investigation to rule out natural cause of illegal demonic activity indicators for possession include Clairvoyance, aversion to sacramentals, Supernatural strength, ability to speak languages not known, Etc 

  • 2) approval must be given by the bishop to perform the exorcism and proper spiritual preparation by the priest 

  • 3) the right itself is performed.