Resources for Tuesday of Catholic Schools Week 2013 can be found on page 13-16 of the Resources Booklet and below you will find the resources adapted for use with data projectors.
Thought for the Day
It is very difficult to celebrate good news or exciting events on your own. Where’s the fun in celebrating your favourite team’s victory if there is nobody with you? We need to gather with others for the things that really matter to us and that’s why for two thousand years Catholics have gathered for prayer every Sunday – it is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It is a time to remember all the ways we are blessed, to find hope and to experience the care and compassion of a community that has at its centre an awareness of the presence of the risen Christ. When we are in school we are busy with work, study and all the demands that are part and parcel of everyday life. So we can easily forget to make prayer a part of that life and that is why it is important to take a little time to become aware of God’s presence and to allow the habit of prayer and reflection become part of who we are.
Creating your own Liturgical Calendar
Liturgy – We Pray
Sacrosanctum Concilium – The Constitution on Sacred Liturgy
It is fitting that the theme for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress was inspired by the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council – ‘Become What You Receive’. The aim of the Second Vatican Council in its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy was (a) to adapt more closely to the needs of our age those institutions which are subject to change; (b) to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ; (c) to strengthen whatever can help to call all humankind into the Church’s fold. (SC, 1) So, the big question that needs to be asked is: have we been successful in achieving all that was aimed for fifty years ago. In his video message to the International Eucharistic Congress at the celebration of the Statio Orbis, Pope Benedict XVI said ‘it is clear that a great deal has been achieved; but it is equally clear that there have been many misunderstandings and irregularities.’
What does the word ‘liturgy’ mean? It comes from a Greek word meaning ‘public duty’ (of the Church). Therefore, it is not simply about the celebration of the Eucharist (or the Mass), but includes all rites, ceremonies, prayers and sacraments of the Church. It does not, however, include private devotions. It is important to note though that silence plays a very important part in Liturgy. Liturgy is a combination of words, actions, symbols and silence. It happens only when we gather together as a community of faith. And because Jesus Christ is present, and we the people (the BODY) are present, ‘no other action of the Church can equal its efficacy by the same title and to the same degree.’ (SC, 7)
Sacrosanctum Concilium states that ‘Liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is the fount from which all her power flows’ (SC, 10). In another document of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, it states that taking part in the celebration of the Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life’ (LG, 11)
The liturgy underwent some major changes during the Second Vatican Council. By virtue of our Baptism, we have a duty and an obligation to partake in all liturgical celebrations in a ‘full’, ‘conscious’ and ‘active’ way. (SC, 14). Therefore the most important aim of all liturgical celebrations should be how to facilitate ‘ACTIVE PARTICIPATION’. The Liturgy is where God speaks to us and we respond in music and prayer. One of the main ways that we know engage in active participation in liturgical celebrations, is through the use of the vernacular – we may use our own language. Before the Second Vatican Council, Latin was the language of liturgical celebrations. Biblical services were also encouraged on weekdays or during certain seasons in the liturgical year, which can be led by someone other than the priest. When dealing with the topic of the Divine Office it explicitly states that it is a public prayer with Morning and Evening prayer being the two ‘hinges’ of daily prayer in the church. Therefore, parishes ought to consider the celebration of Divine Office.
The sacraments are referred to as the ‘sacraments of faith’ (SC, 59) because not only do they open the faith life of the church to people who partake in the sacraments, but they also continue to ‘nourish, strengthen, and express it.’ These sacraments enable the building up of the Body of Christ. The sacraments sanctify our daily lives.
And so, in addition to the celebration of the sacraments, the Church celebrates the liturgical year which ‘unfolds the whole mystery of Christ’ (SC, 102) but also celebrates, Mary the Mother of God, as she is ‘inseparably linked with her son’s saving work.’ (SC, 103). The highlights of the liturgical year begin with Advent and move into Christmas. The next big season is Lent which is followed by Easter and then move towards Pentecost. But the liturgical year also celebrates the lives of the Saints and Martyrs who showed the power of their faith in their daily lives. Indeed, even the celebration of Catholic Schools Week takes a brief look at the lives of the saints and martyrs who we remember during this week.
The celebration of the Eucharist is one of the most important liturgical celebrations in the life of the Church. The Council states that ‘By the tradition handed down from the apostles, which took its origin from the very day of Christ’s resurrection, the church celebrates the paschal mystery every eighth day, which is appropriately called the Lord’s Day or Sunday. For on this day Christ’s faithful are bound to come together into one place. They should listen to the word of God and take part in the Eucharist, thus calling to mind the passion, resurrection, and glory of the Lord Jesus and giving thanks to God who ‘has begotten them again through the resurrection of Christ from the dead, unto a living hope.’ (SC, 106) We are left in no doubt as to how we celebrate the Eucharist and why we ought to do so. While commentating on the Statio Orbis, Fr. Thomas Rosica, Salt and Light Media company, stated that ‘the Eucharist is a person and his name is Jesus’. This reiterates the Second Vatican Council inspired theme for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress – ‘Become What You Receive’.
Music holds a very important part in liturgical celebrations. In fact, the council goes so far as to say that ‘the musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater than that of any other art.’ (SC, 112) Music adds beauty to the celebration but also allows for the ACTIVE PARTICIPATION of all the faithful. Music should allow everyone to play an active part in all liturgical celebrations. Sacred Art is also given a special role. As something made by human hands, sacred art ought to turn our minds ‘toward God.’ (SC, 122).
Modern Day
Reporting from Croke Park on the 17th June, 2012, Fr. Thomas Rosia, Salt and Light Media Company commented that ‘This temple of football and rugby was transformed into an outdoor Cathedral. Over 75,000 people from over 120 countries gathered in Croke Park to celebrate the Statio Orbis or the final Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress 2012. In his homily, Cardinal Ouellet said that ‘Faith is the most precious gift we have received with Baptism. Let’s not keep it private and fearful! Let it grow as a splendid tree through sharing everywhere.’ And so from the 10th to the 17th June 2012, Dublin celebrated liturgies that allowed our faith to grow in a public and not fearful way. It began with the opening ceremony and celebration of the Eucharist on day 1, with a theme of ‘gathering’. Throughout the week there were daily celebrations of Morning Prayer, an Ecumenical Liturgy of Word and Water, a Liturgy of Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick and on day 4, there was an Evening Eucharistic Procession. The idea of a Eucharistic Procession still exists around the country on the Feast of Corpus Christi. It is where the Blessed Sacrament is placed in a Monstrance and processed through a village/town/city. Over a PA system, prayers and music are lead.
There were also many talks over the course of the week. One such talk on liturgy given by Julie Kavanagh outlined the foundational principles of ritual and liturgy. She states that liturgy is ‘embodied ritual’. This means that we are bodily people and these bodies ‘do’ liturgy. She quotes the late Aidan Kavanagh to point out that ‘liturgy is the Church caught in the act of being itself.’ Liturgy is action as well as being words and symbols. Liturgy is where we meet Christ. We meet Christ through scripture, the Eucharist, the Priest but also, through the people who gather. What was the overall affect of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress? Archbishop Diarmuid Martin stated that the IEC ‘awakened in our hearts something which went way beyond our plans and expectations.’
FOR YOU TO DO
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Before beginning this article, ask students what is the first thing that comes into their minds when they hear the word liturgy.
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With the help of a dictionary and the teacher, define all the highlighted keywords in the passage.
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Make a list of the words in this article that you would only use when talking about the topic of ‘Liturgy’ or ‘Church’.
- Having read the article, as a class, prepare an outline for a liturgy of your choice, staying true to the spirit of this article. Students should research the outline of some existing rites in order to inform them before they begin this plan. Use the strengths of the group to compile this liturgy. (Music students, choir members, art students, poets should all exercise their talents). The following keywords are essential to bear in mind when planning any liturgy:
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Reflect on how the 50th International Eucharistic Congress impacted on you, if at all. Senior students may have studied the 1932 Eucharistic Congress in history context. Think about some ways in which this congress differed from the last.
- Reflect on the part liturgy plays in your life. Consider the role it plays and the role you may like it to play. At what times in your life do you attend liturgies / seek liturgies?