What we celebrate when we Christians gather together?

1
What we celebrate when we Christians gather
together?
ISENBRANT, Adriaen Mass of St Gregory Oil on
canvas, 72 x 56 cm

• 24

2
Compendium of the Catechism

• 218. What is the liturgy?
• 1066-1070
• The liturgy is the celebration of the mystery of
  Christ and in particular his paschal mystery.
  Through the exercise of the priestly office of
  Jesus Christ the liturgy manifests in signs and
  brings about the sanctification of humankind. 
• The public worship which is due to God is
  offered by the Mystical Body of Christ, that is,
  by its head and by its members.

3
Introduction

• The mystery of Christ this alone is what the
  liturgy announces and celebrates.
• Christ lives and acts in the Church through the
  sacraments. These apply the merits of the
  Redemption to humanity, thus continuing the
  saving work that Jesus carried out in the world.
• He who wishes to live the life of God must
  participate in the liturgy of the Church. The
  liturgy celebrates the mysteries of our
  salvation, in union with Christ and inspired by
  the Holy Spirit, thereby rendering to God the
  Father the homage of adoration, praise and
  thanksgiving that He expects from His children.

4
Main ideas
5
1. What is the liturgy of the Church?

• The liturgy is the work by which Christ through
  physical signs and symbols-
• glorifies the Father in the unity of the Spirit
  and saves mankind,
• acts in the Church as the invisible Head through
  His ministers,
• in order to perpetuate the work of redemption in
  the world.
• In the liturgy, the Church gives public worship
  to God.
• The liturgy is a participation in the prayer of
  Christ and a fountain of life which flows from
  the Saviour of the world.

POUSSIN, Nicolas The Seven Sacraments
Confirmation 1645 Oil on canvas, 117 x 178
cm National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh
6
2. The liturgy, work of the Holy Trinity

• The three divine Persons intervene in the
  liturgy.
• God the Father is worshipped and praised as the
  source of blessings for creation and for
  salvation
• Christ the eternal high priest shows forth the
  glory of God and brings about the salvation of
  mankind through the sacraments
• the Holy Spirit as the soul of the Church
  invigorates and enlivens the work of God in order
  to bring it to perfection.

COECKE VAN AELST, Pieter Holy Trinity Oil on
panel, 98 x 84 cm Museo del Prado, Madrid
7
3. The sacraments of the Church

• The Churchs liturgical life hinges on the seven
  sacraments
• Baptism
• Confirmation
• Eucharist
• Penance
• Anointing of the sick
• Holy Orders
• Matrimony

CODAZZI, Viviano St Peter's, Rome c. 1630 Oil on
canvas, 168 x 220 cm Museo del Prado, Madrid
8
4. The celebration of the Churchs sacraments

• Although there are different traditions within
  the single Church of Christ, there are some
  common elements in the liturgical celebrations
• a) Who celebrates? The liturgy is the work of the
  whole Christ, Head and Body.
• b) How is the liturgy celebrated? The liturgical
  celebration is woven from signs and symbols.
• c) When is the liturgy celebrated? Sunday, the
  day of the Lord, is the principal day for the
  celebration of the Eucharist.
• d) Where is the liturgy celebrated? the Church
  needs places where the community can assemble
  these are our churches.

WEYDEN, Rogier van der Seven Sacraments
Altarpiece (detail) 1445-50 Oil on oak
panel Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten,
Antwerp
9
5. We must participate actively in the liturgy of
the Church

• Our mother the Church asks us to attend the
  celebrations
• in a conscious way (being aware of what we are
  doing),
• actively (taking part in the various ceremonies)
• and fruitfully (being well prepared to make the
  most of the celebration).

10
Resolutions for Christian life
11
Resolutions to move forward

• Always attend with devotion any liturgical
  celebration of the Church, and especially the
  Holy Mass.
• Make frequent visits to the nearest church or
  temple, which is invariably a privileged place
  for an encounter with God and for prayer.