Liturgical Life
The various liturgical rites of the Catholic Church are carefully laid out ceremonies that must be celebrated in accordance with official Church law. "The liturgy is the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows (Sacrosanctum Concilium 1963)." The Mass is the sacrifice of Christ and the heavenly banquet that saves and renews the Church.
Understanding the liturgy
1) Celebrating the Divine
We have a liturgy because Jesus Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper and then sacrificed Himself on the Cross for us. According to the Catechism, the liturgy has two purposes: "the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful."
2) Celebrating the Community
The Mass is the pinnacle of the parish's life. It is the common bond that brings the people together. The parish comes to Mass as a community of believing Catholics joined by the death and resurrection of Christ and the teachings of the Church. According to the Catechism, the second purpose of Mass is to sanctify the faithful. Sanctify means to "set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use." The community attends Mass not as a social club but as a family of believers who are being set aside for God's use.
3) Celebrating the Timeless
The liturgy has been celebrated without a break for almost 2000 years. It is and will be celebrated in heaven for all eternity.
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