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House of the Church's
Liturgical Celebrations
Catholics
have always come together, especially on the first
day of the week for the Breaking of the Word and of
the Bread, to praise God, to give him thanks, to make
present his great deeds, to offer common prayer.
We
call these official public acts of worship in the
Catholic Church liturgy. The church
building is a place for the gathering of the faith
community in an atmosphere where people can participate
fully in the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of
the Eucharist. |
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It is a place where all the important moments of Catholics'
lives begin and where they are to bid their final farewell.
It is a place for initiation into the Christian Community
through baptism, for reconciliation with God and the community
through confession, for marriage, for healing, for prayer,
praise and song to God. It is the home of the parish family,
the place it gathers for the Christian family meal, the Eucharist.
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Narthex precedes the church and is
relatively spacious--a place to gather before/after
Mass. |
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| In
the 2004 renovation, Holy Redeemer retained every precious
object from the original church built on Thacker Avenue
in 1974. Here in the Narthex you see the original marble
table which previously stood in front of the tabernacle
and above, the front of the original altar from 1974. |
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The
nave is where the assembly gathers and
the sanctuary is where the sacred actions
take place. Within the church, there are different areas
corresponding to different roles and functions; yet
there is a wholeness that is strikingly evident. Consider
the furnishings and the order in which they are used:
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The
Ambo (right),
also called the lectern or pulpit, is a freestanding
desk where the Book of Scripture is enthroned
and the Word is proclaimed.
It represents the uniqueness and dignity of
the Word of God and of reflection on that Word.
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The
Altar (above),
the symbol of Christ, a lamb that has been slain
(Rev.5:6), is the central point of the church.
It is the table at which the priest stands, and
upon which are placed the bread, wine, vessels
and book for the Eucharist. It is the altar of
sacrifice for the Passover Meal and the table
to which Catholics are called to share in the
Supper of the Lord. It is the family table of
the parish community. It is freestanding, approachable
from all sides. |
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Tabernacle is a receptacle for
reserving (storing) the Eucharist pirmarily so
it can be brought to the sick at a later time
and for private prayer and adoration. It is a
symbol of the presence of the Lord. The tabernacle
is a solid, unbreakable, dignified and often ornamented
container. |
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A
candle called a vigil lamp burns
continuously near the tabernacle as a mark of
honor to the Divine Presence in the Holy Eucharist.
It is to the Eucharist and the Divine Presence
of Christ that Catholics normally make a reverence
by genuflecting (touching their right knee to
the floor) as they enter the church building (Phil
2:10). If the Blessed Sacrament is not present,
a bowing reverence is made to the altar as a symbol
of Christ. |
It
may be placed in a wall niche, on a pillar,
on a shelf or small table. Normally, there
is only one in a church building. Sometimes
it is placed in a chapel called the Blessed
Sacrament Chapel, as shown
here to the right.
You will note that the Blessed Sacrament
Chapel or Adoration Chapel,
as we call it here at Holy
Redeemer (because the
most blessed Eucharist is available for
adoration daily in this splendid environment
created exclusively for this purpose), is
the reverse side of the tabernacle view
in the main Sanctuary, with stain glass
designed from the original Holy Redeemer
Church, downtown Kissimmee. |
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Water Fonts - The practice of locating
the baptistry near the entrance of the church
(symbolic of a person's entrance into the Church)
brought about the placing of fonts for holy water
near the doors. Water taken from the baptismal
font was placed in fonts. The faithful, upon entering
the church, are reminded of their baptism by the
holy water. The dipping of the fingers of the
right hand into the water, while tracing the sign
of the cross upon the body (forehead, breast,
left and right shoulders) is a symbolic cleansing
and a renewal of our baptismal commitment. This
is usually done only upon entering church. |
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Reconciliation
Chapel - Since the Middle Ages the sacrament
of penance was usually celebrated in a small
dark room where the penitent was separated from
the priest by a screen during confession of
sins. Today, however, reconciliation chapels
or rooms are being built wherein a penitent
can receive the sacrament of reconciliation
either face-to-face with the priest, called
a conference confession, or may remain anonymous
behind a screen in the same room.
Some
Catholics prefer anonymity, while others prefer
face-to-face. Either way, the penitent confesses
his sins to the Lord. He also may seek counsel
on spiritual or moral questions. He is then
reconciled with Christ's body, The Church, through
its minister, the priest. |
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a cross, a table and a Bible are found in the
reconciliation room. The purpose of the room is
primarily for the celebration of the sacrament
of reconciliation. The word chapel
more appropriately describes it.
(Click here for preparation guide for the Sacrament
of Reconciliation.) |
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Sacristy
is the vesting room for the priest and ministers
of the liturgy. Formerly, they were located
near the area of the altar for direct entry
to the sanctuary. Today, they are usually located
in the area of the narthex, which allows for
the procession of the priest and ministers through
the midst of the congregation to the altar.
Silence Please! |
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The
Roman Missal is the first book
used at Mass. This book contains the official
prayers for celebrating the Eucharist. The prayers
change for each Mass. It frequently resembles
the lectionary in size and color. It is usually
held by a server during the priest's prayers at
the chair. It is then placed on the altar to be
used during the Eucharist Prayer. |
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Lectionary is the large book which
contains the Bible readings for Mass. Most of
the Bible is read at Mass as follows: for Sunday
readings, it is divided into a three year cycle
called years A, B, C. Cycle A readings use mostly
Matthew's Gospel; cycle B, Mark; and cycle C,
Luke. In the course of the three-year cycle, John's
Gospel is interspersed throughout. |
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Normally, the first reading at Mass (Old Testament)
is related to the Gospel reading. The second reading
(Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles and Revelation)
is not necessarily related in thought to the other
two readings. The weekday readings at Mass are
on a two-year cycle. Year One is read during odd
years; Year Two during even years and are read
in continuous order, except for feast days. Holy
days and feast days have selected readings which
do not necessarily follow the Gospel of the year. |
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| Bread
and Wine are the primary eucharistic symbols:
they are the food and drink which, through the
power of the Holy Spirit, become the Body and
Blood of Christ, the Bread of Life and cup of
Salvation. They signify what the Church is, a
unity composed of many members. |
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| The
Cross, called crucifix if it has
the figure of Christ, has always been the basic
symbol of the Christian. Today, crucifixes attempt
to convey both the passion and death as well as
the resurrection and glorification. Only one crucifix
need be in the church. It may be hung on a wall,
or be a processional cross with a floor stand
that can be placed in different locations according
to the celebration. |
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| Candles
are always used at Mass, and, together with
the cross, symbolize the unity between death
and resurrection. |
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the cross, they should be visible. They
may be on or off the altar and although
two are usually used, the number can be
varied according to the feast and season
or the solemnity of the occasion. |
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Paschal Candle is the large candle
placed on a special stand, near the ambo, from
Easter until Pentecost. It is lit and carried
into church on Holy Saturday and symbolizes the
Risen Christ. After Pentecost, it is placed near
the Baptistry and used during baptisms. From it
the candles of the newly baptized are lit, i.e.,
they receive the light of Christ. The Paschal
candle is also used at funerals as a symbol of
the resurrected Christ who rose from the dead.
It reminds the Christian of his own resurrection
from the dead. |
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The
Ambry holds the oils
blessed at the Chrism Mass, celebrated each
year in the Cathedral during Holy Week. The
etchings on the glass indicate how the different
oils are used:
- CHR
- Chrism Oil used for Baptism, Confirmation
& Holy Orders. It is where we get the
name, "Christian."
- CAT
- Oil of Catechumens used for those who are
on their journey into the Church, as the Catechumens
of RCIA.
- OI
- Oil of the Sick. "I" is the Latin
'Infirmorum' of the sick.
Holy
Redeemer, in the 2004 renovation, placed the
Ambry upon the marble
Ambo from the original
church built on Thacker Avenue in 1974. |
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| VESSELS:
For the liturgy the vessels that are to
be used deserve special attention since
they are to be used in worship. Only materials
of the finest quality should be used.
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The
Chalice is the cup used
to hold the Precious Blood during the
celebration of the Eucharist. Following
are recent changes in the regulations:
Ceramics and glass are no longer permitted
as chalices. Chalices must be made of
non-breakable materials like metal or
wood. |
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Paten, is the plate
on which the hosts (unleavened bread)
are placed during the eucharistic
celebration. Patens are frequently
of the same material and match the
chalice. They are more commonly used
only by the celebrant for the large
host. |
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The
Ciborium is a vessel used
to hold hosts, especially when there are
large numbers and they are to be reserved
in the tabernacle. The ciborium sometimes
resembles a chalice but if it is to be used
to store the Eucharist in the Tabernacle
it has an airtight lid to preserve freshness. |
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Cruets are glass or
earthen containers, often quite small,
holding the wine and water for the
Eucharist. |
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The
Pyx, meaning "small
box," is a container used to
carry the Blessed Sacrament when bringing
it to the sick. |
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| Decorations
- Many new or renovated liturgical
spaces invite temporary decorations
for particular celebrations, feasts
and seasons. Banners and hangings
of various sorts are both popular
and liturgically appropriate. They
are usually creations of forms, colors,
and textures, rather than images or
signboards. Their purpose is to appeal
to the senses, and so teach by creating
an atmosphere and a mood. Flowers,
plants and trees, preferably real
ones, are particularly apt for the
decoration of liturgical space, since
they are of nature. |
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Statuary
Images remind the Catholic
of the holy life of the person depicted
and are placed in various locations
throughout the church to encourage
imitation of their holy lives or to
be a reminder of a particular event.
Catholics do not worship these statues,
but they are used for pious and devotional
purposes. |
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Stations
of the Cross tell the story
of Christ's journey through Jerusalem
to his death and are found upon the
walls of Catholic churches, usually
in fourteen crosses or stations. Many
times, the stations are accompanied
by artistic representations of the
scene and particularly practiced during
the forty days of Lent. |
At
Holy Redeemer we are fortunate
to have Stations of the Cross
both inside and outside the
church. The ones inside were
handmade by a parishioner for
the new church in 1974 and those
outside were later donated by
various parishioners as memorials
to loved ones.
(Outside stations include lifesize
depiction of the crucifixion
shown to the right--the 12th
Station.) |
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Vestments worn during public worship
are occasioned by the special nature of the liturgy
and the reverence all have in drawing near to
God. Wearing of vestments by those charged with
leadership is an appropriate symbol of their service.
The colors vary with the season or feast. Purple
is used in times of penance (Advent and Lent).
White or gold is used for festive occasions as
a sign of joy, including funeral masses. Green,
as a sign of hope, is used throughout ordinary
Sundays of the year. Red, symbolizing blood is
used on Passion Sunday, Good Friday and feasts
of martyrs. It is used on Pentecost as symbolic
of the Spirit and fire. Red is also used on feasts
of the apostles. |
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The
Alb was the inner garment worn
by Roman citizens. Today it is worn as the under
garment and is long and white. The surplice
sometimes worn by the priest is a shortened form
of alb. |
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The
Cincture is a simple cord or belt
for keeping the alb in place. It may be white,
but sometimes it is of the same liturgical color
as the vestments. |
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The
Stole is the long narrow scarf
that falls in two equal strips. It is the sign
or badge of office: a priest or a deacon wears
a stole when preaching or administering the sacrament.
Priests wear the stole around the neck, deacons
across the left shoulder. Its colors reflect the
season or feast. |
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Chasuble is a word derived
from the Latin word for house. It was the outer
garment of Roman times and is now worn by the
priest as the outer vestment and covers him "like
a little house." It, like the stole, is of
a color that reflects the season or the nature
of the mystery or feast being celebrated. |
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Cope is a long, flowing cape used
in celebration of sacraments except Eucharist.
It is used in procession and during special devotions
to the Blessed Sacrament. There are various colors
of copes, corresponding to the season or occasion. |
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Humeral Veil is used
when holding the monstrance during special ceremonies
and Benediction. Seen here are the front and back
views. The Humeral Veil is designed and folded
so that when held at the clasp the veil is perfectly
centered on the priest's shoulders and easily
removed for careful placement and storage. |
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End
Vestments 
(click
here for printable version) |
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Last
Updated: February 22, 2008
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