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Fostering Faith Curriculum Guide
for Catechist Certification: Liturgy
I:
Celebration and Ritual
Session Description
This session explores ritual liturgy in the Christian life,
distinguishes types of liturgy, reflects on the "language" of liturgy (gestures,
actions, objects, music, words), and explores the structure of the liturgical year.
Themes
 | Relationship between liturgy and catechesis |
| Dynamics of symbol and ritual action |
| Relationship between ritual and the experience of daily life |
| Church's understanding of its celebration as it has developed
through history |
| Liturgical year |
| Signs and symbols used by people of other cultures |
Focusing the Session
There is a dynamic relationship between catechesis and liturgy. In
liturgy Christians find a visible sign of communion in Christ between God and humankind.
"Full, conscious, and active participation" results when people are taught to
bring to the liturgy both head and heart: by stimulating their religious imagination,
reflecting on the many ways liturgy communicates, showing the roots of ritual in lived
experience (e.g. bathing, dining), recognizing the many uses of Scripture in liturgy, and
appreciating the shifts in our understanding of liturgy throughout history. Exploring the
liturgical year allows catechists to appreciate the rhythm of the Church's life of prayer.
Instructional Objectives
In conducting this session the facilitator will:
| Familiarize catechists with the relationship between
liturgy and catechesis. |
| Sensitize catechists to the symbolic language of liturgy,
and to the relationship between human experience and ritual action. |
| Identify the uses of Scripture in the Mass. |
| Explain two major shifts in the Church's understanding of
liturgical actions during its history. |
| Guide the catechists through a Sunday celebration,
identifying the principle actions of the assembly. |
| Provide exercises to help catechists discover the meaning
of the liturgical year. |
| Use a variety of teaching methods (including experiential
and performative) which catechists themselves can use. |
| Sensitize catechists to the relationship between
culture(s), symbols and liturgy. |
Catechist Competencies
As a result of this session, catechists will be able to:
| Articulate the relationship between liturgy and
catechesis. |
| Distinguish types of liturgies. |
| Demonstrate sensitivity to the symbolic modes of
expression in liturgy, and design a group experience to sensitize their audiences. |
| Identify places where Scripture is woven into the liturgy.
|
| Summarize two major shifts in the Church's understanding
of liturgy during its history. |
| Identify the major parts of the Mass. |
| Relate the cycles of the liturgical year to the Christian
faith journey. |
| Demonstrate how the cycles of the liturgical year enrich
catechesis. |
| Identify some liturgical signs and symbols used by people
of other cultures and explain their meaning. |
Special Points from the Documents
| Liturgy and catechesis support each other (Sharing
#36, 112–113; On Catechesis in Our Time #23; CCC #1074–1075) |
| The liturgy is the summit toward which the Church’s
activity is directed; at the same time it is the fount from which all the Church's power
flows (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #10) |
| The Church earnestly desires that all the faithful be led
to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations (Constitution
on the Sacred Liturgy #14) |
| Liturgy is an action of "the whole Christ," i.e.
Jesus Christ the head together with the Church his body, both those on earth and those in
heaven (CCC #1136-39) |
| Celebrating the liturgical year exerts a special
sacramental power and influence which strengthens Christian life (Sharing #144; CCC
#1163–1167) |
Documentary References
See Bibliography for secondary sources.
Vatican II, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #1-20,
102-30, Appendix
General Instruction of the Roman Missal
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1066–1112,
1135–1209
On Catechesis in Our Time #23
Sharing the Light of Faith #36, 112–113, 144
Scripture Contexts
| Exodus 25:1-40 Numbers 6:22-27
Deuteronomy 27:1-26
1 Kings 8:1-66
Psalm 118
Isaiah 6:1-3
Luke 19:28-40
Luke 22:7-13
John 13:1-15
2 Corinthians 13:13
Revelation 4:1-5 |
The beginning of prescriptions for the
place of worship The Lord instructs his priests on how to
bless God’s people
Israel ritually prepares to enter into the Promised Land
Solomon and the nation of Israel dedicate the temple
A song from a thanksgiving liturgy in the temple precincts
Worship of the seraphim given to the "thrice-holy" God
With explicit arrangements, Jesus processes into the holy city
Jesus instructs disciples precisely about Passover preparation
Jesus ritually washes feet to shows the meaning of his passion
Christian blessing in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit
A vision of the heavenly liturgy before the slain Lamb |
Session Description:
This session explores the dynamics and content of the first part
of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word, and introduces the lectionary's role in both liturgy
and catechesis.
Themes
| Symbols and ritual actions in the Liturgy of the Word |
| Liturgical actions which frame the readings ("Lord be
with you …," the Alleluia, procession with the Gospel book, three-fold signing,
etc.) |
| Role of the assembly in the liturgy |
| Scripture readings and the homily as intimately related to
the Eucharist, as a kind of "storytelling" which precedes the
"banquet" |
| Catechetical use of the Lectionary |
| Dynamics of different languages in proclamation (e.g.
non-English, sign language) |
Focusing the Session
This session presents the Liturgy of the Word: its symbols and
ritual actions, the listening and responding role of the assembly, the liturgical framing
of the Lectionary readings, the function of story in the celebration of the Mass, and the
role of the homily. Jesus is present in his Word no less than in the sacrament of his
body. The Liturgy of the Word gathers the people around the stories of the long
relationship between God and God's People, bringing our Savior vividly into their midst,
and inspiring their thanksgiving and praise. In the Liturgy of the Word, symbols, music,
and ritual actions help us to savor the texts and to pray through them. The Lectionary
provides a selection and arrangement of Scripture coordinated with the seasons of creation
and of the Church.
Instructional Objectives
In conducting this session the facilitator will:
| Introduce the theological importance of the Liturgy of the
Word. |
| Emphasize the presence of Christ in the proclaimed word. |
| Relate the Liturgy of the Word to the context of the
eucharistic celebration. |
| Introduce the Lectionary and help catechists to use it
effectively. |
| Use a variety of teaching methods which the catechists
themselves can use. |
| Model the importance of personal response to the Liturgy
of the Word. |
Catechist Competencies
As a result of this session, catechists will be able to:
| Describe and interpret the symbols and actions of the
Liturgy of the Word. |
| Demonstrate an understanding of Christ’s presence in
the proclaimed word. |
| Articulate the importance of the Liturgy of the Word in
the context of the eucharistic celebration. |
| Explain the basic structure of the Lectionary. |
| Demonstrate how the Lectionary might be used as a resource
for catechesis. |
| Explain the need for languages of proclamation other than
English. |
Special Points from the Documents
| Christ is present in his word since it is he himself who
speaks when the Scriptures are read in the Church (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
#7) |
| Scripture and the Eucharist belong together, and both come
from "the one table of the Word of God and the Body of Christ" (Constitution
on the Sacred Liturgy #21) |
| The Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharistic Liturgy are so
closely connected that they form but one single act of worship (Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy #56) |
| In the Liturgy of the Word the Holy Spirit
"recalls" to the assembly what Christ has done for us (CCC #1103) |
| The Lectionary presents the principal portions of God's
revealed Word over a suitable period of time (Lectionary for Mass, Introduction)
|
Documentary References
See Bibliography for secondary sources.
Vatican II, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #21-46,
51–54, 56
On Evangelization in the Modern World #43
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1099-1103
Lectionary for Mass
Directory for Masses with Children
Scripture Contexts
| Deuteronomy 8:3 2 Kings 22:8-23:3
Nehemiah 8:1-12
Luke 4:16-30
Luke 10:16
Luke 24:13-27, 32
John 14:26
Acts 13:16-43
1 Thessalonians 2:13 |
Humans live not only by material bread
but by God’s Word Rediscovery of Torah in the temple
gives new life to faith
The people are profoundly moved by Ezra’s reading of Torah
Jesus announces his mission from the reading of Isaiah
Jesus is present in the words of his disciples
Two disciples’ hearts burn as the Lord opens the Scriptures
The Holy Spirit recalls the Church to Jesus’ teaching
Paul evangelizes at worship using the community’s readings
In receiving Paul’s word his people receive the word of God |
Session Description
This session explores the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the
implications of the Eucharist for building Christian community and empowering the Church's
service in the world.
Themes
| Eucharist as the center of Catholic spiritual life |
| Variety of theological understandings of the Eucharist |
| Relation of the Eucharist to mission |
| Eucharistic Prayer as catechetical resource |
Focusing the Session
The celebration of the Eucharist is at the heart of Christian life
in the Church. In it the sacrifice of the Lord's passion and death is celebrated as a
ritual action that is "a sacrament of love, sign of unity, a bond of charity" (Constitution
on the Sacred Liturgy) that calls the Christian community to become a
"eucharistic people," dedicated to healing and service. This session explains
the main components of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, explores the meaning of the
sacrament, and examines its implications for Christian living.
Instructional Objectives
In conducting this session the facilitator will:
| Introduce the major components of the eucharistic
celebration: words, music, postures and gestures, symbols. |
| Clarify the meaning of Eucharist as sacrifice, meal, and
memorial. |
| Explore the Eucharistic Prayer as the prayer of the
people, comparing the interaction of the words and actions of the presider with the words
and actions of the assembly. |
| Work out the implications of the Eucharist in the context
of discussing the "fruits" of Holy Communion. |
| Use a variety of teaching methods that the catechists can
use in communicating the meaning of the Eucharist to their students. |
Catechist Competencies
As a result of this session, catechists will be able to:
| Explain the main components of the Liturgy of the
Eucharist. |
| Articulate the theologies of the Eucharist as sacrifice,
meal, memorial, and the implications for Christian life today. |
| Provide examples of how participants in the Eucharist are
called to mediate the presence of Christ to the world. |
Special Points from the Documents
| As often as the sacrifice of the Cross is celebrated on
the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out (Constitution on the Church
#3) |
| From the Eucharist grace is poured forth upon us as from a
fountain (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #10) |
| Eucharist a sacrament of love, sign of unity, a bond of
charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and
a pledge of future glory is given (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #47) |
| On the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist (CCC
#1345–1355) |
| Eucharist as sacrifice, meal and memorial (Sharing
#120; CCC #1341–1344, 1356–1372) |
| Concerning the fruits of Holy Communion (CCC
#1391–1401) |
Documentary References
See Bibliography for secondary sources.
Vatican II, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #47–50,
55-57
General Catechetical Directory #58
Sharing the Light of Faith #120–122
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1322–1419
Scripture Contexts
| Genesis 14:17-20 Exodus 12:1-28
Exodus 16:4-15
Isaiah 25:6-8
Isaiah 55:1-3
Mark 6:30-44
Luke 5:27-32
Luke 24:28-35
John 2:1-12
John 6:22-59
Acts 2:42-47 |
Mysterious priest-king with bread and
wine blesses Abraham Preparation and celebration of the
first Passover
God feeds his people with bread from heaven
The promise of a sumptuous feast of joy when God destroys death
Invitation for all to come to the table and eat rich fare freely
Jesus wondrously feeds the crowd of 5000 with bread and fish
(parallels are found in Matthew14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-15; the feeding of the
4000 appears in Matthew 15:32-39, Mark 8:1-10)
Jesus used shared meals to enact the kingdom of God (see also Luke
7:36-50, 14:7-24, 15:1-32; John 21:1-14)
The Risen Jesus is revealed in the breaking of the bread
Jesus nourishes the joy of the wedding feast with a gift of wine
Our Lord’s meditation on the meaning of his body and blood
Breaking bread an essential part of the early Church’s
worship |
The accounts of the Last Supper may be found in the
following passages:
Matthew 26:26-30
Mark 14:22-26
Luke 22:14-20
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
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