180 "He who sings prays twice.", part 3

YOUCAT Lesson 180, part 3 of 11 parts

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

180  Why is the Mass sometimes referred to as a “worship service”?

A worship service is in the first place a service that God performs for us—and only then is it our service offered to God.  God gives himself to us under the form of holy signs—so that we might do the same: give ourselves unreservedly to him.  [1145-1192]

…….The following numbered paragraphs are from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), Second Edition, and give deeper understanding to YOUCAT Lesson 180:

…….HOW IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED?

             

…….Singing and music

…….1156   "The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of solemn liturgy." (Sacrosanctum concilium 112) ²⁰    The composition and singing of inspired psalms, often accompanied by musical instruments, were already closely linked to the liturgical celebrations of the Old Covenant. The Church continues and develops this tradition: "Address . . . one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart." "He who sings prays twice." (Ephesians 5:19; St. Augustine, En. in Psalm 72,1:Patrologia Latina 36,914; compare Colossians 3:16.) ^{21  --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition}

…….1157    Song and music fulfill their function as signs in a manner all the more significant when they are "more closely connected . . . with the liturgical action," (Sacrsanctum concilium 112 § 3) ²² according to three principal criteria: beauty expressive of prayer, the unanimous participation of the assembly at the designated moments, and the solemn character of the celebration. In this way they participate in the purpose of the liturgical words and actions: the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful: (compare Sacrosanctum concilium 112) ^{23 --CCC}

How I wept, deeply moved by your hymns, songs, and the voices that echoed through your Church! What emotion I experienced in them! Those sounds flowed into my ears distilling the truth in my heart. A feeling of devotion surged within me, and tears streamed down my face - tears that did me good. (St. Augustine, Conf. 9,6,14:Patrologia Latina 32,769-770) ^{24 --CCC}

…….1158   The harmony of signs (song, music, words, and actions) is all the more expressive and fruitful when expressed in the cultural richness of the People of God who celebrate. (compare Sacrosanctum concilium 119) ²⁵   Hence "religious singing by the faithful is to be intelligently fostered so that in devotions and sacred exercises as well as in liturgical services," in conformity with the Church's norms, "the voices of the faithful may be heard." But "the texts intended to be sung must always be in conformity with Catholic doctrine. Indeed they should be drawn chiefly from the Sacred Scripture and from liturgical sources." (Sacrosanctum concilium 118; 121) ²⁶ --CCC

180 Liturgy of the Word is an Integral Part of Sacramental Celebrations, part 2

YOUCAT Lesson 180, part 2 of 11 parts

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

…….Photo above: …..A lay person during a bible reading at St. Francis Xavier parish in Cross Plains, WI.  Seated at right is Pastor Fr. Thomas L. Kelley. …..180

180  Why is the Mass sometimes referred to as a “worship service”?

A worship service is in the first place a service that God performs for us—and only then is it our service offered to God.  God gives himself to us under the form of holy signs—so that we might do the same: give ourselves unreservedly to him.  [1145-1192]

…….Numbered related paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), Second Edition, follow:

…….HOW IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED?

              Words and actions

…….1153  A sacramental celebration is a meeting of God's children with their Father, in Christ and the Holy Spirit; this meeting takes the form of a dialogue, through actions and words. Admittedly, the symbolic actions are already a language, but the Word of God and the response of faith have to accompany and give life to them, so that the seed of the Kingdom can bear its fruit in good soil. The liturgical actions signify what the Word of God expresses: both his free initiative and his people's response of faith. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1154  The liturgy of the Word is an integral part of sacramental celebrations. To nourish the faith of believers, the signs which accompany the Word of God should be emphasized: the book of the Word (a lectionary or a book of the Gospels), its veneration (procession, incense, candles), the place of its proclamation (lectern or ambo), its audible and intelligible reading, the minister's homily which extends its proclamation, and the responses of the assembly (acclamations, meditation psalms, litanies, and profession of faith). –CCC

…….1155   The liturgical word and action are inseparable both insofar as they are signs and instruction and insofar as they accomplish what they signify. When the Holy Spirit awakens faith, he not only gives an understanding of the Word of God, but through the sacraments also makes present the "wonders" of God which it proclaims. The Spirit makes present and communicates the Father's work, fulfilled by the beloved Son. --CCC

180 The Mass as a Worship Service, part 1

YOUCAT Lesson 180, part 1 of 11 parts

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

…….Woodcut: …..The Lord Directing Abram to Count the Stars….. woodcut by Julius Schnorr 1860….. Bible in Pictures.....180

180  Why is the Mass sometimes referred to as a “worship service”?

A worship service is in the first place a service that God performs for us—and only then is it our service offered to God.  God gives himself to us under the form of holy signs—so that we might do the same: give ourselves unreservedly to him.  [1145-1192]

Jesus is there in Word and sacrament—God is present.  That is the first and most important thing about every liturgy.  Only then do we enter the picture.  Jesus sacrifices his life for us so that we might offer to him the spiritual sacrifice of our life.  In the Eucharist, Christ gives himself to us, so that we might give ourselves to him.  Thus we take part in the redeeming and transforming sacrifice of Christ.  Our little life is burst open and led into the kingdom of God.  God can live his life in our lives.

And whoever would be the first among you must be the slave of all.  For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  Mark 10:44-45

…….Numbered related paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), Second Edition, follow:

…….HOW IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED?

          Signs and symbols

…….1145   A sacramental celebration is woven from signs and symbols. In keeping with the divine pedagogy of salvation, their meaning is rooted in the work of creation and in human culture, specified by the events of the Old Covenant and fully revealed in the person and work of Christ. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1146 Signs of the human world.   In human life, signs and symbols occupy an important place. As a being at once body and spirit, man expresses and perceives spiritual realities through physical signs and symbols. As a social being, man needs signs and symbols to communicate with others, through language, gestures, and actions. The same holds true for his relationship with God. –CCC

…….1147  God speaks to man through the visible creation. The material cosmos is so presented to man's intelligence that he can read there traces of its Creator. (compare  Wisdom 13:1; Romans 1:19 f.; Acts of the Apostles 14:7) ¹⁶ Light and darkness, wind and fire, water and earth, the tree and its fruit speak of God and symbolize both his greatness and his nearness. –CCC

…….1148  Inasmuch as they are creatures, these perceptible realities can become means of expressing the action of God who sanctifies men, and the action of men who offer worship to God. The same is true of signs and symbols taken from the social life of man: washing and anointing, breaking bread and sharing the cup can express the sanctifying presence of God and man's gratitude toward his Creator. –CCC

…….1149  The great religions of mankind witness, often impressively, to this cosmic and symbolic meaning of religious rites. The liturgy of the Church presupposes, integrates and sanctifies elements from creation and human culture, conferring on them the dignity of signs of grace, of the new creation in Jesus Christ. –CCC

…….1150  Signs of the covenant. The Chosen People received from God distinctive signs and symbols that marked its liturgical life. These are no longer solely celebrations of cosmic cycles and social gestures, but signs of the covenant, symbols of God's mighty deeds for his people. Among these liturgical signs from the Old Covenant are circumcision, anointing and consecration of kings and priests, laying on of hands, sacrifices, and above all the Passover. The Church sees in these signs a prefiguring of the sacraments of the New Covenant. –CCC

…….1151  Signs taken up by Christ. In his preaching the Lord Jesus often makes use of the signs of creation to make known the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. (compare Luke 8:10) ¹⁷ He performs healings and illustrates his preaching with physical signs or symbolic gestures. (compare John 9:6; Mark 7:33 ff.; Mk 8:22 ff) ¹⁸ He gives new meaning to the deeds and signs of the Old Covenant, above all to the Exodus and the Passover, (compare Luke 9:31; Lk 22:7-20) ¹⁹ for he himself is the meaning of all these signs. –CCC

1152  Sacramental signs. Since Pentecost, it is through the sacramental signs of his Church that the Holy Spirit carries on the work of sanctification. The sacraments of the Church do not abolish but purify and integrate all the richness of the signs and symbols of the cosmos and of social life. Further, they fulfill the types and figures of the Old Covenant, signify and make actively present the salvation wrought by Christ, and prefigure and anticipate the glory of heaven. --CCC

179 Who Celebrates the Liturgy?

YOUCAT Lesson 179

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

How We Celebrate the Mysteries of Christ

179  Who celebrates the liturgy?

In all earthly liturgies, Christ the Lord himself is the one who celebrates the cosmic liturgy, which encompasses angels and men, the living and the dead, the past, present, and future, heaven and earth.  Priests and believers participate in different ways in Christ’s divine worship.  [1136-1139]

…….Photo: …..Fr. Randy Knauf, OFM Capuchin, leads his parishioners in singing the “Great Amen” just before giving the Sacrament of Eucharist to the faithful assembled at a weekday school Mass.  Photo by Don L. Bragg …..179

When we celebrate the liturgy, we must prepare ourselves interiorly for the great thing that takes place in it: here and now Christ is present and, with him, all of heaven.  There everyone is filled with unspeakable joy and at the same time with loving care for us.  The last book of Sacred Scripture, Revelation, portrays in mysterious images this liturgy to which we here on earth join our voices.   –YOUCAT Lesson 170

“And so, with the Angels and all the Saints we proclaim your glory, as with one voice we sing: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts,…”  (Eucharistic Prayer II of the Church)

“It (the liturgy) is entering into the liturgy of the heavens that has always been taking place…It is not the case that you think something up and then sing it; instead, the song comes to you from the angels.  Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI, “In the Presence of the Angels I Will Sing Your Praise” in “A New Song for the Lord.”

…….WHO CELEBRATES?

…….1136 Liturgy is an "action" of the whole Christ (Christus totus). Those who even now celebrate it without signs are already in the heavenly liturgy, where celebration is wholly communion and feast. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….The celebrants of the heavenly liturgy

…….1137 The book of Revelation of St. John, read in the Church's liturgy, first reveals to us, "A throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne": "the Lord God." (Revelation 4:2, 8; Isaiah 6:1; compare Ezekiel1:26-28) ¹    It then shows the Lamb, "standing, as though it had been slain": Christ crucified and risen, the one high priest of the true sanctuary, the same one "who offers and is offered, who gives and is given." (Revelation 5:6; Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Anaphora; compare John 1:29; Hebrews 4:14-15; Heb 10:19-20) ²    Finally it presents "the river of the water of life . . . flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb," one of most beautiful symbols of the Holy Spirit. (Revelation 22:1; compare Rev 21:6; John 4:10-14) ³  --CCC

…….1138 "Recapitulated in Christ," these are the ones who take part in the service of the praise of God and the fulfillment of his plan: the heavenly powers, all creation (the four living beings), the servants of the Old and New Covenants (the twenty-four elders), the new People of God (the one hundred and forty-four thousand), (compare Revelation 4-5; Rev 7:1-8; Rev 14:1; Isaiah 6:2-3) ⁴  especially the martyrs "slain for the word of God," and the all-holy Mother of God (the Woman), the Bride of the Lamb, (Revelation 6:9-11; Rev 21:9; compare Rev 12) ⁵ and finally "a great multitude which no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes, and peoples and tongues." (Revelation 7:9) ⁶  --CCC

…….1139 It is in this eternal liturgy that the Spirit and the Church enable us to participate whenever we celebrate the mystery of salvation in the sacraments.

178 Christ Himself is at Work in The Sacraments

YOUCAT Lesson 178

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

178  If a sacrament is administered by someone who is unworthy, does it fail to have its effect?

No.  The sacraments are effective on the basis of the sacramental action that is carried out (ex opera operato), in other words, independently of the moral conduct or spiritual outlook of the minister.  It is enough for him to intend to do what the Church does.  [1127-1128, 1131]

By all means, ministers of the sacraments ought to live an exemplary life.  But the sacraments take effect, not because of the holiness of their ministers, but rather because Christ himself is at work in them.  In any case, he respects our freedom when we receive the sacraments.  That is why they have a positive effect only if we rely on Christ.

The following three paragraphs are taken from  the “Diary” of Saint Faustina (see accompanying book cover). 

Jesus said to Saint Faustina (Diary, 1602): “When you go to confession, to this fountain of mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul.  ...(Diary 1448): In the Tribunal of Mercy (the Sacrament of Reconciliation)...the greatest miracles take place and are incessantly repeated. ...(Diary 1602): Here the misery of the soul meets the God of Mercy. ”

And again, Jesus said to Saint Faustina (Diary 1448): “Come with faith to the feet of My representative .  I Myself am waiting there for you.  I am only hidden by the priest.  ...(Diary 1602): I Myself act in your soul .  Make your confession before Me. The person of the priest is, for Me, only a screen.  ...(Diary 1725): Never analyze what sort of a priest it is that I am making use of; open your soul in confession as you would to Me, and I will fill it with My light ”

And again, Jesus said to Saint Faustina (Diary 1448): “Were a soul like a decaying corpse, so that from a human standpoint, there would be no hope of restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God.  The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full.  Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God’s mercy! .”

…….THE SACRAMENTS OF SALVATION

…….1127 Celebrated worthily in faith, the sacraments confer the grace that they signify. (compare Council of Trent (1547): Denzinger-Schönmetzer 1605; DS 1606)⁴⁸    They are efficacious because in them Christ himself is at work: it is he who baptizes, he who acts in his sacraments in order to communicate the grace that each sacrament signifies. The Father always hears the prayer of his Son's Church which, in the epiclesis of each sacrament, expresses her faith in the power of the Spirit. As fire transforms into itself everything it touches, so the Holy Spirit transforms into the divine life whatever is subjected to his power. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1128  This is the meaning of the Church's affirmation (compare Council of Trent (1547): Denzinger-Schönmetzer 1608) ⁴⁹  that the sacraments act ex opere operato (literally: "by the very fact of the action's being performed"), i.e., by virtue of the saving work of Christ, accomplished once for all. It follows that "the sacrament is not wrought by the righteousness of either the celebrant or the recipient, but by the power of God." (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh III, 68,8) ⁵⁰    From the moment that a sacrament is celebrated in accordance with the intention of the Church, the power of Christ and his Spirit acts in and through it, independently of the personal holiness of the minister. Nevertheless, the fruits of the sacraments also depend on the disposition of the one who receives them. --CCC

177 Why Faith is Neccessary for the Sacraments

YOUCAT Lesson 177, October 1, 2014

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

177  Why is faith a prerequisite for the sacraments?

Sacraments are not magic.  A sacrament can be effective only if one understands and accepts it in faith.  Sacraments not only presuppose faith, they also strengthen it and give expression to it.  [1122-1126

]

…….Photo above: …..The Gutenberg Bible.  This is the Lenox Copy of the first printed bible, New York Public Library, 2009. …..177

Jesus commissioned the apostles first to make people disciples through their preaching, in other words, to awaken their faith and only then to baptize them.  There are two things, therefore, that we receive from the Church: faith and the sacraments.  Even today someone becomes a Christian, not through a mere ritual or by being listed in a register, but rather through acceptance of the true faith.  We receive the true faith from the Church.  She vouches for it.  Because the Church’s faith is expressed in the liturgy, no sacramental ritual can be changed or manipulated at the discretion of an individual minister or a congregation.

“As one candle is lit from the flame of another, so is faith kindled by faith.”  Romano Guardini  (1885-1968)

  

…….THE SACRAMENTS OF FAITH

…….1122 Christ sent his apostles so that "repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations."( Luke 24:47)⁴¹    "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."(

Matthew 28:19)⁴²    The mission to baptize, and so the sacramental mission, is implied in the mission to evangelize, because the sacrament is prepared for by the word of God and by the faith which is assent to this word:

The People of God is formed into one in the first place by the Word of the living God. . . . The preaching of the Word is required for the sacramental ministry itself, since the sacraments are sacraments of faith, drawing their origin and nourishment from the Word.( Presbyterorum ordinis 4 §§ 1,2)⁴³  --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1123 "The purpose of the sacraments is to sanctify men, to build up the Body of Christ and, finally, to give worship to God. Because they are signs they also instruct. They not only presuppose faith, but by words and objects they also nourish, strengthen, and express it. That is why they are called 'sacraments of faith.'" (Sacrosanctum Concilium 59)⁴⁴  --CCC

…….1124 The Church's faith precedes the faith of the believer who is invited to adhere to it. When the Church celebrates the sacraments, she confesses the faith received from the apostles - whence the ancient saying: lex orandi, lex credendi (or: legem credendi lex statuat supplicandi, according to Prosper of Aquitaine [5th cent.]). ( Eucharistic prayer. 8)⁴⁵       The law of prayer is the law of faith: the Church believes as she prays. Liturgy is a constitutive element of the holy and living Tradition. (compare Dei Verbum 8)⁴⁶  --CCC

…….1125 For this reason no sacramental rite may be modified or manipulated at the will of the minister or the community. Even the supreme authority in the Church may not change the liturgy arbitrarily, but only in the obedience of faith and with religious respect for the mystery of the liturgy. –CCC

…….1126 Likewise, since the sacraments express and develop the communion of faith in the Church, the lex orandi is one of the essential criteria of the dialogue that seeks to restore the unity of Christians. (compare Unitatis redintegratio 2; 15)⁴⁷  --CCC

176 Marks of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders

YOUCAT Lesson 176

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

176  Which sacraments can be received only once in a lifetime?

Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders. These sacraments imprint an indelible mark on the soul of the Christian.  Baptism and Confirmation make him once and for all a child of God and Christlike.  Holy Orders similarly leaves an imprint on a Christian man.  [1121].

Photo: ….. Bishop Hamms of Superior administers the Sacrament of Confirmation to daughter Laurie Bragg (center) with her Aunt  Margaret (hand on Laurie’s shoulder) acting as sponsor.....176

Just as someone always is and remains a child of his parents and not just “sometimes” or “a little bit”), so also through Baptism and Confirmation one becomes forever a child of God, Christlike, and a member of his Church.  Similarly, Holy Orders is not a “job” that a man does until retirement; rather, it is an irrevocable charism (gift of grace).  Because God is faithful, the effect of these sacraments is maintained forever for the Christian—as receptivity to God’s call, as a vocation, and as protection.  Consequently these sacraments cannot be repeated.

When the goodness and loving kindness of our Savior appeared, he saved us…by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit.  Titus 3:4-5

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  1 Corinthians 4:1

…….THE SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH

…….1121 The three sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders confer, in addition to grace, a sacramental character or "seal" by which the Christian shares in Christ's priesthood and is made a member of the Church according to different states and functions. This configuration to Christ) and to the Church, brought about by the Spirit, is indelible,( compare Council of Trent (1547: Danzinger-Schönmetzer 1609.)⁴⁰  it remains for ever in the Christian as a positive disposition for grace, a promise and guarantee of divine protection, and as a vocation to divine worship and to the service of the Church. Therefore these sacraments can never be repeated.