The Catholic Rituals - Research Paper Example

The Catholic Rituals The Catholic Church has many rituals associated with mass, blessings, baptism, weddings, sacraments, funerals, last rites, visitation of the sick, and confession. The ordination and confirmation of priests and nuns and other members of the clergy has its rituals as well. Catholics have held fast to their beliefs and rituals. They believe that these spiritual rituals that bring them together. Their rituals come hand in hand with symbols such as the cross, rosary, Holy water and shrines of Virgin Mary and portraits of Jesus. All these enable them to say consecrated in order to experience a deeper sense of spirituality (Laurent 116). The Catholic Church sticks strictly to its rituals. An infant born to a catholic mother gets its introduction to the catholic faith and rituals at an early age. This is usually through infant baptism. A few months after birth, infants undergo baptism and receive Christian names. The catholic baptism involves washing of the head with water and not full immersion into water as other religions do (O’Grady 157). As the infants grow up, they receive stepwise introduction to the catholic belief and teachings. Before the age of ten, they are able to recite most of the common prayers and liturgies. Towards the early teenage, these children enroll in catechism classes whereby they receive a deeper teaching on all values and rituals observed during the catholic worship. It is upon their understanding and appreciation of such that they attain baptism out of their own initiative at this age. Later, they get confirmed after more catechism classes accompanied by usual practice of what they learn. After baptism confirmation, they can now celebrate mass just like other mature catholic devotees (O’Grady 161). There is a specific order that the Christians follow in their worship. In every step of the worship, there are rituals that they observe (O’Grady 7). The introductory rites mark the beginning of the mass. There is a procession of the priest and fellow ministers walk towards the altar. On reaching the altar, the priest reverences the altar and then they take their seats. The initial greeting that involves all present responding and making the way of the cross. In some occasions, the priest proceeds to carry out the rite of blessing that involves sprinkling of the people with water symbolic of their baptism. In other cases, the priest may opt for the penitential rite that involves expression of guilt over their transgressions. The Kyrie, Gloria acclamations then follow on all Sundays except during lent, and advent. The liturgy of the word then follows. This involves two readings separated by a relevant responsorial psalm. After the two readings, the entire group rises up to sing the Gospel acclamation. The gospel proclamation by the priest then follows. After the gospel proclamation, a sermon follows referred to as the homily and during this time the people take their seats. After the homily, the people indulge in a profession of their faith by reciting the apostles ‘or Nicene creed. Liturgy of the Eucharist follows and this begins with presentation of gifts and then preparation of the altar (O’Grady 164). The priest prays over the gifts and then goes on to lead the Eucharistic prayer. The worshippers recite the holy acclamation, then the memorial and then the priest recites the doxology and the worshippers respond in a massive ‘Amen’. The worshippers are now ready to partake of the communion ritual. It starts with a recitation of the Lord’s Prayer followed by the sign of peace and then the breaking of bread. After breaking of the bread, they partake of the Holy Communion. After receiving of the communion, the people kneel for silent individual prayers. During the communion, relevant songs prevail and the priests lead a prayer after the communion. After this, announcements may follow and then the conclusion rite with the priest saying a prayer and wishing the people peace (O’Grady 147). The catholic calendar of events determines what special liturgies and rituals surround worship. The Easter season among catholic begins with a season of lent. During this season, they observe the way of the cross regularly. In addition, the songs and liturgies recited are specific to this season. This season is very crucial to the catholic faithful and moves them to avoid some luxuries and delicacies as they symbolically remember the death of Jesus. The way of the cross that they observe depicts the 14 stations that symbolize the path followed by Christ on his way to Calvary. The cross is a very fundamental symbol of the Christian worship. It is present on rosaries that guide them in prayers. The olive Sunday marks the day of the death of Christ. On each of these days, a procession helps them meditate and reminisce the death of Christ. On the Easter Monday, they celebrate mass in a happy and thanksgiving mood because it symbolizes that Jesus gained power over death. The next major event in their calendar is the Corpus Christi. This is a highly valued commemoration as it honors and celebrates the Holy Communion that Catholics partake commonly known as the Eucharist (O’Grady 151). This celebration comes after what Catholics refer as the Trinity Sunday. On this day, the devotees carry a symbolic host of consecrated bread alongside a chalice that is a clear representation of the Eucharist. In addition to altar, they have a ciborium, which carries the consecrated bread. Catholics have confession sessions that involve individuals standing in a secret room and confessing of their sins. The priest listens to the confessions although there is a barrier between him and the people. The priest then prays for the confessing individuals. This session usually prepares the people to partake the Holy Communion in the next mass celebration. Privacy and confidentiality is of high value in this session and helps the people to adhere to honesty during confession. The Catholics observe marriage rituals as well. Marriage is a crucial affair that may lead to grace (O’Grady 172). The celebration of marriage rite may involve a mass at times. Just like the mass, the priest conducts the introductory rites. Second in place comes the Liturgy of Word that involves reading of verses chosen by the couple, and confirmed by the priest. After the readings, the priest emphasizes the importance of marriage in a sermon. After the sermon, the rite of marriage takes place and involves taking of vows and exchanging of rings. The couple receives blessings from the priest and then the bride presents flowers to the shrine of Blessed Virgin Mary as offertory. The priest then concludes the wedding. Catholics have rituals regarding the sick and the dead. There are special prayers and blessings for the sick as well as the dead. On the verge of death, the priest conducts the last rites to an individual. The last rites include Communion, Holy water, and prayers (O’Grady 171). People bring the dead to the church for prayer before burial. There is sprinkling of water as a means of consecration and celebration of the funeral mass. There are anniversary mass programs in which the family and other members conduct mass in remembrance of the dead. During these times, they take moments to pray for the peace of the dead souls. First November marks another of the catholic rituals. On this date, Catholics celebrate and pray for dead saints. They call the day ‘All Saints Day’. It is an important day for them because it portrays their beliefs concerning death and resurrection as well as their mystery concerning heaven and earth. According to them, there are purgatory chambers in between the two destinies and they believe that they prayers for the dead can help to pardon the dead and lead them to places of peace. The ordination and confirmation of priests, deacons, bishops, nuns, and brothers have accompanying rituals. The different clergy members perform different functions and must be strict adherents to the catholic rituals before they attain such positions. They must be advocates of the rituals to all worshippers and uphold the catholic teachings, doctrines, and beliefs their entire life. They lead celibate lives as a requirement as they are symbolically married to the church. They stand up for true Christianity no matter what comes their way (Cone 138). The research revealed interesting facts about the Catholics that prompted me to attend their Sunday. Attending mass with Catholics proved to be an amazing experience. Although I must admit that one could tell that I was not one because when they arose to recite most of the liturgies, I remained seated. Only after mass ended did I realize that the program runs in a specific order and that each step is symbolic of a deeper spiritual meaning. The rituals and the symbols unite the worshippers and it is a clear indication of their beliefs. Talking to some devotees about their rituals revealed the intensity of the catholic faith. It is different from my faith and one has to understand the basis and origin of their rituals in order to understand where they are coming from. The emphasis and significance accorded to the Eucharist by Catholics is unique. Most of the other Christian faiths do not portray the same significance. In addition, catholic clergy adhere strictly to all rituals and teachings serving as exemplary examples for the followers. The catholic rituals make them unique among other Christians although they share some rituals closely with the Anglican and the orthodox. In a world where freedom of worship exists and where man seeks to know God, one can only respect their rituals. It is their conviction that these rituals make them closer to their creator. Their rituals reveal their hope for the future and their beliefs concerning life after death. The catholic faith is the most widespread in the world (O’Grady 7). The catholic faith as a whole comprises of many rites, practices, and celebrations. They adhere to all of these as an expression of their faith. They have symbols that are very influential to their worship and these include rosary, cross, shrines of Virgin Mary, portraits of Jesus and the celebrated Eucharist. There is strict adherence to these rituals, as they believe that such rites fulfill and complement their faith (Nolan 170). All Catholics in the world join under the leadership of the pope to celebrate these rituals (O’Grady 7). Work Cited Cone, James H. Martin & Malcolm & America: A Dream or a Nightmare. Maryknoll, N.Y: Orbis Books, 2007. Print. Nolan, Albert. Jesus Before Christianity. Maryknoll, N.Y: Orbis Books, 2001. Print. O'Grady, John F. Catholic Beliefs and Traditions: Ancient and Ever New. New York: Paulist Press, 2001. Print. Saint-Laurent, George E. Spirituality and World Religions: A Comparative Introduction. Mountain View, Calif: Mayfield Pub, 2000. Print. Read More