Liturgies
Other Liturgies and Rites
Outside of the celebration of Eucharist there are many official Church liturgical rites: The sacraments are liturgical rites consisting of proclaimed texts, gestures and symbols, and often material things. They are best celebrated within the context of the Mass and the Church gathered, but most may be done outside of Mass, e.g., baptism, marriage, confirmation, penance, and anointing. Other rites and sacramentals include Christian funerals, the various RCIA rites, Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest, the dedication of a church, the profession of religious vows, and rites of blessing water, palms, ashes, places and people, and more. The common thread in all liturgies is always the proclamation of the Word of God and the intercession of the Church. (See also Sacraments)
Liturgy of the Hours
The Liturgy of the Hours is known as the official prayer of the Church, and is liturgical prayer par excellence. It is the daily prayer of the Church, prayed at certain significant times of the day, according to the liturgical seasons.
- The Structure
- How to Recite the Hours
- Outline of the Liturgy of the Hours
- Liturgy of the Hours Roles (17k PDF doc)
Liturgy of the Hours, includes both Structure and Outline (40k, PDF doc)
Rites of the Order of Christian Funerals
At the center of the Catholic belief about death is the paschal mystery of Christ, that mystery which includes life here and hereafter and our own hope of resurrection. Therefore the actions of a Catholic community when one of its members dies must as clearly as possible proclaim this central mystery. Particularly is this true when the community gathers to pray for the deceased and to support with its faith, hope, and love the grieving family and friends. These guidelines are intended to assist in the proclamation of this paschal mystery. Read more.
Guidelines for the Rite of Christian Funerals (76k, PDF doc)
Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest (SCAP)
The role of the priest as celebrant and presider at the Liturgy is central to the worship life of the parish. However, as the number of priests diminishes, it is becoming very apparent that lay ministers will be asked to lead or preside at various prayer and worship services. Already now, the pastor or pastoral coordinator occasionally needs to ask a deacon or lay person to preside at Liturgy of the Word with the Communion Rite, the Vigil of the Deceased, the Rite of Committal, or Morning and Evening Prayer. In an emergency, a deacon or lay minister may need to preside at a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest.
It is important that leaders of worship be chosen thoughtfully and prayerfully. Leaders of prayer must know how to effectively lead the people in accord with the directives of the Church, so training in this liturgical art is essential. In order that our parishes may have properly trained leaders of prayer, pastors and parish coordinators are asked to choose at least two persons to attend upcoming diocesan training program, The Ministry of Presiding at Prayer for Deacons and Lay Leaders. Additional information will be forthcoming. Please see the qualities and qualifications of candidates listed in the Discernment Process outlined below.
- Diocesan Policy for Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest (17k PDF doc)
- Discernment Process for Selecting a Lay Leader of Prayer
- Outline for a Liturgy of the Word With and Without Communion (14k PDF doc)
- Outline for Morning Prayer and Liturgy of the Word With and Without Communion (17k PDF doc)
- Script for Celebration of SCAP (95k Word doc)
Tridentine Latin Rite
While the current Missal of Paul VI (Novus Ordo) remains the
ordinary form of the Roman Rite, Pope Benedict XVI has declared
that the Mass of the 1962 Missal, the extraordinary form of the
Latin Rite often referred to as the Tridentine Rite, may be
celebrated more easily, according to the norms he established in
his Motu Proprio
Summorum Pontificum.
For the
text of the Motu Proprio as well as commentary by the
Bishops Committee on the Liturgy of the USCCB, please click on
the following:
“Apostolic Letter on Use of the Preconciliar
Liturgical Forms” and “Twenty Questions on Summorum Pontificum,”.
To learn more about the 1962 Latin Rite Mass, here is an informative site and formative site, which includes Latin/English texts and online multimedia tutorials for priests and servers, and the faithful. Sancta Missa
