Preparing and Celebrating Liturgy

 1. PROCESS FOR PREPARING LITURGY

•  The readings in the Lectionary and the liturgical texts (prayers, preface, blessings, etc.) in the Roman Missal are the starting point for all liturgical preparation.
  

•    Make selections from optional texts and compose variable texts where appropriate. 
  

•    Communicate decisions to the appropriate liturgical ministers and the assembly.
  

•    Keep a record of decisions, tasks & person responsible.

2.  PLANNING CHECKLIST

• order of service
  

• texts: readings & prayers
  

• music and song
  

• worship aids (booklets, PP slides, copyright, etc)
  

• liturgical art, worship environment
  

• symbol
  

• gestures and movement  
  

• silence
  

• assembly
  

• liturgical ministers
  

• link liturgy with life
  

• look at overall rhythm & flow
  

3. PRINCIPLES OF GOOD LITURGY 

• Liturgy is always an act of praise of and to God.
  

• The ‘theme’ of every liturgy is the paschal mystery.
  

• The aim to be considered before all else when preparing and celebrating liturgy is that everyone present can participate fully, consciously, actively.
  

• Christ is present whenever liturgy is celebrated in the people assembled for worship, in the scriptures proclaimed, in the consecrated elements, and in the person of the ordained presider.
  

• Liturgy is a ritual activity. That means there are set patterns and familiar cues and responses. 
  

• Liturgical symbols should be large and clear.
  

• Liturgy is not a performance or entertainment. 
  

4.  SOME TIPS

• Start with the Who, What, Where & Why of the Celebration 
  

• The rules for writing Prayers of the Faithful (intercessions) are
  (1) Keep it simple and brief.
  (2) Remember that the prayers are not addressed to God; rather, they are intentions that the faithful are being invited to pray for. For this reason, the words ‘you’ and ‘your’ should not occur.

Correct example: For all experiencing persecution, that God will preserve them from harm, give them strength, and help them to witness to God’s love and faithfulness.

Incorrect example: We pray for all broken families. Fill them with your grace, that aware of your love for them, they may desire to work towards reconciliation with their loved ones.

• All liturgy follows the ritual model of Gather/Listen/Do/Go. 
  

• Use the foolproof YOU/ WHO/ DO/ THROUGH pattern to write ‘collects’. 
  

• Use words and responses that people know so you won’t need to give them the script. 
  

5. DEFINITIONS

• LITURGY – The Official Communal Worship of the Church
  

• PRAYER – Personal communication or petition addressed to a deity, esp. in the form of supplication, adoration, praise, contrition, or thanksgiving. (Collins Dictionary, emphasis added).
  

• RITUAL – The prescribed or established form of a religious or other ceremony. (Collins Dictionary)
  

• EUCHARIST – A Greek word meaning ‘thanksgiving’. In celebrating Eucharist, we join with Christ in giving thanks to God. Every Eucharist celebrates and gives thanks for the ‘paschal mystery’ – the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  

• MASS – The most common form of liturgy celebrated by the Catholic Church. It consists of two major and equally important parts – the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.