Catholic Christianity: Forms of Expression and Ways of Life Flashcards Preview

GCSE Religious Studies - Edexcel Route A > Catholic Christianity: Forms of Expression and Ways of Life > Flashcards

Flashcards in Catholic Christianity: Forms of Expression and Ways of Life Deck (40)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Why do churches have tall ceilings?

A

Creating space pointing up – connection to God and heaven

2
Q

Why are church buildings sometimes cross shaped?

A

The importance of the death of Jesus.

3
Q

Why are new churches often round iwth the altar in the middle?

A

Circular with the altar in the middle. Shows the oneness of the worshippers and the eternity of God.

4
Q

Why do churches have stained glass windows?

A

Displaying Bible stories or lives of saints.

5
Q

What is the altar and what does it remind us of?

A
  • The priest consecrates the bread and wine here. It reminds us of the sacrifice and death of Jesus on the cross.
  • The altar as a table also reminds us we are sharing in a fellowship meal. The candles on the altar represent Jesus as the light of the world.
6
Q

What is the lecturn and why is it important?

A
  • The priest or readers read from here. The scripture is read here
  • We are nourished in spirit by listening to the Word. We read from the lectionary.
7
Q

What is the baptismal font?

A

The first sacrament in which a person becomes part of the Church.

8
Q

What is the tabernacle and why is it important?

A
  • Where the consecrated host is kept.
  • A focus for prayer and devotion. – They kneel towards the tabernacle.
  • A sanctuary lamp near reminds Catholics of the presence of God in the tabernacle.
9
Q

What is the crucifix and why is it important?

A
  • Usually on or near the altar.
  • It reminds Catholics that Jesus died for us to forgive our sins and he was the price for our salvation.
10
Q

Why is the holy water container near the front of church important?

A
  • They sign themselves with the water reminding us of the Trinity, the death of Jesus and their own baptism.
  • It helps focus their mind as they enter the Church.
11
Q

What are the stations of the cross and why are they important?

A
  • The different stations of the journey to Jesus’ death and resurrection
  • Used during Lent to focus worship on the death of Jesus.
12
Q

Why are statues used and what are votive candles?

A
  • There are statues throughout - usually one of Our Lady to help people pray.
  • In front of the statues there will often be votive candles which are lighted symbolising their prayer.
13
Q

How are Church buildings used?

A
  • For worship
  • For prayer during the day.
14
Q

What is Sarcophagi?

A
  • A Stone tomb. They were usually decorated with scenes from mythology and with Roman Gods.
  • The first Christians adapted this and started using the stone tombs but developed images that would reflect beliefs about eternal life.
15
Q

What are sacred objects?

A

Sacred objects help Catholics to focus during their worship, whether in Church or elsewhere.

16
Q

What does the Church say about sacred objects?

A

The cross, images of Jesus, Mary, angels and saints are to be used in churches of God.

17
Q

What are sacred vessels?

A

They are used by the priest during the Mass, including those for the consecration of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.

18
Q

Why are sarcohpagi still used today?

A

To help Catholics focus prayers on an individual

19
Q

What are Hunger Cloths?

A

They were used to cover the altar during Lent during the Middle Ages.

20
Q

Why were Hunger cloths used?

A

They tell stories of God helping people in the Bible and are still used as a reminder of these in developing countries.

21
Q

What is the purpose of sacred Art?

A

The purpose of sacred art is to show truth and beauty, which glorifies and emphasises the transcendent mystery of God.

22
Q

Why is sacred art important?

A
  • Sacred art is supposed to lead an individual to prayer, faith, love and adoration for God in all that God is.
  • Art is an aid for worship but is also a visual way of thanking God: an expression of ultimate thanksgiving.
23
Q

Why do people paint religious art?

A
  • Some of the earliest Christian churches found across the world have some form of art or painting on their walls.
  • Artists throughout the centuries have been inspired by scenes from the Bible, the lives of saints and religious events.
24
Q

What are some of the most famous religious paintings of all time?

A
  • Michelangelo’s famous ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, Rome, is one of his greatest works.
  • Leonardo da Vinci’s late 15th-century work The Last Supper and The Transfiguration of Christ by Raphael are other examples.
25
Q

What is the difference between the belief in statues between Catholics and Protestants?

A

Many statues are often found in a Catholic church, compared to Protestant churches which do not have statues (due to the belief that they were idols).

26
Q

Why do Protestants not use statues?

A
  • They think it is idolatry
  • ‘You shall not worship false idols’
27
Q

Why do Catholics use statues in worship?

A
  • They are not in themselves worshipped, but provide a focus point for any prayer or reflection.
  • Often, votive candles are found in front of statues which people light.
28
Q

What are symbols?

A

Symbols make up an important aspect of any religious art. They can be found in many Catholic churches and serve as a reminder of any worshipper’s belief.

29
Q

How does the alpha and the omega symbolise Christ?

A

Alpha and Omega - a symbol for God, based on the words of Jesus from Revelation,

‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End’ (Revelation 22:13).

30
Q

How does the ChiRho symbolise Christ?

A

ChiRho - this symbol is formed of the first two letters in Greek, chi and rho, of the word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (christos), meaning Christ.

31
Q

How does the cross symbolise Christ?

A

Cross - the symbol which most commonly represents the cross on which Jesus died. The crucifix is this cross but with the addition of Jesus as a figure.

32
Q

What does the dove symbolise?

A

In the story of Jesus baptism, the Spirit descended like a dove and rests on Jesus. The dove represents the Holy Spirit.

‘the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes down upon him and remains with him.’ (CCC 701).

33
Q

What does the eagle symbolise?

A
  • Found supporting the lectern, the eagle is a symbol of hope and strength and therefore a symbol for salvation.
  • Taken from the book of Revelation, it appears twice on the side of God.
34
Q

What does the fish symbolise?

A
  • Is made up of the first letters of five words, which together make the Greek word for fish.
  • Symbolises the disciples ‘I will make you fishers of men’
35
Q

What does the alpha and the omega symbolise?

A
  • Symbolise God as the ‘first’ and the ‘last’; the beginning of all things and the end of all things.
  • God is eternal.
36
Q

How are the four evangelists shown through symbols?

A
  • Matthew - an angel or winged man, seen as a figure of salvation.
  • Mark - a winged lion to represent courage, monarchy and royalty.
  • Luke - a winged ox or bull representing sacrifice and strength.
  • John - an eagle, the animal of the sky, which early Christians believed could look straight into the sun.
37
Q

Why are drama and music used in worship?

A

Artistic expression has been used as a form of worship for a long time. Some of the earliest European plays and choral works were based on scenes from the Bible.

38
Q

Why do people use plays to worship?

A
  • Mystery plays represent Bible stories in churches, they are performed over four days and are accompanied by song.
  • Mystery plays cover narratives such as Creation.
  • Miracle plays tell the story of saints in the world.
  • Passion plays became part of the Easter ritual of churches. The most famous is that staged by over 2,000 performers at Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany, as it has a 380-year tradition of Passion plays.
39
Q

Why do people use Music to worship?

A
  • The earliest form of church music would have been sung psalms in the 1st century.
  • Plainchant was developed by monks, which is a single sung unaccompanied melodic line.
  • Liturgies set to music are typical of many composers, famous requiem masses for example include Mozart, Fauré and Verdi.
40
Q

Why do people use hymns to worship?

A
  • Evangelical and Pentecostal churches tend to use contemporary worship music played with a band of electronic instruments.
  • Music helps to express beliefs in a different form.