Forms of Expression and ways of Worship Flashcards
CCC 1181
‘A Church is a house of prayer in which the Eucharist is celebrated and reserved.’
What are the popular features of church architecture that reflect belief
. East facing
. Cruciform shape
. High vaulted ceilings / spire / dome
. Stained glass windows
East facing
Facing Jerusalem and the Sun rises in the East, representing new life as Jesus rose from the dead.
Cruciform shape
Represents the cross as a symbol of the church.
High vaulted ceilings/ spire/ dome
The open space pointing upwards represents a connection with Heaven. Churches are usually tall buildings to be closer to God.
Stained glass windows
Depict Bible stories in older churches as many Catholics would have been illiterate. In modern churches, the coloured glass gives a sense of beauty and serenity
What are the common features of a Catholic Church
. Sanctuary
. Nave
. Lady Chapel
Sanctuary
The Sanctuary contains the altar, the lectern, the Presider’s chair (where the Priest sits) and usually the Tabernacle. It is where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated and where God is made most present. It is most often raised up at least one step so that it is set apart from the rest of the Church.
The Nave
The Nave is an area where worshippers gather in the church. It usually has fixed seating known as pews. It can be rectangular or circular depending on the architect and style of the church.
Lady Chapel
The Lady Chapel is a small side chapel where the Virgin Mary is honored and her prayers asked for. It is often located in a transept, and sometimes used for smaller masses and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after Maundy Thursday Mass.
Stained glass windows
Depict Bible stories in older churches as many Catholics would have been illiterate. In modern churches, the colored glass gives a sense of beauty and serenity
What are the internal features of a Catholic Church
. Lectern
. Altar
. Crucifix
. Tabernacle
. Stations of the Cross
. Stained Glass Windows
Lectern or Ambo
A stand from which the readings are proclaimed. It represents the communication of God’s plan of salvation.
Altar
Made of stone.
It is a place of sacrifice and a table of sharing.
Crucifix
A cross with the image of the crucified Jesus on it found by the altar, a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
Develops a feeling of love, hope and trust in Jesus.
Tabernacle
A box close to the altar where the consecrated host, or Eucharist, is kept. Jesus is truly present.
Stations of the Cross
Images from the story of the Passion of Christ. A reminder of Jesus’ death and suffering.
Stained Glass Windows
Tell stories of the Bible and are useful for Churchgoers that weren’t able to read
How do the internal features of a Catholic Church facilitate Catholic Worship
The building is designed to be prayed in. It is not a meeting hall.
The lectern: The readings from the Bible are read from the lectern. The homily teaches about the Gospel and readings.
The altar is the place of offering. The Holy Spirit is called on the gifts to transform them into the Body and Blood of Christ and given out in Holy Communion.
What are the Sacred Objects
. Sacred Vessels
. Sarcophagi
. Hunger Cloths
. Books
Sacred Vessels
Includes the Chalice for wine, paten for the host and ciborium which contains the hosts given to
the congregation.
Sarcophagi
Box like containerfor a corpse, carved in stone above the ground. A resting place before the Resurrection. It
has scenes of Jesus rising people from the dead which gave hope to families
They can be used in prayer, the person praying asking the person to intercede for them.
Hunger Cloths
Used to cover the altar during Lent. They contain images of Bible stories. They signify God is with us in our lives and cares for every individual.
Books
Includes the lectionary which dictates which readings from the Bible are given in each Mass. Can
also be the altar missal, the instructions for Masses during the year.
What are the two famous religious artworks in Christianity
. The Creation of Adam - Michelangelo
. The Prodigal Son - Rembrandt
Benefits to The Creation of Adam - Michelangelo
. God is shown as powerful; his body is
perfectly sculpted. God is dressed
demonstrates higher knowledge
. Adam’s finger is bent, he isn’t fully
alive and so is dependent on God.
God brings Adam to life through his
almighty power.
. God is ancient, he is someone who is
full of wisdom, Adam is new. Both are
in similar positions; Adam is made in
God’s image
. The reaching out to each other also
symbolises the close relationship
between God and Adam, bonded by
love
. Adam is a perfect creation; his
sculpted body portrays this.
Benefits to The Creation of Adam - Michelangelo - Simplified
. God is powerful
. We are dependent on God
. God is ancient
. We are perfect
. We have a close relationship to God
Drawbacks to the Creation of Adam - Michelangelo -Simplified
God created Adam from dust and
blowing into his nostrils. Not touch
which this picture portrays.
God and Adam appear to be the same
size, this suggests equality. Christians
believe God is more powerful.
is close to death. This picture does not
show God as someone who is eternal.
What are the examples of symbolism in Rembrandt’s the Prodigal Son
. Younger Son
. Father
. Elder Son
. Lighting and Color
Younger Son
He returns in a wretched state having his wasted his inheritance. He
kneels before his father in repentance wishing for forgiveness having
realized that even his father’s servants have a better life than him.
Father
The Father receives him with a tender gesture. His hands seem to
suggest mothering and fathering at once; the left appears larger and
more masculine, set on the son’s shoulder, while the right is softer and
more receptive in gesture.
Elder Son
Standing at the right is the prodigal son’s older brother, who crosses
his hands in judgement; in the parable he objects to the father’s
compassion for the sinful son.
Lighting and
Color
The Father is the lightest figure in the painting, and so is the younger
son who has submitted to the Father although we cannot see him. The
elder son, remains partly in shadows because of his response, but the
fact that he too wears red like the Father, suggests he is still one with
the Father
What are examples of religious sculptures and statues
. Our Lady of Lourdes, France
. St Peter, Rome
. The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Spain
Our Lady of Lourdes
In Lourdes, the Virgin Mary appeared to an ordinary girl, Bernadette.
The Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, asked for pilgrims to come to the spring of water that had been uncovered at her feet to be healed.
St Peter
the bronze sculpture shows St Peter holding his hand up in blessing while the other hand clutches the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus told St Peter that he would have such keys- this is a reminder to us that the leadership of our Church was founded with St Peter
The succeeding popes shared in the Petrine ministry of the Church.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
The heart of Jesus exposed, surrounded by the crown of thorns and with a fire burning within it.
The thorns are believed by Catholics to refer to the Passion of Christ
The fire to refer to his eternal love.
How may Sculptures and Statues be used in Church and other settings
Scenes from the life of Christ may be reproduced for reflection and quiet prayer.
Human beings need visual aids and symbols to help them with this,
transcendent, spiritual, abstract things are difficult to think about on their own.
teach and remind the faithful of certain important doctrines and also of important saints.
They can be used for evangelisation and missionary work, but this is a secondary function.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2501
Arising from talent given from the Creator and man’s
own efforts, art is a form of practical wisdom, uniting
knowledge and skill
The Council of Trent in 1545 and 1563
Council of Trent in 1545 and 1563 reformed the Catholic Church and said
that statues was not idol worship but showing honor to the individual
The 3D can help people make a greater
connection with God to aid prayer and are dedicated to God. When they are old, they should be burned or buried.
Sculptures have to be approved by a Bishop
What are examples of Symbolism and Imagery in Christianity
. The Cross and the Crucifix
. ICTHUS
. Chi-Rho
. Dove
. Eagle
. Alpha and Omega
. Evangelisys
ICTHUS
A secret symbol.
The fish is often used as a symbol in modern life to give a clear indication of Christian belief, e.g. as a bumper sticker.
Chi-Rho
This symbol is not used in worship and devotion today but only in religious decoration in churches.
Dove
Symbol of the Holy Spirit and baptism- see Matt 3:16,Mk 1:10 and a dove brought hope of renewed life to Noah when returning with a leaf from an olive tree after the flood (Gen 8:11).
A dove is frequently used today as a symbol of peace, both by Christians and non-christians.
Eagle
The eagle is a symbol of Jesus’ divine nature. Eagles are symbols in the scripture of the power and speed of God’s message.
Sometimes churches have had carvings or brass sculptures of an eagle on the lectern.
Alpha and Omega
These symbols continue to be used today by the Church to represent the eternity of Christ as part of the Trinity.
The alpha and the omega may appear on church vestments and the Paschal or Easter candle
The Evangelists
Within a church or cathedral there will often be symbols of the evangelists on the lectern or in other decoration around the altar or in stained-glass windows.
Benefits of
Using Art,
Statues
and
Sculptures
Useful for those who are illiterate to have
the stories explained to them
It brings a sense of realism as
people are able to visualize the
Bible stories and remember them.
Art and sculptures decorate a Church and make it more inviting to be in.
Drawbacks
of using Art,
Statues and
Sculptures
Some people see it as idol worship which goes against the 10 commandments
Art and statues caused the
violent iconoclasm in the Church and caused splits in the Church
Art can misguide our undesrtanding of God and the Bible stories, we need to sue the Bible to get an accurate understanding of God
CCC2567
‘a covenant drama’ which engages the heart’
The meaning and significance of mystery plays
In medieval Europe: They helped people learn and remember Bible stories by performing them in their local language.
Pope Innocent III grew suspicious over the growing popularity of these plays so banned clergy from being involved in them in 1210.
Since the 1950s there has been a revival of the mystery plays in England, particularly in places like York and Chester.
The meaning and significance of passion plays
Passion plays give a dramatic performance depicting the Passion of Jesus.
They often include the story from his trial, suffering, and death.
They are now commonly performed at Easter in public spaces such as city centres and town spaces as free, community led performances.
Often they are ecumenical projects, with different Christian churches working and performing together.
Drama in religion
Drama is used to bring a realism to the stories of the Bible.
People can express their beliefs by acting out parts of Scripture which helps them both understand and remember them.
How is drama used to express belief
Those participating in the plays (acting and supporting) can see it as an act of worship, whilst those observing can also see it as a focus of their own prayer and devotion.
A dramatic reconstruction may have a more powerful impact than simply reading/hearing the text on its own.
The local Christian community often work together to stage drama, sharing their beliefs and joining together across denominational divides.
The divergent ways in which drama may be used in church and other settings
Mystery or passion plays do not take place within the Church as part of worship.
However, today the church may be used as a performance space for the plays.
While the faith can be expressed through plays, it is wrong to see drama as just being about this
What are the different types of music in worship
. Hymns
. Plainchant
. Psalms
. Taize
Hymns
A religious song specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration, or prayer. They may link to the readings or theme of the Mass, or Church season, or feast for example ‘O Come, O come, Emmanuel’ in Advent, or ‘Thine be the glory’ at Easter
Plainchant
Gregorian chant is a collection of chants compiled by Pope Gregory the Great- you will often here these chants in monasteries.
It was originally the only type of music allowed in the Church.
Psalms
They were written over a period of 500 years and were first used in the Temple of Jerusalem.
They are found in the Old Testament, and are usually sung with a response between each verse by the congregation.
They are still sung daily by religious orders around the world and all 150 will be sung over the course of a year.
Taize
Short chants of the ecumenical community of Taize in France, some in Latin.
They are calming and express the sense of adoration. This sort of quiet, often repetitive music is used for more meditative worship.
The Catechism encourages Catholics to
make melody to the Lord with all your heart’. (CCC 2641)
‘He who sings prays twice’. (CCC 1156)
Contemporary worship songs and traditional hymns
These have been developed since the 1950s in many different Christian churches with a more folk- or pop- based musical style.
This style is often linked to the charismatic movement (a movement in the church that focused on the outpouring of the Spirit).
The songs are often informal and familiar in their lyrics e.g. Here I am to worship, 10000 Reasons for my heart to sing.
How music can make worship relevant to a Catholic
Music can lift the soul and help Catholics express the joy and love of God necessary for true worship of God, as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2641.
Children enjoy music; it will help them to understand some of the Church’s teachings enabling them to worship from a young age.
St Augustine remarked: “he who sings, prays twice”
