Other Liturgical Celebrations

Pillar Focus Other: Other Liturgical Celebrations

This chapter comes right after the part of the Catechism which explains each of the Seven Sacraments (the primary liturgical celebrations). Since it's a short chapter, the Compendium version is presented here in its entirety.

THE SACRAMENTALS

Single-decade Rosary

What are the sacramentals?

St. Benedict Medal

These are sacred signs instituted by the Church to sanctify different circumstances of life. They include a prayer accompanied by the sign of the cross and other signs. Among the sacramentals which occupy an important place are: blessings, which are the praise of God and a prayer to obtain his gifts, the consecration of persons and the dedication of things for the worship of God (CCCC 351).

What is an exorcism?
When the Church asks with its authority in the name of Jesus that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called an exorcism. This is done in ordinary form in the rite of Baptism. A solemn exorcism, called a major exorcism, can be performed only by a priest authorized by the bishop (CCCC 352).

What forms of popular piety accompany the sacramental life of the Church?
The religious sense of the Christian people has always found expression in the various forms of piety which accompany the sacramental life of the Church such as the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, processions, the stations of the cross and the rosary. The Church sheds the light of faith upon and fosters authentic forms of popular piety (CCCC 353).

CHRISTIAN FUNERALS

What is the relationship between the sacraments and the death of a Christian?

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The Christian who dies in Christ reaches at the end of his earthly existence the fulfillment of that new life which was begun in Baptism, strengthened in Confirmation, and nourished in the Eucharist, the foretaste of the heavenly banquet. The meaning of the death of a Christian becomes clear in the light of the death and Resurrection of Christ our only hope. The Christian who dies in Christ Jesus goes “away from the body to be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8) (CCCC 354).

What do funeral rites express?
Although celebrated in different rites in keeping with the situations and traditions of various regions, funerals express the paschal character of Christian death in hope of the resurrection. They also manifest the meaning of communion with the departed particularly through prayer for the purification of their souls (CCCC 355).

What are the main moments in funerals?
Usually, funeral rites consist of four principal parts: welcoming the body of the deceased by the community with words of comfort and hope, the liturgy of the Word, the Eucharistic Sacrifice, and the farewell in which the soul of the departed is entrusted to God, the Source of eternal life, while the body is buried in the hope of the resurrection (CCCC 356).

Further Reading
Introduction to Sacramentals (fisheaters.com)
Sacramentals: What are they? (ewtn.com)
The Holy Rosary

Read the Catechism
Sacramentals
   In Brief
Christain Funerals
   I. The Christian's Last Passover
   II. The Celebration of Funerals