GE 1- UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

NAME: MIRELY O. BATACAN

ACTIVITY 10.1: Exploring Religious Rituals

Rituals are an important aspect of religion because they allow believers to express and reaffirm
their belief systems.
There is so many rituals in our religion, which is Roman Catholic. Many practices of Catholicism
relate to the seven sacraments. All sacraments are channels of receiving the grace of God. The
sacraments are categorized into the sacrament of Initiation (baptism, the Eucharist, and confirmation),
the sacraments of Healing (reconciliation and anointing of the sick) and the Sacraments of Vocational
Consecration (matrimony and ordination). Each sacrament contains both a visible ritual and an invisible,
spiritual components that connects the receiver to God. Some sacraments are recieved once, while
others require active and ongoing participation.
The point of entry into the world of Catholic ritual is the Mass, the main worship ceremony of
the Church. The Mass is highly structured, with four sections: the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the
Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the Concluding Rites. During the Introductory Rites, the priest
and others who will serve as his helpers for the Mass enter the sanctuary, where believers are already
gathered; opening prayers are spoken, believers are called upon to remember their sins, and the glory of
God is praised. In the Concluding Rite, the people are blessed and sent back into the world renewed by
their experience of God's presence in the Mass.
The most popular among these rituals is the baptism, it is the ritual prayer- action through
which a person member of the Christian community, or the church becomes a member of the Christian
community or the church. The Eucharist, or Holy Communion is another sacrament of initiation and can
be received daily if desired, it is the central of Catholic worship.
Confirmation is the third sacrament of initiation and serves to "confirm" a baptized person in
their faith. The rite of confirmation can occur as early as age 7 for children who were baptized as infants
but is commonly received around age 13; it is performed immediately after baptism for adult converts. A
bishop or priest normally performs the rite, which includes the laying on of hands in prayer and blessing
and the anointing of the forehead with chrism (holy oil) with the words, ”Be sealed with the gifts of the
Holy Spirit.” In so "sealing" that person as a member of the church, the outward rite of confirmation
signifies the inner presence of the Holy Spirit, who is believed to provide the strength to live out a life of
faith. At confirmation a Catholic may symbolically take the name of a saint to be his or her patron
Also known as Confession or Penance, the sacrament of Reconciliation is seen as an
opportunity for renewal and can be done as often as needed. Some Catholics participate weekly before
receiving the Eucharist, whereas others may seek the sacrament only during the penitential seasons of
Lent or Advent. Reconciliation is a means of obtaining pardon from God for sins for which the sinner is
truly remorseful, and brings the sinner back into communion with God and the Church. The sacrament is
an opportunity for self-reflection and requires that the person take full responsibility for his or her sins,
both those in thought and in action. During the rite, sins are recounted privately to a priest, who is seen
as a healer aiding the process, and the priest commonly assigns acts of penance, such as specific prayers
or acts of restitution, to complete in the following days. A prayer of contrition is offered at the end of the
confession, and the newly absolved Catholic is urged to refrain from repeating those sins.
Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Extreme Unction, is a sacrament that is administered
to give strength and comfort to the ill and to mystically unite their suffering with that of Christ during his
Passion and death. This sacrament can be given to those who are afflicted with serious illness or injury,
those who are awaiting surgery, the weakened elderly, or to ill children who are old enough to
understand its significance. A person can receive the sacrament as many times as needed throughout
their life, and a person with a chronic illness might be anointed again if the disease worsens. The rite can
be performed in a home or hospital by a priest, who prays over the person and anoints their head and
hands with chrism (holy oil). The priest may also administer the sacrament of the Eucharist if the person
has been unable to receive it and can hear a confession if so desired. If a person is at the point of death,
the priest also administers a special Apostolic blessing in what is known as the Last Rites.
Marriage, bride and groom having communion with priest on knees at wedding ceremony in
church marriage. In Catholicism marriage is a sacrament that a baptized man and a baptized woman
administer to each other through their marriage vows and lifelong partnership. Given that to a Catholic
sacramental marriage reflects the union of Christ with the church as his mystical body, marriage is
understood to be an indissoluble union. The rite commonly takes place during a mass, with a priest
serving as the minister of the mass and as a witness to the mutual consent of the couple. The marriage
union is used to sanctify both the husband and wife by drawing them into a deeper understanding of
God’s love and is intended to be fruitful, with any children to be raised within the teachings of the
church.
Ordination, or Holy Orders, is a sacrament that is available only to men who are being ordained
as deacons, priests, or bishops. As with Baptism and Confirmation, the sacrament is said to convey a
special indelible “character” on the soul of the recipient. During the rite, which typically occurs during a
special Sunday mass, a prayer and blessing is offered as a bishop lays his hands on the head of the man
being ordained. In the case of the ordination of priests and bishops, this act confers the sacramental
power to ordain (for bishops), baptize, confirm, witness marriages, absolve sins, and consecrate the
Eucharist. Deacons can baptize, witness marriages, preach, and assist during the mass, but they cannot
consecrate the Eucharist or hear confessions. With the exception of married deacons, an order restored
by the Second Vatican Council, all ordained men are to be celibate.
Sacred Time, the Mysteries of Christ's life are celebrated via a liturgical calendar throughout
the year. The two greatest feasts celebrate Christ's Resurrection (Easter) and God's Incarnation
(Christmas). Sacred Space, Cathedrals of great artistry and more modest churches serve as worship
spaces for Roman Catholics, who believe that all the earth is holy as God's handiwork and the place of
God's Incarnation in Jesus Christ. Rites and Ceremonies, Roman Catholic worship is centered around the
Sacrament of the Eucharist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Seven sacraments serve as efficacious
outward signs of sanctifying grace for believers. Worship and Devotion in Daily Life,Catholic life is full of
prayer and the use of sacramentals that prepare the Catholic to receive grace, such as the rosary, the
wearing of medals, and the giving of blessings. Symbolism, Roman Catholic rituals and sacred spaces are
filled with symbols pointing to the sacrificial life of Christ crucified, the example of the saints, the
liturgical seasons, etc.
During the rituals, sins are privately recounted to a priest, who acts as an administrator in the
reconciliation between God and the sinner. It is an opportunity for self- reflection and to take
responsibility for one's action. Some Catholics may participate in the sacrament based on personal
preference.
To conclude, ritual in the Catholic faith is essential as it provides stability, communication
between God and participants and overall enhancement of religious life. Rituals such as Baptism,
Confirmation, Communion, Marriage, Eucharist and Reconciliation are crucial to the Catholic relationship
with God throughout the stages of life.