places

246. What are the privileged places inside sacred buildings?
1182-1186
They are: the altar, the tabernacle, the place where the sacred Chrism and other holy oils are kept, the chair of the bishop (cathedra) or the chair of the priest, the ambo(pulpit), the baptismal font, and the confessional.

sacred buildings

245. What are sacred buildings?
1181
1198-1199
They are the houses of God, a symbol of the Church that lives in that place as well as of the heavenly Jerusalem. Above all they are places of prayer in which the Church celebrates the Eucharist and worships Christ who is truly present in the tabernacle.

temples

Where is the liturgy celebrated?

244. Does the Church need places in order to celebrate the liturgy?
1179-1181
1197-1198
The worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24) of the New Covenant is not tied exclusively to any place because Christ is the true temple of God. Through him Christians and the whole Church become temples of the living God by the action of the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, the people of God in their earthly condition need places in which the community can gather to celebrate the liturgy.

Liturgy of the Hours

243. What is the Liturgy of the Hours?
1174-1178
1196
The Liturgy of the Hours, which is the public and common prayer of the Church, is the prayer of Christ with his body, the Church. Through the Liturgy of the Hours the mystery of Christ, which we celebrate in the Eucharist, sanctifies and transforms the whole of each day. It is composed mainly of psalms, other biblical texts, and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters.

year

242. What is the function of the liturgical year?
1168-1173
1194-1195
In the liturgical year the Church celebrates the whole mystery of Christ from his Incarnation to his return in glory. On set days the Church venerates with Special love the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. The Church keeps the memorials Also of saints who lived for Christ, who Suffered With Him, With Him and who live in glory.

Sunday

When is the liturgy celebrated?

241. What is the center of the liturgical season?
1163-1167
1193
The center of the liturgical season is Sunday which is the foundation and kernel of the entire liturgical year and has its culmination in the annual celebration of Easter, the feast of feasts.

image

240. What is the purpose of holy images?
1159-1161
1192
The image of Christ is the liturgical icon par excellence. Other images, representations of Our Lady and of the Saints, signify Christ who is glorified in them. They proclaim the same Gospel message that Sacred Scripture communicates by the word and they help to awaken and nourish the faith of believers.