Participation in the Liturgy
A RIGHT AND DUTY
When the Church gathers to celebrate the Sacred Liturgy, they gather in a variety of ministries and roles. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council tells us that participation in the liturgy is the right and duty of all the baptized. Each time we gather to worship, we do so because our baptism demands this of us.
THE ORDAINED
Bishops and priests are privileged to act in the liturgy in the very person of Christ on behalf of his people, pronouncing the most sacred prayers of our faith and presiding over the celebration of the sacred mysteries. Others, by God’s grace, are ordained to the ministry of deacon who proclaim the Gospel and assist the bishop and priest in exercising their sacred duties.
THE LAITY
In addition to the ordained ministries, there are roles in the liturgy which are exercised by lay people who place their time and talent at the service of the liturgical assembly as altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, cantors, choir members, musicians, greeters, and ushers. Others contribute their time and talent to planning and organizing the liturgy; to keeping the church and the vestments, vessels and appointments clean and well-ordered; or to providing decorations that reflect the spirit of the liturgical feast or season.
PREPARED TO SERVE
Those engaged in liturgical roles need to be well-prepared for those roles and to know how to carry them out with reverence, dignity, and understanding. Proper preparation requires a further gift of time on the part of the person being prepared, as well as on the part of those in the parish responsible for the training of
liturgical ministers. Finally, the practical task of assigning individuals to particular Masses and organizing the distribution of roles is another indispensable element in the fabric of well-ordered liturgical ministry in a parish.
ACCEPTING THE CALL
All the baptized need to understand that part of their duty regarding liturgy is to accept some responsibility for the liturgy, and to place themselves and their God-given talents at the service of the liturgical community whenever possible. Whether one brings up the gifts at the Presentation, reads the Word of God, assists with the distribution of Communion, brings the Eucharist to those unable to be present at Mass, serves at the altar, provides music, or serves the assembled community as a greeter or usher, he or she is contributing to the worship of the community and fulfilling the responsibility that comes with Baptism.
ALL OF US
Even if we are not serving in these specific roles, the Sacred Liturgy doesn’t merely happen around us. The liturgy is not only our right, it is our duty. It is a responsibility that includes full, conscious, and active participation and engagement throughout the liturgical celebration. The baptized faithful who form the congregation are called to join in praise and thanksgiving in song and spoken word; to listen attentively to God’s Word; and to offer prayer for the Church, the world, and all in need. In the Sacred Liturgy, they join their prayer to that of the priest celebrant, offering Christ the Victim, not only through the hands of the priest, but also together with him, and offering themselves as well. Their participation culminates in the reception of the Body and Blood of the Lord, the sacrament which unites them more fully with Christ, their Head, and with one another.