INTRODUCTION to

LITURGY
Course Details
This course is an introduction to
liturgy, history and pastoral practice
of Christian liturgy. As central to the
life of the Christian person, liturgy
engages the heart, body and soul in
praise, thanks and worship of God as
Trinity. In this course, students will
study the ritual and symbolic meaning
of liturgy, its structural elements and
its importance to Christian worship
and life.
General Course Objectives
• Define liturgy and its importance to
Christian worship
• Identify the major ritual elements
of liturgies prevalent in the Church
• Understand the importance of
hospitality and the communal
dimensions of worship
• Describe how liturgy is both the
source and summit of the Christian
life
Course Outline
I. Sacred Liturgy
1. Introduction
2. What Is The Liturgy?
3. The Liturgy: A Work of the Blessed
Trinity
4. The Liturgy: A Work of God the
Father
5. The Liturgy: An Action of Christ the
Priest
a. The Paschal Mystery of
Christ Becomes Present in the Liturgy
• 6. The Liturgy: An Action of the Holy Spirit
a. The Holy Spirit Prepares The Church
To Receive The Life Of The Risen Christ.

b. The Holy Spirit Manifests The

Mystery Of Christ, Eliciting The Faith Of
The Believers.

c. Through His Own Transforming Power,

The Holy Spirit Makes Present and
Brings about the Work of Christ’s
Salvation.

d. The Holy Spirit Unites The Church To

The Life And Mission Of Christ.
7. The Liturgy: A Sanctifying
Reality

8. The Liturgy: A Sacramental

Reality

9. The Liturgy: A Didactic Reality

 II. Who Celebrates?
10. The Celebrants of the
Sacramental Liturgy
11. Sacred Liturgy and the Laws
of the Church
12. History of the Liturgy

a. Formation of the Liturgy in

Apostolic Times
b. A Second Century Mass
c. The Third Century: The Anaphora’s
Of St. Hippolytus
d. The Fourth Century: Two Liturgical
Traditions
e. Development of the Roman Liturgy

13. The Rites or Liturgical Traditions

III. When to Celebrate
14. Liturgical Time
15.The Lord’s Day
The Liturgical Year
a. Advent
b. Christmas Season
c. Lent
d. The Easter Triduum
e. Easter Season
f. Ordinary Time
17.Celebration Of The Saints

18. The Divine Office (Liturgy of

the Hours)
IV. Where to Celebrate
19. The Place of the Celebration
V. How to Celebrate
20. Signs and Symbols
21. Words, Actions and Elements
a. Sacred Vessels and
Liturgical Items
b. Priestly Vestments
c. Colors of the Liturgical
Vestments
22. Songs and Music

23. Sacred Images

Bibliography
Belmonte, Charles, ed. Faith Seeking
Understanding: A complete Course in Theology.
Vol.1 Metro Manila, Philippines: Studium
Theologiae Foundation, Inc., 2006
 
Chupungco, Anscar, ed. Handbook for Liturgical
Studies: Introduction to the Liturgy. Vol. 1
USA: Liturgical Press, 1999.
Chupungco, Anscar. What, Then, is Liturgy?
Musings and Memoir. Quezon City, Philippines:
Claretian Publications, 2010.

Lang, Jovian. Dictionary of the Liturgy. New

York: Catholic Book Publishing Co. 1989.
 
Ratzinger, Joseph. The Spirit of the Liturgy. USA:
Ignatius Press, 2000.