A REVIEW ON THE CHURCH’S TEACHING ON THE NEW LITURGY ABOUT THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST.

THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST The church holds the liturgy in high esteem as the source and summit of its life. Hence, the worthy celebration of the liturgy (Holy Eucharist) is the source of strength and efficacy in the work of evangelization. The church’s teachings are anchored on the event of the Last supper when Christ Jesus entrusted to her (the church) his beloved bride , the memorial of his death and resurrection through his institution of the Eucharistic sacrifice of his body and blood, by which he would perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout all ages until he should come again. The church’s teaching on the above subject forms the basis of this review.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD The liturgy of the word forms a part of the Eucharistic celebration and as such the church teaches that through the readings from the sacred scripture during the Eucharistic celebration, God opens to his people the mystery of salvation and offers them spiritual nourishment. Christ himself is present in the midst of his people through his word. Great reverence should be shown to the readings of the gospel by the minister appointed to proclaim it who gets himself ready by a prayer or blessing or on the part of the faithful who stands as they listen to it being read and through their acclamation, acknowledge and confess Christ speaking to them. Hence it should promote recollection and meditation.

SINGING The church teaches that the singing of hymns and psalms should not be absent in the celebration of the holy Eucharist especially on Sundays and on holy days of obligation. Different types of sacred music like the polyphony which corresponds to the spirit of the liturgical action should be part of the Eucharistic celebration so as to foster devout participation of all the faithful.