Rituals are a significant part of society and culture. They can take place in many forms, are practised by many religions and are studied by a variety of people. Rituals give participants an opportunity to move beyond the ordinary and to connect with other members of the community. Mass is an important ritual for the Catholic religion and is the central act of worship in the life of a catholic. The Mount Alvernia College opening mass was one of importance which strongly reflects the ethos and beliefs of the founders of the college, the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Although it is a Catholic mass, it differs from many other Catholic masses. This can be seen throughout, with the symbols, structure and location of …show more content…
A ritual can be anything from, waking up in the morning and having a shower to the much deeper spiritual ritual of mass. Rituals use significant symbols to portray their messages across to the audience, the Mount Alvernia Opening mass was no different. Throughout most Catholic rituals candles are used to bring God to us and to shine a light onto us. A difference from the opening mass to just a regular catholic mass is the fact that we at Mount Alvernia use our college and house candles. The college candle is lit as a symbol of Christ calling us to be one with God. Another symbol present in the mass was the San Damiano Cross. This cross shows the resurrected Christ and is a sacred Franciscan symbol. The San Damiano Cross is the in one which St. Francis was praying before when he received the commission from the Lord to rebuild the Church. This symbol is one of great importance to the Missionary Fransican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The use of the San Damiano Cross a Franciscan symbol, differs this mass from the usual catholic …show more content…
The structure of a Catholic mass is constructed in stages. These are the Introductory Rites (entry), the Liturgy of the Word (preparation), the Liturgy of the Eucharist (climax), the Concluding rite (celebration) and the dismissal (return). The Introductory Rite begins with the entrance procession in which the first of four mains hymns are sung. The procession leads with the altar cross, this is then followed by the candles, the book of the gospels and finally the priest. This was no different from the opening mass at Mount Alvernia. The Introductory rites are then followed by the Liturgy of the Word. This section of the mass was where the first reading is recited, this was john 1:5-7. The Liturgy of the Word also includes the Gospel readings and the Homily, which this year focused on light, and being a light for the world. The Liturgy of the Eucharist followed shortly after, this section of the mass includes the preparation of the gifts and the giving and receiving of the gifts. The Concluding Rites then followed, this is where Father Stephen Bliss blessed the community and said the closing prayers. The mount Alvernia College mass follows the structure of a normal catholic mass, but adapts on the structure to make it Franciscan. An example of an adaptation to the mass was the Franciscan creed. Father Stephen