Hindu Catholic Dialogue Commemorative Brochure 20150523

Author(s): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Publisher: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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the second century B.C. The works that comprise the New Testament were composed from the 50s of the first century A.D. to the first decade of the second century A.D.
E. WORSHIP
El. Describe a typical worship ceremony. The Eucharist, also referred to as the Mass, is a daily form of worship in which the faithful gather around an ordained priest-celebrant who leads the prayers, comments on Biblical readings, and offers the bread and wine that become the Body and Blood of Christ (Holy Communion). Attendance at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation is a basic obligation of the Catholic faithful. In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, a considerable amount of cultural adaptation, particularly in architecture, vestments, and music, is allowed. In the Byzantine Rite of the Catholic Church, the cultural traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Slavic civilizations are carefully preserved. Other worship services include Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, funerals, and other special ceremonies in which the sacraments are conferred, such as matrimony.
E2. Is worship mainly in a communal forum or private? Catholic worship includes both public liturgical rites and personal prayer. Public liturgical prayer, such as the Eucharist or Morning and Evening Prayer, is the clearest expression of the communal character of Catholic belief. Personal prayer is encouraged in a variety of forms, such as: the recitation of the rosary (often done publically) which involves meditation on the events in the life of Jesus and Mary; the Way of the Cross, which involves meditation on the suffering and death of Christ; mental prayer or meditation, which involves reflection on the great events and themes of Christian faith followed by personal spontaneous prayer and contemplative silence; Lectio Divina, which involves the prayerful and attentive reading of the Bible; Eucharistic Adoration (also done in groups) which involves silent meditation on the Presence of Jesus Christ in the reserved Eucharistic bread kept in every Catholic church.
E3. What are the main religious symbols and what do they signify? The cross, particularly ones showing Christ crucified, is the most typical religious symbol found in Catholic churches and homes. It represents the suffering and death of Jesus Christ by which He redeemed the world from sin and offered the graces that enable human beings to be saved. The church building itself is a sacred symbol representing the summary of all the prayers and acts of worship that the Catholic Church makes available for the spiritual benefit of the faithful. A great variety of symbols can be found in church decoration, each of which
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HINDU - CATHOLIC DIALOGUE