Study of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: Sacrosanctum Concilium (Contd.)
Chapter 3: On the Other Sacraments and Sacramentals: the document makes it clear that the importance of the sacraments and sacramentals in the life of the Church cannot be overemphasized. This is because they sanctify the people, build up the body of Christ, and also give worship to God, and give grace to man.
- The grace from the sacraments and sacramentals enable us to live good lives in communion with God and the Church.
- The difference between the sacraments and sacramentals is that the sacraments are outwards signs of inwards grace, instituted by Christ to give us grace. While the sacramentals are outwards signs instituted by the Church to give us grace.
- Sacramentals include all the sacred objects, blessings, rites, and ceremonies of the Church. They are important but they are however at the service of the sacraments which are greater than the sacramentals.
- The document further encourages the faithful to partake in the sacraments of the Church in order to obtain the graces they bestow.
- It proposes that the RCIA should take a considerable period of time to help the proper learning of the faith; and all the rites are to take place at the appropriate time.
- Children baptized as infants are to be enrolled for post-baptismal catechesis when they are of age, in order that they understand the faith into which they have been baptized.
- Anointing of the sick is not only for those at the point of death but also for those in danger of death. And it can be given more than once.
- Lastly, the document stated that the rites for the celebration of the sacraments be revised.
Chapter 4: On the Divine Office: The divine office is also called the liturgy of the hours or the breviary.
- The Church always tries to enact here on earth, what takes place in heaven so that her faithful can have a foretaste of the heavenly life. Thus, since in heaven the angels and saints are engaged in c continuous praise of God, the praying of the liturgy of the hours is the means through which the Church engages in a continuous praise of God here on earth as is done in heaven.
- It is the official set of prayers of the Church that marks and sanctifies the different canonical hours of the day.
- It comprises the Psalms, canticles, readings, and intercessions, prayed in the morning (Lauds), afternoon (Terce, Sext, and None), evening (Vespers) and night (Compline). And it is compulsory for all clergy and religious in the Church.
- However, the document encourages that the faithful can also partake in praying the divine office, especially the chief hours of morning and evening because the duty of praising God throughout the day is for all God’s faithful.
- It also urges all parishes to celebrate the liturgy of the hours, especially the vespers, on Sunday evenings.