Foundations for LiturgyCourse Level: Basic

In this course, students will be able to explain the basic parts of the Mass including prayers, the three components of a church building, and, the basic signs, symbols and rituals in liturgy that help us understand how God communicates with us.

Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's. Click here for more information about CEU's.

• To be familiar with the basic signs, symbols and rituals in liturgy that help us understand how God communicates with us.
• To understand the basic prayers of the Church, the structure of the Mass and the basic postures we utilize in prayer.
• To learn about how the Church structures its liturgical seasons as well as the liturgical and private prayers used to communicate with God.
• To know and identify the basic parts of a church building.
• To understand how God is present to us at Mass through the Body and Blood of Christ, the scriptures proclaimed, the presider of the service and the worshipping assembly.

• No books required. All readings are online.

• Week 1: Signs, Symbols, and Rituals
  • To understand the basic signs, symbols and rituals of our faith.
  • To identify the three basic prayers of the Church (the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be).
  • To learn and teach these prayers with the people we serve (specifically through the rosary).
  • This week, we offer presentations on the basic signs, symbols and rituals that we use in our secular and liturgical life.
  • We also will focus on the three basic prayers of the Church (the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory Be) as well as the way we can learn and teach these prayers with the people we serve (specifically through the rosary).
  • Learning the prayers through REPETITION (especially by praying the rosary!) So, by praying the rosary over and over, you can learn and teach the three basic prayers of the church!
• Week 2: The Liturgical Year
  • To understand the difference between liturgical and private prayer/devotion.
  • To understand how Christ instituted liturgical prayer as the way that he directs us to pray and live together as a community of believers.
  • To recognize that private prayer builds one's individual relationship with God and that liturgical prayer is the manner in which Christ brings all of us together to pray as a community.
• Week 3: A Tour of the Church
  • To identify the three basic "parts" that make up a typical church building: the Narthex, the Nave and the Sanctuary.
  • To understand the symbolism and importance that each part of the church conveys.
  • To become acquainted with the terms used to describe the parts of the church building, and apply these for personal growth and for teaching purposes.
• Week 4: The Eucharist and Prayer Postures
  • To appreciate the presence of God in the Eucharist
  • To understand the difference between the substance of the "changed" host and its "accident" or "appearance"
  • To be familiar with the manner in which we show reverence in our prayer life through sitting, standing, kneeling and prostrating.
• Week 5: The Liturgy of the Word and Eucharist
  • To analyze the four parts of the Mass: the two major parts (Liturgy of the Word & Eucharist) and the two parts that "bookend" the liturgies (The Introductory and Concluding Rite).
  • To understand the importance of how Christ is present in the Mass through the presider, the community of worshippers, the scriptures and the Eucharist.
  • To understand how the theme of the first reading and gospel are often interconnected.
  • To learn that to pray together is like speaking to God "as one voice."