[GCSE] Catholic Christianity - Forms of expression and ways of life Flashcards
FINISHED (45 cards)
1
Q
Give the common features of design within Catholic Churches.
A
- An entrance area: porch/narthex, to greet worshippers
- A gathering area: nave
- A special area for priests & servers at the altar: sanctuary
- Side Chapel: the Lady Chapel to honour (but not worship) the Virgin Mary
2
Q
Give common features within the decoration of Catholic Churches.
A
- Statues
- Paintings
- Icons
- Banners
- Stained-glass windows
3
Q
Give some divergent forms of architecture, design and decoration.
A
- In the Middle Ages there wre rood screens separating the sanctuary from the nave.
- In Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, the rood screen is now an iconastasis
Often the architecture of churches depend on the time.
- Westminster Cathedral is Neo-Byzantine and so built with bricks, reflecting the late Victorian era when it was built.
- Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral has a modern style, reflecting that it was built in the 1960s
- All Catholic Churches have a sanctuary with an altar, the tabernacle, the nave and usually a Lady Chapel.
An iconastasis is a screen decorated with icons.
4
Q
How is belief reflected in the architecture, design and decoration of Catholic Churches?
A
- The sanctuary is a reminder that God is holy (echoes the Holy of Holies)
- Priests and ministers coming down from the sanctuary to the nave represents God’s movement to humanity and especially his coming in Jesus as incarnation
- The building is blessed and the consecrated hosts are kept in there in the tabernacle
- Using the term nave suggests the worshippers are in Christ’s boat, being steered by him and on a journey to heaven
“For the Body of the risen Christ is the spiritual temple from which the source of living water springs forth”
5
Q
How is/does the architecture, design and decoration of Catholic Churches used in/contribute to worship?
A
- The layout of a church building reminds worshippers that there is an otherness in God but that God comes among them
- Great reverence is shown to the altar
- The priest and ministers bring the eucharist down to the nave area; God is other and comes among the people
- The building being consecrated containing the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle has a holy quality of awe, quiet and prayerfullness for Catholics who enter it
“A church is a ‘house of prayer’ in which the Eucharist is celebrated and reserved, where the faithful assemble”
6
Q
What is the meaning and significance of the lectern?
A
- It is a raised stand where the Bible is read from
- The Bible contains the gospels which is considered to be the most important part of it as they contain the words and deeds of Jesus.
- The Gospels are placed on the lectern as they are raised up and special.
7
Q
What is the meaning and significance of the altar?
A
- The altar is made of consecrated stone.
- It is an altar of sacrifice and a table of sharing
- The sacrifice is the offering of all prayers and praises made by worshippers and that of the crucifixion
“On the altar, which is the centre of the church, the sacrifice of the Cross is made present under sacramental signs. The alatar is the table of the Lord, to which the People of God are invited”
8
Q
What is the meaning and significance of the crucifix?
A
- It is a symbol of love and unjust suffering for innocent people
- It is a sign God entered his creation as Jesus and shared in the suffering and darkness in life
- Catholic Churches always have a crucifix to remind themselves of the sacrifice made
9
Q
What is the meaning and significance of the tabernacle?
A
- It is a container for consecrated hosts
- The hosts are the eucharist
- Catholics believe there is a holy and special presence in a church that keeps the hosts in the tabernacle
- Catholics often sit and pray before the tabernacle, sensing God is with them
10
Q
How do the internal features of a Catholic Church express the importance of redemption?
A
- The focus on the altar and the cross at the centre of the sanctuary area and the focal point of the church building remind the worshipper that the Catholic faith is about redemption
- Without Jesus’ sacrifice, original sin wouldn’tve been forgiven and humanity wouldn’tve been redeemed.
- There is often a place to pay penance within a Catholic Church, “A church must also be a space that invites us to the recollection and silent prayer that extend and internalise the great prayer of the Eucharist”
11
Q
How do the internal features of a Catholic church facilitate Catholic worship?
A
- Catholics pray before the tabernacle or before an icon
- They pray at stations of the cross
- Scriptures are read from the lectern, so the Word of God is proclaimed from there for Catholics
- The altar is a place for offering and the altar is given special reverence as this place of offering is approached with care. It is at the front of any Catholic Church
12
Q
What is the meaning and significance of sacred vessels?
A
“All the signs in the liturgical celebrations are related to Christ”
- Vessels are used for the eucharist in respect of the sacred objects within them
- A paten is used to hold the host (bread)
- A ciborium holds the people’s host
- A chalice holds the wine and water
- Holy water is blessed water kept on a stoup on the wall.
- Holy water is a reminder of baptism and the washing clean from sin through the cross of Christ
- It’s also a reminder of eternal life due to that gift being promised in baptism
13
Q
What is the meaning and significance of sarcophagi?
A
- A sarcophagus is a stone container for bones
- They were often decorated with various symbols and scenes from the person’s life or biblical scenes
- They’re only found in older churches and monasteries
- They show respect for the bones of the dead within.
- If a saint lies within, prayers will be said beside the sarcophagus and candles lit.
Only found in older churches and monasteries.
14
Q
What is the meaning and significance of hunger cloths?
A
- Used during Lent to depict scenes from the life of Christ, hung over the rood screen
- The scenes were often from the Gospels, reminding people of Christ’s suffering and love for them
15
Q
How are sacred objects used to express belief?
A
- The resurrection and the incarnation use white and gold: holy, special, glorious and joyful
- Martyrs have red for their shed blood
- Advent and Lent use purple: sorrow, penitence
- Creation, no special festivals (ordinary time) use green
- Special vestments for priests show they’re performing a sacred role and are celebrating the mysteries of the Mass
16
Q
Give some divergent ways sacred objects may be used in the church and other settings.
A
- Chalice and Paten used to consecrate and distribute Holy Communion
- Holy images, crosses and crucifixes will be used in private devotions and prayer; at church or at home
- Votive candles lit as prayer is offered
- Hunger cloths remind Catholics of Christ’s offering
17
Q
What is the meaning and significance of the Icon of Christ, St Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai?
A
- Its very realistic style helps worshippers recongise that Jesus was God made human
- Images of Christ like the Icon were made to honour him and help people worship
- Images like this one were precious images that were blessed and helped people to be close to God
- For Catholics, God entered creation and the images help worshippers to remember that
18
Q
What is the meaning and significance of Fresco by Giotto of St Francis of Assisi?
A
- It contains birds to show his great love for nature; one that every good Catholic should have as they’re given dominion
- St Francis of Assisi saw birdsong as praising the creator
- He has a golden halo to show the sanctity, holy quality of his life and God’s presence within him
- The fresco shows that being a saint is refreshing but not easy. They upset social conventions and suprise people (notice the nervous person watching him)
19
Q
Give the Catholic Catechism regarding sacred art.
A
“Sacred art is true and beautiful when its form corresponds to its particular vocation: evoking and glorifying, in faith and adoration, the trascendent mystery of God”
20
Q
Give some divergent ways Catholic art is used to express belief by artists and art observers.
A
- For Catholics, holy images of Christ, the saints and the angels who are alive in the glory of heaven, praying for the world are very important
- Some are uneasy with imagery use in Catholic churches, as it may cause idolatry which is in direct contradiction with the Ten Commandments
- So, Catholics can and do depict Icons but do not and can not try to make pictures of God as a transcendent spirit, beyond human forms as they don’t know.
- Catholics believe that holy images show human beings glorified, full of the Holy Spirit and shining with interior light
21
Q
Give divergenty ways paintings, frescos and drawings may be used in church and other settings.
A
- Individual believers will typically have prayer cards with holy images
- Holy images, pictures and/or statues will be kept at home
22
Q
What is the meaning and significance of sacred statues?
A
- “Created ‘in the image of God’, man also expresses the truth of his relationship with God the Creator by the beauty of his artistic work”
- Some statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary are based on apparitions of the Virgin Mary.
- Shrines are at the Our Lady of Walsingham statue and at the Our Lady of Lourdes statue. They are claimed to have answered prayer and healings.
- Statues are respected and honoured for what they represent, just like icons and other paintings.
- They aren’t worshipped, but blessed in the name of the Trinity and can become a focus for prayer.
23
Q
What is the meaning and significance of sacred sculptures?
Michealangelo’s Pieta.
A
- Michaelangelo’s Pieta rests in the Basilica of St Peter in Rome.
- It depicts Mary sitting on the rock of Golgotha cradling her dead son as he is taken from the cross
- Christ’s face is serene and resigned; a saviour
- Mary is young, and quietly mournful; she’s too young to be a mother.
- Her youthfulness may be a sign of her holiness and highlights that she is her son’s daughter as much as he is her son. He is her creator and redeemer.
- In this way, sculptures represent key moments and beliefs with Christianity.
24
Q
How are sculptures and statues used to express belief by the artist and the art’s observers?
A
- Sculptures and statues are expressions of the Catholic faith.
- Visual images are useful in spreading and teaching the faith, for example about the saints
- They are also useful as a tool for personal prayer
25
How may sculptures and statues be used in church and other settings?
- Scenes from the life of Christ may be reproduced for reflection and quiet prayer
- Visual aids and symbols help humans understand transcendent, spiritual and abstract things with Christianity
- Holy images are often used for personal prayer and to teach and remind the faighful of certain important doctrines and also of important saints.
26
What is the purpose and use of symbolism within the cross?
- A reminder that Jesus died on the cross
- Can also speak of divine love and forgiveness
- Crosses are present clearly in every Catholic church
- Believers make the sign of the cross as they begin to pray
27
What is the purpose and use of symbolism within the crucifix?
- Reminds people of the Passion of Christ (symbolic of his death for the sins of the world)
- It is are the forefront of a church and individuals may have it on home or as a necklace to remind themselves
28
What is the purpose and use of symbolism within the fish.
- Some of Jesus' first disciples were fishermen.
- 'Ichthus' was a secret code for the early Christians as the word is formed from the first letters of 'Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour' in Greek.
- It is a secret sign that works as a symbol, poitning to deeper truths of Christ as a saviour
29
What is the purpose and use of symbolism within the Chi-Rho?
- Made from the first two letters of Christ in Greek.
- It was a secret sign for when Christians were persecuted in ancient Rome
- It isn't used in worship and devotion today but only in religious decoration in churches.
30
What is the purpose and use of symbolism within the dove?
- Symbolises the Holy Spirit
- At Jesus' baptism, the spirit comes down on him like a dove:
"The Spirit comes down and remains in the purified hearts of the baptised"
31
What is the purpose and use of symbolism within the eagle?
A symbol of the power and speed of God's message.
32
What is the purpose and use of symbolism within the alpha and the omega?
- Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega; the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet
- Jesus is the first and the last
- The alpha and the omega are always on the Paschal or Easter candle, which is lit on Holy Saturday in the evening
33
What are the symbols of the four evagelists and what are their purposes and uses?
- Matthew's Gospel: Winged man - The wings on Jesus and all the others suggest he is a messenger spreading the Gospel
- Mark's Gospel: Winged lion - Shows Jesus as courageous and miracle-working. He rises again to heaven, strong and victorious.
- Luke's Gospel: Winged ox - Stresses the sacrifice of Jesus (oxen were sacrificed in the ancient world)
- John's Gospel: Eagle - Jesus is heavenly, the Word of God made man, The eagle soars high, suggesting divinity.
34
How is religious symbolism used to express belief?
- Symbols can suggest a number of ideas and feelings, communicating a core belief
- Core beliefs include Jesus dying to save the world, life and light residing in resurrection
35
Give some divergent ways religious symbolism may be used in church and other settings.
- Symbols convey mystery and the Catholic faith celebrates the holy mysteries, meeting God through sacraments and material things
- Light speaks of God's mystery and presence in flickering candles
- Touch is important for human beings to feel loved, wanted and included. For Catholics, God has touched the world in Christ, rather than being separate from it.
36
What is the meaning and significance of mystery plays?
- "As God gradually reveals himself and reveals man to himself, prayer appears as a ... call, a ... drama. Through words and actions, this drama engages the heart."
- Mystery plays told people about Christ's resurrection and gave hope not only of life after death, but of forgiveness after people died if people responded to God's love
- They focus on the great stories of the Bible
37
What is the meaning and significance of passion plays?
- Passion plays detail the story of Jesus' journey to the cross, his 'passion'.
- They include community surrounding the church.
- For example, in Germany 1984, around half a village took part within a play, which was about 2000 people.
- They convey the message of salvation and forgiveness.
38
How is drama used to express belief?
Just as Catholic worship involes standing, kneeling, raised hands, the sign of the cross, processions and walking up to receive communion; special acted-out plays are an extension of physical expression of faith.
Catholic message is proclaimed through drama.
39
Give some divergent ways drama may be used in church and other settings.
- Each Mass can be considered a drama; the retlling and memorial of Christ's sacrifice and Last Supper in the eucharistic prayer are alike to the things worshippers see on stage in front of them
- The Gospel of the Passion is broken down into many voices for different characters
- Veneration of the cross (people filing up to kiss the cross on good friday)
- Feet washing on Holy Thursday
- Mass bells are rung
- All of these actions and physical symbols remind people of their belief in the incarnation of God in Christ.
40
What is the nature and use of hymns?
- Hymns are a collection of verses that tell a story
- They present beliefs, sentiments and experiences
- Hymns were composed from medieval times to now.
41
What is the nature and use of plainchant?
- Plainchant is unaccompanied singing for monastic offices or the Mass
- The use of the human voice reflects Catholic belief and awe in God and emphasises the redemption of human beings
42
What is the nature and use of psalms?
- Songs of praise and lament, found within the Old Testament.
- The early church used psalms in their worship and monasteries still gather daily at different times to sing through them.
43
What is the nature and use of worship songs?
- A short, modern song with one or two verses.
- Modern worship songs can be lively praise songs, sometimes with dance moves or actions or calm adoration songs which attempt to lead to times of profound stillness
- They can be repeated like simple mantras or chants to calm the mind and focus on key beliefs of the Gospel
44
How is different music used to express beliefs?
- There are 2 basic bible songs: the song of creation and the song of redemption.
- The Old Testament has many Psalms that praise the glory of the creator.
- The songs of the Church echo both themes (Creation and redemption) whether in plainchant or using wind and string instruments, or orans and keyboards.
- Some music is bg music while other is listened to by the congregation, and some is communal.
- All songs will express a belief about God, Christ, the Church or the sacraments.
45
Give some divergent ways in which music may be used in church and other settings.
- The Catholic Church sees music and song as an appropriate response to the wonder of God's love.
- *"In the newness of the Spirit, they also composed hymns and canticles in the light of the unheard-of event that God accomplished in his Son"*
- The use of words, music and song to praise God is doxology and is done in awe and gratitude.
- The liturgy of the Mass was designed to have sung parts (e.g. the Gloria)
- Some worshippers find plainchant helpful for meditative worship
- Louder, rousing music is useful to express celebration and joy. Music often opens the Mass as the priest and servers enter
- Music may also end the Mass, expressing thanksgiving and praise.
