1132 The Church celebrates the sacraments as a priestly community structured by the baptismal priesthood and the priesthood of ordained ministers.

1133 The Holy Spirit prepares the faithfulfor the sacraments by the Word of God and the faith which welcomes that word in well-disposed hearts. Thus the sacraments strengthen faith and express it.

1134 The fruit of sacramental life is both personal and ecclesial. For every one ofthe faithful on the one hand, thisfruit is l~fe for God in Christ Jesus;for the Church, on the other, it is an increase in charity and in her mission of witness.


Chapter Two

THE SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATION OF THE

PASCHAL MYSTERY

1135 The catechesis of the liturgy entails first of all an understanding of c (Chapter One). In this light, the innovation of its celebration is revealed. This chapter will therefore treat of the celebration of the sacraments of the Church. It will consider that which, through the diversity of liturgical traditions, is common to the celebration of the seven sacraments. What is proper to each will be treated later. This fundamental catechesis on the sacramental celebrations responds to the first questions posed by the faithful regarding this subject: — Who celebrates the liturgy? — How is the liturgy celebrated? — When is the liturgy celebrated? — Where is the liturgy celebrated?


Article i

CELEBRATING THE CHURCH’S LITURGY

I.

Who Celebrates?

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1136 Liturgy is an ‘action’ of the whole Christ (Christus totus).

Those who even now celebrate it without signs are already in the

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heavenly liturgy, where celebration is wholly communion and

feast.

2642 The celebrants of the heavenly liturgy
1,37 The book of Revelation of St John, read in the Church’s liturgy, first reveals to us, ‘A throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne’: ‘the Lord God’.’ It then shows the Lamb,