The Triune God

• What does the Catholic Church say about music?

  It is good to use because it praises God
• Why do the Catholic Church teach music is good?

  - Unites people

  - Helps them feel more involved in worship

  - Heightens solemness/joyous nature of how music feels
• How did bishops at the Second Vatican Council stress benefits of using music in worship?

  "Sacred music is ... more holy ... as it is connected with liturgical action ..."
• Why is music used in Catholic worship?

  To sing parts of the liturgy
• What is the liturgy?

  Practices & rituals that happen during the communal worship of God
• Name three types of music used in the Catholic liturgy

  - Psalms

  - Plainchant

  - Traditional hymns
• What are Psalms?

  - Poetry from book of Psalms in OT

  - important part of Divine Office
• Why are psalms used in worship?

  - Centre around praise of God

  - Talks about the joy of praising God through song

  - covers a wide range of human experiences & emotions
• What is Plainchant?

  - ancient form of music

  - unaccompanied

  - limited range of notes
• Why is Plainchant used in worship?

  - Catholic Church considers it ideal for mass use

  - 'specially suited to the Roman liturgy' (Concilium 116)
• What are traditional hymns?

  - religious songs that praise God

  - used by generations

  - accompanied
• Why are traditional hymns used in worship?

  - helps people to feel involved
• What are acclamations?

  Certain parts of the Mass which highlight the praise and celebration of God
• What helps to praise God in different ways & are set to music?

  - Gloria

  - Sanctus

  - Alleluia
• What is the Gloria?

  - hymn to praise God's glory & goodness
• When is the Gloria used?

  - used near beginning of Mass

  - not used in sorrowful seasons (Advent, Lent)
• What is the Alleluia?

  - Hebrew word meaning 'praise God'

  - a hymn of joy and triumph praising God

  - announces presence of Christ
• When is Alleluia used?

  - introduces Gospel (presence of Christ)

  - sung three times during Easter to announce resurrection

  - not used at Lent
• What is Sanctus?

  - Latin word 'holy'

  - hymn to praise God's holiness
• When in Sanctus used?

  - before Eucharistic Prayer

  - not used in sorrowful seasons (Advent, Lent)
• What is the benefit of a complex music setting?

  - reflects God's glory & greatness

  - E.g. settings of the Gloria
• What is the benefit of a simple music setting?

  - allows whole congregation to join in

  - E.g. simple plainchant version of Alleluia is sung
• What is the benefit of a modern music setting?

  - appeals to youth
• What is the Triune God?

  Christians believe there is one God who is also three persons
• What stresses there is only one God?

  "the Lord alone" Bible
• What is the Holy Spirit in Matt 3?

  - Love that unites Father and Son

  - Dove from God the Father to Jesus
• Who is the Father in Matt 3?

  voice from heaven
• What is Jesus' baptism in Matt 3?

  When God reveals himself as the Trinity
• What helps to explain the relationship between the Trinity & a Christian?

  "...because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts..." Galatians 4:6
• What is the Nicene Creed?

  - Statement of faith about what Catholics believe
• What does the Nicene Creed explain?

  the nature of the Trinity and how the three Persons relate to each other
• What shows trinity in creation?

  how all three Persons shared in the act of creation (Gen 1:1-3)
• How does the Nicene Creed teach that God the Father is creator of all things?

  "I believe in ... the Father ... maker of heaven & earth"
• How does the Nicene Creed teach that God the Son is eternal?

  "born of the Father before all ages"""
• How does the Nicene Creed teach that God the Holy Spirit gives life to all things?

  "I believe in the ... Lord, the giver of life"
• What shows that the Father created the universe?

  "God created the heavens" Gen 1:1-3
• What shows that the Holy Spirit was involved in the creation of the universe?

  "wind [spirit] from God" Gen 1:1-3
• What shows that God created the universe with the power of his Word (Son of God)?

  "Let there be light" Gen 1:1-3
• What does the love of the Trinity strengthen?

  Work of the Catholic Church
• What does the love of the Trinity inspire?

  Christians to share God's love with others