Redemption

• Students explore the Paschal mystery of salvation as it is understood in Catholic theology and as it is celebrated and realised in Catholic worship, as well as the Church as the 'Body of Christ' and a redeemed 'People of God'
• The wonder of redemption is a common theme within Catholic Christianity, but thinkers such as Irenaeus and Anselm emphasise different aspects of the tradition
• How the architecture, design and decoration of Catholic churches reflect Catholic beliefs and facilitate worship


  • Lectern, altar, crucifix and tabernacle express different aspects of the mystery of redemption and facilitate worship
  • Contrasting architecture and artefacts within a church emphasise different aspects of Catholic belief both for individuals and as a community of believers including table or altar, a plain cross, crucifix or 'risen Christ'
• The death of Jesus understood as restoration through sacrifice


  • The resurrection understood as restoration through recreation
  • The ascension understood as restoration of the cosmic order
• How far the story of redemption has influenced Catholic understanding of the liturgy
• The Mass as the 'source and summit' of Christian life


  The meaning and significance of the Eucharist for Catholics and other Christian denominations
• Words of Institution, the Agnus Dei, the 'Real Presence' and 'the sacrifice of the Mass'


  How they are linked
• Belief in the 'real presence'


  Influences Eucharistic adoration
• Identification and understanding of redemption themes in Mark 15:21–39 and John 20:1–18, Acts 1:6–11 and 2:1–4
• A comparison of salvation metaphors in Irenaeus and Anselm
• The meaning and significance of the conscience as the Voice of God and as a guide for the redeemed


  Reference to Gaudium et Spes 16 and the Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Church architecture reflecting Catholic beliefs and facilitating worship


  • People of God gather to worship
  • Architecture to inspire upwards
  • Christ present (Matthew 18:20)
  • Church- personal prayer
  • Features aid worship- statues- inspire, stations of the cross-link to Jesus' suffering, decorations to inspire devotion/awe and worship
  • Church-Purpose/who they aid worship
  • Decor to show respect for the glory of God
• Churches before 1965 (Second Vatican Council)
• Churches after the Second Vatican Council
• A Christian house of prayer


  • Sign of the ecclesial communion of people at a specific place
  • Symbol of the heavenly dwelling that God has prepared for us all
  • Where we gather together to pray in common or alone and to celebrate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist
• Catholics only need an empty room to pray
• Altar


  • Central furnishing and focal point of the Church
  • Suggests that the worship in the Roman Catholic Church is Eucharist / Communion centred
  • Place of sacrifice and thanksgiving
  • At Mass, Catholics join with Christ's sacrifice as they offer the bread and wine to God
• Tabernacle


  • Houses the consecrated Bread and Wine – the real presence of Jesus in the Church
  • Many Catholics pray quietly and respectfully in front of it during Eucharistic adoration or benediction
  • Communion for people unable to attend church
• Lectern


  • Shows that the Bible / scripture is also an important part of RC Worship
  • We read from the Old/New Testaments
  • Following the Gospel reading, the priest explains the meaning for us today in his HOMILY
• The architecture of a Catholic church (its design and decoration) is the most important influence on Catholic worship
• The most important purposes of a Church is to provide a space for the celebration of mass
• Crucifix


  • A reminder of the suffering of Jesus and his love for humanity
• Cross


  • Some Christians do not have a figure on the cross, to ensure they are not worshipping an idol
  • The cross is a symbol of victory over death
• Risen Jesus


  • The resurrection gives meaning to the whole process of the incarnation, suffering and death of Jesus
  • Jesus is the risen, glorified saviour
• Altar or Table


  • Place of sacrifice and thanksgiving
  • Reminds the congregation that the Mass is a re-enactment of the Last Supper
  • Symbol of how they share in the effects of his sacrifice
• The altar is a place of sacrifice; Saint Ambrose said, 'the altar represents the Body of Christ'
• When Catholics present their gifts of bread and wine to God, they link it with Jesus' sacrifice on the cross
• The bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ through the words Jesus said at the Last Supper, 'This is my Body. This is my Blood'
• The altar is a table at which Catholics share in Jesus' Last Supper
• The sacrifice of the Cross is made present under sacramental signs
• The words Jesus spoke are repeated by the priest and the people receive not just bread and wine but the Body and Blood of Christ, in doing so they follow what Jesus instructed when he said, 'Do this in memory of me'
• The altar might be in the middle of the Church to show that all the believers are united round the altar of Christ's offering
• People's prayers and gifts are joined with Christ's offering and people are brought together in praise of God and in sharing Communion
• Altar


  • Worshippers must both face the altar and be able to see it, so seating is arranged accordingly
  • The altar is the focus of worship, where the priest leads Mass and represent its hearts
• Crucifix


  • May be used as a focus for personal prayer, so encouraging that form of worship
  • The individual may sit or stand in front of it to remember the suffering sacrifice of Christ
  • It is a visible reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus which is re-enacted in the Eucharist
• Lectern


  • Used as a focus of scripture and readings, so influences the use of scripture in worship and draws attention to it at the right time
• Statuary


  • Provides opportunity for private worship as well as a reminder of teachings and examples on which worshippers should reflect
• Jesus restored creation through sacrifice


  1. God made creation perfect

  2. Humans used their God given free will to sin/Original Sin- sin all humans born with- inherent tendency to sin

  3. Sin breaks relationship between humans and God

  4. Jesus' obedience to the Father and his redemptive death restored this relationship
• The resurrection


  Understood as restoration through recreation
• Jesus sacrificed himself to restore creation