In a contemporary age of individualism and detachment, the liturgy offers an opportunity for communal celebration and the experience of unity.

Liturgy takes on the qualities of a festival as ordinary time and space are transformed into a sacred encounter where the human and the divine intersect.

Ritual, music and symbolic action draw people into an event in which they must participate actively to experience the truth that emerges.

Each person who hears the Scriptures proclaimed, or who lifts their voice in prayer and song in the communal liturgical event, experiences an encounter not only with the text, but with the community gathered, and with Christ present among them such that they are interwoven into the celebratory event.

Perhaps more than the joyful noise of the liturgical event, it is the silence that captivates; worshippers are immersed in an all-encompassing festive quiet and experience a sense of being united in a common purpose.

Holding ritual and interiority in balance

There is a need to preserve the tension between the common outward ritual expressions of speech, singing, symbols and gestures according to agreed ecclesial norms, and the corresponding internal movement whereby each person encounters Christ in the silence of their own heart.

In this way, the liturgical experience is profoundly personal, without being individualistic. It is also fundamentally communal and unavoidably formative of both personal and communal identity.

Worship as space for personal reflection

While the liturgy is fundamentally a communal act, it also provides space for personal reflection and transformation.

As worshippers reflect on their own lives, they are able to identify areas which may be in need of reconciliation or renewal.

Rather than feeling alone in this process of transformation, participants in the liturgy draw strength and inspiration from the shared faith of the assembly.

Structure as a source of unity

The predictable, repeated framework of the Catholic Mass transcends cultural differences and personal preferences, allowing diverse communities to participate together with a shared identity in a single act of praise.

The structured nature of the liturgy also gives a sense of order and predictability, which can be particularly helpful in times of stress or uncertainty.

Worshippers are reassured with a sense of hope as they are reminded of God’s presence and promises.

Through their participation in the prayers, hymns and gestures, they are drawn into a rich heritage of faith that spans many generations.

Mission beyond the liturgy

The context of the ecclesial community encourages not only an internal transformation, but rather an all-encompassing sense of being drawn into participation in Christ’s mission beyond the liturgy.

Indeed, the identity and mission of the Body of Christ can only be fully realised beyond the confines of the liturgical event, within the broader context of continuing God’s work in the world.

Celebrating community in a divided world

In a world so frequently marked by division, the liturgy bears firm witness to the enduring power of community and celebration.

• Clare Schwantes holds a PhD from the University of Queensland and a Master of Theological Studies with a focus on Liturgy, in addition to Bachelor’s degrees in Education and Psychology. She also has diplomas in Editing and Publishing and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is the Director of the Archdiocesan Liturgy Office in Brisbane, Australia and Chair of the National Liturgical Council in Australia.
• Clare is the author of From Page to Proclamation – Interpreting Scripture in the Context of Liturgy (2024).
• Flashes of Insight is an international publication. The editorial policy is that spelling reflects the country of origin.