Office of Worship

The Office of Worship and Liturgy is at the service of all persons living in the Diocese of Trenton. We support our bishop, the chief liturgist of the diocese, in his efforts to teach the Gospel of Jesus, especially through the celebrations of the Eucharist. We supplement this service with on-going materials for all, as they prepare to celebrate Mass, the Sacraments and other rites with “full conscious and active participation.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #14)

We maintain close contact with the teachings of the Holy Father in Rome and with the documents of our own United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It is our role to make it possible for all to understand easily, the “what’s”, “why’s”, “how’s” and “when’s” of the elements in our daily and weekly worship of God.
 

Full, Conscious, and Active Participation

“Full”

That we enter into worship as a whole person, our minds, our hearts, our bodies, who we are, our very being is called to worship God!

“Conscious”

As we worship God, we are aware of who we are: God’s People; what we are: Followers of His Son, Jesus Christ; and what we are called to be: To go out to the world and tell the Good News!

“Active”

Our response to the love, mercy, and grace of God in our lives calls for a response that is both internal and external. We stand, we sit, we listen, we kneel, we sing, we open our hearts and our minds, as we enter into a divine dialogue that brings us into the presence and mystery of God!

“Participation”

As baptized members of the Body of Christ we are called to participate in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ…this is the core of our worship. Our experiences at Mass of offering, the
great sacrifice to God of Jesus Christ, His Son, along with ourselves, is central sacred action of the Eucharistic Prayer. The culmination of the sacrifice takes place when we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus at His banquet table here on earth, the altar. This food gives us the courage and nourishment
to be disciples of Jesus Christ in the world today.