Other Liturgies and Rites

Outside of the celebration of Eucharist there are many official Church liturgical rites: The sacraments are liturgical rites consisting of proclaimed texts, gestures and symbols, and often material things.  They are best celebrated within the context of the Mass and the Church gathered, but most may be done outside of Mass, e.g., baptism, marriage, confirmation, penance, and anointing. Other rites and sacramentals include Christian funerals, the various RCIA rites, Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest, the dedication of a church, the profession of religious vows, and rites of blessing water, palms, ashes, places and people, and more. The common thread in all liturgies is always the proclamation of the Word of God and the intercession of the Church.