Definition: Religious or other formal ceremonies that consist of a series of actions, sayings, prayers, contemplative practices, dances and/or paintings that are performed according to prescribed order
Catholic Christianity
In Catholic Christianity, there are seven sacraments which
are the main rituals performed by all adherents, being: • Baptism - The first step to a journey of a lifetime in commitment and discipleship. It calls one to bring around the Kingdom of God and is the Church's way of celebrating the spirit of God • Eucharist - Also known as communion, eucharist (performed in every mass) brings all adherents to share the meal of the Last Supper, the Body of Christ (the bread) and the Blood of Christ (the wine) so as to be brought closer to God and forgiven for sins • Reconciliation - Also known as penance, reconciliation calls a person to change, confess and celebrate so as to find God's unconditional forgiveness • Confirmation - Confirmation is the sacrament of become an "adult" Catholic Christian. This deepens the commitment from the baptismal gift • Marriage - Also known as holy matrimony, is a public sign that one person gives their entire self to another. The union between the couple also shows God's values on love • Holy Orders - Also known as ordination, the priest being ordained must vow to continue to bring the seven sacraments to all adherents • Anointing of the Sick - Also known as last rites or extreme unction, is a type of ritual for healing physical, mental and spiritual illnesses |
There are other religious ceremonies, though not necessarily rituals, including:
• Christmas - the celebration day of the birth of Jesus • Lent - Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a period of 40 days leading up to Easter where adherents fast, repent and enhance a spiritual discipline. Rules in Catholicism regarding Lenten laws are found in the Code for Canon Law, stating: => abstinence of meat on Good Friday, Ash Wednesday and all Fridays in the lenten period => abstinence must be completed for those who are 14 and above => all Fridays are penitential days => it is mandatory for those who are 18-60 years old must only have one main meal a day and two smaller meals which, together, would not make more than one main meal • Easter Triduum - Also known as the Paschal Triduum, it signifies the end of Lent and celebrates: => Holy Thursday - the day of the Last Supper => Good Friday - the death of Jesus Christ => Easter Sunday - the resurrection of Jesus Christ • Ascension - The commemoration of the ascension of Jesus into Heaven, celebrated 40 days after Easter |
Aboriginal Spirituality
Rituals in Aboriginal Spirituality are an important part to one's
connection with the land. Only certain people will perform certain rituals. Some rituals include:
• Death - When a person dies, it is believed by Aboriginals that the spirit
of the person lives on. To encourage the spirit to leave peacefully, all traces of the dead person are removed, making it easier for the spirit to return to the totem
• Birth - Only women perform this ritual. Generally, the mother holding the child in the womb will travel outside of their camp with another woman to give birth. They will cleanse the baby with fire and sing songs as part of the ritual
• Repainting of Rock Art - is only allowed by those through rights of the totem
• Smoking Ceremony - A fire will be started out of native flora to help ward off evil spirits
connection with the land. Only certain people will perform certain rituals. Some rituals include:
• Death - When a person dies, it is believed by Aboriginals that the spirit
of the person lives on. To encourage the spirit to leave peacefully, all traces of the dead person are removed, making it easier for the spirit to return to the totem
• Birth - Only women perform this ritual. Generally, the mother holding the child in the womb will travel outside of their camp with another woman to give birth. They will cleanse the baby with fire and sing songs as part of the ritual
• Repainting of Rock Art - is only allowed by those through rights of the totem
• Smoking Ceremony - A fire will be started out of native flora to help ward off evil spirits
Islamic Religion
Without rituals and practice, any Muslim would consider
life not worth living. Rituals performed by Muslims generally come under the Five Pillars of Islam and, if completed, show that a Muslim can put their faith before their ordinary lives. Each of these must be completed by every Muslim, no matter what branch of religion, and are deeply related to their religious experience: • Shahadah • Salat • Zakat • Sawm • Haji There are other rituals and holy days as well, such as: • Funerals and Mourning - completed 24 hours after the death of a person. Many preparations are undertaken, including washing the body, clothing the body with cloth and reciting a prayer. The person is buried, not cremated, as it is believed that Allah will resurrect those who are buried on Judgement Day, but cannot bring back those who have been cremated as there is no body to resurrect. • Maulid al-Nabi - the holy day celebrating the birth of the Prophet Mohammed • Circumcision - Although not compulsory in Islamic tradition, some families will circumcise their newborn sons as a way of expressing their faith to Allah as well as following the path a the Prophet Mohammed, as he was circumcised as well |
• Marriage - considered a public but religious ceremony, in marriage for Islam, passages of the Qur'an are read and a large feast in held after the ceremony • Birth Rites - performed to a newborn child by his or her father, the prayer Adhaan is whispered in the child's ear and it should be the first words it hears. Following that, the child's tongue will be 'cleaned' with a sweet fruit, like a date. In some cultures, the sacrifice of an animal is also performed as a way of giving thanks to Allah • Ramadan - The 9th month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is the fasting month for Muslims where food, drink, smoking and sexual pleasures are not permitted from dawn to dusk. It is a time for adherents to ask Allah for forgiveness of sins and repentance. It is also a time where adherents can empathise for those who are less fortunate than they are. Ramadan does not have to be performed by the sick, the old, the young, or women who are pregnant. |