Apparition of St. Michael the Archangel

In the Christian liturgy, the Paschal mystery of Christ is celebrated and made present through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. At the heart of the sacramental celebrations, especially the Eucharist, the epiclesis invokes the Father to send the Holy Spirit so that the offerings may become the Body and Blood of Christ and the faithful may become a living offering to God. The Spirit brings us into communion with Christ, forms us as his Body, and bears the fruits of communion with the Holy Trinity and with one another. As we pray and participate together, the Church asks that the Spirit transform our lives into the image of Christ, strengthen her unity, and lead us to witness and serve through charity. In the liturgy, we also anticipate the fullness of communion with the Holy Trinity and take part, even now, in the mystery of salvation.

The liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Instituted by Christ, the sacraments are not mere rituals; they are life-giving actions of the Holy Spirit in the Church and “masterworks of God” in the new and everlasting covenant. They manifest and communicate to us, above all in the Eucharist, the mystery of communion with God, who is love. Through Baptism and Confirmation, the faithful are enabled to celebrate the liturgy as a priestly people, while Holy Orders serves this baptismal priesthood through the ministry of word and grace. Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders also give an indelible sacramental character, configuring Christians to Christ and the Church and calling them to divine worship and service of the Church.