Rituals are part of human existence. They are never empty actions in themselves, but they convey something special to us. Before driving a car safely, we go through an entire ritual. We adjust the seat, the steering wheel and the mirrors. Some families have ritual meals or celebrations on special holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, St. Patrick's Day and the Fourth of July.
Rituals are also important for our spiritual life.
Religious ceremonial rites contain external actions that impart an internal reality. In the Catholic Church, each sacrament is celebrated with a ritual. The use of rituals for the sacraments ensures the Catholic faithful that, whenever and wherever particular words are spoken and actions performed, Jesus is present sacramentally. This includes the celebration of Mass. Through the ritual celebration of the Mass, we re-live as well as participate in the Last Supper and Calvary.