Worship is a word used to describe the visible or outward expression of faith. Human beings are made of body and soul and so our interior faith needs to be expressed in word and sign.
Worship is embodied in, but not limited by, the rites of the church including; Baptism, Initiation of Adults, Penance, Marriage, Ordination, Anointing of the Sick, Funerals, Dedication of Churches, Liturgy of the Hours and the celebration of Mass.
Communal participation, encounter with God and appropriate response are the characteristics of worship. The term liturgy is sometimes used interchangeably with worship. Liturgy comes from the Greek and is a public work done for the benefit of the common good. The use of this term implies that worship is a work performed by the church for the benefit of others as well as ourselves. The word liturgy reminds us that our worship must be lived out in service to others.
