The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life" (Lumen Gentium, 11).
"The
other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of
the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward
it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good
of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324).
Liturgy
celebrated properly in the school setting prepares students to
participate in the liturgical life of their parish. The School Mass Guidelines and Planning Sheet for school liturgies aids campus ministers and students involved in liturgy preparation.
The administration, faculty, and students are to share in a school celebration of the Eucharist at least monthly in high schools and weekly in elementary schools. In addition, school communities are expected to offer the celebration of Mass as a school community on Holy Days of Obligation when those fall on a school day. To the extent possible, staff members are invited to participate in these celebrations.
Liturgical preparation
should involve cooperative planning by the celebrant and representatives
of the school community. Faculty and students are to celebrate the
sacrament of reconciliation periodically and in particular during Advent
and Lent. Although preparation for the sacrament of confirmation is
specifically a parish program, the school is to make every effort to
encourage and support students and their parents/guardians to
participate in their parish confirmation program (see "Confirmation Program" under Faith Formation and Youth Ministry for High School-Age Students).
6-23-21, 11-1-22, 9-12-2024