Edexcel Religious Studies Unit J J3 Worship and Celebration.

1. J3: Worship and Celebration
Revision Notes for Edexcel Religious Studies

2. Notes
• When answering “Explain” questions,
always remember to include your BCG:
• B - What does the Bible say?
• C - The Catechism or the Creeds
• G - The example of God the Son (Jesus)

3. 3.1 Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism
• Godparents and parents make baptismal
vows (bring up child in Catholic faith)
• Water poured over head: “I baptise you in
the name of ...” (cleansing of Original Sin)
• Anointed with oil of chrism (Holy Spirit)
• Candle lit from Paschal candle (light of
Christ)

4. 3.2 Sacraments of Initiation:
Confirmation
1. Renewal of baptismal vows
2. Laying on of hands - coming of
Holy Spirit
3. Chrism oil - sign of the cross
4. “Be sealed with the Holy Spirit”

5. 3.3 The Mass: Structure
1. Penitential Rite (confession and absolution)
2. Liturgy of the Word (Bible readings and
prayers)
3. Liturgy of the Eucharist (Prayer of
Consecration)
4. Rite of Communion (Receive consecrated
hosts)
5. Concluding Rite (blessed and sent out)

6. 3.3 The Mass: Importance
1. Nourishment of Catholics through body and blood of Jesus
2. Transubstantiation
3. Forgiveness of sins
4. Gaining power to follow God daily
5. Obligation to attend Mass on Sundays (Catechism and Ten
Commandments)
6. Uniting all Catholics
7. Following the command of Jesus to “Do this in memory of me”

7. 3.4 Meaning of the Eucharist in other
traditions
1. Catholics: transubstantiation (inner substance of bread and
wine mysteriously changed into body and blood of Jesus)
2. Orthodox: mysteriously changed through epiklesis prayer
3. Most Protestants: substance of bread and wine not changed,
instead they are symbols of Christ’s spiritual presence
4. Salvation Army and Quakers: no Eucharist
5. Church of England: some members have same beliefs as
Catholics, others have same beliefs as Protestants

8. 3.5 Sacraments of healing: Penance
and reconciliation
• Features: • Important:
1. Contrition (sorrow for 1. Reconciles people with
sin) God and each other
2. Confession 2. Clear conscience
3. Penance 3. Receive grace not to
(compensating anyone sin again
wronged)
4. Gives strength to avoid
4. Absolution repeating sins

9. 3.6 Sacraments of healing: anointing
of the sick
• Features: • Important:
1. Prayers and Bible reading 1. Spiritual strength and
healing
2. Priest lays hands on person
2. Joins person with suffering
3. Oil of the sick is blessed of Jesus
and used to make sign of
the cross 3. Forgiveness of sins
4. Prayer, absolution and 4. Prepares them for final
blessing journey to heaven
5. Holy Communion
(viaticum)

10. 3.7 Christmas
• How? • Why?
1. Prepare during Advent 1. No Christianity without
birth of Jesus
2. Vigil Mass
2. Incarnation of God
3. Midnight Mass
3. Salvation became
4. Crib/Nativity scene possible
5. Give presents 4. Showed that God loved
world so much that he
sent his son

11. 3.8 Lent
• How? • Why?
1. Church: Ash 1. Jesus: 40 days in
Wednesday wilderness
2. CAFOD Family Fast 2. Time when Catholic
Day adults are baptised
3. Give something up 3. Try to improve
Christian lives
4. Pray more
4. Help wider community
5. Special study groups through giving money

12. 3.9 Holy Week
• Outline how ... • Explain why ...
1. Palm Sunday: palm crosses, 1. Palm Sunday: Jesus is Messiah
special entrance to church
2. Holy Thursday: origins of
2. Holy (Maundy) Thursday: foot Mass. Foot washing - service to
washing, altar stripped, others
readings about Last Supper
3. Good Friday: Suffering and
3. Good Friday: 3pm service, sacrifice of Jesus
veneration of the cross, stations
of the cross
4. Holy Saturday: no service until
Vigil Mass, day of reflection
and prayer

13. 3.10 Easter
• Outline how ... • Explain why ...
1. Easter Vigil 1. Jesus rose from dead so
must have been Son of
2. ceremony of light God
3. Bible readings 2. Salvation
4. Renewal of baptismal 3. Eternal life
vows
4. Celebration of new life
5. Eucharist with Jesus
5. Re-commit to the
Christian life

14. Key Words
Learn all these words (2 marks each)

15. J1: Key Words
• Chrism • Tabernacle
• Vows • Transubstantiation
• Water • Absolution
• Renewal of baptismal vows • Contrition
• Liturgy of the Eucharist • Penance
• Liturgy of the Word • Viaticum
• Penitential Rite • Christmas
• Real Presence • Lent
• Rite of Communion • Holy Week
• Sacrifice • Easter

16. Exam Questions
(b) 6 marks - make 3 points

17. • Outline the main features of the Sacrament of Baptism.
• Outline the main features of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
• Outline the structure of the Mass.
• Outline different Christian beliefs about the Eucharist.
• Outline how the Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated.
• Outline the main features of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
• Outline how Catholics celebrate Holy Week.
• Outline how Catholics celebrate Easter.
• Outline how Catholics celebrate Christmas.
• Outline what Catholics do to mark Lent.
• Outline the Catholic Sacraments of Initiation.

18. Exam Questions
(c) 8 marks - make 4 points (PEE)

19. • Explain why celebrating Holy Week is important for Catholics.
• Explain why the Mass is important for Catholics.
• Explain why Catholics celebrate Christmas.
• Explain why Lent is important for Catholics.
• Explain why Catholics want to have their babies baptised.
• Explain why confirmation is important for Christians.
• Explain why very ill Catholics may want to receive the sacrament of the
anointing of the sick.
• Explain why there are different Christian beliefs about the Eucharist.

20. Exam Questions
(d) 4 marks - 2 reasons for, 2 reasons against

21. • “Confirmation is the most important sacrament.”
• “All Christians should celebrate the Eucharist in the same way.”
• “Only adults should be baptised.”
• “True Catholics go to Mass every Sunday.”
• “Christmas is the most important Christian festival.”
• “Easter is more important than Christmas.”
• “You don’t need the Liturgical Year to remember the beliefs of Christianity.”
• “You don’t need symbols of bread and wine to feel God’s presence.”
• “You can’t be a real Catholic if you are not confirmed.”
• “You don’t have to be baptised to be a good Christian.”