On the 16-18 March the first year novices attended a brief, but important liturgy course under the guidance of Fr. Massimo Marelli, sacramental theology professor at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Sardinia and vice-rector of the Church of Jesus in Rome.

The proposed title, “to celebrate with art” was an invitation to deepen the fact that the liturgy is not a concept, but an experience (cf. Louis-Marie Chauvet Chauvet, “Language and Symbol”), therefore, by virtue of Baptism we are all called to be liturgical men. To the original question “What is the liturgy for me?” Everyone responded from his experience and from the ecclesial context in which he lived: expression of faith, celebration, rules …

Gradually we were introduced to the most important issues of the course, from the liturgical reform to the concept of celebration and liturgical place; we also had the chance to speak about the Eucharistic prayer (anaphora) in the different liturgical traditions.

A very interesting finding was understanding the deep symbolic meaning of the liturgy: every word, gesture, ritual and artistic expression is the bearer of a message which helps us to retrace the important moments of the life of Christ. I would have never thought that the architectural structure of the church symbolizes the path of man’s salvation.

The liturgy course was another step in our formation of novices, which opens perspectives not only at the theoretical level, but also at the liturgical practice.