“I humbly beg bishops, priests, and the people of God to care more for the sacred liturgy, to put God at the center of it, to ask Jesus Christ once again to teach us to pray.“
– Benedict XVI, Pope-Emeritus

Liturgical celebrations are not private affairs; they are celebrations of the entire Church. The entire people of God who are present at a liturgy don’t just observe the liturgy – they participate in it.

Some functions within a liturgy are performed by lay members of the Church. This is especially true of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Members are called to perform these functions according to their talents and to the working of the Holy Spirit. As St. Paul said, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord.” Those who are called to perform a particular function in the liturgy serve their fellow members, and through them, serve Christ Himself.