XII.

Symbolum Apostolorum ("Creed of the Apostles")

The Church always believes as she prays. (Lex orandi, lex credendi.  This simple Latin phrase is the driving force behind the Church’s understanding of liturgy. In English it means, “the law of praying, is the law of believing.” In other words, the manner in which the Church prays effects that which She believes.) 

Church’s prayer is most completely revealed within the liturgical life – the celebration of the Sacraments and other ritualistic actions. In the second century, the Church of Rome was using a baptismal formula, which had the catechumens (those to be baptized) declare their belief in the Triune God as well as the Church and the resurrection of the body via a series of questions. These questions, which find similarity to the baptismal rites of today, developed into the Apostles’ Creed by the end of the seventh century.

The Apostles' Creed is the oldest creed, and lies at the basis of most others. Throughout the Middle Ages it was generally believed that the Apostles, on the day of Pentecost, composed our present Creed between them, each of the Apostles contributing one of the twelve articles. Though it is not the direct work of the Apostles, it has its roots in apostolic times, and embodies, with much fidelity, apostolic teaching.

A quick mention should be made about the statement, “…descended into hell.” This statement calls reference to the Sheol, or the place of the dead. Here the Church Fathers as well as early Christian iconography depict the Lord Jesus preaching salvation to those who died before his incarnation. It should not be thought of as the place occupied by the devil and his minions – as if Jesus would have been subjected to him. Sheol is not the hell, hell we understand and the place of torture or punishment.

The Creed is a statement of the truths which we hold as Catholics. When we recite this prayer together, we express not only our individual belief but the faith which all of us hold in common. We return to these familiar “words of faith” week after week to remind and refocus ourselves on the truth.

The Prayers of the Faithful, also known as the General Intercessions or the Universal Prayers, take place at the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word, and serve like a hinge connecting the Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Eucharist (the next part of the Mass). The structure of the prayers of the faithful is generally the same: a short introduction by the priest, followed by 5-7 intercessions proclaimed by the deacon or lector, with a short concluding prayer led by the priest. At the end of each petition, we respond “Lord, hear our prayer.”

While there are no official texts for the prayers of the faithful, they follow a general order:
For the needs of the Church
For public authorities and the salvation of the world
For those burdened with any kind of difficulty
For the local community and the deceased in the parish.

At some Masses, the deacon or priest will also include a moment of silence for which to pray for our own personal intentions.

The prayers of the faithful truly belong to the faithful; that is, all who are baptized. This is a time not just for those needs close to us as individuals, but for the needs of this parish, this diocese, this country and for the Church as a whole. When we pray in this way, we recognize our place within the larger community of the baptized, and bring those prayers and intentions with us as we move forward in the Mass.

When we offer these prayers we exercise our ministry as the priestly people of God.

Intercessory prayers of Abraham, Moses and Samuel are noted in the Bible. Abraham interceded for the righteous people in Sodom requesting God not to destroy the city if there are 50 righteous ones. He then debates with God for 40, 30 20 and finally for 10. And God saved Lot and his family because of Abraham’s intercession.

Jesus tells about a persistent neighbor looking to borrow bread at midnight. Imagine it’s you ringing the doorbell.  The door opens. “What are you doing here?” he asks. You answer, “A friend of mine has arrived for a visit, and I’ve nothing for him to eat.”

Finally he takes you to his pantry. And, as a result, your surprise guest doesn’t have to go to bed hungry. All because you spoke up on behalf of someone else. This is intercessory prayer at its purest. This prayer gets God’s attention. If your cranky and disgruntled neighbor will help you out, how much more will God do? Therefore our intercessory prayers for others is highly pleasing and valuable before God.