Domingo como dia do Senhor e «senhor dos dias»

: do cumprimento do preceito à construção de comunidades missionárias

Abstract

From the very beginning of Christianity, Sunday has been considered the main day for the Christian community, as it is associated with key events in the faith, such as celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the sending of the Holy Spirit and the celebration of the Eucharist. Though, over time, the community dimension of Sunday celebrations diminished, reducing Sunday practice to mere passive attendance at Eucharistic worship and strict fulfilment of the Sunday norm. This ignored the liturgical assembly as a community that consciously celebrates the mysteries of faith. Nonetheless, the ecclesial renewal of the Second Vatican Council restored the communal character of Sunday, particularly in the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist in parish communities (cf. SC 42). This dissertation aims to demonstrate that, because of its innate novelty, Sunday remains the day par excellence of the Christian community, and therefore the day of its edification and sending out on mission. In a socio-cultural and religious context characterised by new paradigms, this work offers a reading of the Christian experience of Sunday that is more community-oriented and helps to rediscover the beauty of a community that lives and celebrates its faith. Nourished by the Word and the Bread of Life at every Sunday assembly, this community must bear witness to the Kingdom of God in an ever-changing world.

Date of Award	21 Oct 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Sérgio Filipe Pinho Leal (Supervisor)