by D. Kearney Sparano

Created on: January 20, 2010   Last Updated: January 21, 2010

There are 2 ways that I can interpret the meaning of the use of the word ritual in this title. The first is a grander definition that I learned from studying Joseph Campbell. A ritual is the enactment of a myth. One could relate this to religious ceremonies, cultural traditions or national customs. The second way to interpret the word ritual would be with a more common place understanding. Something someone does either out of habit, tradition or perhaps superstition; either interpretation though, I believe, has the same purpose: to bring order to a chaotic, unpredictable world.

 My second understanding of the word ritual is a little simpler to understand, so that is where I will begin. People have these common every day, or every event rituals. It can be seen and talked about a lot in sports. I can recall a story that Billy Crystal told about him and Joe Torre. Upon their 1st meeting Torre uttered the phrase “We eat we win.” The next day The Yankees won a game and thus the ritual began. Torre would call Billy or Billy would call Torre if they were in a slump or facing a tough team and son and so forth. This of course, is not exclusive to sports. How many a college student has spent cleaning his or her room before beginning a term paper? We all have individual rituals we do to seemingly change or influence luck/fate.

 The interesting aspect though, is the belief in the ritual in many cases the belief that it will help, makes it help. It is a positive psychosomatic exercise in some ways. Thus it begins to take on a life and power of its own.

 No where the second, more common place understanding deals typically with individuals and small groups, the second understanding is more expansive. It can both touch the individual as well as a large assembly or even culture. This is the idea that ritual is the enactment of a myth. An example that immediately comes to mind is the Catholic mass. (Now I quickly want to clarify that when I say myth, I do not mean a fable of falsehood. Rather a story that is trying to import a metaphorical or allegorical truth.) The Catholic Mass essentially is the reenactment of the The Last Supper. This comes to the forefront the most during the transubstantiation of the Eucharist. This is when Catholics believe that the bread and wine before them has symbolically become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is a central point in Catholic belief. To believe in this and to go to mass on Sunday is to put your life and fate in the hands of God and His divine plan. Thus bringing order to this chaotic, unpredictable world.  

 Ritual is the power of belief. To take part in one is to believe in it. In doing so a sense of calm may wash over the participant, belief whether it is in God, country, self or any higher/personal power, is essential to survival. It is a necessary psychological coping mechanism. Those who have nothing to believe in are often adrift and aimless. So the purpose of ritual on daily life is to make daily life that more lovable.

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