Liturgical Renewal -- a sign of the New Springtime of Evangelization?

by Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J., Helen Hull Hitchcock, Fr. Jerry J. Pokorsky

On June 29th, 1995, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Adoremus: Society for the Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy was incorporated. Its principal purpose: to foster a new liturgical movement to reconsider liturgical changes since the Second Vatican Council. By September 1995, Adoremus had in place an editorial network and began its apostolate. Staff on the East Coast, West Coast and Midwest was linked by computer and electronic mail to begin work on the following objectives:

• To promote authentic celebration of the Roman Rite as approved by the Church.

• To rediscover the authentic teaching of Vatican II on the liturgy, including study of both pre- and post-conciliar documents and works on the liturgy.

• To publish a monthly journal which would report and comment on liturgical matters, provide a forum for serious articles on such topics as history of the liturgy; language and translation, liturgical practices, etc., and encourage fruitful discussion.

• To publish hymnals and other liturgical resource material for both priests and laity.

• To help provide information and aid for a considered defense against the establishment of local liturgical "customs" alien to the Roman Rite. (In other words, in an organized way, take exception to liturgical abuses before they become de facto "traditions.")

• To encourage a "reform of the reform" -- a long-term objective aimed at the authentic implementation of the Council's Constitution on the Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium); and, always respecting the authority of the Church, to promote modifications of the liturgy in accordance with sound tradition.

The Adoremus Bulletin

In November 1995, the first issue of the Adoremus Bulletin appeared. This bulletin brings timely news on liturgical developments and articles of popular and scholarly interest. Adoremus membership will soon surpass 20,000 priests, religious and laity. The Bulletin affords virtually the only forum now available to serious students of the liturgy, both professional and "amateur," to publish articles on topics ranging from scripture translation to Church music and from architecture to canon law.

We believe that careful and critical review of the liturgy is necessary, because the liturgy touches the very heart of the Catholic faith and affects every believer. Our effort to recover the sacred dimension of the liturgy will continue to involve analysis of both new liturgical proposals and current practices -- even some that are officially approved - which are inconsistent with the Council's call for organic growth from existing forms: "...there must be no innovations unless the good of the Church genuinely and certainly requires them, and care must be taken that any new forms adopted should in some way grow organically from forms already existing" (SC 23).

It is important that criticism be done responsibly, accurately, and with respect for Church authorities; however Adoremus will not hesitate to investigate and document forthrightly the history of post-conciliar liturgical changes and abuses. We are convinced this documentation will be of great value to our bishops and will help to accomplish the goal we seek: an authentic and beautiful liturgy -- a liturgy which will truly invigorate the faith of Catholics, young and old present and future and help to foster the "New Evangelization."

The Adoremus Hymnal Project

Based on letters we have received from our members we recognize one of the compelling long term needs is a hymnal. We have made considerable progress in preparing a hymnal that represents the best of traditional hymns. We expect that by Spring 1997, a traditional and attractive hymnal will be available. We are particularly concerned with the restoration of standard English in our popular hymns. We firmly believe that so-called "inclusive language" is simply not inclusive enough. By excluding traditional English, we believe that "inclusive language" deforms the way we worship and calls attention to the feminist ideology. We oppose all attempts to impose the feminist or any other ideological agenda on the liturgy.

Hymnal Insert: Liturgical Year Readings

We are also preparing an insert for the hymnal with the Sunday and Holy Day lectionary readings. (This insert will replace the ubiquitous disposable "missalette.") The Adoremus hymnal will include the Order of the Mass, with musical settings, in Latin and English, as well as the Ordinary of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, etc.) with settings in both Gregorian and English chant. With the insert for the Readings, this means that a congregation will be able to assist at Mass with one book, beautifully produced and bound, and truly worthy of use in worship. We have obtained rights to publish the Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the readings. (The RSV is not to be confused with the New Revised Standard version [NRSV] that was rejected for liturgical use by the Vatican.) The RSV is widely regarded as the most accurate contemporary translation of sacred Scriptures approved for liturgical use. We expect the readings insert to be available by subscription in 1997.

Assisting the Bishops

Adoremus will continue to assist our bishops as they consider various liturgical proposals submitted to them for review and vote. The information provided by Adoremus is frequently too detailed to be included in the Adoremus Bulletin, but can be very useful to the bishops as they prepare for the semi-annual plenary meetings of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Adoremus editorial staff provides research and careful commentary to keep our bishops and the Vatican informed. We consider this work an essential activity of the Adoremus apostolate.

Liturgical Abuses

We plan soon to establish a liturgical abuse "Incident Reporting System." Our intention is to document the extent of liturgical abuse and report such abuses to pastors, bishops and the Holy See. Our aim is twofold: 1 ) to assist Catholics in their legitimate desire for authentic liturgical practice; and 2) to provide encouragement and useful information for bishops in fulfilling their solemn obligation "to be watchful lest abuses creep into ecclesiastical discipline, especially concerning the ministry of the word, the celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals, the worship of God and devotion to the saints..." (Canon 392.2). Adoremus hopes, by this effort, to cultivate a better understanding of the liturgy and to call liturgists and priests to accountability in the light of current liturgical legislation. Within the context of current liturgical law, we will identify and encourage liturgical practices which best reflect the Council's intent.

Facing Controversy With Conversation and Charity

As should be expected, considering the importance of this undertaking, Adoremus has encountered some criticism. It has been said, for example, that Adoremus wants to "turn back the clock," or return to a pre-conciliar liturgy. In reality, we hope to move forward in productive and positive ways with authentic renewal of the liturgy.

Other critics are convinced Adoremus, in promoting the liturgical reform intended by the Council fathers, is undermining those who legitimately make use of the indult for the so-called "Tridentine" Mass. This is not our intention; however, the vast majority of Catholics in all but a few parishes are affected by the established "liturgical reform," and we believe we are obliged to address the very serious problems with the liturgy today, and must begin where the need is greatest.

It is worth emphasizing that the 1969 Roman Missal and currently approved liturgical laws and rubrics permit many practices some consider "pre-conciliar." For example: use of Latin, Gregorian Chant, administering Communion under only one species, and even celebrating Mass "ad orientem" (the priest and people both facing the same way) or having only boys or men as altar servers. In fact, it is in error to insist otherwise, although Adoremus has not yet taken an official position on specific practices. As a pastoral matter, after 30 years of "liturgical renewal," changes in the now-usual practices may require careful consideration and re-instruction of the faithful. Such study would increase understanding and appreciation of Catholic liturgical tradition.

In all our efforts to recover the sacred dimension of the liturgy, Adoremus agrees with the Second Vatican Council, which said that all liturgical change should be "organic growth from existing forms." In order to foster a useful discussion of the liturgy, and to encourage serious review of the liturgical changes since the Council, the Adoremus Bulletin has and will continue to publish works presenting various thoughtful views within the context of sound liturgical tradition. As a matter of scholarship, even changes approved after the Council need to be reevaluated in the light of a clearer understanding of the Council.

A New "Liturgical Movement"

Adoremus welcomes and encourages the efforts of all who wish to make the celebration of the Mass, the central Event in the life of the Church, more holy, more beautiful and more truly in conformity with Catholic Tradition and the directives of the Council fathers. We regard the appearance of new groups dedicated to the liturgy, such as the Liturgy Forum of Oxford, England, and Society for Catholic Liturgy in the US, as promising signs of a "new springtime" in the Church. We hope that these new groups, along with other older organizations, will be sources of hope, help and encouragement to many Catholics who deeply desire to receive the many spiritual riches of the Church's sacramental heritage. We hope those who intend to confine their efforts to the "re-catholicizing" of the 1969 Order of Mass, or who have other views of the liturgy, are at one with Adoremus in a commitment to improve liturgical celebration according to the current Roman Missal by an "intensive renewal of the liturgy in the areas of music, art, architecture, homiletics, priestly leadership and the spiritual formation of clergy and laity."

We agree with those who say that the Church should be "very cautious about further structural changes at this point in history whether in 'traditionalist' or 'progressive' directions." With appropriate caution and prudence, Adoremus will encourage robust debates on what liturgical practices should or should not be promoted. The fruitful dialogue advocated by the Second Vatican Council and by Pope John Paul II requires energetic, respectful and charitable exchange.

We are confident that the Adoremus apostolate, with the assistance of God's grace, has much to contribute to the Church. Liturgical reform based on the Council's call for "organic growth from existing forms" will establish the foundation for a deepened understanding of the Church's sacramental life, and an invigorated participation by Catholic believers in the Mass and all the Church's liturgical celebrations. Authentic and beautiful liturgies, we are convinced, are an indispensable part of the "new springtime" of Evangelization as the Church enters the third millennium. It is this for which we hope. And we will be grateful for your prayers.

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