Vatican preparing guide for priests on how to celebrate Mass
January 17, 2013
The Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship is preparing guidelines for priests on how to celebrate Mass properly, the Zenit news agency reports.
In a January 15 address, Cardinal Antonio Canizares, the prefect of the Congregation, disclosed that the guidelines will be issued in a booklet that “will help to celebrate well and to participate well.” He said that he hoped the booklet would be ready for publication in the summer of 2013.
Offering a preview of the subjects to be addressed in the document, the Spanish cardinal said that the liturgical reforms of Vatican II “must be understood in continuity with the tradition of the Church and not as a break or discontinuity.” He also stressed that the liturgy is God’s gift to the Church rather than the invention of individuals. “God wants to be adored in a concrete way,” he said, “and it’s not up to us to change it.”
Cardinal Canizares said that the guidelines would discourage “showmanship” by the celebrant and novelties introduced to make the liturgy “entertaining” to the people. He underlined the importance of creating a sense of solemnity and mystery in the liturgy, encouraged moments of silence, and said that the understanding of the Mass as Christ’s sacrifice should be paramount.
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Posted by: koinonia -
Jan. 17, 2013 7:22 PM ET USA
Born of conviction, animated with charity for souls, and armed with enduring resolve to do better, better will become reality. The Spanish Catholics defeated the powers of militant Islam, the forces of the French Revolution, and the clergy-killing Communists. The great Cardinal Cisneros also comes to mind. It is good to hear what this present-day Spanish cardinal has to say about the transcendent. There is much work to be done in the Master's vineyard. Pray for better.
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Posted by: Defender -
Jan. 17, 2013 5:45 PM ET USA
This booklet will be a sell-out! Then maybe the Vatican can work on the many other areas which VII was "misunderstood" and correct these!
