Second Liturgical Instruction| Second Liturgical Instruction |
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SECOND LITURGICAL INSTRUCTION November 13th, 2011 33rd Sunday
CHANGE:
We have known for some time that changes are coming to our Liturgy: prayers, responses, music, posture and various other directives. We are into some of them now before the full implementation of the 3rd edition, the 2011 Missal, on the first Sunday of Advent. Change is part of life. It is also part of the vitality of the Church which is always in need of reform and has always experienced change. Change evokes different reactions. Some like, some dislike and others are indifferent.
The changes in the peoples’ responses and actions are neither major nor many. With the Liturgy, however, there are special sensitivities. Just when we had become familiar and comfortable with present ways and rituals, there is now change. Emotions are stirred up. We become upset and disturbed. Some protest. Suspicions are aroused. Speculation and rumors proliferate. It can all become disturbing, disconcerting and somewhat threatening.
On the one hand, such nervousness is understandable. The Eucharist, our celebration of the Mystery of Faith, is at the very core of our spirituality and our identity as Catholics. “It is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit.” (LD #14) The Missal intends to deepen and enrich our understanding and appreciation of that source.
On the other hand, it is not always to our advantage to be too comfortable in our pews with everything memorized, neat and familiar. The rituals of worship also have a way of making us drowsy and lethargic. They can be tranquilizing and deadening. We are not always fully in touch with what we are saying and doing. Ritual can become rote and we can slide into a semiconscious rut. Change can be a time for renewed attentiveness, wakefulness and vigilance. At its best it can lead to more genuine and authentic worship. It has been said that the difference between a rut and a grave is about six feet.
We would all be better off perhaps if we were to avoid unfounded exaggerations that are trundled out either to blame or to praise. There are those who say that the 3rd edition is only meant to correct the deficiencies and inadequacies of the previous editions. Others say that the 3rd edition will have the awesome, magnificent and breathtaking power to transform and renew the Church. The Missal is a human instrument after all. It will be revised again. It is not a substitute for God’s saving action. “All life, all holiness comes from you, Father, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, by the working of the Holy Spirit.” (EP #3) The best advice in times of change is patience. Once the ears, the eyes, the voices and the postures adjust, the heart will follow.
I judge it to be helpful to give a brief overview of the process and steps, the context, which brought us to the 2011 Missal. CONTEXT:
Our current version of the Missal had its origins in the second Vatican Council whose implementation and repercussions are still being felt in the Church today. It lasted only three years (1962-65) but its 16 documents continue to reverberate in our midst. Much anticipated, the document on the Liturgy was one of the first ones published and had far reaching effects. The Council undertook a general restoration of the liturgy as a whole. People should be able to understand the rites and texts with ease and take part in them fully, actively, consciously and as a community. The vernacular was called for, greater emphasis on the Scriptures, a revision of the liturgical books including the Missal, greater participation, a deepening of the spirit of Liturgy, noble simplicity, a more faithful and careful ministry of preaching rooted in Scripture and liturgical sources, the twofold focus of the liturgy, principally the worship of God but also instruction in the ways of discipleship and the formation of community. We have all been recipients of the fruits of this restoration.
So much for the vision and the laying of foundations. The work left for the post Council period was enormous. Keep in mind, however, that the soil had been well tilled for at least a hundred years before the Council by a very lively liturgical movement which was given impetus by Pius X in the 1920’s. Pius XII described it as “a movement of the Holy Spirit bringing grace to the church.” He in fact contributed to the renewal with his Restored Order of Holy Week in 1951. By 1969 Paul V1 published the revised Latin Missal mandated by the Council pointing out some of its new features inspired by the council. By mandate of Paul VI the Missal was promulgated by the Congregation for Divine Worship on March 26, 1970. It is to be noted that this was the 400th anniversary, almost to the month, of the promulgation of the Missal of Pius V on July 14, 1570 following the Council of Trent. The Vatican loves such niceties. High time one would think for a revision.
Just as the Council of Trent stamped its theology and reforms on the Missal of Pius V, so have the perspectives of the Second Vatican Council been stamped on the Missal of Paul VI which is now into its third edition. Historically, there have been many revisions, updates and editions of the Missal and they will continue but there will never be a new Mass.
The task of translating the revised Missal was entrusted to the Episcopal conferences. In the meantime this first edition underwent some variations and additions and was promulgated in 1975 and became the second edition. These were tumultuous times. Things were happening fast. There has been an avalanche of post-conciliar documents. Leading them all have been those on the Liturgy. Those entrusted with the translation into English were rushed. There were time constraints and some of the principles used were less than satisfactory. It was presumed that down the road there would be revisions.
The intent and the imperative was that the People of God be able to understand the Mass with their hearts and with their minds, to hear the Word of God in their own language and to hear and respond to the words of the Presider in their language. This was a very joyful and liberating experience, one long delayed. (To be continued...)
Questions and observations are welcome. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Fr. Wilf |
