Liturgy
Non-Communicants in the Communion Line
Father Paul Turner Comments Off on Non-Communicants in the Communion Line
The purpose of the Communion rite is the distribution of Communion. Yet, at any given Mass, a priest, deacon or extraordinary minister holding a ciborium at a Communion station may face a person who has advanced with lips closed and hands crossed against their breast, as if shivering on a cold day. The gesture has Read More
Mass for Professional Groups
D.D. Emmons Comments Off on Mass for Professional Groups
The Church has long offered Masses that recognize special occasions and special needs. Among such Masses are those for professional groups, traditionally popularized by names of a color: Red Mass (lawyers and politicians), Blue Mass (first responders), White Mass (healthcare community) and Gold Mass (scientists). At both the national and local level, these professional organizations Read More
When Mere Speech Is Not Enough
Chaz Bowers Comments Off on When Mere Speech Is Not Enough
In my time spent teaching college courses in sacred music, I am often challenged with the question, “Where should I begin when improving music at my future parish?” — as though there might be a one-size-fits-all method to improving music in the Western Church. The ensuing conversation can quickly become a charged one because music Read More
Pope Francis and the Beauty of the Liturgy
Father Richard N. Fragomeni Comments Off on Pope Francis and the Beauty of the Liturgy
I have taught liturgical presiding and preaching for the past 33 years at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. During this tenure, I have worked with seminarians from all over the globe. Our course sessions engage the students in the art of celebrating the divine mysteries of the Latin-rite Catholic tradition, especially the Eucharist. In Read More
The Beauty and Significance of Reverence in the Liturgy
Father Paul Turner Comments Off on The Beauty and Significance of Reverence in the Liturgy
“Reverence” is an elusive word that nonetheless governs some critical judgments on the celebration of the Mass. It is subjective. To some people, reverence means silence; to others, certain inspirational visual stimuli. To some, it means faithfulness to rubrics; to others, an increased use of Latin. Some Catholics become “judgy” of others when it comes Read More
Our Doxology
Bishop David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Our Doxology
When I was a little boy, I vividly remember attending holy Mass every Sunday as a family. Typically, we sat in the first pew. My parents wanted us to be close to the action. At a very young age, I came to appreciate the beauty and mystery of the Mass. In fact, I was so Read More
A Modest Proposal
Father Alexander Masluk Comments Off on A Modest Proposal
“The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed … the fount from which all her power flows.” — Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Second Vatican Council, No. 10) Before retirement, I spent 42 years in active ministry, all of which were spent in parish work, and for Read More
Learning from the Liturgy
Msgr. Michael Heintz Comments Off on Learning from the Liturgy
Pope Pius XI (r. 1922-39) is quoted as having said that the primary instrument of the ordinary magisterium is the sacred liturgy. He was quite correct. What he did not mean is that we need to make our liturgical celebrations “catechetical” or “didactic” (heaven save us from that — it was tried and failed quite Read More