LITURGY NEWSLETTER Vol. 6 No. 2 January 2006 A Quarterly Newsletter prepared by the Liturgy Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

ater is the International Commission for the preparation symbol of life: WBaptism is new of an English Language life in Christ. The oil is the The Holy See has granted the request of the Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales, Ire- symbol of strength, health and beauty, for it truly is land, Scotland and Australia and agreed to the establishment of an International Commission beautiful to live in com- (ICPEL) to prepare a fresh translation of the Lectionary for . The Holy See has agreed that munion with Christ. Then, the NRSV translation should be used as the basis of the new edition. The NRSV translation there is the white garment, as an expression of the will need a certain amount of adaptation so that it conforms to the expectations of the Church culture of beauty, of the as presented in . culture of life. And lastly, the flame of the candle Bishop members will shortly be appointed to ICPEL by the sponsoring Conferences. Their is an expression of the truth that shines out in the first task will be to appoint an Executive Director and confirm how the work is to be carried darkness of history and out. The work of the Commission will be two fold, both to prepare a revised translation for the points out to us who we approval of Bishops’ Conferences, and to make proposals also concerning the layout of the new are, where we come from and where we go. edition. Dear Godparents, dear It is expected that at least the Sunday Lectionary will be produced in time to be published parents, dear brothers and sisters, let us thank the alongside the new English translation of the Missal. Lord today, for God does not hide behind clouds of Following the publication of the Lectionary an edition of the Bible using this same translation impenetrable mystery but, will be prepared for use in private reading of the Scriptures and for catechetical use. as today’s said, has opened the heavens, he has shown himself, he talks to us and is with November meeting Sacred Music and Liturgy us; he lives with us and of Bishops’ Conference The Congregation for Divine Worship held a guides us in our lives. . Benedict XVI of England and Wales study day on sacred music in December 2005. for feast of the Baptism of the Lord Meeting at Hinsley Hall, Leeds, the Bishops One of the speakers was Martin Baker, Master 8 January 2006 Conference reviewed the most recent propos- of Music at Westminster Cathedral. als of ICEL regarding the translation of the Pope Benedict sent a greeting to Cardinal of the Mass. Their comments have Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation, on the been passed to the Bishops of ICEL to assist accession of the study day. He noted that them in the preparation of a final ICEL text. ‘the meeting aims to correspond to the will This text will then be sent to all member expressed by the venerated John Paul II who, Conferences for their further considera- in a Chirograph issued for the centenary of tion, approval and/or amendment, as Bishops the Tra le sollecitudini, called consider necessary. Bishop Roche, Chairman on this to intensify its efforts in the of ICEL advised the Bishops that work is well field of sacred liturgical music. Echoing the underway at ICEL in preparing the first draft call of my beloved predecessor, I would like to translations of the Seasonal material from the encourage those who cultivate sacred music to Missal. The Department for Christian Life and continue this journey. It is important to stimu- Worship met during the meeting of the Bish- late, as this symposium intends to do, reflection ops’ Conference. Items on its agenda included on the relationship between music and liturgy, Contents the promotion of good liturgical formation while remaining attentive to practical applica- for the Church in England and Wales (includ- News 1–3 tions and experimentation, and maintaining Rites on the Way 2 ing liturgical ministers), proposed guidelines constant understanding and collaboration with Documentation for concelebration, and the continuing pastoral national episcopal conferences’ Address by Archbishop challenge presented by Holydays. Kevin McDonald at Dialogue Today and Annual reports from the Department for Tomorrow Conference 4 Christian Life and Worship and its committees Book Reviews 4 are published on the Department’s website.

Liturgy Newsletter — Page 1 Coming Events Chaldean Church President of Caritas Sri Lanka. and have episodes delivered auto- Bishops of the Chaldean Rite He was ordained as an auxiliary matically to their computer and NNPM Conference 21st to 23rd July 2006 (please held a synod in Rome during Bishop in 1991 and as ordinary digital player. note change of date). To be held at The popularity of podcast- Worth Abbey. For further details go November 2005. Receiving of the newly created of to www.nnpm.org them in audience Pope Benedict Ratnapura in 1996. ing has generated a subcategory Society of St Gregory Summer called ‘Godcasting,’ which refers School referred to the work of revising This too is being held at Worth the texts of the divine liturgy, First Holy Communions to efforts by churches, preachers Abbey, but from 31st July to 4th In October, at the time of the August 2006. For further details go completed during the synod. He and religious media to tap into the to www.ssg.org.uk expressed the hope that the work Synod on the Eucharist Pope digital communications boom. Society of Liturgical Study Benedict invited children who The 2006 Conference will be held of revision would open the way The response to the service from 22nd to 24th August. The to ‘a reform which should give had celebrated their first Holy offered by Vatican Radio has been location is still to be confirmed, in 2005 to join but is likely to be Mirfield rise to a new surge of devotion very enthusiastic. The highest Catholic Theological Association in your communities. This work him for a celebration in St Peter’s number of downloads so far has Conference on The Eucharist, to be Square. The celebration included held at Ushaw College, Durham has involved years of study and been for Pope Benedict XVI’s from 30th August – 2nd September a question and answer session. 2006. of not-always-easy decisions, but interview with the radio in http://cta.heythrop.ac.uk The transcript of this is avail- August. Email: [email protected] it was a period during which the able from the Newsletter section Potential podcasters may CIEL Conference. Chaldean Church was able to Merton College, Oxford, England, reflect more deeply on the great of the Liturgy Office website. find assistance in thinking about on 13th - 16th September 2006. Full details are available at www. gift of the Eucharist.’ Podcasting what and how they record in ciel2006.org Televising the Mass: Guidelines for Podcasting offers an impor- Pilgrimage to the Holy Land New Secretary Broadcast Worship available on the 21st to 29th October 2006. Led tant new way for pastors to by Fr. Allen Morris, Secretary of Liturgy Office website. Guid- the Liturgy Office, for Society of St at the Congregation reach contemporary Christians Gregory (but open to others also) ance on copyright implications of for Divine Worship through their digital jukeboxes. Martin Foster, Asst. Secretary of the broadcasting music and texts can Liturgy Office will direct the music. On his appointment, Archbishop It is already offered by Vatican Details from Special Pilgrimages: be obtained from Decani Music 01702 394000 Malcolm Ranjith, 58, had served Radio and Church Resources, (01842 819 830) and CCLI News of coming events can also a year and a half as Apostolic The Italian magazine La Civ- be found at: www.liturgyoffice.org. (www.ccli.co.uk) uk/Newsletter/News.html Nuncio to Indonesia and Timor. ilta Cattolica has urged that the Previously he worked for two Church should not pass up the Celebrating Sunday and a half years as adjunct secre- opportunity to make liturgies Evening Prayer tary for the Congregation for the and prayers available via podcast, Evangelisation of Peoples, Propa- as well as downloadable sermons celebration of Sunday ganda Fide. His priestly studies by ‘pod-preachers’. evening prayer was strongly were made in Rome, where he Podcasting allows individuals encouraged by Vatican Council earned a Licentiate in Sacred to download audio or video files II (SC 100). Celebrating Sunday Scripture. Serving as a priest in from the Internet to their iPod Evening Prayer is a resource to Colombo, Sri Lanka, he earned or other digital device, for lis- help parishes to do this. It offers a reputation for his work with tening or viewing at a later time. an alternative form to that in the the poor and eventually became Users can subscribe to podcasts Divine Office, genuinely liturgical, Rites on the Way… The Church of England has pub- for use during Advent and Lent • Reconciliation and Restoration: lished a revision of the interim and in preparation for events Recovering Baptism Initiation Services volume such as a parish mission or pil- including: A Corporate printed in 1998. Common Worship: grimage. Service of Penitence, The Initiation Services is published in In summary, the book Reconciliation of a Penitent the now standard Common Wor- contains four major groups of and A Celebration of Whole- ship house style. It includes a services: ness and Healing considerable amount of material • Rites on the Way: These rites are not, of course, not in the earlier book, notably Approaching Baptism authorised for use in the Catholic the brand new ‘Rites on the including: Thanksgiving for Church. However those responsi- Way’ designed to be used with the Gift of a Child and Rites ble for the processes of initiation adults who have recently found Supporting Disciples on the and reconciliation in the Catholic faith – perhaps through Christian Way of Christ Church will find them of inter- nurture courses like Emmaus or • Baptism and Confirmation est. They merit consideration Alpha. These services mark their in themselves, but also because coming to faith and help them • Rites of Affirmation: study of them is likely to provoke on the journey towards baptism Appropriating Baptism fresh thinking about the Catholic and confirmation. Other new including: Admission of the Church’s own rites and the way services include ‘Reconciliation Baptized to Communion, that they are presently celebrated. and Restoration’. These include Affirmation of Baptismal rites for the reconciliation of a Faith and Reception into the Church House Publishing penitent (confession), as well as Communion of the Church (ISBN 0 7151 2102 2) a corporate service of penitence of England Price £25.00

Page 2 — Liturgy Newsletter retaining and developing the cel- by name four women from the to the field of pastoral liturgy in ebratory aspects, but in a slightly community. the United States of America. simpler form and encouraging A third inscription is the Mgr. McManus was himself the eloved Pope John the fullest use of liturgical space, most archaeologically valuable. It first recipient of this award. Paul II, who was symbol, music and silence. Further reads: ‘The God-loving Aket- His writings on liturgy and Bvery devoted to St details will be provided in the ous has offered this table to the Law are extensive, notably Joseph, left us a wonder- next Liturgy Newsletter. God Jesus Christ, as a memorial.’ in Worship, Studia Liturgica, and ful meditation dedicated to him in the Apostolic The table referred to may have . Exhortation Redemptoris The earliest ‘church’? been the table or where the Custos, “The Guardian of An Israeli prisoner in the Eucharist was celebrated. Neo-Catechumenate the Redeemer”. high-security prison facility at No decision has been made A recent letter confirming the Among the many aspects Megiddo has discovered the as yet whether or how to allow norms governing the cel- on which this document mosaic floor of a Roman-era pilgrims and tourists access to ebration of the Liturgy by the sheds light, the silence of Christian building on the grounds Neo-Catechumenal way has St Joseph is given a spe- the site. cial emphasis. His silence of a high-security prison here. been widely reported. The letter is steeped in contempla- The building does not follow Monsignor Frederick R. affirms a number of practices tion of the mystery of the basilica plan, characterized McManus RIP - for example the admonitions God in an attitude of total by colonnades along a central before readings, confirms the availability to the divine Mgr Frederick McManus, died desires. nave leading to a rounded apse. existing for the exchange on the First Sunday of Advent, In other words, St Its simple design suggests that it November 27, 2005, at the age of the Sign of Peace after the Joseph’s silence does not predates Christianity’s legalization. of 82. He was at the forefront of celebration of the Word. It urges express an inner empti- So far only 10% of the site has liturgical renewal in the English that there should be no confu- ness but, on the contrary, been excavated and workers have sion between testimonies by the the fullness of the faith speaking Church. he bears in his heart and yet to uncover a dated inscrip- He was ordained in 1947 as faithful and the homily which is which guides his every tion or other evidence that firmly a priest of the Archdiocese of to the priest or deacon. thought and action. establishes the year that the build- Boston. From 1959 to 1962, and It also notes the permission for It is a silence thanks to ing was erected. But on the basis from 1964 until 1965, he was a ‘dialogue’ during the homily. which Joseph, in unison of current evidence, archeologists president of the United States’ The Cardinal has asked that once with Mary, watches over consider the site is most likely a a month the communities of the the Word of God, known Liturgical Conference. through the Sacred Scrip- public place of Christian worship Monsignor McManus was Neocatechumenal Way should tures, continuously com- that dates to the mid-3rd or early involved in many stages of the participate in Sunday celebrations paring it with the events of 4th century. If so it could be the conciliar renewal of the Lit- of the Mass with the rest of the the life of Jesus; a silence oldest public place of Christian parish community. woven of constant prayer, urgy. He was a consultant to the a prayer of blessing of the worship ever uncovered in Israel Pontifical Preparatory Com- The reporting of the letter has Lord, of the adoration of and perhaps one of the earliest mission on the Sacred Liturgy not always been well informed. his holy will and of unre- such sites in the world. (1960-1962) and a at the Commonly the letter has been served entrustment to his providence. The uncovered dedications to (1962- interpreted as a rebuff to the community figures, mosaics of Neocatechumenal Way. In fact It is no exaggeration to 1965). He served as a consulter think that it was precisely fish and in particular the specific to three groups involved in the the letter was issued following from his ‘father’ Joseph mention of ‘the God Jesus Christ’ implementation of the Council: a series of meetings in which that Jesus learned - at the demonstrate that this was a the Consilium for the Imple- the particular formation offered human level - that stead- public building used in Christian. in the Neo-Catechumenal Way fast interiority which is a mentation of the Constitution presupposition of authen- The most important evidence on the Liturgy, the Pontifical was affirmed by bishops around tic justice, the ‘superior comes from three inscriptions Commission for the revision of the world, and at a meeting of justice’ which he was one found in the mosaics. Along the Code of ) and Roman . day to teach his disciples (cf. Mt 5: 20). the edge of the largest mosaic, the Secretariat for Promoting At an audience on 12th Janu- featuring at its centre the early ary Pope Benedict confirmed Let us allow ourselves to Christian Unity. He was the be ‘filled’ with St Joseph’s Christian symbol of two fish, an first Executive Director of the that the norms detailed in the silence! In a world that ancient Greek inscription, roughly USCCB Secretariat for the Lit- letter from Cardinal Arinze had is often too noisy, that translated, reads: ‘Gaianos, also urgy, serving as a staff consultant been prepared precisely to assist encourages neither called Porphyrio, centurion, our the Neocatechumenal Way in recollection nor listening to the US Conference’s Secretar- to God’s voice, we are brother, having sought honour iat for the Liturgy after 1975. He its evangelising activity, espe- in such deep need of with his own money, has made was a member of the Advisory cially through the way in which it. During this season of this mosaic. Brouti has carried Committee of the International it ensures that its catechetical preparation for Christ- out the work.’ It is suggested that formation prepared people for mas, let us cultivate inner Commission on English in the recollection in order to this inscription refers to a Roman Liturgy from ICEL’s formation in the celebration of the liturgy and welcome and cherish officer — many officers were 1964 until 2001. the liturgy for their living of their Jesus in our own lives. early converts to Christianity The Monsignor Frederick faith. The full text of Cardinal Pope Benedict XVI Angelus message, — who financed the structure’s R. McManus Award was estab- Arinze’s letter which establishes 18th December 2005 construction. lished in January 1995 by the the norms for the liturgies of An inscription on a second Federation of Diocesan Liturgical the Way now that the previously mosaic, closer to the base of a Commissions to honour individ- approved ‘experimental period’ pedestal whose use archaeolo- uals or organizations which had has concluded, may be read on gists have not determined, recalls made a significant contribution the Liturgy Office website.

Liturgy Newsletter — Page 3 Magazine Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue and Prayer subscriptions Archbishop Kevin McDonald: Dialogue, Today and Tomorrow conference, 10 Nov. 2005 Since 2003 the Liturgy Office has offered Interreligious Dialogue is now an integral part of life With Muslims we must seek to explore the impli- readers in the United in the Church. It is an enterprise in which we share. cations of what is shared. Perhaps most important of Kingdom a one-stop It is a work to be done. It is a dimension of evange- all is trying to create an atmosphere of dialogue in subscription service lisation that is open and receptive. It is a discernment which we think not in terms of differences but of for overseas English language liturgical pub- of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people convergences. A culture of dialogue is one in which lications. This facility who belong to other faiths. It is an urgent task espe- we focus on what we share in order to provide a helps subscribers avoid cially in a time of ethnic conflicts that have a religious positive framework in which to look honestly at our the difficulties and dimension to them. differences… expense of paying the subscriptions in foreign (Dialogue itself)… is a delicate matter since the With other religions that lie outside the mono- currency. idea of dialogue and the culture of dialogue is Chris- theistic traditions, it is a matter of identifying values tian in its provenance. It is part of the theological and and beliefs that we can respect and share. Our whole The subscription list for 2006 is now closed. philosophical tradition of the Christian West. It was mind-set needs to be one of openness. But, with all If you would like to explicitly identified as a key concept in Christian interreligious dialogue ours must be an openness that register an interest in theology by Pope Paul VI in section 70 of his great eschews relativism. We undermine the whole project subscribing for 2007 Ecclesiam Suam. The Judeo-Christian tradi- of interreligious dialogue if we collude with the idea please email the Liturgy Office. We will then tion is a tradition of dialogue between God and man: that all religions are equally valid ways of relating to email you back when in the creation, in the call of Abraham and of Moses, God. Interreligious dialogue requires us to bring to details of costs for 2007 and finally in the relationship between Christ and the table the whole of our faith and for Christians are available. his heavenly Father. Our evangelisation is dialogical that includes our belief in the absolute uniqueness of in character. When we proclaim the Word of God, the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. If we do not we look for the promptings of the Holy Spirit in the proclaim Christ is Lord of all and Prince of Peace Book reviews Brief reviews of recent hearts and minds of those to whom we preach. Dia- then we come to the table of dialogue empty-handed. liturgical publica- logue is integral to Christianity. The development of …Any attempt to lump all faiths together is really a tions have previously both ecumenical dialogue and interreligious dialogue form of agnosticism. been carried in Liturgy was therefore a natural development of a living tradi- …Interreligious dialogue is dialogue between Newsletter. Because of pressure of space it tion. Once we recognised the validity of the Baptism people of prayer. That binds us together even though has been decided that of other Christians, the natural next step was to seek we do not pray together: Lex orandi, lex credendi. Our all further reviews, to establish dialogue that would seek to build on and prayer is a ratification and expression of our faith. and details of books deepen our agreement in faith. Interreligious dialogue We must respect one another’s prayer because we received, will be put directly on the Liturgy is quite a different matter. We are not seeking unity respect one another’s faith. But, despite our differ- Office website. This has of faith, but, having recognised elements of truth in ences, the way ahead must be a way of prayer. We the advantage of allow- other religious, we naturally seek to explore that more should pray for one another and at some level we pray ing more substantial deeply, to consolidate, to establish shared values and in solidarity with one another. The two meetings at reviews of a broader selection of materials. so create new bonds of friendship with those of other Assisi, when Pope John Paul called people of different religions…. (Dialogue) may seem like the imposition religions to come together to pray for peace, remain www.liturgyoffice.org. of a Western way of thinking on cultures and religions an icon and a model for what we can do in this area. uk /Newsletter in which a culture of dialogue finds no resonance. Respecting and encouraging each other in prayer Nevertheless, we cannot but propose dialogue as a but from the vantage point of our own faith and the way forward in a multi-cultural and multi-religious prayer that flows from that. ‘We don’t come to pray society… together. We come together to pray.’ Liturgy Let me suggest some of the areas of dialogue that But if the way ahead doesn’t include joint prayer Newsletter need further exploration. With the Jews we have a it can and should involve joint celebration and cul- www.liturgyoffice.org. unique bond but also a very troubled history. We have tural sharing - enjoying and sharing the cultural riches uk /Newsletter apologised for the anti-semitism that has been part of of the traditions of faith to which we belong. That is Editorial Christianity. We have made great progress especially important for building community, for building soli- Revd Allen Morris in our recognition that God has not revoked his darity, and what we have come to call social cohesion. Liturgy Office Covenant with the Chosen People. But we need to And that brings me to my final point where I make 39 Eccleston Square do more and we need to do more together. We must no apology for speaking again about peace. The path London SW1V 1PL overcome not only any residual anti-semitism but also ahead must be a path of peace and a path that seeks 020 7901 4850 any reluctance or diffidence in our engagement with to make peace, peace between faiths, peace in our 020 7901 4821 (fax) Liturgy.Office@cbcew. the Jews. We must also ask and elicit their engagement communities and peace in the world. The language org.uk in dialogue on the outstanding questions and issues of peace is a language we share. The hope for peace is that we need to explore together. We need to hear a hope we share. Let us not abandon it but tread the The views expressed in Liturgy Newsletter are not each other’s voices and each other’s perceptions. But path of peace together with all our brothers and sisters necessarily those of the we must not underestimate what has already been of other faiths. Bishops’ Conference. achieved especially under the courageous leadership Archbishop Kevin MacDonald is Chairman of the Liturgy Newsletter may be copied and distributed freely of Pope John Paul II. Already we may acknowledge Bishops’ Conference Committee for Other Faiths and in whole or in part. Permission and celebrate the Jewish people as our elder brother, Committee for Catholic-Jewish Relations. for any other use contact the Liturgy Office. as our parent religion, and acknowledge and celebrate The full text of his address is available from the © 2006 Liturgy Office, Bishops’ our common roots and common heritage. Catholic Bishops’ Conference website. Conference of England and Wales

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