LITURGY NEWSLETTER Vol. 5 No. 3 May 2005 A Quarterly Newsletter prepared by the Liturgy Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales The Pasch of John Paul II As the Church mourns the death of Pope John Paul and gives thanks to God for his extraordi- eing on the nary ministry, it is appropriate in this Newsletter to recall his contribution to the process of the threshold of the Third Mil- renewal of the Church’s liturgy called for in Sacrosanctum Concilium. Lack of space means that B lennium in medio attention can be paid only to the late Holy Father’s principal teaching and influences. Ecclesiae, I wish It would be difficult to over emphasise the importance for liturgical formation of the many and once again to express gratitude to the Holy varied celebrations of the liturgy presided over by Pope John Paul both during his pastoral and Spirit for the great gift missionary pilgrimages across the globe, and ‘at home’ in the diocese of Rome, on pastoral visita- of Vatican Council tion and in the great basilicas and St Peter’s Square. The value of these celebrations for the Holy II, to which together Father himself is witnessed to in Mane Nobiscum Domine, his last Apostolic Letter written for the with the whole Church — and above all with ‘Year of the ’. Words recorded in the Obituary notice placed in the Holy Father’s coffin the entire episcopate affirm the exemplary way in which he promoted the liturgical life of the Church: ‘As sacerdos — I feel indebted. I am magnus he exercised the liturgical ministry in the Diocese of Rome and in the whole world, in convinced that once total fidelity to Vatican Council II.’ again and for a long time it will be given to Yet some considered him unduly responsive to the pastoral needs of those others uncomfortable the new generations to with the liturgical renewal. His decision to establish the Ecclesia Dei Commission to oversee the draw from the riches authorised celebrations of the according to the ritual books of 1962 has been criticised by that this Council of some, though of course warmly welcomed by others. In more recent years certain documents of the 20th century has lavished. As a Bishop the Congregation of Divine Worship, issued with Papal approval, most notably Liturgiam Authenti- who has participated cam and Redemptionis Sacramentum, have been received somewhat nervously by many and by some in the conciliar event seen as threatening the integrity of the renewal processes. However as time proceeds the pastoral from the first to the last advantage provided by these documents becomes more evident, as they assist the Church to what day, I wish to entrust Pope John Paul himself called ‘a sort of examination of conscience’ as to its reception of the teach- this great treasure to all those who are or will ings of the Second Vatican Council. (cf. Tertio Millennio Adveniente 36 and Spiritus et Sponsa 6) be in the future called The significance of the Holy Father’s on the Eucharist, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, has been to realize it. For my widely recognised. Two other documents issued to mark anniversaries of the promulgation of part, I thank the eternal Pastor who allowed Sacrosanctum Concilium attracted much less attention, but the teachings presented in Vicesimus me to serve this great Quintus Annus (1988) and Spiritus et Sponsa (2003) deserve to be much more widely known cause in the course and engaged with. They provide broad and generous appreciations of the renewal of the liturgy of all the years of my achieved to date, and encouragement to continue this work into the future. pontificate. John Paul II The closing words of Spiritus et Sponsa are these: At the beginning of this millennium, may a ‘liturgical From his Last Will and Testament spirituality’ be developed that makes people conscious that Christ is the first ‘liturgist’ who never ceases to act in the Church and in the world through the Paschal Mystery continuously celebrated, and who associates the Church with himself, in praise of the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. They provide a clear indication of a pastoral priority of the ministry of John Paul II and of the work of renewal to which the Church is called to commit herself.

Bursary for Liturgical Study On the Way to Life On the Way to Life Catholic Education Service In his will, Mgr James Crichton left money to The Department for Catholic Education and £10.00 be invested for the benefit of any seminarian or Formation of the Bishops’ Conference has www.cesew.org.uk priest of an English Catholic diocese to assist commissioned a critical analysis of contempo- with their fees in their study at the Pontifical rary culture from Fr James Hanvey sj and the Liturgical Institute, Sant’ Anselmo, Rome. The Heythrop Institute for Religion, Ethics and first bursary will be granted for Academic year Public Life. The Department recently presented 2006/7. Suitable applicants should reply in Eng- the report to the Bishops’ Conference. The lish or Italian to: Mgr James Crichton Bursary report, and people’s responses to it, is likely to for the study of Liturgy, The Preside, Pontifical have a broad influence on reflection on cat- Liturgical Institute, Pzza Cavalieri di Malta, 5, echesis and formation including the formation 00153 Roma, Italia or e-mail: [email protected] for and by the liturgy over the next few years.

Liturgy Newsletter — Page 1 Coming Events New Liturgical Publications Society of St Gregory Music & Liturgy Summer The Bishops’ Conference and its Cardinal Cormac Murphy- particular ministry and all those School The theme for the Summer School is ‘Mission Liturgy Office have published O’Connor, President of the who gather as members of the and Evangelisation’. It will three new documents. Bishops’ Conference Body of Christ. explored in key note talks and developed through the liturgies. 1. The Bishops’ Conference’s I warmly welcome the publica- These three documents have The Summer School is being held in Sneaton Castle, Whitby, translation of the revised edition tion of these three documents something to offer us all. I hope Yorkshire from August 1st-5th. and the opportunity for ‘renew- Details on SSG website (www. of the General Instruction of the the Church in England and Wales ssg.org.uk) or from Gill Ness- . This revised edition ing the renewal’ of the liturgy will take full advantage of them. Smith 01903 812480. called for by the Second Vati- was prepared by the Holy See Bishop Arthur Roche, Chairman Joint Liturgical Group can Council and so recently Conference as part of the 3rd edition of the of the Department for Christian ‘Dwellers all in Time and Space requested by the late Holy 13–15 September 2005 at Ushaw Roman Missal. The translation was Life and Worship Father, Pope John Paul II. prepared by the Bishops’ Con- In this ‘’ the Taize European Meeting for ference, through the agency of Every week, many thousands Young People late Holy Father, Pope John Paul Milan, Dec. 28 to Jan. 1. Details ICEL, and has received recognitio of times, in the parishes and II, highlighted the importance on www.taize.fr/en. from the Holy See. The revised communities of England and of the Eucharist in the life of the National Network of Pastoral General Instruction has been pub- Wales, the Mass is celebrated. The Musicians Church. July 27–30 2006 lished in advance of the rest of Second Vatican Council called His own love and understand- Themes to include ‘Wisdom from the Missal because of its singular this Mass, the source and summit the East….’ ing of the Eucharist informed his significance. of the Christian life. Society of Liturgical Studies ministry in every way. Millions 22-24 August 2006 2. Celebrating the Mass: a pasto- How often have we said that of people are witnesses to the ral guide. This is a document of old adage, ‘It is the Mass that devotion and love with which he the Bishops’ Conference itself, matters’? Essentially we say that celebrated the Mass. His teach- intended to assist the widest because in the Mass we are not ings on the Eucharist remain a reception of the teaching of the focused on what we do, or we rich resource for the Church. The General Instruction, and to offer say, but what God has done for encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, pastoral guidance on the celebra- us in Jesus Christ. It is His Word, the annual Letters to priests on Book reviews tion of the Mass in the particular His Sacrifice, His Presence, Holy Thursday explored many Because of pressure of space circumstances of England and remembered, re-focused, re-pre- dimensions of this great Mystery, book reviews are now put Wales. Whereas the General sented on the , the salvation directly on the Liturgy Office and his Apostolic letter Mane website. New reviews are Instruction necessarily considers and hope of the world. Nobiscum Domine spoke elo- added regularly. a variety of forms of celebration My own hope and prayer is that quently of his hopes for the ‘Year of Mass, Celebrating the Mass is of the late Holy Father, that in of the Eucharist’. able to focus on the pattern of this Year of the Eucharist there One specific project which he celebration most usually encoun- will be an increase of faith, singled out and commended to tered in parishes in England and devotion, reverence, care and parish communities was the study Wales. Its organisation and style celebration of the Mystery of the of the General Instruction of the make it more easily readable by Holy Eucharist. Roman Missal. the non-specialist than is the If there is to be such a renewal Three great servants of the work General Instruction. As the Holy Father said, ‘The of liturgical renewal have recently of these things it will be in large Eucharist is a great mystery! And died 3. With Hearts and Minds, a part be led by the initiative and it is one which above all resource for parish groups, pre- Louis Bouyer dedication of the priests of the be well celebrated. Holy Mass Died 23 October 2004 pared by the Liturgy Office of the A consultor to Vatican Council II. Church. I urge them to make needs to be set at the centre of Bishops’ Conference. It provides His writings on liturgy have been the celebration of Mass not only the Christian life and celebrated very influential, including The resources for six meetings in Paschal Mystery (1950), Liturgical their daily obligation, but part of in a dignified manner by every Piety (1955), Liturgy and Life which participants can meet (1956), Liturgy and Architecture their daily prayer, and personal community, in accordance with together, pray, reflect on what the (1967 and Eucharist: Theology devotion and study. As their rever- established norms, with the and Spirituality of the Eucharistic Church teaches about the cel- Prayer (1968) ence and love for the Mass grows, participation of the assembly, ebration of the Mass and consider together with their knowledge with the presence of ministers Pierre Jounel in what ways they participate Died 14 November 2004 and understanding of how the who carry out their assigned tasks in the liturgy and live from the A specialist on the cult of saints he Church asks for the Mass to be and with a serious concern that contributed to the post Conciliar liturgy. There are complementary reform of the Liturgical Calendar, celebrated, so they will be all the singing and liturgical music be the and the Liturgy resources for both leaders and of the Hours. He was a regular better able to lead the People of suitably sacred.’ (Mane Nobiscum contributor to La Maison Dieu and participants. Additional materials God in fruitful celebration of the one of the authors of The Church Domine 17) at Prayer (1986–1988) for parish leaders, both to help set Mass. up groups and to reflect on the Much has been achieved already I urge too the whole Church, Pierre-Marie Gy results of the process are available in implementing the renewal Died 20 December 2004 young and old, to take time to for downloading from the Liturgy of the liturgy as required by the In addition to his work at the Insti- reflect on the contribution they tut Catholique de Paris, especially Office website. Second Vatican Council. These at its Institut Supérior de Liturgie can make to the worthy celebra- publications will provide priests Pére Gy made contributions to the Extracts from press releases are preparatory Commission on liturgy tion of the Mass. Through their and people with the opportunity for Vatican Council II and took given below. The full texts are part in the reform of the Mass and reverence and love for the Mass to take stock of what has been the rites for anointing the sick, for available on the Liturgy Office each one can make a contribu- achieved already and take respon- marriage and funerals. website. tion, both those who exercise sibility for what is still needed.

Page 2 — Liturgy Newsletter o participate in Renewing the Renewal Opportunities for formation Sunday Mass The publication of the revised bility for the celebration of the and achieve a common mind Tis not only an edition of the General Instruc- liturgy throughout the diocese with regard to the liturgy. important obligation tion (GIRM) and of Celebrating entrusted to his care. (SC 41; Parish 3 but, first, a profound the Mass (CTM) provides an GIRM 22, 387; CTM 21, 26) It is ‘We know WHM and ICWC is need of every faithful. opportunity for refreshing and doubtless best for a general proc- the way forward for us. But we’ll The faith cannot be deepening ministers’ understand- ess of ‘renewing the renewal’ to start in six months time. What lived without habitual ing of the liturgy, principally of be carried out under the auspices might we do in the meantime?’ participation in Sunday the Mass, but also more generally. of the Bishop, and guidance of his Mass, sacrifice of Resources Liturgy Commission. A certain redemption, common It also is an occasion for con- • A range of leaflets have been consistency in practice within a banquet of the Word of sidering how a deeper liturgical prepared for parish ministers, Diocese is desirable. God and of the Eucha- formation might be provided for e.g. ministers of the word and ristic Bread, heart of the whole assembly. That said there will of course be ministers of Holy . Christian life. Sacrosanctum Concilium empha- occasions when initiatives are These provide GIRM/CTM taken within a particular parish or Because of this it is sised that ‘in the restoration and descriptions of particular min- necessary to concen- local deanery. promotion of the sacred liturgy istries and hints on preparation trate efforts on better the full and active participation Parish 1 for exercising them. These will and more careful by all the people is the aim to be There is a perceived need for help begin a process of forma- instruction and cat- considered before all else, for it general parish renewal concern- tion with key people with little echesis of the faithful is the primary and indispensable ing the liturgy. Parish has good additional effort. on the Eucharist, as well as to take care source from which the faithful are experience of working with small Parish 4 to derive the true Christian spirit. groups. Following a review of that the celebration is A process of liturgical formation worthy and decorous, Yet it would be futile to entertain GIRM and CTM by the parish for all has recently taken place in so that it inspires true any hope of realising this unless priest and the parish team (e.g. the context of continuing parish respect and genuine pastors of souls, in the first place, other clergy, catechetical coor- renewal programme. However piety before the great- themselves become fully imbued dinator, coordinator of liturgy there are some particular issues ness of the Eucharistic with the spirit and power of the team) it is agreed to embark on a that need addressing - for example mystery. liturgy and attain competence in programme of general formation how to deepen participation in Sunday Mass should be it.’ SC 14. across the parish. the Liturgy of the Word and the appropriately prepared Such competence is not gained Resources Liturgy of Communion. by the celebrant, with in the initial training provided • With Hearts and Minds (WHM) Resources his spiritual disposition, perceptible later in his in seminaries, or in a once only — resourcing parish groups • WHM may be of assistance reading of something such as for a six week process of study, gestures and words, to parish team and principal and the prepara- the General Instruction. This are prayer and reflection. ministers. tion of the . foundations that need to be built • In Communion with Christ • Issues sheets have been prepared on by continuing study and Special attention must (ICWC) — a whole-parish considering a wide range of reflection on experience. It is far also be dedicated formation tool based on Sunday particular matters and offering from easy to find sufficient time, to the selection and preaching on the liturgy and a simple process for considering preparation of songs, for significant study and sufficient take home sheets (one set for how to proceed. signs and other means reflection. That is why from time general use and one specifically that enrich the liturgy, to time there is advantage in such for parents of young children). Where do I find these always within the initiatives as the present ‘Year of General themes are the same as resources? respect due to the the Eucharist’ and the encourage- WHM. (ICWC and WHM are established norms, ment to take every advantage of The General Instruction, Celebrat- valuing all the spiritual designed to be complementary ing the Mass and With Hearts and the opportunity for renewal pre- and run alongside each other.) and pastoral richness sented by the publication of the Minds are all published by CTS of the Roman Missal.... Additional resources to assist (www.cts-online.org.uk). General Instruction and Celebrating with liturgical preaching. It is not an easy task, the Mass. Additional resources for With and because of this it Parish 2 Hearts and Minds can be down- requires the coopera- Different communities will find As with Parish One, there is a themselves in different situations. loaded from Liturgy Office website tion of all: presbyters desire for cross-parish formation (www.liturgyoffice.org.uk). and deacons, the con- For that reason a wide range of except there is no eagerness for secrated and faithful different formation materials have using small groups. In Communion with Christ is who are present in the been prepared. downloadable from the Liturgy parishes or who belong Resources: Office website In what follows the examples • ICWC can run as a stand alone to ecclesial associa- tions or movements. are a series of imaginary parish programme. Ministers Leaflets and Issues sheets communities. However it should are also all downloadable from the • Before running ICWC for the Accept the collabora- be remembered that although Liturgy Office website. tion of all, unite efforts whole parish the parish team parish priests have a particular and work in commun- and those principally involved Also available from the website responsibility for liturgy in their ion! in preparing and leading liturgy is an abbreviated form of WHM parish, they are in the first place designed for use by priests and Pope John Paul II in the parish might themselves Address to plenary assembly to respond to the guidance of make use of WHM. It can help principal co-workers over a series of the Pontifical Commission their Bishop, who has responsi- for Latin America them focus on the task in hand of 3 Deanery meetings. 21st January 2005

Liturgy Newsletter — Page 3 Pope John Paul’s Holy Thursday letter to Priests he Liturgy offers The full text of the late Holy Father’s letter, from which because no one, unless he freely chooses, is excluded the deepest and the following is extracted can be found on the Liturgy from the saving power of Christ’s blood: qui pro vobis Tmost effective Office website. et effundetur. It is a sacrifice offered for answer to the human ‘many,’ as the Biblical text says (Mark 14:24; Mat- I take as my inspiration the words of Eucharistic heart’s yearning for the thew 26:28; Isaiah 53:11-12); this typical Semitic encounter with God. consecration. These words provide us with illumi- expression refers to the multitude who are saved It does so especially nating insights for priestly spirituality: If the whole by Christ, the one Redeemer, yet at the same time in the Eucharist, in Church draws life from the Eucharist, all the more it implies the totality of human beings to whom which we are given to then must the life of a priest be ‘shaped’ by the salvation is offered: the Lord’s blood is ‘shed for you share in the sacrifice of Eucharist. So for us, the must Christ and to nour- and for all,’ as some translations legitimately make be more than a formula of consecration, they must ish ourselves with his explicit. Christ’s flesh is truly given ‘for the life of the be a ‘formula of life.’ Body and his Blood. world’ (John 6:51; 1 John 2:2). However, Pastors must A life of profound ‘gratitude’ Repeating Christ’s venerable words in the recol- ensure that the sense of Tibi gratias agens benedixit. At every Mass we lected silence of the liturgical assembly, we priests mystery penetrates con- remember and relive the first sentiment expressed become privileged heralds of this mystery of salva- sciences, making them by Jesus as he broke the bread: that of thanksgiv- tion. Yet unless we sense that we ourselves are saved, rediscover the art of ing. Gratitude is the disposition which lies at the ‘mystagogic catechesis’, how can we be convincing heralds? We are the first root of the very word ‘Eucharist.’ This expression of so dear to the Fathers to be touched inwardly by the grace which raises thanksgiving contains the whole Biblical spiritual- of the Church. It is us from our frailty and makes us cry ‘Abba, Father’ ity of praise for the mirabilia Dei. God loves us, he their duty, in particular, with the confidence of God’s children (Galatians goes before us in his Providence, he accompanies to promote dignified 4:6; Romans 8:15). This in turn commits us to celebrations, paying us with his continuous saving acts. advance along the path of perfection. Holiness, the proper attention to In the Eucharist, Jesus thanks the Father with us the different categories in fact, is the full expression of salvation. Only if and for us. How could this thanksgiving of Jesus of persons: children, our lives manifest the fact that we are saved do we young people, adults, fail to shape the life of a priest? He knows that he become credible heralds of salvation. Moreover, a the elderly, the disa- must cultivate a constant sense of gratitude for the constant awareness of Christ’s will to offer salvation bled. They must all feel many gifts he has received in the course of his life: in to all cannot fail to inspire us with fresh mission- welcome at our gather- particular, for the gift of faith, which it is his task to ary fervour, spurring each of us on to become ‘all ings, so that they may proclaim, and for the gift of the priesthood, which things to all men, in order to save at least some of breathe the atmosphere consecrates him totally to the service of the King- them’ (1 Corinthians 9:22). of the first commu- dom of God. We have our crosses to bear — and we A life that ‘remembers’ nity of believers who are certainly not the only ones! — but the gifts we ‘devoted themselves to Hoc facite in meam commemorationem. These words of have received are so great that we cannot fail to sing the Apostles’ teaching Jesus have been preserved for us not only by Luke from the depths of our hearts our own Magnificat. and fellowship, to the (22:19) but also by Paul (1 Corinthians 11:24). breaking of bread and A life that is ‘given’ We should keep in mind that they were spoken the prayers’ (Acts 2: 42). Accipite et manducate. Accipite et bibite. Christ’s self- in the context of the Paschal meal, which for the Pope John Paul II giving, which has its origin in the Trinitarian life of Spiritus et Sponsa 12 Jews was indeed a ‘memorial’. On that occasion the God who is Love, reaches its culmination in the the Israelites relived the Exodus first and foremost, sacrifice of the Cross, sacramentally anticipated in but also the other important events of their his- the Last Supper. It is impossible to repeat the words tory: the call of Abraham, the sacrifice of Isaac, the of consecration without feeling oneself caught up Covenant of Sinai, the many acts of God in defence Liturgy in this spiritual movement. In a certain sense, when of his people. For Christians too, the Eucharist is a Newsletter he says the words: ‘take and eat,’ the priest must ‘memorial,’ but of a unique kind: it not only com- www.liturgyoffice.org. learn to apply them also to himself, and to speak memorates, but sacramentally makes present the uk /Newsletter them with truth and generosity. If he is able to death and resurrection of the Lord. offer himself as a gift, placing himself at the disposal Editorial Jesus said: ‘Do this in memory of me.’ The Eucharist of the community and at the service of anyone in Revd Allen Morris does not simply commemorate a fact; it com- need, his life takes on its true meaning. Liturgy Office memorates Him! Through his daily repetition in 39 Eccleston Square This is exactly what Jesus expected of his apostles, London SW1V 1PL persona Christi of the words of the ‘memorial,’ the as the Evangelist John emphasizes in his account of 020 7901 4850 priest is invited to develop a ‘spirituality of remem- 020 7901 4821 (fax) the washing of the feet. It is also what the People brance.’ At a time when rapid social and cultural [email protected] of God expect of a priest. Obeying out of love, sac- changes are weakening the sense of tradition, and rificing even a certain legitimate freedom when the The views expressed in leading the younger generation especially to risk Liturgy Newsletter are not authoritative discernment of the bishop so requires, losing touch with their roots, the priest is called to necessarily those of the the priest lives out in his own flesh that ‘take and be, within the community entrusted to him, the Bishops’ Conference. eat’ with which Christ, in the Last Supper, gave man who faithfully remembers the entire mystery Liturgy Newsletter may be himself to the Church. copied and distributed freely of Christ: prefigured in the Old Testament, fulfilled in whole or in part. Permission for any other use contact the A life that is ‘saved’ in order to save in the New, and understood ever more deeply, Liturgy Office. Hoc est enim corpus meum quod pro vobis tradetur. The under the guidance of the Spirit, as Jesus explicitly © 2005 Liturgy Office, body and the are given for the salva- promised: ‘He will teach you all things and bring to Bishops’ Conference of tion of man, of the whole man and of all men. This your remembrance all that I have said to you’ (John England and Wales salvation is integral and at the same time universal, 14:26).

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