Li t u r g y Ne w s l e t t e r Vol. 9 No. 1 November 2008 A Quarterly Newsletter prepared by the Liturgy Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of and Wales

Synod on the Word of God he beauty and The Synod of Bishops met in Rome in October to reflect on theWord of God in the Life harmony of the Tchurches, destined and Mission of the Church. The Synod met for 3 weeks, listened to speeches and worked to give praise to God, also draws us human beings, in small groups. At the end of the process 55 propositions were drawn up and presented limited and sinful, to to the Holy Father. As with the previous Synod on the Eucharist Benedict XVI permit- convert to form a “cosmos,” a well-ordered structure, in ted the propositions to be made public on the Vatican website. It is customary for the intimate communion with Holy Father to use the propositions as the basis for an Apostolic Exhortation. Jesus, who is the true Saint of saints. This happens The propositions were presented in three parts: 1. The Word of God in the Faith of the in a culminating way in Church, 2. The Word of God in the Life of the Church, 3. The Word of God in the Mis- the Eucharistic liturgy, in which the “ecclesia,” that sion of the Church. Many of the propositions express the relationship between the Word is, the community of the of God and the Liturgy. What follows is a brief summary of some of the propositions. baptized, come together in a unified way to listen 7. The profound unity between the Word of • Ministers of the word, lectors and cantors to the Word of God and nourish themselves with the God and the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the should be supported and offered formation Body and Blood of Christ. principal hermeneutic context for Scripture, so that they can proclaim the word clearly. From these two tables the just as Scripture illuminates and explains the Church of living stones is They should be encouraged to make the built up in truth and charity Eucharistic mystery. connections between what they proclaim and is internally formed by 8. The importance of the Word of God in the and the witness of their lives. the Holy Spirit transform- ing herself into what she sacraments of healing (penance and anointing • The Church community should make receives, conforming herself of the sick). The Church must be the com- provision so that the deaf and the visually more and more to the Lord Jesus Christ. She herself, munity which, reconciled by that Word which impaired can receive the Word of God. if she lives in sincere and is Jesus Christ, offers a space of reconciliation, fraternal unity, in this way • Those who preside have a responsibility to mercy and forgiveness to all. becomes the spiritual sacri- ensure that the scriptures are never replaced fice pleasing to God. 14. The liturgy is the privileged place in by other texts. Dear friends, today’s feast which the Word of God fully expresses itself, celebrates a mystery that 15. The homily, which makes concrete the both in the celebration of the sacraments and is always relevant: God’s proclaimed word, should be given at every desire to build a spiritual above all the Eucharist, as well as in the Lit- temple in the world, a com- Mass with the people. It draws people into the urgy of the Hours and in the Liturgical Year. munity that worships him mystery being celebrated, inviting all to mission. in spirit and truth. But this The mystery of salvation narrated in Sacred Those who preach should prepare themselves observance also reminds Scripture finds in the liturgy its proper place of us of the importance of the proclamation, hearing and realisation. From this through prayer so that they will preach with material buildings in which passion and conviction. They should respond to the community gathers the following is proposed: to celebrate the praises of three questions: • The book of Sacred Scriptures should have God. Every community • What are these readings saying? therefore has the duty to a place of honour in Churches, even out- take special care of its own side the liturgy. • What are they saying to me personally? sacred buildings, which are a precious religious and • The periods of silence, given in the General • What must I say to the community, taking historical patrimony. For Instruction of the , following the account of its concrete situation? this we call upon the inter- cession of Mary Most Holy, first and second readings and the homily It was hoped that a ‘Directory on the Homily’ that she help us to become, should be encouraged. could be developed. like her, the “house of God,” living temple of his • Celebrations of the Word built on the read- 16. It was recommended that the Roman love. ings of the following Sunday. Pope Benedict XVI Lectionary be reviewed to see if it is truly Angelus, Dedication of the Lateran • The readings should be proclaimed from adequate for the mission of the Church. This Basilica, Sunday 9 November worthy editions of the Lectionary and the would include a review of the relationship of Book of the Gospels. the Old Testament readings and the Gospel Contents News 1–2 • Prior to proclamation on Sundays and to see if either a restricted reading is implied Documentation feasts there should be a procession of the or that important passages are omitted. This Statement on the Book of the Gospels. revision could be carried out in dialogue with Name of God 4 Liturgy Newsletter — Page 1 Coming Events ecumenical partners who use provide a better understanding Masses for Various Needs and this common lectionary. of the relationship between Intentions, and Ritual Masses. Mount Street Jesuit Centre Liturgy Course Word and Eucharist, and the This means that six of the Thursday 29 January –12 March 17. The Synod recognised 2009 resolution of the prayer in a twelve Grey books — the final http://www.msjc.org.uk/theoed/ the important role of women liturgy.php in the transmission of the faith, commitment to charity. text prepared for voting by particularly through the family 23. Catechesis rooted in rev- ICEL — have been approved and catechesis. Their gift in elation should take as its model by the Bishops’ Conference. he liturgy is the opening people to the word Jesus on the road to Emmaus The remaining sections will heart of the Church. be presented for voting at the “If the Church was acknowledged. It was who opened the scriptures to T Easter meeting of the Bishops’ were not to celebrate hoped that the role of Lector the disciples. Catechumens the Eucharist, she would would be open to women so need to be accompanied on Conference: Proper of Saints, become an obsolete Common of Saints, Votive Masses institution…If the Church that their role as announcers of their journey through the doesn’t pray, it doesn’t the Word may be recognized reading of Scripture to show & Masses for the Dead, Anti- live. The liturgy is the in the Christian community. them God’s plan, preparing phons, Introductory Documents respiration of the life of and Appendices. the Church. The Church 18. Celebrations of the Word them to encounter the Lord was born to adore God, of God are recommended. The in the sacraments of Chris- to honour and praise him. Missale Romanum The Mass is the highest importance of such celebra- tian initiation and to commit Libreria Editrice Vaticana will act that the Church can tions in communities which themselves to the community perform; there is nothing be reprinting the Latin editio are unable to celebrate the and to mission. higher. typica tertia of the Roman Eucharist was acknowledged The pre-baptismal catechu- [Many liturgical abuses] Missal in the New Year. It will are not due to bad inten- and it was proposed that the menate should be followed by include the Latin text of the tions, but to ignorance. wider Church may learn of a post-baptismal mystagogy, a Some do not know, or new dismissals which were best practice from these com- continual formation in which are not aware that they first given in the English lan- do not know. They don’t munities. Sacred Scripture and the know, for example, that guage Order of Mass which Catechism of the words and gestures have 19. The Liturgy of the Hours received recognitio earlier in the roots in the tradition of provides a privileged place must occupy the central place. the Church. Thus, they year and will come into use think themselves more for hearing the Word of God. 40. The Synod noted the in English when the whole original or more creative The faithful are encouraged contribution of artists in all changing them. Missal text is authorised for to participate in Morning disciplines who have helped use. The texts were devised at Faced with these things, and Evening Prayer so that it to make the invisible world it is necessary to reaffirm the request on Benedict XVI that the liturgy is sacred; become even more the prayer perceptible and to translate in Sacramentum Caritatis. it is the public prayer of of the whole Church. The the divine message into the the Church. preparation of simple forms of language of forms and figures. Go and announce the Gospel Cardinal Francis Arinze of the Lord. Interview with L’Osservatore the Liturgy of the Hours are It called for a rediscovery of Romano, 22 November 2008 Go in peace, glorifying the encouraged. Biblical inspiration so that Lord by your life. 20. The Word lies at the heart art could proclaim, sing and Go in peace. of marriage. Parents are the promote contemplation on the • http://www.paxbook.com first announcers of the word Word of God. Sign of Peace to their children. Domestic Bishops should see that church In an interview with celebrations of the word and buildings are adequate for the L’Osservatore Romano to mark reading the Bible should be proclamation of the Word, his 50th anniversary of priest- developed and encouraged. meditation and the celebration hood Cardinal Arinze referred The scriptures can be a source of the Eucharist. Even outside to the consultation request by of support through the dif- the liturgical action churches the Holy Father in Sacramen- ficulties of family life. should be eloquent, presenting tum Caritatis on the position 21. The Synod recommends the Christian mystery in rela- of the Sign of Peace. ‘Often, that small Christian Com- tion to the Word of God. the significance of this gesture • http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/synod/ munities be formed where the documents/rc_synod_doc_20081025_elenco- is not fully understood,’ the prop-finali_it.html Word of God is heard, studied • An unofficial English translation: Cardinal noted. ‘It is thought and prayed over. http://ncrcafe.org/node/2228 that it is an occasion to give a 22. The prayerful reading of Roman Missal high-five to friends. Rather, it scripture by methods such as Translation is a way of saying to the person Lectio Divina are encouraged At the November meeting of beside you that the peace of for all the faithful. Among the the Bishops’ Conference three Christ, really present on the points mentioned are the use Grey book texts were voted altar, is also with all men.’ of the Sunday and weekday on and approved: Eucharistic The said that the readings as a foundation to Prayers for Masses with Children, Church is considering moving

Page 2 — Liturgy Newsletter the sign of peace to the bereaved to alert families and supported by readings from the moment of the offertory, ‘to relatives to the rite of burial Old Testament and the epistles create an atmosphere of more of ashes. A form of the liturgy of Paul. The liturgical calendar I propose a fourfold read- recollection while one is pre- can be found in the Order of of the Ambrosian Rite has also ing of scripture. We are to paring for Communion.’ Christian Funerals. The guid- love God with heart, soul, been modified. mind and strength. ance also notes some of the ‘The Pope has asked for a Cardinal Tettamanzi expressed 1. The heart: Lectio implications of providing a Divina, private meditation consultation of all the bishops,’ the wish that ‘the new site within Church property and prayer, and above the Cardinal said. ‘Afterward, lectionary be received and all the readings in the for the burial of ashes and he will decide.’ eucharist. suggests other places that seen as a gift that helps us to profess, celebrate and live 2. The mind: historical might be considered. study of the text and The Name of God the faith beginning from the its original contextual • http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/OCF/ meaning. At the end of June the Con- index.shtml#Resources Word of God,’ reinvigorating gregation for Divine Worship liturgical life ‘like a beating 3. The soul: the ongo- Concelebration ing life of the church, its sent out to Bishops’ Confer- heart of the community on its Guidelines tradition and teaching ences directives on the use journey to holiness and in its office. In 2006 the Department of Hebrew Tetragrammaton missionary dynamism.’ 4. The strength: the mis- issued Guidelines for Con- sion of the church, the — YHWH in the liturgy. In work of God’s kingdom. respect to the ancient tra- celebrations which could be The Holy Father responded used as the basis for diocesan …H. E. Cardinal Dias dition of the Church the to the gift ‘May the Ambro- gave a splendid lecture at Hebrew word should be ren- norms. A second edition of sian Church, nourished by the the Lambeth Conference, the document has been issued wisdom and the abundance in which he spoke of dered as ‘Lord’. These direc- three moments in the life tives do not affect the current which incorporates a couple of holy Scripture, always walk of Mary: Fiat, Magnificat of minor amendments. in truth and charity, and give and Stabat. To these, I liturgical texts, including the add the other relevant • http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Documents/ valid witness to Christ, the Lectionary, used in England Concelebration.shtml verb, which Luke repeats: and Wales. Word of salvation for human- Conservabat. Let us apply The Prayer of the Faithful ity of all times.’ these to our reading of Bishop Arthur Roche pre- scripture. First, God calls The Liturgy Committee of us through scripture in sented the document to the the Department has pre- Holydays sovereign love and grace, and the response of the bishops at their November pared some reflections on & Extraordinary Form meeting and afterwards issued obedient mind is Fiat: good practice concerning the The Pontifical Commission let it be to me accord- a Statement. As directives ing to your word. Then Prayer of the Faithful at Mass. Ecclesia Dei has responded also affect other texts used we celebrate, with our • http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Documents/ to further queries from an strength, the relevance of in the liturgy, such as songs Intercessions.shtml individual about the effects on the word to new personal and hymns, Bishop Roche and especially political Ambrosian Lectionary the Extraordinary Form liturgy has written to publishers to situations: Magnificat. On 16 November Cardinal of transferring Holydays of Then we ponder in the inform them of the document heart what we have seen Tettamanzi, of Obligation. The response of and to require that they either and heard: Conservabat. Milan, presented a copy of the the Commission comple- But scripture tells us that omit or provide alterna- new Lectionary for use in the mented and further clarified Mary, too, had to learn tive versions of texts. Bishop hard things: she wanted Ambrosian Rite to the Pope. the dubium of Bishops’ Con- Roche’s statement can be to control her son, but ference which established that could not. Her soul is found on page 4 and a copy The new Lectionary is pierced with the sword, there is a common observance of the Congregation’s letter divided into three parts: the as she stands (Stabat) at of Holydays of Obligation the foot of the cross. We can be found on the Liturgy mystery of the Incarnation, between both Ordinary and too must wait patiently, Office website. the mystery of Easter and the letting the written Word mystery of Pentecost. Extraordinary Forms of the tell us things that may • http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Documents/ be unexpected or even Name.shtml Roman Rite. The responses There was a change in criteria unwelcome, but which affirmed that the Calendar Burial of Ashes for selecting the Bible pas- are yet salvific. We read of Extraordinary Form was humbly, trusting God The Department for Chris- sages for the new lectionary. integral to its celebration but and waiting to see his tian Life and Worship has The old criterion was one of purposes unfold. noted that the Commission Rt Rev N T Wright, issued Guidance Notes on continuity: every Sunday a pas- was continuing to study this Bishop of Durham, the Burial of Ashes. The notes sage would be read from the Intervention at Synod of Bishops question, that texts for these acknowledge that cremation same Gospel and each Sunday celebrations may be used on is not seen as the equivalent would pick up where the to burial and that the sense of preceding Sunday had left off. their original days but no obli- laying to rest comes with the The new criterion is a the- gation was attached, that the subsequent burial of the ashes. matic one: every Sunday will proper liturgical texts should It encourages those involved highlight a particular aspect of be used on the transferred days. • http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/ in funerals and ministry to the the life and teaching of Jesus, Extraordinary/Calendar/index.shtml Liturgy Newsletter — Page 3 Statement on the Name of God The Congregation for Divine Worship and parishes are required to refrain from using the Discipline of the Sacrament has issued these texts. Publishers of Catholic liturgical guidance to Bishops’ Conferences on the material in England and Wales are asked translation of the ‘Name of God’ in texts to either omit or amend any texts that use for use in the liturgy. The directives expand the term. Care should be taken when a on the instruction Liturgiam Authenticam reading is taken directly from a Bible (such and note that the Hebrew Tetragrammaton as the Jerusalem Bible) to replace the word YHWH, Yahweh or Jehovah, has in the Yahweh with Lord where it occurs. The tradition of the Church always been trans- term should also be avoided in composed lated as ‘Lord’. The Bishops’ Conference texts such as the Prayer of the Faithful. welcomes the attention that the Congre- It is part of our Catholic tradition that we gation has given to the due reverence we offer reverence not just with the words on owe to the name of God. It is also worth our lips but through actions such as a bow noting that the use of Yahweh is highly of the head. This bow is made whenever offensive to the Jewish people. the Holy Trinity are named together, for These directives do not affect our current example, in a doxology, and at the names liturgical texts in use at Mass and other lit- of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of urgies. Nor do they affect the forthcoming the Saint in whose honour Mass is being translation of Roman Missal, 3rd edition, celebrated. Though the document from which is being studied and voted on by the is concerned with language the bishops, and is being translated follow- and translation it provides an opportunity ing the guidance of the Holy See found in to remind ourselves of the reverence owed Liturgiam Authenticam. to the name of God both in worship and The directive that the name Yahweh is not in daily life. to be read, sung or prayed in the Liturgy Bishop Arthur Roche Liturgy or at other times of prayer affects more Bishop of Leeds Newsletter than the official texts of the liturgy. The Chairman, Department for Christian Life www.liturgyoffice.org. name is found in some liturgical songs and and Worship uk /Newsletter ISSN 1748-5347 (Print) Glimpse of Heaven DVD tions on the Advent scripture and a prayer for ISSN 1748-5355 (Online) Following the successful publication by grandparents composed by Benedict XVI. Editorial English Heritage, in collaboration with the • http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/ccb/catholic_church/the_bishops_work/ Martin Foster marriage_family_life Liturgy Office Department’s Patrimony Committee, of A • http://www.homeisaholyplace.org.uk/pastorals.html#grand 39 Eccleston Square Glimpse of Heaven which through Alex Ram- London SW1V 1PL Walk with Me podcasts sey’s photographs and the text of Christopher 020 7901 4850 Many dioceses have taken the Archdiocese of Martin highlight the rich heritage of Catholic 020 7901 4821 (fax) Birmingham’s seasonal prayer resource Walk Martin.Foster@cbcew. Churches in England and Wales a DVD has with Me. CJM Music is providing a series of org.uk been produced. The DVD incorporates both podcasts to support the material. The views expressed in film and photography in conjunction with Liturgy Newsletter are not • http://www.cjmmusic.co.uk/liturgy/walkwithme/ necessarily those of the interviews with architectural journalists, archi- Bishops’ Conference. tects, conservationists and churchmen. Magnificat Liturgy Newsletter may be copied and distributed freely • http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/ccb/catholic_church/media_centre2/ A monthly booklet which contains Mass texts, in whole or in part. Permission press_releases/press_releases_2008/a_glimpse_of_heaven for any other use contact the • http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page3.htm a simple form of Morning and Evening and a Liturgy Office. Meditation for every day has been launched A free email notification service Marriage & Family life e-bulletin in the UK. It is printed in a pocket size and when new issues are posted on The Marriage and Family Life Project Office the website can be accessed is suitable both for preparation for the liturgy via the website. of the Bishops’ Conference provides a monthly and personal devotion. Magnificat originates in © 2008 Liturgy Office, e-bulletin which can be signed up for on the Bishops’ Conference France and the initial English booklets will be of England and Wales Bishops’ Conference website. In the most the US edition but the publishers hope that Catholic Trust for England & Wales Registered as a charity in England recent issue as well as updates on various & Wales at: the number of subscribers will lead to an edi- 39 Eccleston Square, London projects and resources for facing the credit SW1V 1BX tion using texts from the UK Lectionary. Company No. 4734592 crunch there were a link to family reflec- Charity No. 1097482 • http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/magnificat/magnificat.html

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