LITURGICAL PIONEERS

Jean Daniélou, sj (1905 –1974)

In an age filled with scientific “[T]he sacraments constitute the events discoveries and technological developments, Church histo- of a time which is the tension between the rian Jean Daniélou dedicated Resurrection and the Parousia . . . Thus dur- the majority of his writings and teaching to the promotion of ing the delay of the Parousia, the Eucharist the Gospel’s message of joy and hope. For him, the rise and prevents humanity, in this foretaste of celestial appeal of secular theories and political movements through- food, from tiring of waiting and from returning out the world revealed a short- Photo courtesy the Archives of Jesuit Province of France sighted response to human ful- to terrestrial food . . . And the Eucharist ordained a bishop and, in 1969, fillment: They pointed to the is the sacrament of unity which gathers about elevated to cardinal. triumph of the human per- Daniélou furthered the son rather than to the victory the Christ of glory, present in the community, cause of the Liturgical Move­ of God. ment with his 1956 The Bible Jean-Guenolé-Marie all nations in order to offer them through and the Liturgy. This book was Daniélou was born in France among the first to demonstrate on May 14, 1905, and educated His hands to the Father.” that the sign language of the at the Sorbonne, where he was (“Marxist History and Sacred History,” 508 – 509) sacraments has instructional recognized as a man with great and practical value. In his literary talent. He entered the words, “Because they are not Jesuits in 1929 and was assigned to the education apostolate. understood, the rites of the sacraments often seem to the faith- His theological studies took place in Lyon-Fouviére, where he ful to be artificial and sometimes even shocking. It is only by was mentored by Henri de Lubac, developing a passion for discovering their meaning that the value of these rites will once patristics. Daniélou was ordained to the priesthood on August more be appreciated” (3). 20, 1938. Daniélou was not without critics. Some believed he grew Daniélou completed a doctorate in theology in 1942, too reactionary as he moved upward in the ecclesiastical hierar- defending a dissertation on the spiritual writings of St. Gregory chy. Nevertheless, his writings made an undeniable contribu- of Nyssa. In 1944, Daniélou was named professor of early tion to the spirit of aggiornamento, as he demonstrated that the Church history at the Institut Catholique de Paris. Church has grown throughout its history from a positive incor- Daniélou feared Christianity was cutting itself off from poration of cultural developments. “In every age,” he writes, the world and becoming a social enclave rather than a source of “the problems rising from the development of science, culture evangelization. Indeed, such was the response of many who or society are faced by the Church. They ought not to be seen as shirked dialogue with the scientific advances and political rum- a threat to our faith but as a challenge to discover the means the blings of the late 1950s/early 1960s. Daniélou sought another Church will use to respond to the challenges of the contem­ approach, that of making the Church truly universal, while at porary world” (“The Church the same time respecting plurality. As he would write: “There and the Modern World,” Studies: lies the duty of the Church: to work to ensure that civilization An Irish Quarterly Review, 60 makes it possible for the masses to come to the Christian life” [1971]: 117). (“Little Flock or Great People?” The Furrow, 15:12 [1964]: 760). Unfortunately, Cardinal Daniélou’s progressive perspective on the relationship Daniélou did not have much of between the Church and modern culture led to an invitation by an opportunity to advocate the Pope John XXIII to serve the Second Vatican Council as a per- reforms of the Council, as he itus. His theological outlook can be seen in the words of died unexpectedly on May 20, Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the 1974. Modern World). Shortly after the Council’s close, he was

The 50th Anniversary of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: A Parish Celebration © 2013 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. Orders: 1-800-933-1800. Written by Stephen S. Wilbricht, csc, std. This material originally appeared in Pastoral Liturgy® magazine. Imprimatur granted by the Reverend Monsignor John F. Canary, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Chicago on June 5, 2013.