There is certainly a sense in which the symbols of the liturgy ought to speak for themselves and not require constant explanation. Butit is not necessarily a failure of a rite if its formulations are subject to misunderstanding.
Read moreAuthor: Fritz Bauerschmidt
I am a professor of Theology at Loyola University Maryland and a permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, assigned to the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.
At the limits of the absurd
This video, advertising a new hygienic way of distributing communion, raises for me the question of whether the principle of ex opere operato extends to sacraments celebrated in so absurd a way as to be laughable.
Read moreLegalists, Libertines, Rules and Reasons
For liturgical legalists the only important question is “what is the relevant legislation.” For liturgical libertines any concern for rules, rubrics, canon, or decrees is a sign of inauthenticity. What both of these share is a certain flawed understanding of obedience.
Read moreA Communiqué from my Archbishop (updated).
Yesterday I received the directives from the Archdiocese of Baltimore regarding the implementation of the new translation of the Roman Missal. Much to my surprise, I found myself encouraged.
Read moreAnother Christmas Day Homily
A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to preach on Christmas day, so I took advantage of this to preach on John 1. In fact, I used it as an opportunity to preach on how we might think of this text in connection with the Christmas story. No one rose up; no one smote me; no one even said, “Why didn’t you read the Christmas story?” In fact, a couple of people said they liked the homily.
Read moreLiturgical Language, Divine Mystery and the Demands of the Gospel
My impression, based on spending far too much time on the Internet, is that one of the arguments people make in favor both of Latin and of the forthcoming new English translation of the Mass is that the elevated, complex or just plain obscure nature of these linguistic forms is somehow better suited that plainer vernacular language for conveying a sense of “mystery” that is appropriate to the sacred liturgy.
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