“Are the Words of the Liturgy Worn Out? What Diagnosis? What Pastoral Approach?” is the title of Louis-Marie Chauvet’s 2009 Godfrey Diekmann, O.S.B., Award Response to the members of the North American Academy of Liturgy in Baltimore. I’ve quoted some paragraphs in support of Fritz Bauerschmidt’s brilliant post.
Read moreAuthor: Paul Ford
Paul F. Ford, Ph.D., has been professor of theology and liturgy at St. John Seminary, Camarillo, CA, since February of 1988. He is the author of By Flowing Waters: Chant for the Liturgy (The Liturgical Press, 1999) and the convener of the five-member Collegeville Composers Group, authors of Psallite: Sacred Song for Liturgy and Life (The Liturgical Press, 2005–2010).
The long-embargoed second edition of the Order of Celebrating Marriage
If and when we receive an English version of the third edition of the Roman Missal, we are supposed to receive the English version of the second edition (the editio typica altera) of the Order of Celebrating Marriage (the Ordo Celebrandi Matrimonium) on March 19, 1990!
Read moreLiturgical music projects looking for composers?
Many of the texts of the sacraments are not yet set to music. The appendix to the rite of infant baptism has sets of acclamations,
Read morePriesthood of believers (à la Albert Vanhoye)
This is not meant to be a rejoinder to the previous post but just an invitation to those interested to read what I consider the best essay written on this subject from an RC point of view: Common and Ministerial Priesthood by Albert Vanhoye.
Read moreBest practices for implementing the new missal translation?
As I speak in various dioceses around the country, I have been floating some ideas for implementing the new missal translation and have picked up a few ideas from the priests, deacons, and lay liturgical leaders in my audiences. Here are mine, with a bit of an explanation of what I mean.
Read moreA chant expert on the new chants
Bruce Ford writes: “The ICEL musicians ought to have read John Boe’s dissertation, ‘The Ordinary in English: Anglican Plainsong Kyrials and Their Sources’ (Northwestern University, 1969) before they did their work. They appear to have been unaware of all but the most obvious ‘set-forms.'”
Read moreWhy Kneel for Communion
Sandro Magister writes: “Benedict XVI wants it that way, at the Masses he celebrates. But very few bishops and priests are imitating him. Yet this is one reason why churches were given ornate floors. A guide to the discovery of their significance”
Read moreThe elusive presence of us
Father Anthony’s post on the elusive presence of God provokes the following rejoinder. I have often said that the real question in sacramental theology is not about the real presence of Christ but about the real presence of us. Everything we do at liturgy enables us to become really present to God the Trinity.
Read moreVigil Masses or Anticipated Masses?
The new Roman Missal (editio typica tertia) is not very new. But two new features are: a Vigil of the Epiphany and a Vigil of the Ascension, each with their own euchology and lectionary texts. But will these vigils be as unused as the ones already in the missal, such as tonight’s.
If you went to Mass the evening of August 14, what euchology was used, what lectionary readings?
Read moreAn heretofore unremarked addition to the GIRM?
Preparing liturgy is one of the most important tasks of everyone involved, presider, ministers, and assembly. Whatever mechanism for preparing liturgy a parish chooses (committee, advisory board, or the like), it needs to pay great attention to the rules of good communication and good liturgy.
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