So much of the analysis of liturgy remains focused on the words in the books or even the words recited or repeated in assemblies, and this with an uncritical, unarticulated assumption that the discursive content of those texts impact/shape the ideas or imaginations of most of the participants. The individual performances and ongoing practices of a rite/ritual/liturgy are so much more and most often a matter of non-discursive, semiotic (if you will) patterns …
Read moreCategory: Presiding
When Liturgies Fail
All of us who regularly preside at worship, are in the pews, or research and write about liturgy have stories to tell of liturgical celebrations
Read moreLiturgical Reform, Human and Divine
The challenges confronting the contemporary Church are well-known. Scandals, war, poverty, poor leadership, and the growing phenomenon of addiction challenge pastors in every corner of the globe. The time for responding with creativity is at hand: implementation of liturgical reform has the capacity to form Christians who can remain faithful as they negotiate these times of troubles.
Read moreNon Solum: Liturgical Presidency
A few readers have written in requesting a discussion on liturgical presidency.
Read moreLatin Mass in Collegeville
“Let’s do Mass in Latin,” the request came from my Latin class.
Read moreNon Solum: Placement of Announcements
The authoritative sources say that announcements belong after the Post-Communion Prayer and before the final blessing and dismissal; however, this is not always where they are placed.
Read moreRe-Reading Sacrosanctum Concilium: Article 58
In the light of the expansion of situations foreseen in art. 57 by which priests might concelebrate the Mass, art. 58 decrees that a new ritual for sacerdotal concelebration appear in the reformed editions of the liturgical books guiding celebrations with episcopal presidency and presbyters celebrating Mass.
Read moreSobriety and the Sign of Peace
“[C]are must be taken that the sign of peace does not become a sort of “time out” from the liturgy so that people can chat and socialize.”
Read moreRubrics & Pope Francis
It’s a temptation on all sides to over-analyze every move that Pope Francis has made… but what do you make of all this?
Read moreMass-ive improvement in eight easy steps?
Fr. Alexander Lucie-Smith offer eight tips for celebrants that he believes will improve Mass.
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