Category Archives: post-conciliar liturgy documents

My sense is that veneration of images is largely a phenomenon for outside of liturgy. Images are often in homes and personal places, not just churches. 239. The veneration of sacred images, whether paintings, statues, bas reliefs or other representations, … Continue reading →

Nicea Council II addressed iconoclasm, the movement against images of Jesus and the saints. In the late eighth century, it was a crisis. Islam, of course, rejected all images of sacred persons from the previous century onward. Christians dealt with the … Continue reading →

Many people know relics were once placed in altars. This practice is still acceptable: 237. The Missale Romanum reaffirms the validity “of placing the relics of the Saints under an altar that is to be dedicated, even when not those … Continue reading →

First, let’s define relic: 236. The Second Vatican Council recalls that “the Saints have been traditionally honored in the Church, and their authentic relics and images held in veneration”( SC 111; Cf The Council Of Trent, Decretum de invocatione, veneratione et … Continue reading →

The Church reminds us that the Litany of the Saints is utilized more than just at the Easter Vigil: 235. The Litany of the Saints has been used in the Roman Church since the seventh century (Cf. Ordo Romanus in A. … Continue reading →

Let’s look at the intersection of saints with the actual celebration of Mass. We’re moving beyond feast days as we read that saints are united with us as part of a universal Church: 234. The celebration of the feast of … Continue reading →

The Church offers some cautions. Don’t let the party get too wild, or too disconnected from “Christian content.” Do you think they overstate the case? Saint Patrick being the exception. 233. From a religious and anthropological perspective, several elements serve … Continue reading →