Category Archives: Sacramentum Caritatis

This section seems particularly relevant for the times as we emerge from pandemic, and many people are praying from home. 57. Thanks to the remarkable development of the communications media, the word “participation” has taken on a broader meaning in … Continue reading →

Participation by Christians who are not Catholic 56. The subject of participation in the Eucharist inevitably raises the question of Christians belonging to Churches or Ecclesial Communities not in full communion with the Catholic Church. In this regard, it must … Continue reading →

Personal conditions for an “active participation” 55. In their consideration of the actuosa participatio of the faithful in the liturgy, the Synod Fathers also discussed the personal conditions required for fruitful participation on the part of individuals. (Cf. Propositio 35; Sacrosanctum … Continue reading →

In the 1990s we had a whole document on inculturation. People continue to tussle over what’s worthy and what’s not. And that’s even before they get to working the local culture. The eucharistic celebration and inculturation 54. On the basis … Continue reading →

Participation and the priestly ministry 53. The beauty and the harmony of the liturgy find eloquent expression in the order by which everyone is called to participate actively. This entails an acknowledgment of the distinct hierarchical roles involved in the … Continue reading →

Actuosa participatio: this will be our topic for the next twelve posts. Should be interesting. Participation has been a flashpoint in the liturgy tussles of the past thirty-odd years. People critical of the translation to “active” don’t have very much … Continue reading →

We finish off the look at select elements of the structure of the eucharistic celebration. Let’s call it quits on this topic with the dismissal: “Ite, missa est.” Pope Benedict XVI picks up on the great need in the 21st … Continue reading →

The distribution and reception of the Eucharist 50. Another moment of the celebration needing to be mentioned is the distribution and reception of Holy Communion. I ask everyone, especially ordained ministers and those who, after adequate preparation and in cases … Continue reading →

One of the reasons I think The sign of peace is an authentic impulse of the Holy Spirit is that so many Catholics are troubled by it. We don’t want to admit we are more people than individuals. We don’t want to … Continue reading →

For a few decades now, one of the points of discussion of The Eucharistic Prayer has involved the choice of which one to pray. In the past decade, perhaps the complaint about the translation. I find the latter objection less convincing. If … Continue reading →

We continue with Pope Benedict’s 2007 examination of key points in The structure of the eucharistic Celebration, turning in this post to The presentation of the gifts. This wouldn’t seem to be an area of deep concern. I think most liturgists and … Continue reading →

Clergy, take note: The homily. I see a lot to unpack here. First, we need to get better at them: 46. Given the importance of the word of God, the quality of homilies needs to be improved. The Catholic view … Continue reading →

What can we say about The liturgy of the word? Or what can Pope Benedict XVI say? Remember this section and the six that follow are not theological treatises on what the Missal and the GIRM spend many more words. The … Continue reading →

Catholics speak of two liturgies, but Pope Benedict rightfully identifies them as united, not separate as he references The intrinsic unity of the liturgical action 44. First of all, there is a need to reflect on the inherent unity of the … Continue reading →

Here through section 51 Pope Benedict XVI examines topics in The structure of the Eucharistic celebration. The overall headings will be familiar. The issues touched upon will be familiar for the most part. Many of them have been flashpoints over the … Continue reading →