Category Archives: Varietates Legitimae

VL’s Chapter IV considers those “areas of adaptation.” In this small section, we look ahead to this final topic of the document Varietates Legitimae, what we’ll be covering as we wrap up the final issues of inculturation in the Roman … Continue reading →

Finishing up VL’s consideration of prudence, I thought it would be helpful to link the last three sections of this sub-topic. 49. In a number of countries there are several cultures that coexist and sometimes influence each other in such … Continue reading →

A very interesting section: 48. The constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium envisaged the admission of rites or gestures according to local custom into rituals of Christian initiation, marriage and funerals. (cf Nos. 65, 77, 81. Cf. Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum, Praenotanda, 30-31, … Continue reading →

What about non-Christian religious practices, though morally and spiritually valuable? There is a notion that one religion is pretty much the same as another, but the Church wants to ensure that message is not what is communicated through the rites. … Continue reading →

VL 46-51 covers the sub-topic “necessary prudence.” In other words, just because something can be done doesn’t mean it should be done. A first appeal to Vatican II and everybody’s favorite (and unique) nod to organic development: 46. “Innovations should … Continue reading →

VL considers images used for prayer: 44. The constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium has firmly maintained the constant practice of the church of encouraging the veneration by the faithful of images of Christ, the Virgin Mary and the saints, (SC 125, Lumen … Continue reading →

VL gives one section to treat the visual arts: 43. The liturgical celebration is enriched by the presence of art, which helps the faithful to celebrate, meet God and pray. Art in the church, which is made up of all … Continue reading →

Let’s now look at what VL has to say about gestures and movements. The CDWDS clearly intends these to be treated differently, but I would stress they are two forms of one aspect. I would also like to consider them … Continue reading →

Let’s turn to what VL has to say about music: 40. Music and singing, which express the soul of people, have pride of place in the liturgy. And so singing must be promoted, in the first place singing the liturgical … Continue reading →

39. Language, which is a means of communication between people. In liturgical celebrations its purpose is to announce to the faithful the good news of salvation (Cf. Canons 762-772, especially 769) and to express the church’s prayer to the Lord. … Continue reading →

For readers exasperated with the theological, liturgical and pastoral preliminaries, today we have a preview of “adaptations which can be made,” part b of chapter III. The next numbered sections of part bconsider language (39), music and singing (40), gestures, … Continue reading →

36. The process of inculturation should maintain the substantial unity of the Roman rite. (SC 37-40) This unity is currently expressed in the typical editions of liturgical books, published by authority of the supreme pontiff and in the liturgical books … Continue reading →

VL 34 gives three basic concerns, which I would interpret as the CDWDS’s “agenda” for the whole document: 34. In the planning and execution of the inculturation of the Roman rite, the following points should be kept in mind: 1) … Continue reading →

VL chapter III, numbered sections 33 through 51, begins a serious look at the “Principles and Practical Norms for Inculturation of the Roman Rite.” Over the next several posts, we will examine the state of affairs of inculturation, and study the norms … Continue reading →

National conferences of bishops have particular responsibilities, as we read in these two sections: 31. Since it is a question of local culture, it is understandable that the constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium assigned special responsibility in this matter to the “various … Continue reading →