Foundations of Liturgy: An Introduction to Its History and Practice (Pueblo Books)

201 Pages·1992·36.42 MB·English

by  Adolf Adam

Adolf Adam
Foundations of Liturgy:
An Introduction
to Its History and Practice
A PUEBLO BOOK
The Liturgical Press Collegeville, Minnesota
I
CONTENTS
Preface IX
PAR T I : L ITURGY II\' G ENERA L
Zb'-l·OZ
/11'I3a!
Chapter I: The Nature and Importance of the Liturgy 3
Meaning and History of the Word 3
Nat ure of the Liturgy 4
Scopt' of the Litllrgy (/Is Subdivisions) 8
A Pueblo Book published by The Liturgical Press Agent (Subject) of the Liturgy 10
Foumwfions of Liturgy: An lntroducticm to Its History and pnu;tict was
Chapler II: History of the Liturgy 12
originally published by Verlag Herder under the title: Adolf Adam,
The Begillllings 12
Grundriss Liturgit. t985 Verlag Herder.
C
Christian Liturgy in the Fourth to the Sixth Century 17
The Western Liturgy in the Middle Ages 27
Design by Frank Kacmarrik
From the Council o/ Trent to Vatican 11 33
American adaptation by Alan F. Detscher VaticanlJ and PostconciUar Developments 43
ville Min
Copyright by The Order of St. Benedict, Inc., College ' d.
0 199% Chapter III: The Science of Liturgy 49
nesota. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be refodU t m
: Historical Development 49
any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, includifig po.;
Tasks and Problems o/CO/Itemporary Liturgical Scimce 5]
copying, recording. taping, or any retrieval system, withol,ll the vm en
0/
Sources and Tools Liturgical Science 54
pennission of The liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota .¢pI.
Printed in the United States of America.
Chapter IV: The Litu rgical Assembly as a Process of Communica
tion 56
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Some Basic Principles 56
Liturgical LAnguage (Verbal Commllnication) 59
Adam, Adolf,
1911.-
IGrundrus liturgie. Englishl The l.imguage ofLit1jrgical Signs 65
Foundations of liturgy : an introduction to its history and
The Contemporary Capacity for Liturgy 77
J.
practice I Adolf Adam ; translated by Matthew O'ConneU.
p. crn.
Chapter V: Music in the Liturgy 80
Translation of: Grundriss liturgie.
Historical Survey 80
" A Pueblo book."
Liturgical Music after Vaticallll 86
ISBN 0-84 6-611.1-1
liturgics. I. Title.
1. Chapter VI: Liturgy and Popular Piety 90
BVlj'6.Ay.13 1991
164'·01- dao Chapter VII: Uturgy and Ecumenism 93
Divided Christianity and the Ecumenical Movement 93
v
-- ----- - - -
-
Joint Efforts in the Area of Liturgy 94
Chapter XIV: The Sacrament of Conse(fation (Orders) 206
TIre Lima Report and tire Lima Liturgy 96
New Testament Foundations and Historical Development of tile
Sacrament of Orders 206
PART II: THE AREAS O F LITURGY
Ordination of a Bishop 210
Office and Ordination of a Presbyter 215
Chapter VIII: Nature and Importance of the Sacraments 103
Office and Ordination of a Deacon 219
The Sacraments as the Ongoing Saving Actions of Christ 104
Steps Leading to the Sacramerrt of Orders 222
TIle [ncarnatiO/ral Structure of the Church and the Sacraments 105
Liturgical Ministries for Women 225
TIre Sacraments as Collaborative Encounters with Christ 107
TIre Sacraments as Radirnl Se/f-RealiZJ1tions of tile Church 109
Chapter XV: The Liturgy of Marriage 228
The Efficacy of tlte Sacraments 111
Chrisitian Marriage as Institution of tire Created Order and as
Sequence, Hierarchy, and TntercO/medion of tile Sacraments 111
Sacrament 228
Lines of Development in the Western Rite of Marriage 231
Chapter IX: Baptism 114
Celebration of Marriage 234
The Importance of Baptism 114
Ecumenical Weddings 237
Tire New Rite of Baptism for Children 116
Celebration of Betrothals and Wedding Anniversaries 240
The Rite of Baptism for Clli1drf/1 122
The Incorporation of Adults into the Community 127
Chapter XVI: Celebrations Peculiar to Religious Communities 242
The Rites of Religious Profession 243
Chapter X: The Sncrnment of Confirmation 133
Consecration of Virgins 245
Origin and Meaning Of Confirmation 133
Blessing of an Abbot 246
The New Rite of Confirmation 135
Blessing of an Abbess 247
Confirmation Outside the Rama" Rite 137
Chapter XVII: The Liturgy of the Dying and of Funerals 248
Chapter XI: The Celebration of the Eucharist 139
The Liturgy of the Dying 248
Origill, Basic Content, Main Unes of Evolution 139
The Rite of Funerals 250
Structure and Individual Parts of the Mass 143
TIre Forms of Eue/Ulristic Celebration 169
Chapter XVlll: The Sacramentals (Blessings) 255
Forms of Eucharistic Devotion Outside Mass 174
Basic Observations 255
The Postconciliar Reorganization 258
Chapter XII: The Sacrament of Reconciliation 180
Exorcisms 259
Biblical Foundations 180
Historical Development of Penance 181 Chapter XIX: The Celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours 261
The New Postconciliar Rite 183 Origin and Historical Development 261
Penance and ReconciliatiOlr Among the Separated Christians 190 Understanding the Liturgy of the HOllrs 266
The Postconciliar Reform of tire Office 270
Chapter XIII: The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick 193
Other Forms of the Liturgy of the HOllrs Within the Roman Rite
Biblical Foundations, Meanillg, Historical Development 193
and Outside It 275
Tire New Rite of Anoillting of tlle Sick 197
The Anointing of tire Sick in the Noncatholic Churches 204 Chapter XX: Liturgicalllme (The Liturgical Year) 276
Meaning and Structure of the Liturgical Year 276
, .
.
.
Sunday as the Original Celebration of the Paschal Mystery
283
The Liturgical Character of the Weekdays 287
Easter and Its Cycle of Feasts 288
Christmas and Its Cycle of Feasts 298
Ordinary Time 305
The Sanctoral Cycle of the Liturgical Year 315
Chapter XXI: Liturgical Space (The Church) 321
Theology of the Christian Liturgical Bllilding 321 Preface
Historical Survey 323
All who know and love the liturgy as "the summit toward which
Guidelines and Criteria for Church Arcllitrcture 324
the activity of the Church is directed (and) at the same time. .. the
Names and Types of Liturgical Buildi"gs 327
fount from which aU the Church's power flows" (SC 10) must
Fumis/li/Igs ofChllrehes 331
TIlt!
deeply regret that interest in it and esteem for it seems to be on the
The Dedieatjoll ofClwrclles a"d Altars 340
wane in broad sections of the Church. The phenomenon is certainly
Chapter XXII: The Uturgy of the Future 345 connected with a widespread decline in the strength of Christian
Reflectiol/s Basic Pri"ciples 345 and ecclesial faith. For faith alone can open the eyes of the mind
0/1
TIle Recent Reform and Its Results 346 and focus them on the value and high dignity of the Christian lit
Aspects oj the Liturgy of the Future 347 urgy. The old saying, "No one loves w hat he/ she does not know,"
holds true in regard to the liturgy.
Abbreviations 352
The purpose of this book is to make known the nature and struc
Notes 354
ture of the liturgy and to present the most important information
about the numerous areas that make it up. Despite the necessary
conciseness of the presentation, this "Outline" endeavors to give a
careful survey of the wideranging and many-faceted realm of litur
gical actions. In any effort at a deeper understanding of the prescnt-
•
day liturgy it is necessary and helpful at every step to be consciOliS
of its historical evolution. Nor have I failed to take note of the
forms of liturgy practiced in the Churches separated from Rome.
The book is a scientific compendium and as such it seeks to meet
the needs primarily of students of theology and others whose task
it is to communicate the Christian message and the Christian life.
But it will also be of service to those who are looking for a more
comprehensive knowledge of the liturgy. May it help to make the
Christian liturgy once again know n and loved as "the most impor
tant, the most urgently needed, and the most glorious activity that
can take place on earth" (Karl Barth).
Mainz
Adolf Adam
Part I
Liturgy in General
•
ChaplIn One
Nature and Importance of the liturgy
or
MfAr-'Ir<. G ~/<.[) IIISTORY THE WO~1l
,,,..1
The Gn",k .... I~ilo"rg'" (verb: Le;lo"rxmr) is mad .. up of Ille n"un
"'80n • "w",k" ~nd Ille adjectiw iii", " "l;,.,I""lIinll '" tile ~ple"
(dcri\'oo /r,.,m 10>;. Ionian laos ="prop\l'")_L itc .. lly tr.nslalt"d. In.-II,
lril""rgi~ m.!illS "work of tile proplc." In pr~ctic~. it w.s unde.
~tood to """all s.e,vir:I'S p<'r/orrr><--d lor lhe g"ud 01 t!>@people,
wlletll ... by afflu..-.I (iti2'-""l or by whoI<' (iii. ..... ~~, lur ... ~mpl~, 1M
f'Q"ipping of a choru~ in • Gn>cl:. tlle~t<'T. t"'" fining ""t of • ship,
the /....ding of a mix> ~t natioN! festivals, and "" on. u~, on, th~
t,.,..., incl"dt"d any pubUc ,...,...;{'\'"; from the "",""" «llll1ry on it in·
cluded cuitic servia>~. "'elL
The $toptujgint (Ihe G ..... k trallSl.tion 0/ the! Old T""t~m"'I, daling
from 25()..lSO B.C.) u ..... the word for lhe se ....· .", given b~' the p.w.ts
,><Xu'"
.nd Le\'it<'S in tile lI'mpk, 11. ... word """eral times in till'
Nt!"-' Testamenl witll til;, mcaning (U 1:23; Heb 9:21; 10:11). but it
is al!lO ust'd tllen' with otller meaning', for inslance, c~.itati'·c .ctiv·
ily (e,g" 2 Cor 9: (2) or III~ ,..".,-i"" ,....,derN 10 tile commun;ti~"S b)'
the angel! (l-ieb 1:7. 14). It may .lso mUll "'worship of God" (Acts
] 3:2). Chrisl is onct' (~Il.-d "minist.". of the slmctu.'ry ~nd 1M true
ten!" (I-kb 8:2), ond his ""n'''''' as medi.aIO. is (~lled ~ "liTUfKY"
(Heb8:6).'
"""'·"'t
Tho! poslaposlOlic period used lrilou'll'" 10 n\C3n bOTh CJf
God ~nd 5oe"'0n> of 1M community. Gr~d""lly, ",,,,,.,,,.tt', the C ..... k
s~king East ~"l'd tile ...· ord for t. .... ceid> ••! ioJl of the Euo:h.·
n.. ....
rUt; i! h.n I<epTlhis meaning in Ih<' East e,,<,'sinn'. ·",d was
originally un"""""" in tn.- ~ ~nd in illi pIa"" nu"",rous utin ex·
presion' wr. .. used for the activity of ... ""hip: the!;e ha"e ~ur'
vived down t<> Our time in inherj!ed prayers.' The wo.d "liturgy"
(I"II'S",) ....S imnoduced into the W''SI onh' in u.., ,iUC"t'111h cm1\.,,· Chri~t .. as ...n t by the rathet, he rum..,1f . IS() k'nllh~ ~P"'>tk':s.
d lid ly IhtOUgh I ..... innu.enc.·o{ lho- humd~i.cs. . nd ... as~opted .' iiIit'd ... ,th th .. Holy Spiril. The" miSSion " .• ~ fi"!.lto] p",ach.
....· . .n by th.· Chu~ of th~ Kefornuotion in till' se,·""t'''e"Ilth ...d the gospd to ....< 't). c ....t u. .. .... But the> ,,"0'" tllt'y p",.chcd II,..}"
";ght<. ..' tlth co!1l!u,i.'S; in i", Wf.'SIem u ... it inclu<kd .U of Christi.n ...... n· .1"" I" bring inw,,"'-'<1 through the sacrifICe and the s.orr •.
"·orsh'p. II h.ld ,h,,; rompnill'nsi"~ ........ in \he 1917 Code of """,l_. tlw...,..,.". "I I. ... ,,·hoIe Iilu'8ic.llof.o" (A n. 6~ 1"() accom·
C."on Law. whkh SLated th~t II "'as for ,..... Af"l"tolk Set" <>.lone «to pli.h ><, g ...~ 1 a ...· orl<. Quist is . 1. ... )·' present in his Churrh,
ord. ... th .. ,",cred lilurgr ~nd .pp,m .,. liturwcal books" (Con. 1257).' csp«iall)' in ilSliturgical Cl'l<'brations" (Art, 7).'
II ma~' bt- mmtlor.t'd IN the .. ke of rompl. . t~nl"56l1'"'t the Il'l"m "Ii_ It f"lIo .... /",m lhese slalements th.t the initiat;"~ In the lilurgy Ix>
turgiOl" is bd;;.,d on the G .......' k .dje<:tiv" 1~'I()ugik . ... hich in thIs ",n. lon~> m (~wl; thai in illhe his tot)' ()f ..h -ati,lIl i~ ~ing c()nlinued;
Icxt n ..., d s to bt- c()mplelt."d by th~ noun ryislm(" .. "5(it",," ; th~1 thl' chil'/ ag",,1 and primary actor in the liturgy is Chrisllh. .
"iii",.
r:f
"lilu'S,c,." It,us ",,-on, "liImgicaJ sciruc(" .• Two Sf"nMS Ih~ umd high pril",t. 'r" Ihal e~~nt liturgy is primarily. Sr.ce ... ·cnl, both in
r:f uf
gi5t" must Ihtrtjorr ", di5lilfxuisMd: s/ud,nl lilurgy a"d rtll'b,alll the p",d amatio" of lhe di\'i"" ml'S;5;lg~ and in the sacraments (mys·
lilurgy. Th, jor".,. ilf''l"!IIig~''; 'N hi5loric~1 dn rlcpmml, tsSn!1,ai Sl,"{ I"'its) with Ihe """,h.ol m)'S~I")' of Christ Ih." I. contained in IIK-m,
lu",. CI>nlrul" tf/«.IS. alld ",a"'frslQlimrs of'N liturgy: IN lall" "". Tllt> purpow 0{ the lilurgy is the ...n rtificatoon of hum .... b<~ngs. Lit·
fur-
lilllrgi<"IIl.'iclf~ urgy;lSI "f''o n! and sacrament h.os t"",,·IOI<' ~ pnm~ril)' d,:s.-md,ng
f to r.ob.tr .1" ,n uTt.
r-;ATL'Rf OF lITl: RGY
Ht~
In .t"'""'pling to un<k>rs,and t .......t un: of th. . liturxy ..... will be This duos not mean. """·. ...· . .r .lhat the hUm.ln beings p~"iri""ting
besl .d'·i~ to begin wilh I .... stal ......... tsof Vatic.n 11 '"", more aC- in tho> liturgy m.ly rem.lm ...,tircl~· ""5s1\"~. IJ"....-:~uS(' Ih..-y ~ ..... <TN -
«.. .
curately. those nd in its Constilution on th" Liturgy. which "'U tures f"l"5: ssing f!"l'<'dom ~nd inl<'lligmc~ th,,), ~n' n"lui. ...- d. fi",t ..I
w"""'"
th .. fruit of a <i«.od<.'S·long ..f fon 10 gain a und~t.lnding ill. t() be .... ad)· to IK-ar and bel;""". to list.m and h".-d. ( .. ",', .... ord
and pr~cti«-of th~ lilurgy. l"hc final """tenet'S of ArtieI<' 7 c.n be ....... presses f..,. an .ns. .... r, his 10,·., for ~ n1urn of I". ..· ; hi, Ke;>O" u,...,..
g. Med " 0"," ()f tn., most import"nl st.l~mcnts of lilt- coonrit: lion demands thai human beings th.lnk .,nd proi,., him, B"t this
pr.lse and thanksgi\'ing is the .letivit)' nol of isolat''<l indi"idual,
"KiShtly, II-I<-n, the lituTXY is considcred as ~n p,erd"" of the pri~tJy
bul 01 memb(on; of a I.,,·rc.chin); "",,;,'1), th~t i~ dc,;cribt-d in Ihl' the·
om"" "I ) •. ,,,,s Christ. In Ih" Iih'rgy by m,·.ns 01 signs perct;ptiblp I()
olOJ;y 0151, 1'. ,,1 as. m),sti".] Ixxl)' wh",.l' h~.,<.l b Chr;,1 him"'lf.
lhe ...n .o;e;. human "nelilkali,,,, is signirn.xI and br""j;ht about in
Tho- n'!~' to God' s ","ing Klio" is Ih"s tilt: p'~i"'" ..H ere<! P)'
.... y~ propt.'f 10 eKh 01 t ....... <igns: in the liturgy the ... hole public
t. ... ""tin' Chu .... h. in which Chrisl jtrin-.
.. orship is po.'ffollllCd by t .... MyslicallloJ)' 04 Jesus Christ. tNt i$,
b)' tilt- He.od .nd his mnnlx>". To 'his <'~h."'1 litmgk;>l d(ti..,n . 1. ., h.~ an IN"Ii/tIlg l~nat:..rr<J <Iru('
IwTl'. LiturKY h., ~ ....c und.T)· ."""' . ......... .d. 'Y dC1ing su~t,
«From Ihls il lolk>\o'S IhAt ....< 'T)' liturgic. 1 cel<'br aticm. ber.use it ;s
,,",metr. theChu .... h. The /oI1o ... ing k~y k'nl<'tlceun the. .. lo ... ""'. ..
an action of Christ t .... 1'li1'S1 and of his IIoJr "'hich i. the> Church.
uf
.ct"'" a5 • handy definilion: u,,,'8) IS 1M /OInl <1<"/"''' /nu~ Ch'l:!'l. 1M hillh
is a ,,",red artio.m sutpO.. ..i ng .11 others; no <Jth.er of the ~I. ami hIS arum. for 1M ",It. .. ,;"" <if h"m~" I>t-"'~ a"d 1M i/./IJli/i"'·
Chu1'("h u n <'q".1 its effucti .... 1W'SS by the sam~ litle and 10 the ...m e lian uf IN w'",ly r alMr-. This action h.os ~1.'1() bto:n ri~tly de;;<:ribt,d
deg"",.«
as I "di;>IOJ;U<' bet. .· ...,n God and human betn/ts,"' Lilurgy i. lhus
This ",,"'<.1Se mak~ il clear Ih~1 Ih. . lilurgy is not primarily a not a """ ..... y Sin\.1 but. "holy c""bo"g<'« (",,.,,,,,, '<"n .. " .... '""n,).
human a<"ti\'lty bUI a rontinuation 01 th" rcod~mpli"" ... hich God
In Ilght of this insight int() the """""" "f tilt: liturgy tilt, ;",,,ffi·
has acwmpllsh.aJ in )''SI'' Chrisl Ihrough Ihc H()ly Spiril." As
d l'ncy. and C\'.·n 1.lsity, of many COJl(cpHons 01 it t>ccom~ c1e,,,,
, ,
This is lru~ '''''P''<'ially 01 lho> widf'Sp.~~d dek.. . ti\,e ,'",w thaI tho> lit· supII'mc Koman .uthoril~tive body th~t "'as fi.st t'St.blished aft. . ,
u,1O' is 11M' ~um·toldl 01 all the «'remoni<'5 and rubrics fa. dh'Lne V.tic"n II tode.1 ,,'ith liturglc.1 q.-h.Wl' "'. s g"''''' tlw n. me
<JfIJ'06"'d
,,·,=hip. Nu~ XII had .I .... ~y this sUJ'E'r&ial "iew in his ~Congres.tion for [)i,.int> Worship" (Co~~I" pI'\! rullu dit·"",). It
Encyclical Mnliarat' Drr (lINn. in "'hkk "" wrole: is gratifying thdt the nt!w C"d" "I Canon Law (1~3) takes o\'<:r
botk el.-ments in the definition of ttw.' liturgy given in t .... Constitu
.. It is an .... '0., cO/\'le<ju''rltly. and a mi't~ke 10 thlnk 01 tho> NCred lit·
ti"" on "'" Ulurgy: &em..-01 ttw.-priestly offKl" of Christ. ",ho
urgy as me",ly the outward 0. "isibl. . pol" 01 di"i. ... ",OIShiI' or as
«,,,,,,,u,,,.I. uncrifi. .. humanl<ind, and "tIM: whol.-01 tlw public ",orship (cuI.
an umament.1 Nu k-ss .... '''nrous i, It... notion th.1! it
tw~) 01 God thai i< Cdrried (n by tl .... my,tical Body of Joosus Christ.
consists solel~' in a liit 01 laws and p •. s:riptiuns according to wkkk
tilllt is. by th~ He~ and tt.., mem""""· (can. 8.'4),'"
Ihe ecdesi.,tkal kier ..c hy u.dcrs thr "",red ritf'S to b., performed."
ll\e dialogic,,1 ""ture ulltw.-!iturg)· is abo a commonpl""e in mol")'
In tt...-''!",estanl world. too, ttx-.... " ... til ..... ,,'110 tend to regard t. ...
Enngellcal theok>gians, l hus £. Loh ...... y. ... "'rilf'S: -All rultic ""ti,'
liturgy as simply a .... of ...gul'lion. go",,..ning tt... e~se of of .espo"""
fie.. or as a "mantle of prayer' threwn m"" il.' A compl.,rcly mis ity on the I'd rt of man is men:!y ""0<111> to God's <1(1",. the
(Antu"OI'1) to His p.-...:eding woro( I'/o,r) P. Brunfll". who is famil
_\1
t.ken ~S<nI:nI 01 tlw liturgy, rl.H,nd in man)" depth psy(!'ologists
Iar ""ilh tl><-Idea of -..I ,·arion·. ., ,""t In wt,.,J,ip.· " writ .... : '1"l>e
.nd "'<>ciologis.s, res.nJ~ it.as simply a "'" of lIighl}' de\. .. lnptd .~'1tt"
sid<> of spirilual .cti,1ty in worship ;mmediat~ly directed to God IS
bois of socialiution; "'."" an enlighh-",ed ath<'-ist like A. Wrt'f\ze.- I• .
baS<'d excluslvelv on th", octi"it)' th,,'Ullh which God .ddll'!;se!'
ment>; Ih~ (supposed) d,,,tructiun 01 th",,- ,,,mb,,I.: ':'''''''1''
Himself to man ~nd oilers him and to him His gilt of uk.·
""ohos
Wide;;p<c~d, 10<.>, is th .. idmlificalion of liluTf;)' with rult.. 0<' wor lion. n,.. \Nord the ""pons.-, t .... gift 01 God ....- 0h-5 man's
,kip. By "rull~ (from co/r-Tr ~ to culli"."'. tu 1>0"".) is ""'ant t .... de,·orion toGod.~u
honoring 01 God in prai"" and thanksgi"ing. •I sm and symbol.,
The singl,· c",rm"n word IhO! best e~pr"""'" this undcThtandin~ of
,,,ug and music. and th. . most di,·. . I'W kinds "I ~crifici.1 rilual., liturgy is duubtl.", ttx- word GoItNd"",sl, -_,·ic~ of God. - lIut
The focus he", is on wNt human bcings ,,.-lIle Chu.d! do.-.. 10
thm t .... phr.se ·ofGod" must M u ....... not onl)' a~ ~n objr.:ti'·e
honerCud and win di>'ln" fa,·or; tkat is. it i~ on the~"",nding
genilh-e but .\~ os. <ubl"='i\'e geniti",-; th.t i,. nol onl)' d",,, I ....
m,,,,,,m""l, tlw> actiQ of human being~, Pius XII still d<u'pl«l thi. un
community """"c God, but God al~ ,;e"'",, th~ wmmunily. in tl><
d""",,ndinll 01 litu.gy wt..,n he w"'t~ in MeJ.,lo. (Jri:
""'ing "",",'ic .. I-..: has pcrfor""-"<llnr I' In Christ. who Solid tNt h.
"Th.-
~ lilurgy ;,;. COI'I'"'<Ju ..... lly. ttx- public "'orship wkich <nIr had rome"'",~ ,<> ""..,,,·ed but to ......... ·e~ (Mt 20:28; Mk HU5). It is
Rede..omer as Head of Ih('ChulTh rend.. ... 10 t .... Father. ., well as with thislwnfr.ld m~3n,nK in mind that r BruMff entitles Iwo "',,"
tl-..: worship "'hich t .... community of the faith lui ",nd"• • to il!; lions of his bl~,k on won;hip: "Worship as 3 Se"" ice of G:,J m tn.:
Founder. and through Him t" Ih~ lw""enly F.rh. ... II is, in short.'t-.. Congregation· ~nd "W<mhip as t. ... Congregalion·~ Se"';':" Bt1'''''
wor,;hip rend.,-"d by ttw.- Mystical Bod)' of ChriS{ in the ""tiret)· of God.·"
ItS HNd and ..... mbers. ..
Ulurgy thus understood is on~ of tt. .. ,-",,~ri"1 ~xp ....s ions of the
It mU.'t tw.,w",'e. oc said in defens<: of the cn<:ydic.1 th.t the de Church'. lil~; it is """ of tlw> Church'. bo"ic function~. t. ... ollll'rs
scending ffiO\· ... m.mt no! mmliOl'lt'd h......, is gi"en ils du~ in other bring the prod~mation of the faith ("""'yrio) and t .............i C(" 01 ••"
f"ssages. In gencr. to. .... ....,..;,~ tt... imp~n in ..... ding thrdoc· Iislance to nt~ (dUd:uniD). ll\e C~itution on lhe Uwrgy does
umeotsul the Churrh thO! lhe w"rd "cull." rontn.y to ilS propt. . not hc:sital<' to assign it the highest pl.~ "I all. fo,;1 dc-scribcs it as
me.ming. has Inc",asingly been given a more comp"'I-..:nsl\'e sen,;e "the summ;, toward which t. ... acti"it)' of the Church is din.. .. I.-d ..
.u "'"
that includ,. . Ihe d""'mding mo. ..... m""t of ..n ctification. Thu511w and "the font from "'hidl Church'. P"""'" /low." (An. IOJ.
,
NNo 011,,·, oK.i"" of tOO Ctll.rrn Can ''qual its effur!i,''''''-'» b)' t .... et). 01 m.n,I~I~li""s. AI the €""I~, is und'lUbl<'<II)' II\(' 1')Khan,1
,..."'" till., and to ....... ~me dt>g......,N( Art. 7). Jhesj:, superl• •i '·r$! ,ni. ,. .. hkh n'Odt!n< p""""nl I .... p.:tsd"'l m)'<I'"')' of Christ.nd Ihu~
tidily mAd .. many oi I. ..... council F. . thers .nd Ih. ... logi.ons ""'I un- brings wl,·an"". IIt.-LdU"" the Eucru.ri,1 is t ...• b.>si~ . nd fotJntain-
"t..,.
""S)·. Hu. if "'e .... 0«1 Ih ....h e liturt;)· spnngs f",m the potKh.1 hod of alililurgy. 11\(' 01.. .... ' p.:t,,, d,,, ..· Ilwor life 10 " g .... 0'
my"'"')' of Chri:ll . nd rna""" rho: froi" 0/ .his mp.<"')" (~I,·.rH.m 01 lesser e~lml from t. .... Eucharisl . .o", mcasun;<l .ond cro. ......'C I by il.
hum.n b.~nK" and suprem~ glorification of God) ~H<,<.i<·~ly pr{'S . nd a", lontcd lik .. t:on<"Cnlric circle!; .oround il. Thiscmltdli,)· of
enl, then no olht.'f action 0/ th~ Church c.on be ~id 10 be mort' ,·.Iu lhe [uclun. . is also "mphasi~,'<1 by Enn):dkollhcol,,.;i.,,,,, ", '.,..
.ble, mn", dfic. rious, '" mo", n.,,,,,,,,,,y. (This is not '0 d""y tlut Holy Comm. . ni,,., .... or,;.hip "',vin' is II,.. hidden. "ibunt c~n"'t of
among Ihe .sp"'<"ifk parts of the lilurgy the celebr.lion of tho- Eu, h._ all ... orship "".\'ic .... If the;.: deta.-h them"'I,'",,, f",m Ihi" cenler. il
ri'l lak.,,; lir •• pl.,c.) Th" ""m" hi~h "olue is . 1", "'. on the lilurgy lhe Holy Communion worship "''''K'' is no lon~,'r p1\"S(''''''CI ,IS th..'
,"Il
by snrne E"an):I'lk,,1 th.'Ologi."s; K.rl (l."th, lor ~xamplc, .... ril('S: <:erucr 5\1pportin~ Ih,· tit(' "-o"hip lift-. H"," Ih,,!,<' d,. .." h,><;l ..., _
"Christi. . n ''''',,'k,' 01 God' is the mo,t import.nl, th~ mOlit ur);"ntly viet'S "'ill ....' <",'Sl!.rily b..'<{lm,' slunh:d "nd d",,,,/,-'<I, ",.
needed, .. nd If,., most ):Iorious act;"il\' th.t c.,n take pi""" on
n...
... rth."" ' - other ... n dmt"'l, fom> .os it ""'n' • ~it("I,· ."""nd I. ... hKharisL
Firs' in Ii"", al"<' I. ..• ""<ram~"'''' of ..- birth (iniliarion ), n.m"'~·. bap
Tn.. lugh rank .",'g"'-'<I to Ih" liturgy is not .'<Iui'·.I ..... 1 10 a claim of tism and c\)nfim>ari,,", " 'hi,h inm'pm.I,· I>.'I~',·."" In'" It.., C\lm
e"eI ..s .i\ tty in ,he (.nurc:h·5 lif~. TIt., <noneil F.thers I.ne;.' .hat mUllion of tl\(' Out("h and briRg all , ...... df<'Cts of i:'d(l' thai Ihis
m.ny other tI"n!\,> Iud to PfKede tt... litUTgy; for "".mple, mi)~, PO""" ftlt.1i1s no., ..... "'''''.." of pt"'One.,.ond It..' dnotnrinH 0' the
Of}' p .......h ing. th .. n"" ·...-sioll . lId turning of homan beings to lick bring hrlp to Chn,;ti;ons in "J".'rial siluannn,. T ...' ,.....,. ."""'t, ui
"''''in!
Christ, and ~dint'S.~ to b....:ome p.:trt 0/ .. mmmonity of bmthoon; onkrs and m.,';"g" SummuO th"m In "'P"<"i~1 Inrm" of in
r ......
.ond sistc~. In .ddin,,", I,IUT):K.I iKti"iry' rna)' not be left In 001 .. - the OUR'I\ .. nd "'lo'p Ih. ..... for lhese .om""", of SUttS oIlifel_
Ii, ... Thoe;o.> .... ho.n! (',"stanlly bring mOIl! fully incorpor.oled imo A further import.nt area of liturgy is IIw procL>millinn of God's
Christ in.nd Ih""'Hh Ih.' liturgy knO"" th.1 lik. . him lhey ha,·. . . word throogh ,..,.ding and p,eachin);.. wh,,,hcr in ct",,,,-.... i,,., wilh
dotr lo ..... k ,h~ ",,1\'~lion 01 "II human being'. Th. . lilUrgy gi'·. .. th,. lhe celebrari<ln 01 It... """ram",,1S ," in inJ"p""Jcnl ,"""in'" 01 .h"
'i~hl mOli"orion dnd stn·n):lh 10 O'"ermme ",11-n"t,'A.'dness ~nd to won:!. Vatican II sf"'ah of the "table of the ",ord." "'hich i. d." ........ .J
d"",>I" on<'5('11 .." sel/ishly 10 lhe ser"ice of nne', 1(>11"", human boo. .hould be 5<'1 mo", I" 'ishly (Litorg)' Constitution 5 I I. T .... pr.)'e, of
ing< dnd the ,..,1\·,U;on "I the entire world. Th" gilt ... c",·ed in the .he Hou1'5 likewi~ has an important function as a dn,ly !K''''k~ of
lilurgy mu,t n,"'~r I~~d to ""lh'dti,loc\ion bUI mu,1 '.ther bc<:ome p,.y. . r alld "'adlngs, Anot ...... r at("a of the lilorgy is ,h~ s.>c",m. . n·
• lask 10 1>.' .... rompll!<hed in and fo, th .. kingdom ol(,.. >d. ThC'Sl' IiIls. thai iJ.. ("Ol\SC'C"lalions ,,1Id bl ...s ings of ....... mosl di"erSt' killds_
ron<.idt:'a'ion~ dCMlr sho. .. ho. ... ungrounded i< lho.' obj<o<:rion that Finally.lllurg)· in a broader ..." ... indod. .. speo::l.l gath,'rings for
high n>g.ord lor Ih~ IIIorg)' ",. . d, 10 • d rultifkdtion "I ChriSI;"n life." .... on;hip (<<-,Xltions. , .." 'mo"'. ... processions) "'hkh "p.>rt"ul~r
On lhe on., hdnd, 100 lilurgy emb..>di.", I ...... ""enkal" di"""",i"" Chor(" .....~ undertake N;oo:urding to (US!""" or books L>wfully ap
N "'''!<Jfl
(humon being_--Godlthat U n """.". be eliminaloo; un tho.' <"iIcr, il prolled (Art. 13). T"I1eI<' forms of "'orship ~dn "'uh ~ood b..'
impos<"! the obhgdriOIl 01 st,i"ing fo, a to' 10;:t I"'ing 011. ... "hori, described is dooc. .... n litu~"". allhclUgh I"" I.uo.gy C"",,"lurion
''''"tal" d""ens. ." , (h .. mdO bemg~fell,,,,' homan beinS-lnIildillg SOleU to distinguish them from IIw lilu~y prop.-r. wh. .. h "by its
of Ihe ....o ,ld) . nd lhe 51n.'flglh to do "', very "'Iu~ far 5"'1''''-''' .ony of themN (Art. 13}."
"J",
S('OP[ or 111 L Ke y (ITS SUBD[\'IStONS) Cenlnli~.ed 1\'I!ul~lion 01 t. ..... lil .. rgy ,n e ..e -n il:l smal""l delails has
beom I ",.lIty in the Chur<:h especially sinC<' I .... CounCil of T",nl,
liturgy .s di.I"HkJlly underslood ""vice 01 God has. "'ide "ari-
...d il C<'rt.lnly has. positi"e "al"e in.s m",h as it help" ..t ",i.t,·
,
,
H.
.., e..-.s .nd aberrali""". CompleN-cemrali,.ation ;,; not. ho"'."otr. of thr Jilurg:,' and !o ,,'hich lhe faithful h" ',, right and dut)' b)'
to b(o ronsidelVd ~n essenli~1 principle of ,ht: Iitu'8Y; this is qu,to:. renon "' their baptism" \Ar1, H). An inh.'rior spiritual and "",ntal
d ... , from , ..... w~y ,ho. litu<gy ,","o:.loped during tht' Ilrst e ..... turit'S p.ttnicipation is unconditionally ~ui..,.j and is primary; but be-
of t. .... Church's life. FOT this ",.son ,00 qu<'Stion of ... hat is to be ..... uus<' .he human b<.ing i. a cumposit~ 01 body and .". . 1, til<' int.'rieI,
""Ii""
g~NN as lilu'8Y, th.t is, as «desl.1 "-',,"""ip, should not be 01' seeks. vi,ible and "nsibl" bo.ldily C.prt'SSiOfl, This partkipa
pro.lchoxl In too narm", ~nd timid ~ spirit. Wh~lI<'ver a local t\Ofl can, of cOUrs<', taM! many f",ms and b<> manif"';I<'d in a "ari~'y
Church under its biShop, or ... ' .. n • limite<! rommunity or group of way" for ".ample . ..:dam.tions. f'l'Sp<l{lSl'S, pray. ..., and j;Ongs
~
,h.ot ~ccepts the teadling of 'h .. Church, gathers 10 he.r God's ",oN of vari"". rypcs; corMpOnding pI>stUl\'S, .uch . , bowing.
~nd to pray and sing rogrlher, Chrisl the high priest i. pl\"Sl'rll (set' genufk.-ding. kn..,1ing.. standing.. .or><t sitting; gl'5lures wllh the
MI 18), Therefori' "",eh • 5lT\'ice Is also p.~m".1t'd by the paschal hands; and external .ction~ such .o~ the pl'O\'i,ion of the .. uchan>tk
my~"I)' and is lot- tht: gIoriflCalion 01 (,oOd .nd1 "l"h .e.. .s..a..l..". alion 01 gifts and ch.aritable rontribUrinlb, Nor shbo.,o JJd .ttention of ear and
I~ ... ho cdebta,e it. Why, then, should n", ti.1 dH'ini" ~ and. .. ~ul ....: t nwd".tin , sik-n .... oml!1t'd from this lis.
h"n "f lilurgy apply to such "''''i«'s? (~ Art. 30), It I. undoubledly an implnl.nt "-"'POrtSibilit)' of •
lruly pasloralliturgy to help the failhful I" this kind of participa
AC~N r tSUa,rCI ) Of TH[ 1ITL ~GV tion and.o show them its d~'.:.p<" m~.nin~.
Ren,'Clicm Un Ihc n.tun" of the liturgy lias . In'ady made it clt.a, llial
tlK> Iwo ess<-nlial of CM' ti • ., wI)",hip • .., CM" and Ihto Certoin groups among th~ laity ploy 0 sp<'rial rol".s "Soffits of .h~
.g~""s
Church. In a concret~ Iitu<gical cek>bra.ion Ih~ Clluf(h i. the gath litu'llY' The Constilution on Ih~ l.iturgy ""pr<'SSly 5.Jys thai -serv
"",d communi.), OT gmup. In I~ gatherings I .... office hold...,. as. ruder.>. rommmtalors, .Ind n",mPers "f Iht- <hoi. , .. e~ercise a
,,'ho are appo;nt<'d SU<'h by Ihe !.OCram .... , 01 orders with its thn.., gmuilW lilurgic. l functlon~ (Art. 2~1. Tu ],., add"oj aT'{' those who.os-
de..-""" sist II communion; th" appointed leadeJs of "'rvic"" al ... hidt 'h .....
d"SlWS. namely, bi,J,op:.. priests, and haw a ~al p"si
II no priest; organists, Un!o. .. and. in a _ , ".,,,,, "",-tons or _
tion. Nume,..".... litu<gical ..-lions are resen.'oo <-xclu.i,..'ly to them;
n.... ......
in m.>ny areolS of tile liturgy ..... reason foe .his """"".t;'>11 is nOl mUollS. n.~ undoubtedly presu ..... nol only th" requiSite
sklJls bul. solid liturgical fonnalion."
' imply 1l'l',1 !'\'Sulation butth .. po5S'-'Ssion of SM,am<",I.1 powo!r,
But t"" laity 100, br reason "I thl' "nivl'rs<!1 priosthood bl'stowed on An import.nt p.rt is al5() by the liturgical rommirrl. ..' , ... hich
pl~yoxl
''''''''·'my in b,'ptism and c"nfirma!ion. are acli,"· agl'fl" in the mul'j!:y: rep~" the parish «",n(il in this are. of .Cli,';Iy; ils function is
an.' "~ holr p"",mood, I" off", spiritual oacrificl'5 accepl.ble to work d"""ly with tk p.>rish priests /or the belt pI..,;ibl,' liturxi·
to Cud through jt'S'" ChriS!" (I 1'("\ 2:5; we \'. 91. The indi"idu~1 be-- ell """'~"
1;",'t't'S 1' ......" '1 at liturgical are th"",fo", called upon '0
""".~
Of"'<' t"""""'I'. .... to tiM> won.! 01 ('oOd. to unite with lhe cummunitr
in oIfe-ring ilS pra). .. r of pra;';". thanksK"'ing.. and pelition. and to b(o
"'i!neses to Chris. in f.ith. hoI"'. and k,,:r both during and .fu~
lho>
~n.'ino,
II Sums up aUlhi. in phr."" ... participati",,"
V~1ic.m th~ (tiv~
(p"rl"tpllt~' "'1"'''''1. The Constitution ,'" Ih~ Liturgy 'p<'aks in n,l
It,. ..... tha., 16 pa. ...g '-'" "f Ihis attitud~ Ihat is n:quired "l lhe faithful.
and OC'Kribl's it in g"'"-"'" d"uil a~ a full. consOous. acti,'''. d .....' ''''. .
u...
and ". .m munal participation ... hk h is ",ll...t for by v<'<)' nature
"