Liturgical Lexicon

Have you ever come across a word or phrase in liturgical books or conversation that was new to you? Did you ever wonder why we call the lectern an ambo? What does the phrase ex opere operato mean?

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians has a "Liturgical Decoder" online. While it isn't exhaustive, it is a useful first resource when we come across a word or phrase that is foreign to us or when we want to learn the origin of a particular word. The answers are clear and succinct and the information is reliable.

While you are on the NPM website, check out some of their other excellent resources.

Wisdom

Each Sunday, prior to praying the Angelus with pilgrims, the Holy Father offers a brief reflection or gives some type of remark. Below is the Vatican News Service account of yesterday's Angelus, which the Holy Father based on the second reading of Sunday's Mass. These seem to be appropriate words for our Church and country. (The complete English text should be posted by the Vatican in the next day or so.)

VATICAN CITY, 20 SEP 2009 (VIS) - At midday today, before praying the Angelus with faithful gathered in the inner courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castelgandolfo, the Holy Father commented on a passage for the Letter of James, the second reading of today's Mass, which focuses on the question of true wisdom.

"Like God from Whom it comes, wisdom does not need to impose itself by force because it possesses the indomitable vigour of truth and love, which is self affirming", said Pope Benedict. "Therefore is it peaceful, mild and compliant; it is not partisan, nor does it use lies; it is indulgent and generous, and may be recognised by the fruits of goodness it brings forth abundantly.

"Why not pause now and again to contemplate the beauty of this wisdom?" he added.

"Why not draw - from the uncontaminated font of the love of God - the wisdom of the heart which detoxifies us from the dross of lies and selfishness? This applies to everyone but, first and foremost, to those who are called to be promoters and 'weavers' of peace in religious and civil communities, in social and political dealings, and in international relations."

The Holy Father noted how, "in our own time, perhaps because of certain typical internal dynamics of mass societies, we not infrequently see a lack of respect for truth and for keeping one's word, alongside a widespread tendency to aggression, hatred and violence."

Yet, "in order to accomplish works of peace, we must become men and women of peace", he said, "enrolling ourselves in the school of the 'wisdom that comes from on high', in order to assimilate its qualities and produce its effects."

"If each person, in his or her own environment, manages to reject lies and violence in their intentions, words and actions, carefully cultivating feelings of respect, understanding and esteem for others, this would perhaps not resolve all the problems of daily life, but it would make it possible to face them more serenely and effectively."

Liturgy and Catechesis

This Sunday marks the annual observance of Catechetical Sunday in the United States. The theme is "Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word." This usually passes by without a lot of fanfare. Some parishes may bless catechists at Mass or highlight this important ministry in some way or another. Liturgists tend to roll their eyes at another "liturgical add-on" imposed by the catechists.

Each year, the USCCB issues excellent resources for this weekend (resources that, unfortunately, rarely make it into the hands of parish liturgists and musicians). It is a sad fact in our Church that those responsible for catechesis and those responsible for liturgy often don't talk. It's not the fault of anyone--it is simply reality.

That's why I am particularly impressed with one of the articles that the USCCB posted this year called Catechesis and Liturgy: Harmony or Fragmentation? It provides an honest look at the relationship between catechesis and liturgy in the average Catholic parish.

...the intimate relationship between catechesis and liturgy is not always evident in our ministry. There has been an unintended but real “disconnect” on the pastoral level between catechesis and liturgy, and between catechists and liturgists. In fact, the General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) identifies this relationship as one of the problematic areas of our ministry in recent years, affirming that, although “catechesis is intrinsically bound to every liturgical and sacramental action,” it is nevertheless often the case that frequently. . . the practice of catechetics testifies to a weak and fragmentary link with the liturgy: limited attention to liturgical symbols and rites, scant use of the liturgical fonts [traditions], catechetical courses with little or no connection with the liturgical year; the marginalization of liturgical celebrations in catechetical programs. (GDC, no. 30 [Washington, DC: USCCB, 1997])

If you have the time, the entire article is worth reading (it isn't very long). It might even be good to share this with your pastor and other staff members as a starter for discussion. Liturgists and catechists need to talk. And we all need to listen and learn so that the liturgy truly is, as it says in the Catechism (1074), the "privileged place for catechizing the People of God."

Memo from the Bishop's Office

Bishop Morlino has issued a memorandum regarding the liturgy and influenza. Click here to read the memo or visit the Office of Worship web page.

Glory in the Cross

In the midst of gearing up for school and choir, the additional meetings and training sessions, as well as trying to squeeze the last bits of summer out of September, two important dates of the liturgical calendar often sneak by without much notice: the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) and Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15).

The date for the feast of the Holy Cross dates back to fourth-century Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was dedicated on September 13 and the next day the True Cross was brought outside the newly-dedicated church for all of the faithful to venerate. Today we still venerate that cross every time we make the sign of the cross or pray before the cross. In fact, we glory in the cross (Galatians 6:14).

The next day (September 15) we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Mary stood at the foot of the cross next to her son and this day stands immediately next to the feast of the cross.

These two days allow us to contemplate one of the great mysteries of God's plan, that of the role of suffering. Most of us spend our lives trying to avoid suffering, but suffering and sorrow are integral to the whole plan of salvation:

The one who desires to avoid suffering, to keep it at bay, keeps life itself and its greatness at bay...There is no love without suffering - without the suffering of renouncing oneself, of the transformation and purification of self for true freedom. Where there is nothing worth suffering for, even life loses its value. The Eucharist - the centre of our Christian being - is founded on Jesus' sacrifice for us; it is born from the suffering of love which culminated in the Cross. We live by this love that gives itself. It gives us the courage and strength to suffer with Christ and for him in this world, knowing that in this very way our life becomes great and mature and true. (Pope Benedict XVI, June 28, 2008).

The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows also is one of the few days on the calendar that still has a sequence, "Stabat mater dolorosa." One the most beautiful (and sorrowful) musical settings of this is by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-36) who himself died at a young age due to tuberculosis. Below is the first movement, for soprano and alto soloists (sung in this video by a countertenor).

September 11th

Lord Jesus Christ,
who are called the Prince of Peace,
who are yourself our peace and reconciliation,
who so often said, "Peace to you,"
grant us peace.

Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice, and brotherly love.
Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers
that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace.
May all peoples of the earth become as brothers and sisters.
May longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all.

Prayer for Peace of Blessed Pope John XXIII

***

Father, all powerful and ever living God,
we praise and thank you through Jesus Christ our Lord
for your presence and action in the world.

In the midst of conflict and division,
we know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace.

Your Spirit changes our hearts:
enemies begin to speak to one another,
those who were estranged join hands in friendship,
and nations seek the way of peace together.

Your Spirit is at work when understanding puts an end to strife,
when hatred is quenched by mercy,
and vengeance gives way to forgiveness.

For this we should never cease to thank and praise you.

Preface from the Eucharistic Prayer for Masses of Reconciliation (II)

Community, Unity, Love

The Holy Father often uses his time during his Wednesday General Audiences to teach about the great saints. Yesterday (September 9), he preached about St. Peter Damian, the 11th-century monk, reformer, and "intrepid man of the Church," according to Pope Benedict XVI.

There were two very profound thoughts in the pope's talk, as related by the Vatican News Service. First, he spoke about St. Peter's life as a hermit, where he sought solitude and rigorous self-denial and penance as a way to break his ties to the world and deepen his communion with the Lord. Pope Benedict added:

"Today too, even if we are not monks, it is important to know how to create silence within ourselves in order to listen to the voice of God. ... Learning the Word of God in prayer and meditation is the path of life."

For most of us, silence is difficult. But it can't be a luxury, for indeed God uses the silence to speak to us. Even in our public prayer, the liturgy, silence is required so that we may hear the Lord's voice and let it speak to our inmost being.

However, as Christians, we don't live for ourselves only. As wonderful as our communion with the Lord may be, it calls us to something more. Pope Benedict continued:

"[C]ommunion with Christ creates a unity of love among Christians..."

How many times have we heard people (including ourselves), in faithful zeal and love of the Lord, deny this Communion not in word, but in lack of love? We speak often of the secularization of society and the Church. Perhaps this is most clear when the language of division encroaches upon our Church. In our country, this often is fueled by political differences as well.

I sometimes pray that I may see others as the Lord sees them. We know that God has created all people in his image and that each life is important. He loved us first (I John 4:19), even before we loved him and he will love us to the end (John 13:1). He loves us with all our faults, yet he wishes us to overcome these; he loves us even while in sin, but he seeks our repentance; he loves us even while in darkness, but he leads us to the light.

And what is love? According to the Apostle Paul (I Cor. 13:4-13) it is patient, kind, neither jealous nor pompous, not inflated or rude, it is not selfish and not quick-tempered, and doesn't brood over injury. Love doesn't rejoice when things go wrong but in the truth. It endures for ever in hope.

For me, this is how I discern a person's message of faith (including my own). Are they (or I) kind and patient? If the answer is "yes," love is there (and God is love). Are they arrogant and pompous? Rude, rash, selfish? If so, then love is not there. And when love isn't there, it doesn't let us off the hook. We still have to love that person or those people who may dislike us or even hate us.

This is a life-long project (at least it is for me!). Pope Benedict's words about St. Peter Damian help keep us focused and remember:

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. (I John 4:7-8, NAB)

Overture Organ Festival

The Overture Center will play host to the Madison Symphony Orchestra's Fourth Annual Overture Concert Organ Festival , September 18-20, 2009.

The program opens with a Friday evening (September 18) concert of music for trumpets and organ, featuring MSO organist Samuel Hutchison, MSO principal trumpet and UW Professor John Aley, and guest Andrew Balio, principal trumpet with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Tickets ($15) are required for this event.

On Saturday morning (September 19) at 11 a.m., organist Bruce Bengston will lead a free community hymn sing. The free Saturday morning hymn sings have been a tradition at the Overture Center for some time. Bruce is the long-time director of music at Luther Memorial Church and is a magnificent musician (and a great person!).

On Sunday afternoon, budding trumpet players won't want to miss the free master class for young trumpet players on the stage of the Overture Center. John Aley and Andrew Balio will serve as the master teachers. While the event is free, reservations are required (by September 15).

Resources for Commemorating September 11th

This Friday marks the eighth anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, "a dark day in the history of humanity, a terrible affront to human dignity" (Pope John Paul II, September 12, 2001 Audience), which he said left him (and all of the world) "heartbroken." Many parishes have Masses, Vespers, or some other liturgical prayer that day while others will commemorate the event at the Saturday evening and Sunday Masses.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has had a page with prayers, intercessions and homily resources posted for several years. Even if you have referred to this in the past, it's worth another look. There are prayers for peace, for our nation, for our troops and for our leaders. This Friday also may be a good day to look once again at Pope Benedict XVI's prayer that he offered at Ground Zero when he visited New York last year.

Two days after the attacks, Pope John Paul II welcomed a new American ambassador to the Holy See. In his remarks, the Holy Father said:

I pray that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of all the world’s peoples a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything that sows hatred and division within the human family, and to work for the dawn of a new era of international cooperation inspired by the highest ideals of solidarity, justice and peace.

Sometime this week most of us will recall where we were and what we were doing as these horrific attacks took place and their impact began to sink into our hearts. It might be a better exercise to consider --both personally and as a nation--where we have been since September 11th and what we are doing to "work for the dawn of a new era...inspired by the highest ideals of solidarity, justice and peace."

Give Success to the Work of Our Hands

The following litany was developed by the Office of Worship a number of years ago at the request of our Office for Justice and Peace. It was intended to help us remember to pray for all of those who do not have work or who are oppressed because of unsafe or unethical working conditions.

A Litany for Labor Day

Leader: Friends, let us offer our prayers to God who pronounced all creation good, who sent his Son to live and work as one like us, and who calls us to serve in love the poor and those oppressed by any need. Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

Response (all): Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

Reader: For those who are unemployed or underemployed, we pray:

Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

For those who have lost their jobs due to changing economic conditions, we pray:

Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

For those who work in hazardous conditions without sufficient protection, we pray:

Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

For migrant workers and all who work the land, we pray:

Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

For children who are forced to work and for elderly who are not sufficiently supported in retirement, we pray:

Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

For those who face discrimination, harassment or abuse in the workplace, we pray:

Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

For those who must balance job commitments with the needs of their families, we pray:

Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

Loving God,
through your Son Jesus Christ

you gave us an example to love one another

as he loved us.

Give us the strength to continue working

to bring forth your kingdom here on earth--

a kingdom of justice and peace,

kindness and compassion,

grace and mercy.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Questions: The Ministry of Reader

The Office of Worship regularly is asked questions about the qualifications of readers for Mass. In particular, people seem to want to know if children may read, if one must be Confirmed to read, and if a person must be Catholic to read at Mass.

Liturgical documents are relatively silent when it comes to requirements for a reader. They generally make a distinction between an instituted reader and other readers or lectors. The Ministry of Reader is one of the instituted ministries on the path to Ordination (the other is Acolyte). Prior to being ordained deacons, men are installed first as readers and then as acolytes. Because they are connected with Ordination, these ministries, in their instituted form, are reserved to men.

In the absence of such instituted readers (which is all of the time in most places), the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (no. 101) says:

"In the absence of an instituted lector, other laypersons may be commissioned to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture. They should be truly suited to perform this function and should receive careful preparation, so that the faithful by listening to the readings from the sacred texts may develop in their hearts a warm and living love for Sacred Scripture."

The Twelfth Synod of Bishops on the Word of God (2008) spoke strongly about the desire to train and form both men and women for this important ministry. (For more information on this see the November-December 2008 issue of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Divine Worship Newsletter.)

Liturgical documents do not require that readers have received the Sacrament of Confirmation (although it is certainly desirable), nor do they set a minimum age. The idea is that the reader possesses the skills of public proclamation as well as a love for Scripture (not just reading it, but living it!).

Non-Catholics often are asked to read during Wedding and Funeral Masses. Is this permissible?

The US Bishops' Committee on Divine Worship offers this answer (written in the first person by one of their officials) on their website:

Paragraph 133 of the Directory [for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism published in 1993 by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity] addresses the question of a non-Catholic fulfilling the ministry of reader at Mass. The Directory makes clear that normally "during a eucharistic celebration in the Catholic Church" the readings are to be proclaimed by a Catholic. The Directory goes on, however, to allow that "on exceptional occasions and for a just cause, the bishop of the diocese may permit a member of another church or ecclesial community to take on the task of reader.

The intentions of the General Intercessions are proposed by "the deacon, another minister, or some of the faithful," (Lectionary for Mass, Introduction, number 30.) I would suggest that the principles established by the Directory for the proclamation of the readings could be applied to the General Intercessions: ordinarily, the intercessions at Mass are proclaimed by a Catholic. As in paragraph 133 of the Directory, however, the bishop may allow a non-Catholic proclaim the General Intercessions according to his own pastoral judgement.

Keep in mind that the above guidelines are for use at Mass. Other liturgical celebrations (Weddings Outside Mass, for example), do not require special permission. It's also good to remind brides and grooms or others involved that reading Scripture is not just "one more job" that can be awarded as an honor to friends. It is an important ministry and ideally the person should exercise this function in their own church.

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Office for Worship has a wonderful brochure about the ministry as well as numerous other excellent resources.

Finally, the Book of Blessings offers this beautiful prayer for the Blessing of Readers (no. 1844):

Everlasting God,
when he read in the synagogue at Nazareth,
your Son proclaimed the good news of salvation
for which he would give up his life.

Bless these readers.
As they proclaim your words of life,
strengthen their faith
that they may read with conviction and boldness
and put into practice what they read.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.