Archive for the 'liturgy' Category

The New Zealand solution to Missal translation

Published on September 3, 2010 in liturgy. 0 Comments Tags: advent, catholic, eucharist, Mass, new zealand, roman catholic.

From New Zealand’s Roman Catholic National Liturgy Office:

On 30 April 2010 the major English-speaking countries were informed that Rome had granted the recognitio (approval) for the new Mass texts of the universal edition of the Roman Missal (Third Edition). The Conferences of Bishops in those countries have been awaiting delivery of these texts, so that they could in turn complete the process of seeking approval for their respective national editions of the Roman Missal.

On 20 August 2010 we received a digital copy of these universal texts, but still await approval for the local amendments to the Missal that will enable us to go ahead and publish the Roman Missal for use in New Zealand.

Originally we had hoped to launch our national edition of the Roman Missal on the First Sunday of Advent this year (28 November 2010). Rome’s unforeseen delay now makes this impossible. While, for the present, we are unable to publish the complete Roman Missal on the First Sunday of Advent as hoped, we nonetheless recognise the pastoral importance of implementing some of the new texts on that date.

Accordingly, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference has decided to introduce the new translations of the following parts of the Mass:
‣ the greetings and responses at the beginning of Mass.
‣ the texts of the Penitential Act.
‣ the Gloria.
‣ the Creed.
‣ the prayers and responses during the Liturgy of the Word.
‣ all the dialogues between the Priest and the Assembly during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
‣ the Holy,Holy.
‣ the Memorial Acclamations.
‣ the Doxology.
‣ all the prayers and responses of the Priest, Deacon and Assembly from the Communion Rite to the Concluding Rites.
‣ those gestures and postures required by the accompanying rubrics and/or the relevant sections of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

To assist in a smooth transition, the Conference will be making available, free of charge, an interim missalette containing those texts mentioned above. Also, a music resource will be available at the end of September 2010 offering two musical settings for the Mass: the setting of the Missal chants and a new composition by Douglas Mews.

The current Propers of the Mass, the Prefaces and the Eucharistic Prayers as provided for in the present Missal will still be in force until such time as the complete New Zealand edition of the Roman Missal can be published. In the meantime, we recommend that priests use either the present Missal or the current CPC “Prayers of the Mass”.

Start here for further reflections, on this site, in relation to the Missal translation.

What age communion?

Published on September 2, 2010 in liturgy. 28 Comments Tags: anglicans, baptism, eucharist, new zealand, roman catholics, vatican.

Put up your hand if you believe that children should not be fed until they can at least articulate the five food groups.

Put up your hand if you fully understand the Eucharist.

Put up your hand if you understand x% of all there is to be understood about the Eucharist, and at the current rate of learning you will know all there is to be known about the Eucharist in y years.

Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has just called for the possibility of Roman Catholic children to receive communion prior to the age of seven. He was reflecting on the teachings of St Pius X. “With this decree … he taught the entire Church the meaning, the opportunity, the value and the centrality of Holy Communion for the life of all of the baptized, including children,” wrote the cardinal prefect of St. Pius X. First communion, as the beginning of our “walk together with Jesus” should not be put off.

Pius X pointed out that the ancient tradition of the Church was to give babies Communion immediately after their baptism. The practice died out in the West. Eastern Rite Catholics, of course, in full communion with Rome, receive communion from their baptism. Then the children are catechized from a very early age in what it is they have received.

“This practice of preventing the faithful from receiving, on the plea of safeguarding the august sacrament, has been the cause of many evils. It happened that children in their innocence were forced away from the embrace of Christ and deprived of the food of their interior life,” Pope Pius wrote.

New Zealand Roman Catholics, surprisingly, have an inconsistent variety of approaches. Most make their first communion aged 8 or 9. It normally requires first Confession, and Confirmation prior to receiving communion. But Christchurch Diocese and Palmerston North Diocese do not follow this practice, and have confirmation after first communion.

Canon lawyer Msgr Brendan Daly (in the newspaper NZ Catholic) explains that canon law requires children to be carefully prepared for first communion so that they understand what the mystery of Christ means and can receive with faith and devotion.

The issue, of course, with that approach is that what is sauce for the Eucharistic goose is sauce for Baptismal gander. If you demand “that they understand what the mystery of Christ means and can receive with faith and devotion”, then the Baptist position of requiring understanding and at least the “age of reason” to be baptized is a logical consequence, is it not?

Furthermore, why does the rationale not apply to Eastern Catholics whom the Vatican allows to receive from Baptism?

New Zealand Anglicans, and other provinces, have, in the renewal of liturgy, returned to the historic Christian practice of the Eucharist for all the baptised. Eucharist completes the sacrament of initiation, and is the repeatable part of the sacrament of initiation.

Mary Margaret Douglas tells the story of Jonah

Published on September 1, 2010 in liturgy. 1 Comment Tags: bible, movie.

Mary Margaret Douglas tells the story of Noah

Week starting September 5

Published on August 31, 2010 in liturgy. 2 Comments Tags: collect, Creation Season, lectio, opening prayer, ordinary time, Season of Creation.

Commentary on the collect for today and the week following, from NZPB

Textweek resources

It is Fathers Day in Australia and New Zealand, but not in Canada, USA, or UK,…

This is the start of the Creation Season for some. This site is against abandoning the RCL, or RC three year lectionary. In my opinion, it is possible to make allusions and references to creation, including from the set readings. I have recently been arguing against the increasing of “Special Sundays“.

A creation reading of the lectionary:

The First Testament readings and psalms has creation like clay in the potter’s hand. We are known and formed – my inward parts – you knit me together in my mother’s womb. They speak of land, heaven, and earth, life and death, trees planted by streams of water. The gospel speaks of calculating the cost and simplifying our lifestyle.

The month of September, launched by the Eastern Orthodox starting of the liturgical year on September 1 and preparing for the feast of St Francis, has increasingly a focus on creation. This site is committed to the three year lectionary (RC) and its derivative, the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). Rather than departing from that lectionary, resources will be provided here that can be used to have a particular focus.

The historic 1989 encyclical letter (link off this site) of the Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I in which he urged Christians to observe September 1st as a day of prayer for the protection of the environment.

Drawn from Creation Season where you will find further resources.

Other Collects in use today

Common Worship (CofE):

Almighty God,
whose only Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence:
give us pure hearts and steadfast wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

BCP (TEC USA):

Grant us, O Lord,
to trust in you with all our hearts;
for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength,
so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Please add ideas for sermons, hymns, ways to adapt for Fathers Day, Creation Season, etc.

Special Sundays

Published on August 30, 2010 in liturgy. 8 Comments Tags: anglican church, lectionary, new zealand, RCL.

Someone told me that General Synod of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia has authorised 38 “special Sundays”. IMO, the General Synod is irresponsible in its liturgical governance and leadership.

I strongly support the three year lectionary in its RCL and RC forms. And I notice that this doesn’t work as well when people are constantly looking for themes. Or abandoning the Sunday readings for a “special Sunday”.

It is difficult for me to understand, for example, why, in New Zealand, National Bible Sunday gets its own readings which, rather than encouraging systematic reading of the scriptures actually models the opposite by departing from the RCL’s systematic reading of the scriptures!!!

By all means, add a special intention into the prayers, or pick up a focus in a hymn, or make a connection between the set readings and such a focus, or have a visiting preacher from a particular organisation, or add something to the pew sheet, or alter the worship environment, … but don’t force the service into a constraining theme; and don’t depart from the three year lectionary, in a community that meets weekly, without good cause.

Here are some of the “special Sundays” that spring to mind:

AAW SUNDAY (1st Sunday in February)
ASIA SUNDAY (nearest Sunday to 20 May)
Te Pouhere Sunday – Second Sunday after Pentecost
DISABILITY AWARENESS SUNDAY (3rd Sunday in June)
REFUGEE SUNDAY (1st Sunday in July)
Sea Sunday (2nd Sunday in July
NATIONAL BIBLE SUNDAY (3rd Sunday in July)
Social Services Sunday (4th Sunday in July)
RELIGIOUS VOCATION SUNDAY (3RD Sunday in August)
ANGLICAN COMMUNION SUNDAY (last Sunday in August)
BATTLE OF BRITAIN SUNDAY (Sunday nearest 15 September)
Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
if date unknownFeast of Dedication or Consecration
TIKANGA YOUTH SUNDAY
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY (2nd Sunday in November)
Feast of Christ in All Creation
Aotearoa Sunday

Church of England logo

Published on August 29, 2010 in liturgy. 12 Comments Tags: Anglican, humor, humour.

Meteor Shower

Published on August 28, 2010 in liturgy. 1 Comment Tags: Creation, movie.

Joshua Tree Under the Milky Way from Henry Jun Wah Lee on Vimeo.

Magnificent time-lapse video by Henry Jun Wah Lee of the Perseid meteor shower in Joshua Tree National Park. Music by Sigur Ros.

persons of the feminine sex

Published on August 27, 2010 in liturgy. 14 Comments Tags: eucharist, Jesus, Mass, sign of peace, vatican.

Archbishop Raymond Burke, the Roman Catholic Church’s top legal authority, has stated that reading at Mass or distributing communion is not a right of the baptized. “Assistance by “persons of the feminine sex” at the altar” is also not a right.

Pope John Paul II, of course, allowed “persons of the feminine sex” at the altar. The recent altar server pilgrimage to the Vatican drew thousands of boys and girls. “Archbishop Burke clarified, however, that the reality of the matter is that neither the presence of girls at the altar, nor the participation of lay faithful “belong to the fundamental rights of the baptized.””

The attitudes to women, particularly around menstruation, has a long history, going back into Biblical times. In 241 AD Dionysius, Archbishop of Alexandria, wrote: “menstruous women ought not to come to the Holy Table, or touch the Holy of Holies, nor to churches, but pray elsewhere.” Pope Gelasius I (494 AD) objected to women serving at the altar. The Decretum Gratiani (1140 AD), which became official Church law in 1234 AD, part of the Corpus Iuris Canonici has

Women may not distribute communion
Women may not teach in church
Women may not touch sacred objects
Women may not touch sacred vestments

The Corpus Iuris Canonici (1234 – 1916 AD) also has:

A woman may not touch the corporal
Women may not receive communion during their monthly periods
Women should receive communion in their hand on a ‘housel-towel’ or on the tongue
Women should be veiled when receiving communion
Women may not be singers in Church

From 1917

Women may not distribute holy communion
Girls or women may not be Mass servers at the altar
Women should have their heads veiled in church
Sacred linen must first be washed by men, before women touch them
Women may not read out Sacred Scripture in church

IMO, and with respect, I suggest the understanding of laity as there to pay, pray, and obey is not the understanding of Jesus. Renewal of liturgy has rediscovered liturgy is (as the origin of the word suggests) “the work of the people”. It is not a spectator sport. It is a team sport, where each has a particular role. I would suggest that the laity, in fact, are the ones appropriately reading lessons, leading the prayers of the faithful, bringing forward the bread and wine, taking up and presenting a collection and other gifts for the poor, etc. Clergy should not usurp these tasks. Laity have responses particular to them in the liturgy. Clergy should not usurp these responses. Many post-Vatican II church buildings do not have a “sanctuary” (this became a problem with a recent Vatican ruling that priests not “leave the sanctuary during the Sign of Peace”). In such a building, at which point is a “person of the feminine sex” deemed to be “assisting at the altar”? May she take up the collection, but not present it? In such a church building may no woman go beyond the front seats or pew? Or even sit in the front seats or pews if there is no physical barrier between her and the altar?

Babette’s feast

Published on August 26, 2010 in liturgy. 6 Comments Tags: eucharist, Jesus, movie, name.

The 1989 Danish movie, Babette’s Feast, is full of deep theology. The story is set in an austere Christian sect in 19th century Jutland. There is much in the movie, even evident in the above clip, about meals and hospitality, Eucharist and community, reconciliation and joy, the generosity of God and the great banquets of which Jesus speaks…

worship & entertainment (part 2)

Published on August 25, 2010 in liturgy. 5 Comments Tags: joke, liturgy, spirituality, twitter, worship.

A blog post is often pressing home a particular point. But reality is often more complex. More balanced.

My recent post on worship and entertainment is a case in point. I was arguing the dangers of becoming entertainment-focused. Well-known John Michael Talbot sent me this tweet in response: “Worship that doesn’t entertain a bit is boring, and entertainment without worship has no soul. The balance is good liturgy.”

He is, of course, quite right. There is nothing intrinsically good about boring worship!

There is an old joke (not so common in our smoking-is-not-PC world) about a Franciscan, a Dominican, and a Jesuit. The Franciscan and the Dominican asked their superiors if they could smoke while they were praying. Both superiors were outraged: “No, that would be a sin!” The Jesuit asked his superior if he could pray while he was smoking. His superior was delighted: “What a great idea!” [Those who understand Ignatian spirituality will realise deeper truths in this joke].

Please don’t use my blog post as an excuse for continuing leading tedious, dull, dreary, mind-numbing, tiresome, lackluster, unexciting, humdrum, uninspiring worship.

Week starting August 29

Published on August 24, 2010 in liturgy. 4 Comments Tags: collect, lectio, opening prayer, ordinary time.

The readings
Textweek resources

collect/opening prayer reflection August 29 and week following [NZPB]
collect/opening prayer reflection August 29 and week following [BCP TEC]

Almighty God,
who called your Church to bear witness
that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you;
through him who was lifted up on the cross,
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

13th Sunday after Trinity Common Worship CofE

You can share any comments as well as any resources, ideas, sermon-starters, children’s activities, hymns, prayers, etc. in the comments section below.

Mary Margaret Douglas tells the story of Noah

Published on August 23, 2010 in liturgy. 3 Comments Tags: bible, movie.

I got the following video from Fr Frank Logue. I don’t know any more about the delightful story-teller, but enjoy…

Welsh prayer before communion

Published on August 22, 2010 in liturgy. 10 Comments Tags: eucharist, Jesus, prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you draw and welcome us,
emptied of pride and hungry for your grace,
to this your kingdom’s feast.
Nowhere can we find food for which our souls cry out,
but here, Lord, at your table.
Invigorate and nourish us, good Lord,
that in and through this bread and wine
your love may meet us
and your life complete us in the power and glory of your kingdom.
Amen.

An alternative to the Prayer of Humble Access; page 33.

From AN ORDER FOR THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The Church in Wales
Canterbury, 208pp, 1 85311 617 3

Even further delays in English Missal?

Published on August 21, 2010 in liturgy. 8 Comments Tags: collect, Mass, new zealand, opening prayer, vatican.

This site, as one of the most significant English-language ones on liturgy, has tried to keep people abreast of developments in English-speaking Roman Catholicism in relation to the new English missal.

There has been the news that the new English translation was approved by the pope.

The New Zealand RC bishops announced that the new translation would come into effect here Advent Sunday 2010. Apparently collects/opening prayers and other propers would not be used yet. But priests and bishops met for days with the new approved texts. Laity also had special meetings. A liturgical expert, Fr Paul Turner, led these meetings.

In other countries it appears that nothing will happen for at least a year later than in New Zealand. So in comments here, and emails, people were astonished, and in some cases incredulous that this actually was going to happen here.

Well, those people may yet prove to be correct. It appears impossible to ascertain what is actually going on. But it appears that the new translation has actually not received papal approval. Behind closed doors there are mutterings of … embarrassing… anger… ICEL… Vox Clara… sham… show…

The New Zealand Catholic, a fortnightly newspaper I subscribe to, states on its current front-page story:

… despite Vatican approval for the new translations in April, the final texts had yet to be released by Rome at the time NZ Catholic went to press. Fr Turner told a national workshop … that the delay was unexpected. “No one expected that this would happen and everyone is feeling a bit confused by it,” Fr Turner said, adding that he was sure the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments was simply making a few final corrections and changes.

Call me slow here, but I thought that the Vatican’s approval (recognitio) on April 30, 2010 was of English texts which had previously been voted on by the different Roman Catholic regional Bishops’ Conferences. That being the case, those texts are in the hands of the bishops and others already. Does it not now appear that the process is being reversed? Rather than the Vatican approving texts voted on by English-speaking Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conferences, does it not now appear that the Vatican is altering those texts and that these altered texts are not being sent back to the Conferences for their consideration?

Does this not give further weight to the concerns expressed by Marilyn Elliston in the latest Tui Motu, a NZ Roman Catholic magazine, in which in her article “do this in memory of me” she laments the shortcomings of the new translation and also reminds the readers of the teachings of Vatican II that the bishops of each region have the authority to produce local liturgical translations, subject to Vatican approval. She also reminds us of ICEL’s 1998 translation which was rejected by Rome.

In all this confusion, it is once again from overseas that we hear that all that may be altering in New Zealand in November is the congregational parts. This is termed “the New Zealand Plan”. Old priest’s parts with new people’s parts – a mongrel Mass.

Loss of ecumenically agreed texts
Delays in new missal

Update: returning to the overseas site, Gotta sing gotta pray, from which I got “the New Zealand plan” above, I notice that they have just now received from the Vatican “the final text of the Roman Missal for the Dioceses of the United States” (does anyone have the link to the mentioned press release?). My understanding would be that this will be, barring spelling differences, the same text for New Zealand and elsewhere – but I might be wrong. Different English speaking Roman Catholic regions use different translations for the readings and the Divine Office. Keep an eye on the NZ National Liturgy Office site for developments. Alterations the Vatican made to the American (presumably all) translation included in the absolution, creed, and Eucharistic prayers. The people’s response, “Christ has died,…” (again very popular internationally ecumenically following RC lead) the Vatican has forbidden.

Sample of a Eucharistic prayer - other texts can be found from the links there.

Update 2: Here is a pdf of the text approved for USA, I’m assuming that, except for changes (corrections? ) to the spelling of “Savior” the English/NZ/Australian text will be the same?