In a November issue of “Liturgy Corner,” we looked very briefly at Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Desiderio Desideravi in which he urged all the faithful, laity and clergy, to participate in a renewed Liturgical formation, lamenting our lack of amazement, awe, and wonder at what takes place in the Liturgy.   From his letter, it is clear that some of his concerns stem from the “liturgical wars” that followed in the wake of The Council’s restoration of the liturgy.  Another concern is the uneven liturgical renewal in the universal church.

   Sacrosanctum concilium (Sacred Constitution on the Liturgy) was the first Vatican II document promulgated.  In choosing this to be the first, the Council Fathers wanted to usher in the reform of the Church.  They believed that the restoration and reformation of the liturgy would lead to a longed-for renewal of the church and among its members.  Their belief was based on a saying of one of a fourth century Church Father, Prosper of Aquitaine who said, “lex orandi, lex credendi”— "the law of what is prayed [is] what is believed [is] the law of what is lived").  In the sixty years since, we now understand that this hoped-for renewal was to be in our Christian identity and mission---that we would become evangelizers in the world.

   We could speculate about why the renewal did not happen on the large scale anticipated.  I believe that for many responsible for crafting and implementing the catechesis, they did not have the background or expertise for the task.  It’s important to remember that when the bishops were in Rome for the Council, they not only met in session, but also took classes.  What they learned about the Liturgical Movement (a 19th-century and 20th-century movement of scholarship for the reform of worship) prepared them to draft and debate the Constitution.  Returning to the United States, they found that in areas where the Liturgical Movement was active, catechesis for the renewed liturgy developed, almost effortlessly.  In areas unfamiliar with the Liturgical Movement, they struggled to develop a suitable catechesis. 

   But whatever the reasons, we are being called now to a renewed understanding of liturgy so that our liturgical actions and prayer shape our identity and actions as Christians.  In the months ahead, we will explore some of the theological foundations of our liturgy and ways that we might interiorize our prayer and actions.