Pope Leo encourages promotion of ‘dignified celebration’ of Mass, following liturgical texts faithfully
The Holy Father said that formation of laity and priests can take place through reverent worship at Mass. He has previously called for maintaining and respecting the liturgy’s regulations and texts, rather than personally altering them.
Pope Leo XIV recently emphasized the importance of faithfully celebrating the Mass according to the approved texts, saying that reverent liturgy can help to form Catholics.
As the Holy See Press Office publicized Aug. 14, the Pontiff sent the message to Cardinal Arthur Roche, the prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and those gathered at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon for a meeting about liturgical formation. Vatican News reports that the dicastery organized the meeting, attended by cardinals, bishops, and lay faithful, in response to Pope Francis’ apostolic letter Desiderio Desideravi encouraging liturgical formation.
Pope Leo began by referencing Desiderio Desideravi, in which the late pontiff called for “attentive and ongoing formation of clergy and laity alike in revitalizing the liturgical life of the universal Church.”
Noting that Pope Francis had said this formation is not meant to be a specialized focus only for a few experts but rather a disposition for all the faithful, Pope Leo encouraged the meeting attendees to consider concrete ways to offer liturgical formation at every level in the Church. He noted, as the apostolic letter did, that it is also important to prioritize formation of priests in particular.
He said the first practical opportunities for formation occur in the weekly Sunday Mass, which follows the liturgical year’s rhythm and centers on the Paschal Mystery.
“For this reason, it is essential that they also be profoundly formative, promoting an ever deeper understanding of the ars celebrandi, expressed not only by the celebrant of the liturgy, but also by the entire assembly,” Pope Leo said. “In this way, through proper education and reverent worship, Catholics will be formed both for the liturgy and by the liturgy.”
Continuing, the Pope outlined that reverent celebration of the Mass requires faithful adherence to the rubrics of the Mass.
“Moreover, in order to promote the dignified celebration of the sacred mysteries, we must emphasize the need for fidelity to the approved texts and instructions,” he wrote. In my recent catecheses on the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, I have called attention to the respect that all those called to prepare the celebration of the divine mysteries, and priests in particular, must show toward the rites promulgated by Pope Saint Paul VI and Pope Saint John Paul II.”
“It is vital that this respect ‘springs from an inner attitude of openness and trust in God, manifesting humility before his greatness and sincere fidelity to ecclesial communion,’” he added, quoting his General Audience catechesis from May 27.
Zeale News previously reported that during this catechesis Pope Leo urged clergy to uphold respect for the texts and regulations of the liturgy, rather than adding, removing, or altering anything by themselves.
Concluding his message to Cardinal Roche and the meeting’s participants, Pope Leo said, “I entrust your deliberations to Mary, Seat of Wisdom, and I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing to you and all present at this gathering as a pledge of wisdom and peace in the Lord.”
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