Tag: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

On
Patrick Gorman

Encountering Christ in the liturgy

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One of the great contributions of the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy is the brief synthesis on Christ’s presence in the Church’s prayer.

“Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations,” (art. 7). Christ’s presence in the Mass is multifaceted and mysterious, but there are four specific ways named by the Council — in the Eucharistic species, the Word of God, the person of the priest, and in the gathered community in which “the Church prays and sings” (art. 7).

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Patrick Gorman

Regarding the constitution on the sacred liturgy

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The liturgical renewal of the Second Vatican Council was grounded in centuries of Church tradition, in the Council of Trent, in the writings of the popes of the 20th Century, and in developing scholarship and practice throughout the world.

The first document promulgated by the Second Vatican Council was the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. This document is one of only four constitutions issued by the council. Constitutions are the most authoritative and important documents issued by the council.

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Ben Yanke

Vatican II documents give Gregorian chant first place among liturgical music

To the editor:

Thank you for publishing Nico Fassino’s article in a recent edition of the Madison Catholic Herald, and also the excellent articles on the authentic role and scope of sacred music by Sr. Joan L. Roccasalvo, C.S.J. In the other letters to the editor that I have recently read, I have seen many fallacies and inconsistencies relating to the role of music in the liturgy in regard to our role in the liturgy that I feel I must address.

The Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, makes clear in §116 that Gregorian chant is the primary form of music for the Mass, having first place among liturgical music, alongside the great repository of sacred polyphony.

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Patrick Gorman

From Trent to Vatican II — ongoing reform

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While the liturgical reforms promulgated by the Second Vatican Council were unexpected by many people, the seeds of the reform actually were planted centuries earlier at the Council of Trent (1545-1563).

The Council of Trent was a monumental moment for the Church. Held in the decades following the Reformation, the council sought to define, unite, and codify many of the Church’s dogmas and practices. In terms of the liturgy, the most significant task that they accomplished was directing the pope to standardize and revise the books for the celebration of Mass.

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On
Patrick Gorman

From Trent to Vatican II — ongoing reform

Year of Faith column logo

While the liturgical reforms promulgated by the Second Vatican Council were unexpected by many people, the seeds of the reform actually were planted centuries earlier at the Council of Trent (1545-1563).

The Council of Trent was a monumental moment for the Church. Held in the decades following the Reformation, the council sought to define, unite, and codify many of the Church’s dogmas and practices. In terms of the liturgy, the most significant task that they accomplished was directing the pope to standardize and revise the books for the celebration of Mass.

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On
Patrick Gorman

Taking a closer look at the council

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Mother Church Rejoices! With his typically optimistic words, Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council on October 11, 1962. Today, we share that same joy as we commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Council that Pope John frequently referred to as “a new Pentecost.”

The first document issued by the Council was the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. It was one of only four Constitutions (which are of the highest rank of Church teachings) issued by the Council. The goals of the entire Council are laid out in the first paragraph: to increase the vigor of people’s Christian life, to adapt those things which may be changed to the needs of our own times, to promote Christian unity, and to help all people come to know Christ in the Church.

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Al Hiebing, Cross Plains

Why is Latin returning to the Mass?

To the editor:

As Latin is returning to our Mass, we are asking the question, why? Some of the parish members felt the Latin Mass was beautiful, although most everyone participating understood very little. Many participants prayed the Rosary during Mass and still do today.

I remember when the Mass went to English. I don’t recall anyone criticizing the change. It was beautiful to understand the prayers and hymns.

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Sr. Anne Marie Mongoven, O.P., Madison

Popes, bishops, Vatican approve changes in liturgy

To the editor:

I regret that the Catholic Herald would lend its space to voices of calumny. Both Kenneth J. Wolfe and Jacek M. Cianciara made unsubstantiated statements about Cardinal Annibale Bugnini, a priest who served the Church at the request of Pope Pius XII, Pope John XXIII, and Pope Paul VI. The idea that he could make changes in the liturgy without those three popes understanding what he was doing is ridiculous and an insult to the popes themselves.

To name Cardinal Bugnini as the author of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy is strange indeed. It would be well to remember that that document was approved by public vote of the Council Fathers on Wednesday, December 4, 1963, by 2,147 Council Fathers voting “yes,” and four Council Fathers voting “no.” After the vote Pope Paul VI confirmed the vote in the following words:

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