Mindful of Liturgical Abuses
ROME, DEC. 11, 2003 (Zenit.org)
Two more anniversaries have been celebrated recently: the 100th anniversary of the Pope St. Pius X's letter "Tra le Sollecitudini" on sacred music and the 40th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's promulgation of Vatican II's constitution on the sacred liturgy, "Sacrosanctum Concilium."
On the latter, John Paul II has issued an apostolic letter in which he suggests, as he has in the past, "an examination of conscience regarding the reception of the Second Vatican Council."
With regard to liturgy, the Pope wrote, it seems to have been "sidelined in a widely secularized society."
"One aspect that needs to be cultivated with greater attention in our communities is the experience of silence," he said.
"It is not by chance that outside of Christianity, the practice of meditation, which places importance on concentrated attention, is diffuse," the Holy Father added. "Why not start, with bold pedagogy, a specific education to silence within the parameters of the Christian experience?"
The Pope specifically called on pastors to be attentive to abuses in the liturgy.
"Not respecting liturgical norms culminates sometimes in even grave abuses that place the truth of the mystery in the shadows and create discontent and tension among the People of God," he wrote. "Such abuses have nothing to do with the authentic spirit of the Council and should be corrected by pastors with an attitude of prudent firmness."
An important element of the liturgy is music, and last week John Paul II published a study of sacred music, called a chirograph, for the 100th anniversary of "Tra le Sollecitudini."
In the chirograph, the Pope recalled Pius X's letter as well as Chapter 6 of "Sacrosanctum Concilium."
Above all, sacred music "must have holiness as its reference point," John Paul II wrote. "Not all musical forms can be retained appropriate for liturgical celebrations."
Pride of place is reserved for Gregorian chant and the pipe organ, although sacred music "must also respond to the legitimate needs of adaptation and inculturation," the Pope said.
He added: "It is clear, however, that every innovation in this delicate matter must respect particular criteria, that is, the search for musical _expression that responds to the necessary involvement of the entire assembly in the celebration and that avoids, at the same time, any ceding to lightness or superficiality."
Edited by - kami on 12/11/2003 19:58:26 |
Mindful of Liturgical Abuses
Posted - 12/11/03 : 19:57
