When we gather for Mass, we are the Mystical Body of Christ, and we become one with Him through signs and symbols perceptible to the human senses. As we leave the Mass, we become those signs and symbols of Christ's presence in the world.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
Psalm 95:6.
The biggest revelation for me was learning about the evolution of the Mass through a journey of 2,000 years to the major reforms of the 20th century. Knowing our history gives us our identity. Since Vatican II (1962-1965) we have the opportunity to immerse ourselves into the full mystery of the Eucharist, that our forebears never had. Their worship depended on faith with a certain amount of fear, but we can enter into the Liturgy in a more active way that for 1,500 years, Christians could not even have imagined. The commitment and foresight that defined Sacrosanctum Concillium (Vatican II’s key Constitution on Sacred Liturgy) is yet to be fully implemented so there is still work to do.
Closest to God: The Source and Summit
In the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem toward which we journey as pilgrims…liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time, it is the font from which all her power flows.
Sacrosanctum Concillium, 10.
Taking part in the Eucharist is the most important thing we can do as baptised Christians. It is the greatest source of our holiness and is the pinnacle of our Christian lives. It has the power to sanctify, transform and change us. That’s all we really need to know. God does not expect us all to be theologians, but the more we immerse ourselves in the Liturgy, by understanding it, listening, singing, praying and offering ourselves, the more we will become like Christ.
A Foretaste of Heaven: Mystagogical Catechesis
Faith grows when it is well expressed in celebration. Good celebrations foster and nourish faith. Poor celebrations may weaken and destroy it. (Music in Catholic Worship, 6).
When we gather, we are the Mystical Body of Christ, and we become one with Him through signs and symbols perceptible to the human senses.
In the Liturgy, Christ is present, doing his saving work for us. Good Liturgy teaches us in mystagogical ways, so it absolutely matters that we pay attention to every aspect of the liturgical action and the environment. If we hide or clutter signs and symbols, their meaning may be weakened, lost, or even replaced.
The altar is the most essential and significant symbol because it signifies Christ. Therefore, it must be made and decorated of worthy material, be permanent and not cluttered or concealed by any other objects that will detract from its primary meaning.
Flowers (real, not artificial) should add beauty but not dominate.
Vessels, vestments and artwork should add beauty.
The Incense and candles speak of prayer, holiness and help create a sacred space.
Music is essential and ‘greater than any other art.’
The ambo should be suitably dignified reflecting its importance as the place of proclamation. The Book of the Gospels should be carried high in procession, reminding us of the importance of what we are about to hear.
The choreography of the Liturgy matters as well; the processions, the incensations, and general movement during Mass all need practising because they create a dignity, drama and sense of the sacred to the ritual action. It isn’t everyday action; it is unique and should reflect the glories of the heavenly Liturgy. These signs and symbols in our buildings and our liturgies are a foretaste of Heaven!
Gives the Church her identity: Mystical Body
Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy… this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else.
Sacrosanctum Concillium, 14.
Twentieth Century liturgical reforms centred around the understanding that we are members of the Mystical Body of Christ. Christ calls us to gather, and when we do so, we make the Church visible. For well over 1,000 years, the faithful were only permitted to ‘hear’ Mass (in fact we probably struggled to do that.) It was seen as the private prayer of the priest. The renewed desire to see the Church as St Paul described it, means that we have an active role to play; that we aren’t spectators at Mass. We will be the Mystical Body at its best if we all play our parts to their fullest, preparing carefully, using our gifts well with a conscious understanding.
In Mystici Corporis, Pope Pius XII reminds us that when we celebrate the Eucharist, we are fulfilling Christ’s will for us. Part of that will is to evangelise; we should always remember to be outward looking. Thomas O’Loughlin puts it brilliantly when he says, ‘our liturgy is a shop window to those who are not yet disciples of Jesus.’ Our welcome and our openness to share the joy of the Gospel and the riches of good Liturgy with others, has the power to transform souls.
Gives meaning to life: Go in Peace
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24.
Liturgy is intrinsically linked to everyday life and gives it meaning. When we hear the Word of God proclaimed well, it should inspire us to live good lives, look after the poor and needy, speak out against injustice, strive for peace and enjoy the wonders of creation. The words of dismissal at the end of Mass are deliberate; Go in peace; Go and announce the Gospel; Go glorifying the Lord by our lives. When our senses have been immersed in a sacred environment enhanced by candles, incense and music; when we have listened to the Word of God, offered ourselves to be transformed and received Christ in the Eucharist, then we are ready to live out the message of the Gospel, evangelise and help others. This is the goal of our lives as Christians. Though we are human and flawed, we should do the very best we can – good Liturgy encourages and strengthens us to pursue this goal.
Attaining good liturgy: Noble Simplicity
To celebrate the liturgy means to do the action or perform the sign in such a way that its full meaning and impact shine forth in clear and compelling fashion. Since liturgical signs are vehicles of communication and instruments of faith, they must be simple and comprehensible. Since they are directed to fellow human beings, they must be humanly attractive. They must be meaningful and appealing to the body of worshipers or they will fail to stir up faith and people will fail to worship the Father. (Music in Catholic Worship, 7).
All those involved in service to the Liturgy have a responsibility to fully understand their role. Communication, co-operation, formation and much humility are required. Good liturgy must be welcoming (especially at weddings and funerals) and inclusive.
Most importantly, we must be faithful to the Liturgies of the Church. Edmund Bishop once described the Roman Rite up to the 8th Century as having a ‘noble simplicity’. (After that, the text and symbolic action went on a long journey of embellishment.) The Post Vatican II Mass has regained some of that simplicity and beauty and we must be careful to uphold its integrity. The liturgical texts are full and rich. They have a rhythm and poeticism that takes them beyond everyday language. They stand on their own without the need for adaptation or improvisation.
Pastors of souls must therefore realize that… is their duty also to ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its effects.
Sacrosanctum Concillium, 11.
Formation cannot be left to chance. Until the Church recognises that a concerted effort is needed, it will continue to limp along. Bishops and priests must lead by example and insist that lay and ordained ministers receive proper liturgical training. The new formalisation of Lector and Catechist Lay Ministries is a positive development and will help emphasise their importance. The Sunday Homily is a good place to catechise the faithful, gradually, revealing the glories of each part of the Mass in an understandable and relevant way.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2.
The modern world and good Liturgy are at odds. Liturgy requires us to submit ourselves to corporate activity. The modern world encourages us to do our own thing and to have what we want. In ‘The Spirit of the Liturgy,’ Romano Guardini explains how we need to have some humility to submit to communal prayer. Doing anything with other people requires some degree of compromise. If we can be in this frame of mind, the joys of the Liturgy will reveal themselves in remarkable ways.
The Liturgy is the jewel and future of the church. The more we experience Christ through good Liturgy, the more our hearts will grow in love for Christ and the more we will become the person God created us to be.
Useful Reading
Sacrosanctum Concillium.
Music in Catholic Worship.
Mystici Corporis. Pius XII.
The Spirit of the Liturgy. Romano Guardini.
The Rites and Wrongs of Liturgy. Why Good Liturgy Matters. Thomas O’Loughlin.
101 Liturgical Suggestions. Columba McCann OSB.
Why Not? How to bring the Liturgy About. Turlough Baxter.
