Sacred Liturgy

09-15-2019Pastor's LetterFr. John Ehrich

Dear Parishioners,

Since I have been here there have been a number of questions about all sorts of things regarding Church teachings, liturgy, etc. Hopefully I can clear some of these things up for all of you. Today, let's look at some important principles regarding liturgy.

Regarding the Sacred Liturgy, the Church actually mandates most things within the Mass and leaves very little up to the discretion of the priest. From the Vatican II document The Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy,"

22. 1. Regulation of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See and, as laws may determine, on the bishop.

2. In virtue of power conceded by the law, the regulation of the liturgy within certain defined limits belongs also to various kinds of competent territorial bodies of bishops legitimately established.

3. Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal references this document when it reemphasizes that, "...the Priest will remember that he is the servant of the Sacred Liturgy and that he himself is not permitted, on his own initiative, to add, to remove, or to change anything in the celebration of Mass." (GIRM 24)

Within the directives or "rubrics" of the Roman Missal and the liturgical norms presented in the General Instruction there are specified times within the Mass when a priest may add some verbiage, for instance. There are also some other moments within specific rituals when a priest may choose from optional components. However, a priest may never change any structure of the Mass on his own authority. In fact, the priest is entrusted to present the Mass to the people as it has been presented to him by the Church. This is in keeping with the clear directives of Vatican II and the General Instruction.

I am making this point because I want everyone to understand the rationale for doing, or not doing, certain things within the Mass. I am merely seeking to be faithful to Church teaching. One of the "marks" of the Church is "oneness." We are "One" Church, which means we are to be united with the local Church (Diocese of Phoenix) and the universal Church (Pope Francis). This includes everything from doctrine to the moral life and the liturgical life.

God's Blessings,
Fr. John

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