Tuesday, April 05, 2011
The following interview with Msgr. Guido Marini, papal master of ceremonies, appeared the Polish Sunday Catholic Weekly online.
Wlodzimierz Redzioch: – What does the collaboration between Benedict XVI and his Master of Ceremonies look like? Does the Pope decide about everything?
Msgr. Guido Marini: – At first, I would like to stress that the celebrations the Holy Father presides over are to be the points of reference for the whole Church. The Pope is the highest priest, the one who offers the sacrifice of the Church, the one who shows the liturgical teaching through celebrations – the point of reference for all. Considering this explanation it is easier to understand what the style of collaboration between the Papal Master of Ceremonies and the Holy Father should be. One should act in the way to make the papal liturgies the expressions of his authentic liturgical orientation. Therefore, the Papal Master of Ceremonies must be a humble and faithful servant of the liturgy of the Church. I have understood my work in the Office of Papal Liturgical Celebrations in this way since the very beginning.
– We all can see the changes introduced to the liturgical celebrations by Benedict XVI. How can we synthesize these changes?
– I think that these changes can be synthesized in the following way: first of all, these are changes made in accordance with the logic of development of continuity with the past. So we do not deal with breaking with the past and juxtaposing with the former pontificates. Secondly, the introduced changes serve to evoke the true spirit of liturgy like the Second Vatican Council wanted, ‘The "subject" of the liturgy's intrinsic beauty is Christ himself, risen and glorified in the Holy Spirit, who includes the Church in his work.’
– Celebrations directed towards the cross, Holy Communion received directly by mouth and while keeling, longer moments of silence and meditation – these are the most visible liturgical changes introduced by Benedict XVI. Unfortunately, many people do not understand the theological and historical meanings of these changes and what is worse, they can see them as ‘return to the past.’ Can you briefly explain the meanings of these changes?
– To tell you the truth our office has received many testimonies of the faithful who have favourably received the changes introduced by the Pope because they see them as the authentic renewal of the liturgy. As for the significance of some changes I will say a few synthetic reflections. Celebrating towards the cross stresses the correct direction of liturgical prayer, i.e. towards God; during prayers the faithful are not to look at themselves but should direct their eyes towards the Saviour. Giving hosts to people kneeling aims to giving value to the aspect of adoration both as the fundamental element of celebration and the necessary attitude while facing the mystery of God’s real presence in the Eucharist. During the liturgical celebration prayer assumes various forms: words, songs, music, gestures and silence. Furthermore, moments of silence let us participate truly in the act of worship, and what’s more, from the inside evoke every other form of prayer.
– The Pope attaches importance to the liturgical vestments. Is it a matter of pure aestheticism?
– In order to understand better the Pope’s ideas concerning the meaning of the beauty as an important element of liturgical celebrations I would like to quote the apostolic exhortation ‘Sacramentum caritatis, ’This relationship between creed and worship is evidenced in a particular way by the rich theological and liturgical category of beauty. Like the rest of Christian Revelation, the liturgy is inherently linked to beauty: it is veritatis splendor. […] This is no mere aestheticism, but the concrete way in which the truth of God's love in Christ encounters us, attracts us and delights us, enabling us to emerge from ourselves and drawing us towards our true vocation, which is love. The truest beauty is the love of God, who definitively revealed himself to us in the paschal mystery. […] The beauty of the liturgy is part of this mystery; it is a sublime expression of God's glory and, in a certain sense, a glimpse of heaven on earth. Beauty, then, is not mere decoration, but rather an essential element of the liturgical action, since it is an attribute of God himself and his revelation.’
– Benedict XVI has changed his pastoral staff – currently he is using the cross-shaped staff. Why?
– I would like to remind you that till the pontificate of Pope Paul VI popes did not use crosiers at all; on special occasions they carried a ferula (cross-shaped staff). Pope Montini, Paul VI, introduced a cross-shaped crosier. And so did Benedict XVI till the Pentecost Sunday of 2008. Since then he has been using ferula because he thinks that it is more suitable for the papal liturgy.
– Why is it so important that the Church preserves using Latin in the liturgy?
– Although the Second Vatican Council introduced national languages it recommended using Latin in the liturgy. I think it is for two reasons that we should not give up Latin. Above all, we have a great liturgical legacy of Latin: from the Gregorian chant to polyphony as well as ‘testi venerandi’ (sacred texts) that Christians have used for ages. Besides, Latin allows us to show catholicity and universality of the Church. We can experience this universality in a unique way in St Peter’s Basilica and during other international gatherings when men and women from all continents, nationalities, languages, sing and pray in the same language. Who will not feel at home when being at church abroad can join his/her brothers in the faith at least in some parts by using Latin?
– Do you agree that the faith of priest is expressed in the liturgy in a special way?
– I have no doubts about it. Since the liturgy is the celebration of Christ’s mystery here and now the priest is called to express his faith in a twofold way. Firstly, he should celebrate with eyes of the one that looks beyond the visible reality to ‘touch’ what is invisible, i.e. God’s presence and work. It is ‘ars celebrandi’ (art of celebration) that lets the faithful check whether the liturgy is only a performance, spectacle for the priest or whether it is a vivid and attractive relation with Christ’s mystery. Secondly, after the celebration the priest is renewed and ready to follow what he has experienced, i.e. make his life a celebration of Christ’s mystery.
"Niedziela" 14/2011
6 comments:
I really like the answer concerning Latin. I think he stops short of explaining that the rigour of the language, especially since it is 'dead', allows for better understanding and agreement. Although I am not highly educated my grandfather and great uncle would use Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, among other languages in their discussions and arguments. It made me comfortable around these languages and a respect for the academic use of them. I went to night school for my degrees and often felt that the use of these languages would have helped clear up many arguments early.
rcg
I can not help but wonder why, if as Msgr Marini states, the Papal Liturgies are the Popes vision of Liturgy as continuity with the past, the Bishops of the world are not embracing and implementing these changes in their Dioceses?
Templar, the Holy Father leads by example, but not by mandate. This is rather peculiar, but may be the way to go so that if and when legislation comes, it won't be out of the blue. But nothing has been mandated in any of the things the Holy Father does.
Father, I understand His Holiness has not mandated these changes, and that was not really what I was saying. I was questioning why more Bishops were not embracing the changes voluntarily.
Could it be that the Bishops do not agree that these changes are as "continuous" as Msgr. Marini thinks they are?
Since nothing is mandated, such as the cross on the altar as central, what is now the "Benedictine" altar arrangement, more use of Latin, etc, I don't think bishops will promote or embrace it until it become codified in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. On top of that, if the next pope has his own ideas and returns to a former way of decorating the altar and celebrating the Mass, then what?
I really prefer that the Holy Father begin to codify his changes in law so that they are thus promoted. I truly think that kneeling for Holy Communion would help most Catholics and those who are not Catholic but witness those kneeling for Holy Communion, recover a more profound sense of reverence and adoration for the faith reality that is Holy Communion: The Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Risen Lord.
Post a Comment