In the March 2000 BCL Newsletter...
On March 13, 2000, the NCCB Committee on the Liturgy met at NCCB Headquarters in Washington D.C. This was the first meeting of the new Committee on the Liturgy chaired by Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb.
The Committee reviewed the Table of Contents for the Book of the Gospels which will be submitted to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments for the requisite confirmation. The introduction to the revised Book of the Gospels was approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in November 1999.
In anticipation of the revised translation of the third edition of the Missale Romanum, the Secretariat's plans for publication of a revised edition of Liturgy Documentary Series 2 was also reviewed and approved by the Committee. This volume will include a study translation of the third typical edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal which is expected to be published by the Holy See sometime in the next several months. Plans also call for the inclusion of the USA edition of the Pastoral Introduction to the Order of Mass and several recent documents of the Committee on the Liturgy, including the recently revised Guidelines for Concelebration approved by the NCCB in November 1999. The revision of LDS 2 is envisioned as the first in a series of resources encouraging widespread liturgical formation of priests, deacons, liturgical ministers and indeed all members of the assembly in the form and practice of the Order of Mass.
On June 17, 1998, the Committee on the Liturgy approved a revision of its Guidelines for the Publication of Participation Aids which is used by the Secretariat in fulfilling its oversight of such publications. In a discussion at the March 2000 meeting concerning the section of these guidelines dealing with devotional prayers, the Committee carefully considered the use of both traditional and contemporary forms of those prayers. While the present Guidelines require the exclusive use of prayers drawn from the approved English language edition of the Enchiridion of Indulgences, the Committee decided also to allow for the use of more traditional translations, provided that they have received the requisite ecclesiastical approbation. The section of the Guidelines pertaining to devotional prayers was, therefore, amended to read:
Devotional or personal prayers may be printed in participation aids. When a prayer exists in several versions, the versions printed in the Handbook of Indulgences and Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers may be used. Other traditional collections of prayers which have received ecclesiastical approbation may also be used for pastoral reasons.
In response to a 1998 FDLC position statement, the Committee continued a discussion on weekday celebrations in the absence of a priest at its March 2000 meeting. Following more extensive research and consultation by the Secretariat staff, the Committee approved the publication of an article reflecting on the liturgical issues at stake when a priest is not available to celebrate daily Mass in parishes and other settings. After an extended discussion, the Committee expressed its belief that the recommendation of national guidelines on this question would be premature. Diocesan guidelines formulated after reflection on the issues described in the following article, could, however, be helpful on a local level.
The Committee also received a report from Cardinal Francis George, OMI, concerning the ongoing revision of the Constitution of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy. A revision of the Constitution is expected in time for consideration by the plenary assembly of the NCCB in June 2000.
Finally, the Committee approved the Plans and Programs 2001 for the Secretariat for the Liturgy and heard reports on a variety of projects. Progress in the revision of and a report on the consultation regarding
Domus Dei was discussed along with plans to present the document to the June 2000 meeting of the Committee on the Liturgy. The work of the Hispanic Liturgy Subcommittee was also reviewed.
From July 6-9, 2000, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops will sponsor a Jubilee gathering in Los Angeles, California entitled Encuentro 2000: Many Faces in God's House. Presenters of international repute will gather to explore themes which emerged from the Synod for America: Encounter with the Living Jesus Christ: the Way to Conversion, Communion, and Solidarity in America. A full registration brochure for this gathering is includedfor individual subscribers to the BCL Newsletter. Bulk rate subscribers and others may access the Encuentro 2000 registration guide at www.encuentro2000.org.
At the conclusion of Encuentro 2000, a special session for diocesan and parish liturgical personnel on Inculturation and Roman Catholic Liturgy will be presented by the NCCB Secretariat for the Liturgy. The workshop will begin with a reflection on the Fourth Post-Conciliar Instruction on Sacrosanctum Concilium followed by a panel discussion. Further details on this session, which are included as a part of the registration for Encuentro 2000, will appear in the next issue of the BCL Newsletter.
The renewal forms for the 2000 edition of the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy Newsletter was mailed to current subscribers several months ago. Subscribers are asked to return the completed renewal form with their payment as soon as possible to insure continuing service. To insure proper credit, subscribers should follow the directions which accompanied the renewal notices. Any subscriber who has not received a renewal notice is asked to contact Sister Clelia Cecchetti, SP at the Secretariat for the Liturgy (202-541-3060; fax 202-541-3088).
New subscriptions may be sent to the Secretariat for the Liturgy, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 3211 Fourth Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017-1194. The cost of an individual subscription is $10. Special prices for bulk orders are available for 20 copies or more. Subscriptions to the Newsletter may be obtained either in hard copy through surface mail or in an electronic file via e-mail. Inquiries concerning e-mail subscriptions should be addressed to Sister Clelia Cecchetti, SP at the address listed on our masthead..