Vatican preparing guide for priests on how to celebrate Mass

Cardinal Canizares said that the guidelines would discourage “showmanship” by the celebrant and novelties introduced to make the liturgy “entertaining” to the people

Vatican City:  The Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship is preparing guidelines for priests on how to celebrate Mass properly, the Zenit news agency reports.

In a January 15 address, Cardinal Antonio Canizares, the prefect of the Congregation, disclosed that the guidelines will be issued in a booklet that “will help to celebrate well and to participate well.” He said that he hoped the booklet would be ready for publication in the summer of 2013.

Offering a preview of the subjects to be addressed in the document, the Spanish cardinal said that the liturgical reforms of Vatican II “must be understood in continuity with the tradition of the Church and not as a break or discontinuity.” He also stressed that the liturgy is God’s gift to the Church rather than the invention of individuals. “God wants to be adored in a concrete way,” he said, “and it’s not up to us to change it.”

Cardinal Canizares said that the guidelines would discourage “showmanship” by the celebrant and novelties introduced to make the liturgy “entertaining” to the people. He underlined the importance of creating a sense of solemnity and mystery in the liturgy, encouraged moments of silence, and said that the understanding of the Mass as Christ’s sacrifice should be paramount.

Source: .catholicculture.org