In his weekly catechesis, the pope reflected on the reform of the Church’s liturgy in light of the Second Vatican Council’s Sacrosanctum Concilium. He stressed that its renewal is not a break with tradition, but rather a faithful development of it.
SUMMARY OF THE WEEKLY PUBLIC CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH:
Dear brothers and sisters,
In today’s reflection on Sacrosanctum Concilium, we consider the liturgy through the lens of tradition and development. Pope Pius XII called the Church a “living organism” which needs to grow, mature and adapt to circumstances. Indeed, desiring that Christian life should thrive and grow, the Second Vatican Council recognized it was time to adjust some adaptable elements in the liturgy for the health and vitality of the Church, to fortify and rejuvenate Christians, and to foster unity and evangelize men and women. The Council affirmed that legitimate progress in the liturgy must also preserve sound tradition, and that certain elements of the liturgy can never change because they are divinely instituted.
In a particular way, I encourage all priests to respect the texts and norms of the liturgy with openness, humility, trust in God’s greatness and with sincere fidelity to ecclesial communion
I greet the English speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s audience, in particular the groups from England, Ireland, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Canada and the United States of America. May the peace of God guard your minds and your hearts that you may know the love of Jesus Christ and joyfully share it with others. God bless you
