How do Catholics in the United States understand the liturgy today? Five different approaches are prominent, but some share more with Pope Francis’ synodal and liturgical vision.
Vatican II
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
The move away from the Latin Mass was about more than aesthetics
The Eucharist is not simply a cultural legacy. It is more than a moving performance or a beautiful ritual symbolizing transcendence. And liturgy is more than aesthetics.
Posted inFaith, News
Richard Williamson, excommunicated bishop who denied Holocaust, dies
Richard Williamson, an ultra-traditionalist Catholic bishop whose denial of the Holocaust created a scandal in 2009 when Pope Benedict XVI rehabilitated him and other members of his breakaway society, has died.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Remembering David Lodge, the ‘agnostic Catholic’ who captured the post-Vatican II zeitgeist
David Lodge’s novels—as well as his many works of nonfiction—made him an important figure in 20th-century British literature. He also captured well the angst of many lay Catholics in the aftermath of Vatican II.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
Bishop John Cummins and the Catholic history of Oakland
Bishop John Cummins had a significant and lasting impact on the Catholic Church in his own diocese and elsewhere through his quiet leadership and ministry. He was a reminder to many of what Pope Francis meant when he called for bishops who are “pastors, not princes.”
Posted inFaith, Synod Diary
Synod Diary: The synod is going back in order to move forward
Synod observers, especially those who feel like the document has not gone “forward” enough, would do well to learn from Vatican II and its rollout.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Book Club
The synod is discussing the teaching authority of bishops’ conferences. It’s not a new debate.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, didn’t think much of bishops’ conferences. Among those who disagreed with the cardinal was Francis A. Sullivan, S.J.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
George Weigel on why he’s skeptical of the synod
To better understand the concerns of those who are critical of the Synod on Synodality, ‘Jesuitical’ hosts Zac and Ashley speak with George Weigel, who is in Rome contributing to First Thing’s “Letters from the Synod” series.
Posted inFaith, Synod Diary
Synod Diary: Debunking 3 critiques about the synod
A number of assumptions continue to float around the synod that are only partially true or largely false.
Posted inFaith, Your Take
What makes liturgy ‘reverent’?
Our readers weigh in on the recent discussion between Rachel Lu and Matthew Cortese, S.J. on diverse forms of reverence in the Mass.