Last week we began to look at the practical guidelines provided by Pope Pius XII for fostering a greater appreciation of the liturgy. In addition to things like adoration and the rosary, the pope reminds us of the value of frequent confession. He also urges “that as many as possible, not only of the clergy but of the laity… take part in monthly days of recollection and in retreats of longer duration made with a view to growing in virtue.” A “day of recollection” is what it sounds like: a day set aside to focus especially on prayer and faith. This is why I offer two such mornings for our 1st Communion program, why confirmation students are required to go on a retreat, and why I’ve so emphasized the Light of the World Retreat. There are lots of options outside our parish as well. As many of you know, the Community of Jesus Crucified in St. Martinville often offers these days for the laity. I highly encourage you to participate in such things when possible. Pius XII reminds us that such practices are “most useful… to instill into souls solid virtue and to strengthen them in sanctity.” He points out that there are many methods that are suitable to various people and states of life, but he does highlight in particular the value of the Ignatian method of prayer and reflection. If you’re interested in learning about that method, you could visit lordteachmetopray.com, which is a website dedicated to making it accessible.
The pope lists other common devotions, but also stops to remind us that “progress in the Christian life does not consist in the multiplicity and variety of prayers and exercises of piety, but rather in their helpfulness towards spiritual progress of the faithful and constant growth of the Church universal.” I have experienced myself and seen others experience the sense of burden that comes from constantly adding devotions without every re-evaluating the priority and timing of such things. These devotions are great things, but they are still a means to an end: spiritual growth. It is important to make commitments and to persevere in at least some practices, but it is also important to be willing to cut out, adapt, or replace devotions as we journey through different stages in life and faith.
Yet again the pope reminds bishops and pastors of the importance of following the Church’s rules regarding liturgy and worship before turning to the subject of music. In particular, Pius XII highlights the importance of Gregorian Chant, pointing out that both Pius X and Pius XI promoted it’s use. Gregorian chant is the Catholic standard of music because it arose from within the Church for the sake of worshipping God, rather than out of a single culture. Even to this day the Church continues to teach that Gregorian Chant has “pride of place” in the liturgy. This is because it has a great capacity to lend both beauty and solemnity to the worship of God. Part of it’s value is that it doesn’t sound like worldly music, thus conveying to listeners that this is something different than the world. To this end, the pope encourages seminaries and Cathedrals to promote this ancient form of music. Historically, the efforts of these three popes and of various religious orders did cause a resurgence of Gregorian Chant around the world during the first part of the 1900s.
Even while promoting chant in particular, the pope reminds us of the importance of enabling the people to sing their various parts of the Mass. He explicitly nots that he doesn’t want “the congregation” to “hardly ever or only in a low murmur answer the prayers” of the Mass. He envisions a congregation fully engaged in responding and singing, quoting the common proverbs that “song befits the lover” and “he who sings well prays twice.” He goes on to say that “modern music and singing” should not be “entirely excluded from Catholic worship.” The important caveat is that such music cannot be “profane nor unbecoming to the sacredness of the place and function.” The Church wants us to continue to produce new music and use it worship, She just doesn’t want the music to be worldly or based on motivations of pride and entertainment.
Then there is art and architecture. Pius XII’s guidance is that modern art can be used so long as it avoids both “extreme realism” and “excessive ‘symbolism.’” The needs of the community should be placed above the taste of a particular artist or trend. It may sound obvious, but the pope felt the need to say that art in Churches should not “openly shock Christian taste, modesty and devotion.” Finally, Pope Pius XII closes the letter with a summary and reminder to follow the Church’s guidance. He offers a prayer that “we may with one mind and one heart participate in the sacred liturgy which is, as it were, a preparation and a token of that heavenly liturgy” which we hope to one day share with all the Saints in heaven.
Great post.