Bishop Soc reminds priests to help bring about more inspiring liturgy

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – To start the New Year right, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas issued a fraternal letter to his brother priests regarding some issues in their Catholic parishes and communities.

The letter, which tackled solemn celebration, cleanliness, choir singing, modesty in dressing of parishioners and their manners during Mass, aims to bring about a more inspiring and edifying liturgical worship.

Villegas said in his letter dated Dec. 31, 2009 titled “That Our Sacrifice May Be Pleasing to God” that good liturgy does not just happen but it is made to happen. Good liturgy calls for fervent preparation and attentive care, he said.

He said although they have many duties and functions as priests, “in the mind of the ordinary Catholic faithful, we are priests because we can preside at the Eucharist and absolve sins in the confessional.”

“The faithful, reverent, dignified and solemn celebration of the mysteries of Christ is a mandate imposed on us by ordination. It is a solemn duty,” he added.

Villegas also pointed to cleanliness – from the altar linens, Mass vestments used by the priests, to the church and its surroundings.

“I encourage you to maintain the cleanliness of our sacred vessels particularly our chalices and ciboria. God deserves the best,” he said.

He said that dignity and cleanliness in the choice and use of liturgical vestments is not optional. It is imperative on account of the dignity of the liturgy we celebrate, he said.

“Please dispose of old, tattered and faded vestments properly by burning them,” he urged his priests.

Also, he said the church and its surroundings must be kept clean and free from candy wrappers, soiled missalettes and even chewing gum on the church floor.

Villegas also told the priests to encourage the choirs to undertake their task as a ministry and not as a performance for public adulation. Villegas pointed out that singing is a form of worship and singing together also promotes the spirit of unity and communion.

He also added that love is best expressed in silence.

He offered these words from Saint Charles Borromeo on whose feast day he was installed as their pastor:

“You must realize that for us churchmen, nothing is more necessary than meditation. We must meditate before, during and after everything we do. Would you like me to tell you how to give God more pleasing worship? Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter.”

Villegas said, “Please teach the flock again about the Catholic practice of genuflecting before the tabernacle, the observance of prayerful silence in the church, modesty in dress and the discourtesy of chewing gum or using cell phones in the church.”

Finally, he said liturgy is not just obedience to the rubrics and instructions.

“Good liturgy must make us more loving,” he said.