On Saturday, October 16, 2021, the Liturgy and Prayer Commission of the Order met for their 10th meeting since the General Chapter in 2019. All the meetings, so far, have been held via Zoom. It is hoped to have a first physical meeting in March of next year, expected to last a full week.
The commission has addressed a number of issues over these past two years. The previous liturgy commission (2013-2019) left two important documents ‘The Ritual for the Third Order’ (a completed document) and ‘The Profession Ritual for Religious Profess in the Order’, which the present commission has been working towards a final approval in the near future. Much of this work has been detailed work regarding language and translation.
Considerable time was taken up on the discussion on liturgical scholarship and formation within the Order. The Prior General responded positively to a letter from the commission in this regard. The members will work towards collaboration with the Formation Commission in this area. There are now three scholars doing post graduate work in liturgy. The groundwork for a pastoral liturgical congress in the next few years is being worked on, also a ‘colloquium’ within the coming year.
It has noted that this remit is twofold, both liturgy and prayer. The Liturgical Calendar is expected to be approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in the near future. The document of Pope Francis, Traditionis Coustodes and an Address recently by the Prefect of the Congregation, Archbishop Arthur Roche at Sant’ Anselmo were discussed. Among others topics discussed were, the dignity of liturgical books, shrines and pilgrimages, and the giving of the habit in initial formation (CON 162).
The members of the Commission are: Richard Byrne, O. Carm (Curia), John Keating, O. Carm., (Hib), Robert Manik, O. Carm. (Indo), Sr. Nerina de Simone, CMSTBG, Désiré Unen Alimange, O. Carm. (Ita/Congo), Alexander Vella, O. Carm. (CISA/ Mel). The next meeting will take place on November 6, 2021.
