We, the delegates to the 20 th National Meeting of Diocesan Directors of Liturgy held on September 12 – 16, 2005 under the auspices of Most Rev. Pedro Dean, D.D., Archbishop of Palo, joyfully share the results of our discussions on “Rubrics in the Celebration of the Eucharist.”

1. Among a growing number of clergy and laity there is a praiseworthy desire for a type of liturgical celebration, especially of the Holy Mass, that is characterized by ritual dignity, sense of the sacred, and personal devotion. We believe that such traits are present in the Vatican II Mass. Without detriment to the conciliar principle of full, active and intelligent participation, it is possible to pray and sing certain parts of the Mass in Latin, sing Gregorian Chant or Polyphonic music, use the pipe organ and eliminate in the assembly indecorous movements or bodily gestures, to name a few possibilities. We exhort fidelity and loyalty to the liturgical reform of Vatican II.
   
2. Rubrics are necessary guides for correct and dignified celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Some rubrics like laying on of hands over bread and wine are integral parts of the sacramental action, while others like the bodily postures of kneeling and standing carry doctrinal messages about the meaning of Holy Mass. Rubrics deserve our attention and respect.
   
3. Without falling into rigidity and rubricism, and in keeping with the dictates of the common sense, all should carefully study and observe the rubrics of the Holy Mass. Where exceptions to the rubrics are to be made, the criterion should always be the full, active, and intelligent participation of the assembly. Unnecessary and frequent exceptions to rubrics can send the wrong message that the liturgy of the Holy Mass is a trivial matter.
   
4. Rubrics have doctrinal, pastoral and cultural dimensions. The Filipino Church prides itself of an inculturated form of the Roman Order of Mass that expresses the doctrine of the Mass and reflects the religious culture of Filipinos. We support this initiative that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines approved in 1975 and we eagerly await confirmation of the same by Rome.

We conclude by recalling the lapidary words of the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy by the Vatican I (art. 11): “When the liturgy is celebrated something more is required than the mere observance of the laws governing valid and lawful celebration,” namely the full, active, and intelligent participation of all God’s people.

Refer to CBCP Media Office
527-4141 or 527-9634

October 5, 2005