Sacrosanctum Concilium

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sacrosanctum Concilium (SC) is called, after its opening words , the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy , which was formulated by the Second Vatican Council and by Pope Paul VI. was promulgated on December 4, 1963 .

Apart from numerous practical implications, the Constitution on the Holy Liturgy is one of the core documents of the Second Vatican Council and the Basic Law of its liturgical reform; it is the first document approved by the council. The liturgical books of the Roman rite, renewed in their spirit and on the basis of their edicts, signified the turning away from the church, which was fixated on clerics , towards more participation of the faithful, who were now more actively involved in the worship service. This was made possible not least by the widespread introduction of vernacular languages into worship instead of Latin, which was previously used almost exclusively . The constitution opened the liturgy to the people in that it deliberately insisted that the congregation should be made aware of the richness of the Holy Scriptures and that this should also be explained in the homily (sermon) by the preacher.

Emergence

The preparatory work goes to the liturgical reform commission Pius XII. so that when the council met there was a thoroughly prepared scheme . It is the only document of this council in which the text that was finally adopted largely corresponds to the draft.

With the Motu proprio Superno Dei nutu of June 5, 1960, John XXIII. in addition to nine other preparatory commissions, a liturgy commission . This was assigned to the competent Curia authority , the Congregation of Rites , whose Prefect Cardinal Gaetano Cicognani was appointed by the Pope to head the commission. This preparatory commission worked out the draft of the later liturgy constitution in three conferences lasting several days, whereby a total of thirteen sub-commissions were involved in the work for the clarification of detailed questions. Cicognani signed the draft on February 1, 1962, five days before his death and a good eight months before the Council opened.

The scheme De sacra liturgia was the business that was first tackled by the Council: From October 22nd to November 14th, 1963 it was discussed in 16 general congregations with 327 oral votes and finally with 2162 votes in favor and 46 against seven invalid votes accepted as the basis for further work. However, there were 360 ​​written submissions with 180 amendments (Modi), which the commission - no longer the preparatory commission appointed by the Pope, but two-thirds of the council's liturgy commission - had to process further.

The draft was revised in the first interim period. After John XXIII. died on June 3, 1963 and Paul VI. was elected as his successor on June 21st, this convened the second council period for September 29th, where the first negotiation was not the liturgy scheme, but the church scheme De Ecclesia , the declared priority of Paul VI. In the course of the second council period, the liturgy scheme was brought to vote in various general congregations. In sections where the use of the vernacular in the liturgy was allowed and the precedence of the clergy in the liturgy was relativized, the no and placet iuxta modum votes (yes with reservations) rose sharply, in individual cases the necessary two-thirds majority not reached. Nevertheless, the scheme was retained as the basis for further work and put to the vote as a whole on November 22, where there were only 19 votes against with 2,158 votes in favor. In the solemn public session of the council on December 4, 1963, the liturgy constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium was finally adopted as the first document of the council with 2147 votes to 4 and was approved by Pope Paul VI. promulgates.

content

Chapter 1: General Principles for the Exaltation and Promotion of the Sacred Liturgy

I. The nature of the sacred liturgy and its meaning for the life of the Church

The sub-chapter explains the importance of the liturgy for the Catholic Church and its believers.

"Liturgy [is] the climax towards which the Church's work strives, and at the same time the source from which all her strength flows."

- SC 10

The faithful are encouraged to join the sacred liturgy. Pastors should see to it that it is done correctly.

II. Liturgical formation and active participation

All believers should be able to participate consciously and actively in the liturgy, this requires “the essence of the liturgy itself” and is indispensable for the “renewal and promotion of the liturgy” (SC 14). The liturgical education of the faithful is therefore an important field of activity for all persons active in pastoral care who must have a sound theological education (cf. SC 14 and SC 18).

It is also specified here that broadcasts of ordinances on radio or television are carried out by media officers who are appointed by bishops (cf. SC 20).

III. The renewal of the sacred liturgy

This sub-chapter forms the core of the Constitution on the Liturgy. The Council starts from the recognition that there are parts of the liturgy that are immutable and parts that are subject to change. In order to modify these parts, the council established the following guidelines:

  • Only the church is empowered to organize or change the liturgy. Regional bishops' associations are also allowed to do so within specified limits.
  • After thorough theological, historical and pastoral research, parts of the liturgy can be revised. Furthermore, the liturgical books, including the Missal , should be revised ( quamprimum ) as soon as possible.
  • "In liturgical celebrations, everyone, be they liturgist or believer, should only do that and all that is due to him from the nature of the matter and according to the liturgical rules in the exercise of his task."
  • The contribution of choirs, cantors, acolytes and lecturers is a real liturgical service, that is, it is not only performed on behalf of clergymen.
  • The contribution of the faithful to the liturgy should be encouraged by including acclamations in the liturgical books.
  • When renewing the rites of the liturgy, care should be taken to ensure that the rites are clear and understandable, that a sermon takes place that explains the scriptures to the faithful.
  • Article 36 deals with the broader introduction of vernacular languages ​​into the liturgy. Although Latin is to be retained in principle, it is acknowledged that “the use of the vernacular can often be very useful for the people” (SC 36). For the "masses celebrated with the people" the use of the vernacular was allowed, "especially in the readings and in general prayer" as well as "in the parts that belong to the people" and also "beyond" (SC 54). Furthermore, it must be ensured that “the Christian believers can also speak and sing with each other in Latin for the parts of the Mass Ordinarium that are due to them” (SC 54).
  • In addition, the church promotes regional peculiarities insofar as they can be reconciled with the general Roman missal. The article thus contains one of the key points of the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council.

IV. Promotion of liturgical life in the diocese and in the parish

Contains once again the emphasis on the relevance of church work on site.

V. Promotion of the pastoral liturgical movement

In it, the dioceses are called upon to set up liturgical commissions, which are to be advised by experts in liturgical science , sacred art, church music and questions of pastoral care. The purpose is to further develop the liturgy and promote the liturgical cause.

Chapter 2: The Sacred Mystery of the Eucharist

Here the council makes regulations that make the celebration of the Eucharist easier to understand for the faithful and that are intended to encourage their participation. These include in particular:

  • Revision of the Mass Ordo ( Ordo Missae ), i.e. the sequence of the mass, above all repetitions should be omitted and the processes become easier.
  • A broad space is to be arranged for the Holy Scriptures.
  • Sermons are to be delivered.
  • Intercession prayers should be held and encouraged
  • The vernacular may be given appropriate space in masses with the people. Nevertheless, the knowledge of the Latin formulas should not be lost.
  • In every mass, St. Communion to be distributed to the faithful. Communion in both forms should be allowed to be donated more.
  • SC 57 receives regulations in which the council recommends a concelebration , i.e. a mass celebrated jointly by several priests.

Chapter 3: The Other Sacraments and Sacramentals

  • The vernacular should also be able to be used for the sacraments.
  • The baptismal rites are to be revised as requested by the council. This was done by reworking the Roman ritual to create a mass: “At the donation of a baptism ” in the revised missal.
  • The role of sponsors is strengthened.
  • The council decided to introduce a special celebration after the emergency baptism , which anyone in danger of death can donate.

Chapter 4: The Liturgy of the Hours

In this chapter, the Constitution emphasizes the importance of the Liturgy of the Hours, which should again be given special attention. Clerics, religious and consecrated persons are obliged, unless there is anything serious to the contrary, to observe the respective times of the day; The daily divine office is also recommended to lay people - in community or alone. The Divine Office should in principle be done by clergy in Latin, but the professor can dispense in individual cases from this obligation (cf., SC 101 § 1).

Chapter 5: The liturgical year

The council here strongly urges the faithful to celebrate Sunday as Lord's Day. Furthermore, the meanings of individual aspects of the church year such as the time of penance etc. are explained in more detail. See : Basic order of the church year .

Chapter 6: Church Music

The constitution gives church music a special place here . According to this, the divine service always reaches its most elegant form when it is held with singing, with particular reference to the importance of Gregorian chant . Church choirs are to be promoted and musical training in Catholic educational institutes must be ensured. Church musicians should receive a "solid" training. Above all, care should be taken to maintain religious folk singing, as well as the tradition of church organ music .

Chapter 7: Sacred art, liturgical implements and garments

Statements relating to liturgical law and pastoral liturgy are made about sacred art and church architecture: Criteria for the liturgical suitability of art, image veneration , artistic freedom in responsibility for liturgical norms, church monument preservation , artist pastoral work, consideration of art in theology studies.

implementation

During the deliberations of the council on the liturgy constitution, Pope Paul VI. in the autumn of 1963 the Archbishop of Bologna , Cardinal Giacomo Lercaro , with preliminary considerations for a post-conciliar commission; this involved the liturgical scholar Annibale Bugnini , who had been secretary of the liturgical preparatory commission of the council since July 11, 1960 and then also became secretary of the consilium . With his Motu proprio Sacram liturgiam of January 25, 1964, the Pope established the body as a “special association” ( peculiarem condimus Commissionem ); the Consilium for the execution of the liturgy constitution ( Latin Consilium ad exsequendam Constitutionem de sacra Liturgia ), usually referred to as the Consilium , immediately got to work in January 1964. The different with bishops and international theologians disciplines occupied study group had the task of the liturgical books of the Latin rite to take in spirit and according to the standards of the Council new and the Congregation of Rites "support useful and wise" in the implementation of Council decisions, as the Pope Said in a 1967 speech.

With the instruction Inter Oecumenici , the first changes in the liturgy were presented on September 26, 1964 , which led to a significantly revised official measuring order , the rite servandus in celebratione missae and Ordo missae of 1965 ("1965 rite"). Further changes demanded by the council, namely the concelebration and the chalice communion , were regulated by the decree Ecclesiae semper of March 7, 1965 , on March 5, 1967 the instruction Musicam sacram was published on church music .

The basic order of the church year and the Roman general calendar ( Calendarium Romanum Generale ) were established on February 14, 1969 by the Motu proprio Mysterii paschalis Pope Paul VI. entered into force on January 1, 1970. The renewed Missale Romanum was promulgated by the Pope with the Apostolic Constitution Missale Romanum on April 3, 1969 and is therefore also called "Missal Paul VI." It came into force on the 1st Sunday of Advent , November 30, 1969. The missal is in Latin and forms the basis for the vernacular arrangements. It was preceded by the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani (IGMR) , which is important for celebrating and understanding Mass (3rd edition 2002). The German version is called General Introduction to the Roman Missal (AEM), in future the Basic Order of the Roman Missal (GORM). In addition, the new Missal contains the Normae universales de anno liturgico et de calendario , translated into German under the title Basic Order of the Church Year and the General Roman Calendar . The German-language edition of the renewed Missale Romanum was published in 1975 and is entitled The Celebration of Holy Mass .

The reform of the Liturgy of the Hours followed with the Apostolic Constitution Laudis canticum of November 1, 1970, through which the Editio typica Liturgia Horarum iuxta ritum Romanum , the new Book of Hours of the Roman Catholic Church , came into force with immediate effect.

classification

The liturgy constitution has opened up a “new paradigm” in that it “no longer satisfied itself with the minimum criterion of validity and permissibility in the formulation of the aims of the Catholic liturgy”, but with conscious, active participation, strengthened the criterion of spiritual gain. The participants in the liturgy should be able to experience that God "wants to 'arrive' in the liturgy with the people who celebrate."

See also

literature

Web links

Remarks

  1. ↑ Otto Hermann Pesch: The Second Vatican Council. Prehistory - course - results - post-history , Kevelaer 2001, pp. 66 and 116f.
  2. ^ Joachim Schmiedl : Chronicle of the Second Vatican Council . In: Peter Hünermann , Bernd Jochen Hilberath : Herder's Theological Commentary on the Second Vatican Council , Vol. 5; Pp. 585-594, here 586.
  3. ^ Joachim Schmiedl: Chronicle of the Second Vatican Council . In: Hünermann, Hilberath: Herders Theological Commentary on the Second Vatican Council , Vol. 5; Pp. 585-594, here 587 f.
  4. ↑ Otto Hermann Pesch: The Second Vatican Council. Prehistory - course - results - post-history , Kevelaer 2001, 118 and 126.
  5. ↑ Otto Hermann Pesch: The Second Vatican Council. Prehistory - course - results - post-history , Kevelaer 2001, 119.
  6. ^ Joachim Schmiedl: Chronicle of the Second Vatican Council . In: Hünermann, Hilberath: Herders Theological Commentary on the Second Vatican Council , Vol. 5; Pp. 585-594, here 589.
  7. ^ Ralf van Bühren: Art and Church in the 20th Century. The Reception of the Second Vatican Council ( Council History , Series B: Investigations), Paderborn 2008, 218–232 and 243–251.
  8. ↑ AAS 56 (1964), pp. 139-144 vatican.va .
  9. ^ Annibale Bugnini: The liturgical reform: 1948-1975 . Freiburg 1988, p. 73 .
  10. ^ Paul VI: Address Iuvat nos gratum of April 19, 1967
  11. ^ Annibale Bugnini: The liturgical reform: 1948-1975 . Freiburg 1988, p. 94 f .
  12. ↑ Christiaan W. Kappes: The chronology, organization, competencies and composition of the Consilium ad exsequendam Constitutionem de Sacra Liturgia. Rome, Pontificio Ateneo S. Anselmo de Urbe , Facoltà di Liturgia, May 4, 2009 (thesis), pp. 13f.18.22.40. academia.edu .
  13. ↑ Ordo Missae. Rite servandus in celebratione Missae. De defectibus in celebratione Missae occurentibus. Editio typica. Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis 1965
  14. ↑ IGMR
  15. ↑ AEM
  16. ↑ GORM
  17. ↑ a b Stefan Rau: Ars celebrandi - a catchphrase makes a career , in: HlD 62 (2008), 19–35, 24.