Three years ago Bishop Dominique Rey, head of the French diocese of Fréjus-Toulon since 2000, hosted Sacra Liturgia, an international conference in Rome on the role of liturgical formation and celebration in the life and mission of the Church. Four cardinals and many bishops, liturgical experts and theologians led more than 300 participants from over 30 countries in exploring the importance of the Sacred Liturgy as the source and summit of the life and mission of the Church. Another successful conference was held in New York City in June 2015. This year, from July 5 to 8, Sacra Liturgia UK will be held at Imperial College London. We asked Bishop Rey about Sacra Liturgia and the forthcoming conference.
Your Excellency, how did the Sacra Liturgia initiatives come about?
Pope Benedict XVI placed a great emphasis on the liturgy in both his teaching – for example in his 2007 documents Sacramentum Caritatis and Summorum Pontificum – and by his personal example, and we wanted to further this, particularly by underlining the inseparable link between the liturgy and the mission of the Church, between the liturgy and our capacity to be effective evangelisers in the 21st-century world.
The liturgy is the source of our Christian life. If we don’t get that right, if we aren’t formed correctly in what the liturgy is, if our celebrations of the liturgy are not what the Church wants them to be, then our Christian life and mission in the world will not be as effective. It may even go astray.
Sacra Liturgia, then, belongs to the previous pontificate?
Not at all! Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has spoken of the need for “a correct and complete assimilation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy” and for “a strong and organic initiation and liturgical formation of the lay faithful as well as the clergy and consecrated persons”. Sacra Liturgia seeks to facilitate these goals.
The need for this doesn’t change with each pope. Indeed, when Pope Francis appointed Robert Cardinal Sarah as his new prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship just over a year ago, he told the cardinal: “I want you to continue the good work in the liturgy begun by Pope Benedict XVI.”
Why is a bishop of a French diocese organising liturgical conferences in Rome, New York and now London?
The central secretariat for Sacra Liturgia is based in my diocese. Rome was chosen because of its centrality and so that we could manifest our communion with the Successor of St Peter there. Following that, interest was expressed in having a similar initiative in the US and then in the UK, and in each instance I have approached the local bishop. Cardinals Dolan and Nichols have been very gracious in welcoming Sacra Liturgia to their important dioceses, for which I am profoundly grateful. Just as we sought to manifest our communion with the Pope in Rome, so too we wish our communion with the local bishop to be clear.
Can you tell us what the London conference will involve?
In the first place, liturgical celebration: we will pray together as worthily as we are able in both forms of the Roman Rite. The Fathers of the London Oratory have graciously welcomed us to their beautiful church. We shall also do so according to the Ordinariate Use, thanks to the kind hospitality of Mgr Newton.
Secondly, we will listen to a number of experts as they expound different areas of importance for liturgical formation, celebration and mission today. And we will meet others and talk together.
The connections and friendships these conferences bring about themselves provide much formation and support in the liturgical apostolate, and their importance should not be underestimated.
We shall also be honoured to welcome Cardinal Sarah, who will present the opening address on “Towards a more faithful implementation of Sacrosanctum Concilium.” His Eminence will also celebrate Holy Mass and preach on the following day [on July 6 at 7pm].
To whom is Sacra Liturgia UK open?
To anyone interested in liturgical questions, especially laity, Religious and clergy with a specific liturgical ministry. The conference will be a course of liturgical formation in itself. Seminarians and Religious in formation will have much to gain from the event. All are welcome to participate in our liturgical celebrations, which are open to the public.
How can our readers support Sacra Liturgia?
They can help us by their prayers and by coming to all or part of the conference in July. If they cannot be present, perhaps they could help to sponsor a seminarian or Religious who wishes to come. We have had a number of requests for help with registration fees: supporting the formation of our seminarians and young Religious is an investment in the future of the Church.
Thank you, Your Excellency. We wish Sacra Liturgia UK every success.
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