GIRM: to foster full, active and fruitful participation in the liturgy
[Preceded by catechesis, the new GIRM to be fully implemented by November 29 - First Sundy of Advent].
KOTA KINABALU (CS) - Around 150 people turned up for the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocesan Liturgy Formation and General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) July 1-4 aimed at fostering not just an active and external but a more personal and interior participation in the liturgical life of the archdiocese.
The event, organised by the Worship Commission headed by Fr Cosmas Lee, involved all the clergy, religious and heads of parish liturgical ministries.
What was heard through the talks and parish group sharing of personal experiences was practised and celebrated during the three Masses and in the common celebration of the Divine Office (Morning and Night Prayer).
In his keynote address, Archbishop John Lee stressed the importance of the event:
"This gathering, however, is most important, for it deals directly and specifically with the very ground, source and summit of our holiness and Christian life - the sacred liturgy and the Eucharist," he said.
The aim of the liturgy formation, he continued, is personal and fruitful participation in the liturgy.
Our aspirations for the formation, the archbishop said, is "that the saving power of the Lord's paschal mystery in the Eucharist overflows into and transforms our daily life; that more and more we experience participation in the action of Jesus' sacrifice to the Father in the Holy Mass as the ultimate purpose and goal of our own life."
To achieve this it is critically important to know and appreciate the "what" and the "why" (theology and spirituality) of the saving event rather than just the "how" (rubrics) of the rites.
He also touched on appropriate attitude and focus, holy things to holy people, parish pastor and liturgy ministry and the implementation of the GIRM.
The inputs given during the formation were:
(1) State of worship life in the archdiocese (by Neil Mah),
(2) Celebration of the Eucharist (by Neil Mah),
(3) Liturgical Ministries (by Neil Mah),
(4) Theology of the Eucharist (by Athanasius Wacky Taim),
(5) Spirituality of the Eucharist (by Fr. Lee),
(6) Liturgical Signs (by Fr. Lee),
(7) Introduction to GIRM (by Fr. Lee).
Each input was followed by parish group sharing, each led by its respective parish priest.
Written questions from the floor were answered on the last day.
The Malaysian GIRM with adaptations was approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on 5 June 2008 and came into effect on 1 January 2009 as the norm of celebrating the Eucharist in the region.
The GIRM is not just a list of "guidelines" as some individuals and even priests think; it contains NORMS that all must follow.
The many minor changes (most of which were existent but now imposed as norms) are attempts to restore the dignity and significance of the Eucharist as the sacred source, centre and summit of all Christian life.
Many consider the GIRM as return to conservatism and traditionalism.
Rome, however, has seen the do-it-yourself approach in the last 40 years (so-called "adaptation" and "inculturation") as grave danger to reduce the Holy Mass to become just another secular event and not the celebration of the awesome mystery of our salvation - a deposit of faith She must faithfully keep for the sanctification of humankind and the world.
All parishes have been given copies of the GIRM and taught on how to use it optimally.
Since no one can know by heart all the 399 instructions, priests and leaders have been asked to continue studying it, and to plan and implement the GIRM each in their respective parish.
However, all parishes should complete the implementation by the First Sunday of Advent this year.
Archbishop Lee insisted on the importance of catechesis for the people before implementation.
Some notable changes to current practices (1)
General Arrangement, Environment, Norms
Flower decoration: never too much, around rather than on altar.
Candles: There shall be at least two (2), four (4), or even six (6) on Sundays and Feast days, seven (7) when the Bishop of the Diocese is presiding; nothing is mentioned about oil lamps as substitutes for candles.
Incensation: used for Entrance Procession, mostly three (3) swings of the thurible for bishop, priest or people, crucifix, Book of Gospels, gifts of bread and wine, consecrated bread and wine; single swing for altar.
Money and other gifts: brought up at the Presentation are to be placed away from the altar in another suitable place.
Ambo: Not only for scriptural readings, but also Responsorial Psalm, intercessions of the Prayer of the Faithful.
Concelebration: Priests are not allowed to join in a concelebration if late and must not leave before the conclusion.
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St.Thomas Kepayan team GIRM 2009
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal
Konsititusi Tentang Liturgi Suci