Liturgy
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We become what we sing
Communal singing does more than lift a mood — it forms belief, binds strangers and slowly becomes part of what a congregation holds true.
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Lay preaching: A way forward
German bishops sought room for lay voices at Mass, but Rome’s answer shows how firmly the homily stays a clerical role.
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Worship needs the senses
Comparing a Canadian church service with Catholic liturgy reveals how ritual, symbol and abundance shape joyful, lasting faith.
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Lay preaching: it’s not who preaches — it’s who’s heard
The German bishops wanted to promote the lay homily. It was of no use: the liturgy dicastery rejected the request – and made it clear where it sees the place of laypeople in the liturgy.
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The space between
In a world of instant replies, Jesus waited! Even while healing urgently, Jesus paused for one quiet interruption, a reminder that presence matters more than speed.
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The Tabernacle is the message
Faithful should receive hosts from the same Mass — yet it rarely happens anymore.
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Kneelers to circles: Berlin reimagines the liturgy
“Recent editions of Flashes have discussed the virtues of standing rather than kneeling during the liturgy. We’ve had ‘Restoring kneelers!’ (23 June), ‘When kneeling divides rather than unites’ (30 June), and ‘Standing to pray: sign of a priestly people’ (7 July). The authors all want us to stand before God.”
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The Mass is for everyone – not just the intellectual few
Diverging approaches to liturgical language deepened tensions between East and West, contributing to the eventual schism of 1054.
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SSPX ordinations: 40 years on a second schism
The SSPX’s latest ordinations mark a deeper, more entrenched rejection of Vatican II than its original 1988 schism.
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Standing to pray: sign of a priestly people
Vatican II’s actuosa participatio means the entire gathering celebrates, a priestly people with a presbyter presiding rather than a priest set apart from a people.
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