Pope Francis met with the Plenary Assembly of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Card. Robert Sarah, prefect of the congregation, greeted the pope and had this to say during the meeting.
“We sincerely thank you for the time you have given us. We are grateful for everything you want to tell us. We are here to listen to your words, Holy Father. Thank you.”
The pope explained that liturgical renewal does not means neglect its millennial richness. He said it is necessary to find harmony, far from any ideological polarization.
POPE FRANCIS
“When one remembers with nostalgia past tendencies or wants to impose new ones, one runs the risk of putting the part before the whole. The 'I' before the people of God; the abstract before the concrete; ideology before communion and roots. The mundane before the spiritual.”
Pope Francis also warned that there can be no modification in the liturgy according to personal tastes or certain trends.
POPE FRANCIS
“The starting point is to recognize the reality of the sacred liturgy. It is a living treasure that cannot be reduced to tastes, recipes or current trends. It must be welcomed with docility and promoted with love as an irreplaceable food for the organic growth of God's people. The liturgy is not a 'do it yourself,' but the Epiphany of ecclesial communion.”
The pope concluded in reminding everyone that the liturgy is life, not some ideas to be learned. He asked the Congregation to continue its mission in helping people better understand the sacred mystery of the Lord and Church.
