"Such pronouncements usually reach only a few and the more learned among the faithful; feasts reach them all; the former speak but once, the latter speak every year - in fact, forever. The church's teaching affects the mind primarily; her feasts affect both mind and heart, and have a salutary effect upon the whole of man's nature. Man is composed of body and soul, and he needs these external festivities so that the sacred rites, in all their beauty and variety, may stimulate him to drink more deeply of the fountain of God's teaching, that he may make it a part of himself, and use it with profit for his spiritual life."
-Pope Pius XI, Quas Primas, #21
I have been thinking about these words especially since after Pius XI we lost many Octaves, Vigils, traditional Holy Week, the old classifications, etc...
Why do these things matter? Are those who want to see the Roman liturgy in all of her glory simply wasting our energy on what may seem trivial to many. No! We are told in Matins of Corpus Christi that God became man so that men might become gods (St. Thomas). We are supposed undergo the process of Theosis and the liturgy is the primary vehicle for this to occur. When we engage in the Church's Sacred Rites, we give our hearts and souls to God so that a process of deification can occur.
This is why all of this matters. This is why the work of restoration must go on.
Happy Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus!
No comments:
Post a Comment