A Catholic Concern

The following author maintains that worship reflects the changing perceptions of people involved in the ongoing life of the world. It is imperative, therefore, that worship renewal be a continuous process; listening to the report of the social sciences is one way to promote renewal. Liturgical Reform as Continuous Event. During most of the church's history, liturgical reform has been characterized by fevered sprints after long periods of inactivity. This is as unhealthy for a social body as for an individual human body. The liturgical reform following the Second Vatican Council has been an immense gift to Catholic Christian communities, in both form and vision. One example of these benefits has been the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. But there is no reason for complacency. It is not as though our life of worship has been fully and adequately updated, and we have only to enjoy it. The church has long understood itself to be semper reformanda, in need of continual transfo…