Pope Francis tells liturgists to avoid ‘pageantry or prominence’

Vatican City, Feb 28, 2025 / 13:20 pm

Pope Francis on Friday urged liturgists to accompany bishops and the faithful communities of their dioceses with humility and discretion.

In a Feb. 28 message sent from Gemelli Hospital to liturgy professors and students of the Anselmianum — a pontifical university in Rome associated with the Order of St. Benedict — the Holy Father said dioceses should “foster a liturgical style that expresses the following of Jesus, avoiding unnecessary pageantry or prominence” in celebrations.

The Anselmianum, also known as the the Pontifical Athenaeum of Sant’Anselmo, held a five-day course in Rome from Feb. 24-28 for men and women responsible for episcopal liturgical celebrations.

“I am pleased to note that you have once again accepted the invitation formulated in the apostolic letter Desiderio Desideravi,” the Holy Father said in his message written from Gemelli Hospital.  

“Worship is the work of the whole assembly,” the pontiff said. “The encounter between doctrine and pastoral care is not an optional technique but a constitutive aspect of the liturgy, which must always be incarnated, inculturated, expressing the faith of the Church.” 

In his message, the pope said a liturgist “is not just a teacher of theology” but has a distinct mission to accompany both the bishop and the community of his or her own diocese through liturgical action. 

“While humbly teaching the liturgical art, he must guide all those who celebrate, keeping the ritual rhythm and accompanying the faithful in the sacramental event,” he said. 

“Thus assisted, the pastor can gently lead the entire diocesan community in the offering of self to the Father, in imitation of Christ the Lord,” he continued.

The pope also invited Anselmianum students to follow the humble example of St. Benedict by discreetly carrying out their duties “without boasting” about results or successes.

“I encourage you to transmit these attitudes to the ministers, lectors, and cantors, according to the words of Psalm 115 quoted in the prologue of the Benedictine Rule: ‘Not to us, Lord, not to us give the glory, but to your name alone’ (cf. Nos. 29-30),” he said.

Pointing to the holy life of St. Teresa of Ávila, a doctor of the Church, the pope said liturgists must not neglect their life of prayer when carrying out their diocesan ministries.

“Care for the liturgy is first and foremost care for prayer,” he said. “May this great master of spiritual life be an example to you.”

At the conclusion of his message, the pope shared: “I hope that every one of you will always have at heart the people of God, whom you accompany in worship with wisdom and love. And do not forget to pray for me.”