Forming Priests for Mass

A response to: Cardinal: Liturgical Error Often Due to Ignorance

Cardinal Arinze mentions that some liturgical abuses during the Holy Mass occur due to lack of understanding of the character of liturgy.

This leads to very sad conclusions, since -- given the abuses are an effect of the celebrating priest's ignorance -- it shows that preparation of some priests is by far insufficient for one of their most important tasks.

We read that "Some [...] don't know, for example, that words and gestures have roots in the tradition of the Church. Thus, they think themselves more original or more creative changing them."

Such state of matters should be deeply concerning for all Catholics, thus it seems very important that we pray for (and seek other ways of aiding them) good formation of those who undertake the priestly vocation, so that they can avoid any mistakes themselves and teach the faithful an appropriate attitude to liturgy.

Bartosz Jerzy Kaczkowski