Ars Celebrandi literally means, “the art of celebrating,” and is used in reference to the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass. The words “Ars Celebrandi” is also the title of a book by Fr. Paul Turner, a liturgical scholar, director of the Office of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Kansas City, Mo, and rector of that City’s Catholic Cathedral, The Immaculate Conception. Fr. Turner will be in Hartford on March 28 and will speak to the prysbeterate (priests) of the Archdiocese regarding the artful and proper celebration of the Mass.

Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI wrote extensively on the subject of the celebration of the Mass and the Holy Father, during his Pontificate, called priests to celebrate the Mass with devotion and according to the ritual of the Roman Church, adding to the title Ars Celebrandi the word “proper”, thus “the art of proper celebration” of the Holy Mass. So what does the “proper celebration of the Mass” mean? And why should we make note of this in Lent.

The ‘proper celebration of the Mass,” in short, means to take into account both the ritual of the Church in celebrating the Mass—rightly celebrating the Mass according to the Church’s teaching; and, to use the individual gifts and talents of the priest/presider in offering the Mass in a prayerful way with devotion and love. The Mass is not an individual act, altered by the style or deliver of the priest per se, but rather the Mass is a gift from Christ to His Church—and the Church who governs and protects the Sacraments for the people of God has the responsibility to ensure that each priest represents his Bishop and the Universal Church in its celebration of the Sacraments, particularly the Mass, by way of words, gestures, music, vestments, and theological teachings. Thus, additions, deletions or other changes by the priest should not divide the community or the Church but rather seek to bring forth the beauty and prayerfulness of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the salvation of souls. I look forward to learning from Fr. Turner and being drawn ever more closely into the Church and her Mass. I think Lent is a perfect time for the priests to have continuing education on the Mass and to strengthen our celebratory styles in union with the Church so that the people and the world are drawn deeper into faith, Christ and His power of love and mercy…something the world needs desperately right now