Bp. Serratelli's Trifecta

Back in June, Paterson Bishop Arthur Serratelli began a four part series of articles on the Church's liturgy and maintaining the sense of the Sacred. The latest piece of that takes the form of a pastoral letter to the priests of his diocese (though he's letting the rest of us know what the letter says - because it is a beautiful letter for all the Catholic faithful to read, but also probably so that Joe & Jane Catholicparishioner will know the letter their pastor got and perhaps hold him a little accountable to it). You can link to the past two entries by clicking on Part one and Part two, but if you want to go straight to the pastoral letter, click here. Better yet, if you want Bp. Serratelli's letter with an concurrent explanation, check out Fr. Z's commentary.

As I did with the other two letters, let me give you a taste without spoiling your appetite for the meal:

• "The priest presides at the Eucharist in persona Christi. The priest is the servant of the Liturgy."


• "Priests, as well as deacons, are not free to change the rubrics or substitute their own words for the prescribed texts. Such fidelity expresses true love for the people we serve."


• "Only when there is a necessity may extraordinary ministers assist the Priest celebrant in accordance with the norm of law."


• "It may take a child-like humility to do as the Church asks in the celebration of the Liturgy. However, true love is never proud."

Finally, after reading the letter, take a step back and consider this: Bishop Serratelli was just made the Chairman of United States Bishops Committee on Liturgy.

To quote "The Great One", mmmmmmm how sweet it is!