Liturgy and Culture
2005 Louisville
2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
Convener 2005
Julia Upton, R.S.M. (provost and professor of theology, St. John’s University, New York)
Seminar Participants 2005
Denise Anderson; Joseph Donellon; Doris Donnelly; Ruth Duck; Mark Francis; Clare Johnson; Stephen Larson; Karen Sue Smith; Dolly Sokol; Keith Pecklers, S.J.; Tom Richstatter, O.F.M.; Julia Upton, R.S.M.
Seminar Report 2005
Ruth Duck led a discussion of Philip Jenkins’ The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity (Oxford, 2002) which all of the members of the group had read in preparation for the meeting.
Keith Pecklers gave two presentations. The first was a report on a second international meeting of Jesuit scholars to discuss the importance of worship to their lives and by expanding the circle to include non-Jesuit advisors as well; the meeting had the additional goal of bringing the Order up to date so they can better serve the Church. Members of the group read two papers which had been presented at the conference: one on “Inculturation in the Liturgy” by Michael Amaladoss, S.J., and a response given by Anscar J. Chupungco, O.S.B.
Peckler’s second presentation introduced the members of the seminar to “Inculturated Worship in Tenrikyo.” Tenrikyo is a new Japanese religion, blending some elements of Shintoism, Buddhism, and Christianity. It was founded in 1838 by a Japanese woman, Miki Nakayama (1798-1887), who prior to her conversion had been a faithful Buddhist. From 1858 on she was revered as a living goddess and her followers continue to bring her food each day and draw her bath. Claiming about three million followers world-wide, the religion can be found in many countries today. They have several rituals which Keith’s paper described in detail. On or about the 26th of the month the community gathers to remember ritually Nakayama’s conversion. Several thousand people attend daily prayer. The Morning Service (asa zutome) and the Evening Service (y zutome) form the two hinges of daily life in Tenrikyo communities. In 1998 the Vatican began informal discussions with the religion.
Julia Upton, R.S.M., gave a paper and PowerPoint presentation, “Liturgy and Culture: A Church for the University,” which chronicled the building of St. Thomas More Church on the Queens campus of St. John’s University in New York. In addition to presenting all of the details of the church, she also gave the rationale for choices which were made for subjects in the stained glass windows and the shrines within the church.
Mark Francis had intended to present an overview of Peter Phan’s book, compiling commentaries on the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments 2001 document, Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines. Since the book has not yet been published, Mark chose another approach. He gave the seminar an overview of the document and its impetus, presented the table of contents, and summarized Phan’s approach to the issue. The group decided to take up a formal discussion of the book at the 2006 meeting.
At the suggestion of Denise Anderson the group engaged in an extensive conversation on the intersection between liturgy and social justice, which will continue at the next meeting.
Plans for next year
We plan to return to participant-observation model again next year and meet with the pastor of Christ the King, a predominantly African-American and Mexican parish in San Diego. Keith Pecklers will prepare a document outlining the historical foundations of the parish and giving us a sociological analysis of the parish.
We have agreed to read Popular Piety and the Liturgy: A Commentary (Peter C. Phan, ed. [Liturgical Press, 2005]) when it is published this spring and determine the best mode for discussing it at our next meeting.
Papers will be presented by: Stephen Larson (Liturgy and Social Justice) and Deok-Weon Ahn (Future Prospects For Ecumenism).