Word & Table The Liturgical Movement
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Dec 18, 2025 Fr. Stephen Gauthier, Canon Theologian and Director of Formation at St. Paul's House, dives into the fascinating Liturgical Movement of the 19th and 20th centuries. He explores its origins in the Benedictine revival and the recovery of early liturgies, emphasizing active participation in worship. Gauthier discusses key figures like Virgil Michel and the impact of Vatican II reforms, including the shift to vernacular prayers. The conversation also addresses critiques regarding reverence and transcendence, highlighting the ongoing legacy of communal worship in shaping belief and practice.
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Monastic Revival Launched The Movement
- The liturgical movement began in 19th-century Benedictine monastic revival focused on restoring the opus Dei as the heart of spiritual life.
- Prosper Guéranger and monks reclaimed the liturgy as the primary fountain of personal and communal spirituality.
Ad Fontes: Early Sources Drove Reform
- 19th-century scholarship recovered early liturgical texts like the Didache and Canons of Hippolytus, fueling reforms based on ancient practice.
- Reformers used patristic sources to distinguish authentic tradition from later accretions.
Design Worship For Active Participation
- Promote active participation by designing worship so the whole people of God engage, not merely observe.
- Use chant, singable music, and clear roles to move people from spectators to participants.