Formation in Liturgical Prayer

Convener: Prayer Patricia J. Hughes, DMin, Director of the Office of Worship, Catholic Diocese of Dallas; adjunct professor at the University of Dallas

Members in Attendance: Stanislaus Campbell, Jeremy Gallet, Paul Janowiak, Anne C. McGuire, Roc O’Connor, Michael Prendergast, Margaret Schreiber, Joyce Ann Zimmerman

Visitors in Attendance: Kyle Turner, David Wood

Description of Work: Strong anticipation of producing/publishing an informed set of articles focusing on “how Catholic liturgists would reflect on, respond to, and/or recreate seminary formation for Catholic presbyters,” provided key insights and rich discussion. Essentially, this discussion flowed from the seminar’s 2018 initial study of Katarina Schuth’s Seminary Formation (Liturgical Press, 2016). A thesis statement was developed for the projected work, using the spirit of the liturgy as the basis for the expression of gifts. Each member contributed to topic development, based on group dialogue, individual expertise, and collective enthusiasm for the project. A visit from Timothy O’Malley of the McGrath Institute for Church Life gave encouragement for the focus of the project, and added substance and advice regarding how this project might be produced: rather than a podcast or a published work, possibly a series of videos to be produced by Notre Dame’s McGrath Institute for Church Life, Notre Dame Center for Liturgy.

A secondary focus, as an enrichment opportunity, led seminar members to join the Christian Initiation Seminar for Paul Turner’s exposition of the (not-yet-released until January 6th, 2020) publication of the newly revised Order of Baptism of Children ritual text. Following a brief history of the ritual text for Baptism, Fr. Turner’s presentation centered on words that are new in the ritual text, and aspects of the language that were more faithful to the principles of translation. Some parallels to the RCIA process were noted, also the identical blessing (if needed) for the baptismal water and the Blessing of Baptismal Water at the Easter Vigil.

A contribution to the envisioned project was submitted by Paul Janowiak, reviewed, and constituted a draft that reflected on the presbyter who “represents Christ in community and Sacrament” (David Power), and who is “raised up by bending low” (Janowiak).

Other Work and Plans for the Future: All members of this seminar chose a topic (based on the 2019 discussions) and agreed to develop and submit a solid draft of each person’s topic at the 2021 seminar.