Pope Leo asks for liturgy that is \u2018sober in its solemnity\u2019 while respecting popular piety Pope Leo XIV urged parishes to invest in liturgical formation, especially for lectors, while also encouraging people to pray the Liturgy of the Hours and calling for attention to be paid to popular piety. While receiving participants in a course organized by the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of St. Anselm in Rome at the Apostolic Palace for diocesan liturgical pastoral workers, the Holy Father said that \u201cin the dioceses and parishes there is a need for such formation\u201d and encouraged the creation of \u201cbiblical and liturgical courses\u201d in places where such formation programs are lacking. Through such courses, the pope said the institute could help local churches and parish communities \u201cto be formed by the word of God, explaining the texts of the weekday and feast day Lectionary.\u201d For the pope, it is important that the liturgy be \u201cexpression of a community that cares for its celebrations, prepares them, and lives them to the full.\u201d Regarding biblical formation combined with liturgical formation, he recommended that those in charge of liturgical ministry pay \u201cparticular attention\u201d to those who proclaim the word of God. Referring to lectors and those who regularly read the Scriptures, the Holy Father said that \u201cbasic biblical knowledge, clear diction, the ability to sing the responsorial psalm, as well as to compose prayers of the faithful for the community are important aspects that implement liturgical reform and help the people of God grow on their path.\u201d \u201cWe are well aware that liturgical formation is one of the main themes of the entire conciliar and postconciliar journey,\u201d Leo XIV stated. In this regard, he affirmed that while \u201cmuch progress has been made\u201d there is still \u201ca long way to go.\u201d \u201cLet us not tire: Let us enthusiastically resume the good initiatives inspired by the reform and, at the same time, seek new ways and new methods,\u201d he urged. The pope said the aim is \u201cto foster the fruitful participation of the people of God as well as a dignified liturgy that is attentive to different sensibilities and sober in its solemnity.\u201d Among other things, he expressly asked the diocesan liturgy to promote the Liturgy of the Hours and to nurture the dimension of \u201cpopular piety.\u201d \u201cAmong the aspects linked to your service as directors, I would like to mention the promotion of the Liturgy of the Hours, care for popular piety, and attention to the celebratory dimension in the construction of new churches and the adaptation of existing ones,\u201d he stated. \u201cIn many parishes, then, there are also liturgical groups who must work in synergy with the diocesan commission,\u201d the pope noted. Parish liturgy committees The Holy Father continued: \u201cThe experience of a group, even small but well motivated, that is concerned with the preparation of the liturgy is an expression of a community that cares for its celebrations, prepares them, and lives them to the full, in agreement with the parish priest.\u201d \u201cIn this way, we avoid delegating everything to him and leaving only a few people responsible for singing, proclaiming the word, and decorating the church,\u201d he explained. Similarly, he lamented that these parish groups \u201chave dwindled to nothing, as if they had lost their identity.\u201d Therefore, he called for a commitment to make \u201cthis area of Church life attractive again, capable of involving people who are competent or at least inclined to this type of service.\u201d He thus encouraged liturgical leaders to propose to parish priests \u201cformation courses to start or consolidate liturgical groups in the parish, training their members and offering suggestions for their activities.” This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA\u2019s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Victoria Cardiel Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Pope Leo XIV calls Lebanon to tenacity, hope, and reconciliation Vatican\u2019s first auditor general and his deputy sue Secretariat of State \u2018Your pain is my pain\u2019: Pope Francis pens letter marking 9 months of war in Ukraine These are the cardinals from the U.S. and Canada participating in the conclave The Day of the Four Popes Jubilee of the Sick: Pope Francis, Pilgrimages, and Stories of Faith in Rome and Beyond<\/p>\n