B
benedictgal
Guest
Congratulations! I have an interesting perspective on these things because I have served on the diocesan liturgical commission and on the Cathedral liturgical commission, as well as my old Austin parish’s liturgical commission, and I spent 12 years in the Texas House. As we say in Austin, watching and being a part of the legislative process (or, even the liturgical process) is akin to watching sausage being made (or, in some cases, making it yourself). 
It is not always a pretty process, though.
While Joanm and I may not agree on a few things, she does have a point regarding reading the documents. You really do need to read the authoritative documents of the Church, especially the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and Redemptionis Sacramentum. These need to be read in tandem with the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy. You might also want to read Musicam Sacram, the authoritative document of the Holy See on Sacred Music. Some of the documents from the USCCB can be helpful, but, most of these do not carry the force of law that comes with a document from the Holy See. One that does, however, is called the “Norms for the Distribution of Holy Communion in the United States”. This is extremely useful, and it does carry the recognitio of the Holy See.
As others have indicated, take things slowly. The Rosary is a beautiful and pious exercise, but, it is not liturgical. You might want to read a document called the Directory on Popular Piety. You can find it here:
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html
Pious exercises do have their place, however, they need to be examined in light of the liturgy.
I do not know when your first meeting with the group is, but, you might be called upon to give some (name removed by moderator)ut for Holy Week. Perhaps the most important document you can use is Paschale Solemnitatis, since it is the CDWDS’s authoritative piece on this high holy season. You can find it here:
adoremus.org/PaschaleSolemnitatis.html
You can’t go wrong using PS as a guide.
Now, to be quite frank with you, serving on the liturgical commission is not always hearts and flowers. There will be some disagreements. Hopefully, they will not resemble the slugfests that occurred during the Council of Nicea. But, such disagreements can prove fruitful. Just use the documents of the Church as your chief guiding principle.
It is not always a pretty process, though.While Joanm and I may not agree on a few things, she does have a point regarding reading the documents. You really do need to read the authoritative documents of the Church, especially the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and Redemptionis Sacramentum. These need to be read in tandem with the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy. You might also want to read Musicam Sacram, the authoritative document of the Holy See on Sacred Music. Some of the documents from the USCCB can be helpful, but, most of these do not carry the force of law that comes with a document from the Holy See. One that does, however, is called the “Norms for the Distribution of Holy Communion in the United States”. This is extremely useful, and it does carry the recognitio of the Holy See.
As others have indicated, take things slowly. The Rosary is a beautiful and pious exercise, but, it is not liturgical. You might want to read a document called the Directory on Popular Piety. You can find it here:
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html
Pious exercises do have their place, however, they need to be examined in light of the liturgy.
I do not know when your first meeting with the group is, but, you might be called upon to give some (name removed by moderator)ut for Holy Week. Perhaps the most important document you can use is Paschale Solemnitatis, since it is the CDWDS’s authoritative piece on this high holy season. You can find it here:
adoremus.org/PaschaleSolemnitatis.html
You can’t go wrong using PS as a guide.
Now, to be quite frank with you, serving on the liturgical commission is not always hearts and flowers. There will be some disagreements. Hopefully, they will not resemble the slugfests that occurred during the Council of Nicea. But, such disagreements can prove fruitful. Just use the documents of the Church as your chief guiding principle.
