Greetings in Christ Rolltide!
Thank you for the question related to the series.
We are currently reviewing ideas and options for our next production. We are open to (name removed by moderator)ut, so if any of you have suggestions, we are open.
There have been discussions about creating some additional works around the mass, with representation and explanation of the different rites being one idea. We will keep everyone informed as we develop the ideas into some concrete plans.
Thanks again for asking and we look forward to your review of the project.
In Christ,
TKC
Webmaster
Well, here’s my two cents. If you were to do the Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgies, you’re going to have to represent the 22 branches of Eastern Catholicism. This actually could be done by presenting the seven representative liturgies and discussing the various branches that utilize them. These seven liturgies would be:
The Liturgy of St. Basil
The Chaldean Mass
The Liturgy of St. Gregory the Theologian (The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts)
The Liturgy of St. James
The Liturgy of St. John Crysostom
The Liturgy of St. Mark
The Holy Qorbono
Clips could be shown from the various branches that use this liturgy to piece together a service, just as you’re using four different priests in your “Catholic Mass Revealed” film. Perhaps there could be an option where the description of the liturgy is on the commentary track, rather than over the main film. Then one could enjoy the beauty of the liturgy without the explanation, if one so chose. As some of these rites do not use English, the subtitles could also be used to present the English translation, and perhaps Biblical references to the various parts of the Liturgy, as appropriate.
On a menu screen, you could show a chart laying out the various branches of the Catholic Church. Clicking on a branch would bring up a brief feature on it’s history, what it’s structure is like, unique features and traditions specific to that branch, and a link to the appropriate liturgies used by that Eastern Catholic Church.
Next, you could do the same thing with the Tridentine Latin Mass. It would be presented in a format similar to The Catholic Mass Revealed. I would also love to see the English Missal text provided in subtitles along the bottom of the screen, so that the home viewer could follow along. I would definitely include a feature on the sub-rites such as the Benedictine, Carmelite, Carthusian, Cistercian, Dominican, Franciscan, Norbertine (Premonstratensian), and Servite rites. Most are very similar to the TLM, and a short documentary showing clips of their services and explaining how they specifically differ from the TLM would probably suffice. This leaves only the Ambrosian, Bragan, and Mozarabic rites, and these could either be filmed in their entirety, or presented in clips with a short documentary as well. Personally, I’d enjoy seeing them at length, since they are so rare and restricted, that most people would never witness one. Subtitles would be needed, as they would be presented in Latin and local vernaculars.
These then could be packaged as part of a multi-part series, along with The Catholic Mass Revealed, that illuminates ALL of the various facets of Catholic celebration. For the first time, a collection of ALL of the Catholic liturgical celebrations, along with explanatory commentary and documentaries, would be available as a set for use in churches, schools, and libraries everywhere.
By the way, I love the suggestion one of the posters included about a Liturgy of the Hours project.
