Liturgical Dance - I'm confused

[MarieVeronica]

Dear Catholic Answers Forum… Can anyone tell me when Liturgical Dance first started to appear within the Mass? Is it a new innovation? Or… is it, perhaps… something which the early Church used… and is just being revised now?

My current parish is not doing Liturgical Dancing… but I saw a photograph of some Liturgical Dancers (the caption stated the dancers were performing, just after Holy Communion) in our Archdiocesan Newspaper… and I’m afraid it more than bewildered me. Something about it… just seems so out of place, to me. It seems to me, that Liturgical Dancing during the Mass, could be a very large distraction… and could take the focus OFF of God. Kind of like, parishioners who applaud, etc. Maybe I’m just getting old. lol.

I appreciate your opinions. God bless.

 

[CatholicCajun]

I don’t know when it started. I had a Priest tell me a few years ago that’s it’s just another form of prayer, I thought what is wrong with the regular form of prayer. To me it has no place in the Mass.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Hi CC. Thanks for the quick response. My “gut” feeling is the same. I think the time just after Holy Communion is MUCH more well spent… in giving thanks to Our Lord for entering our poor hearts… rather than watching a lot of young folks twirling and spinning. Somehow, this spectacle would not lift my mind to God. Maybe it does, for others… but for me… I’m sure it would be an enormous distraction.

 

[Phemie]

It’s my understanding that dancing is specifically allowed in only one rite, the Zairian Rite, because dance was part of their worship. It’s not allowed in any other Rite. But you know how it is, someone sees it in Africa and soon it’s happening in L.A.

 

[CatholicCajun]

Hi CC. Thanks for the quick response. My “gut” feeling is the same. I think the time just after Holy Communion is MUCH more well spent… in giving thanks to Our Lord for entering our poor hearts… rather than watching a lot of young folks twirling and spinning. Somehow, this spectacle would not lift my mind to God. Maybe it does, for others… but for me… I’m sure it would be an enormous distraction.

I could not agree more!!

 

[MarieVeronica]

It’s my understanding that dancing is specifically allowed in only one rite, the Zairian Rite, because dance was part of their worship. It’s not allowed in any other Rite. But you know how it is, someone sees it in Africa and soon it’s happening in L.A.

Thank you Phemie. My ignorance is showing (again ) Can you please explain to me… what is the Zairian Rite? I don’t know if this exists in my Archdiocese. But the dancers were performing at a parish, within the Archdiocese.

Speaking of L.A. haha. Yes, I know what you mean. I’m a native of Los Angeles. Born and raised.

 

[brotherhrolf]

The first time I witnessed liturgical dance is when I sang in the diocesan choir for the 25th anniversary Mass for our diocese. This would have been back around 1987. The dancers were part of the entrance processional and during the Consecration. The dancers had ballet clothing on as well as diaphonous gowns. They carried bowls of charcoal with incense and wafted them from left to right as they processed up the aisle. Think Cecil B. DeMille movie.

In later years as a member of the cathedral choir, I saw this performance repeated as well as the introduction of ten foot tall liturgical poles with multi-colored ribbons (think of a May pole on steroids) suspended from them.

This Cajun says that a two-step would not be appropriate for us and he hopes to Almighty God that he never sees Missa Chank-a Chank. Western Europeans do NOT have a history of liturgical dance and it is one of the main reasons why this chorister refuses to sing at diocesan events.

 

[buffalo]

On "Liturgical Dance"

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Cardinal Arinze

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[Phemie]

Thank you Phemie. My ignorance is showing (again ) Can you please explain to me… what is the Zairian Rite? I don’t know if this exists in my Archdiocese. But the dancers were performing at a parish, within the Archdiocese.

Speaking of L.A. haha. Yes, I know what you mean. I’m a native of Los Angeles. Born and raised.

That rite is only approved for the people of the Congo. It is an example of inculturation. The dancing is actually a very rhythmic procession, very much in keeping with the liturgy.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Thank you, Phemie.

 

[scott1228]

Brotherhrolf:

I think you meant diaphanous, but I got what you meant. It sounds like it should only be in a Cecil B. Demille movie!

You know, I bet if why made a great big bonfire, that could be a form of prayer too, but that doesn’t mean we should do it inside a church!

 

[benedictgal]

Furthermore, liturigical dance is forbidden, as Cardinal Arinze has noted on several occasions. It is something that is foreign to the west and is not allowed.

 

[Miserissima]

It’s my understanding that dancing is specifically allowed in only one rite, the Zairian Rite, because dance was part of their worship. It’s not allowed in any other Rite. But you know how it is, someone sees it in Africa and soon it’s happening in L.A.

I think Liturgical Dance shouldn’t even be called “Liturgical” in the US…it should be, um, Prayerful Dance? Sacred Dance? Or something of the like. But never, ever, liturgical dance, because it has no place in the solemnity of the actual liturgy.

I agree that it has NO PLACE in the Mass (outside of the Zairian Rite), but even St. Teresa of Avila was known to pick up the castanets and dance for the glory of the Lord as the Spirit moved her…but I could NEVER imagine her doing this during moments which were solemn. Also, from the Patron Saints Index, the patron saints of dancing are: Genesius, Philemon, and Vitus*.

Now, I am not saying that there are saints who never approved of dancing. I’m sure the canon is full of those who would wish for all aspects of life to be Christ-centered through solemnity alone…St. Augustine comes to mind immediately.

In the OT, David danced. Miriam danced. Jeremiah 31:13a:“Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together;”
But St. Paul said regarding worship services under theNew Covenant (in 1Cor, I believe?) that all things were to be done “decently and in order.” Dancing has no place in worship inside of Mass. The place for dancing is when you bring the joy of the Mass and the Sacraments into one’s secular life. Dancing can be worship, too. But not during solemn rites.

It all reminds me of the story of* Le Jongleur de Notre Dame* (OurLady’s Juggler):

[Emphasis mine] The story was first published by Gaston Paris as “Le Tombeor de Nostre Dame”…The story is better known, however, by Anatole France’s version…

A poor juggler after performing in the streets to earn his bread, begins to think of the future life and enters a monastery. There he sees the monks paying homage to the Virgin in eloquent prayers. Unable in his ignorance to imitate their pious learning, Jean decides to offer homage through the only means in his power. He shuts himself in the chapel [which means after hours, not during the Liturgy of the Hours, during services, or during Mass] , turns somersaults, and performs his feats in Our Lady’s honour. When the monks searching for Jean rush in and cry “Sacrilege” at his singing, dancing, and tumbling, the statue of the Virgin comes to life, smiles, and blesses the poor juggler, who dies in ecstasy at her feet, while the monks chant the beatitude concerning the humble. [From Le Jongleur de Notre Dame - Massenet”]here

.] (More here at Wiki.)

Dancing for the Lord, juggling for the Lord, singing (theologically appropriate) rock music for the Lord is an expression of joy and can be incredibly uplifting…but has no place in the solemnity of the Mass!

*St. Vitus’ story is not really about dancing per se, because Sydenham’s chorea was also called St Vitus’ Dance

 

[drafdog]

Yeah, liturgical dance is just not right. Seems to me that Michal tried that one on David when he danced the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. Seems to me that she was barren as a result.

Matthew

 

[benedictgal]

Yeah, liturgical dance is just not right. Seems to me that Michal tried that one on David when he danced the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. Seems to me that she was barren as a result.

Matthew

First of all, what you are posting is not relevent to the issue of the so-called “liturgical dance” question. These are two very different things, Matthew.

First of all, David was not doing this as an official part of the Jewish form of worship. This was something that was done outside the prescribed cult.

This so-called “liturgical dance” is forbidden. As Cardinal Arinze has stated repeatedly:

Has liturgical dance been approved for Masses by your office?

There has never been a document from our Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments saying that dance is approved in the Mass.

The question of dance is difficult and delicate. However, ***it is good to know that the tradition of the Latin Church has not known the dance. ***It is something that people are introducing in the last ten years – or twenty years. It was not always so. Now it is spreading like wildfire, one can say, in all the continents – some more than others. In my own continent, Africa, it is spreading. In Asia, it is spreading.

Now, some priests and lay people think that Mass is never complete without dance. The difficulty is this: we come to Mass primarily to adore God – what we call the vertical dimension. We do not come to Mass to entertain one another. That’s not the purpose of Mass. The parish hall is for that.

So all those that want to entertain us – after Mass, let us go to the parish hall and then you can dance. And then we clap. But when we come to Mass we don’t come to clap. We don’t come to watch people, to admire people. We want to adore God, to thank Him, to ask Him pardon for our sins, and to ask Him for what we need.

…Why make the people of God suffer so much? Haven’t we enough problems already? Only Sunday, one hour, they come to adore God. And you bring a dance! Are you so poor you have nothing else to bring us? Shame on you! That’s how I feel about it.

Somebody can say, “but the pope visited this county and the people danced”. A moment: Did the pope arrange it? Poor Holy Father – he comes, the people arranged. He does not know what they arranged. And somebody introduces something funny – is the pope responsible for that? Does that mean it is now approved? Did they put in on the table of the Congregation for Divine Worship? We would throw it out! If people want to dance, they know where to go.

He speaks with a great deal of authority. After all, he is the Church’s point man when it comes to Divine Worship.

 

[idrum677]

No Liturgical Dance!!!

 

[kell0618]

Dear Catholic Answers Forum… Can anyone tell me when Liturgical Dance first started to appear within the Mass? Is it a new innovation? Or… is it, perhaps… something which the early Church used… and is just being revised now?

My current parish is not doing Liturgical Dancing… but I saw a photograph of some Liturgical Dancers (the caption stated the dancers were performing, just after Holy Communion) in our Archdiocesan Newspaper… and I’m afraid it more than bewildered me. Something about it… just seems so out of place, to me. It seems to me, that Liturgical Dancing during the Mass, could be a very large distraction… and could take the focus OFF of God. Kind of like, parishioners who applaud, etc. Maybe I’m just getting old. lol.

I appreciate your opinions. God bless.

Liturgical dance has no place at Mass. If people want it, I suggest they save it for other celebrations outside of Holy Mass.

BUT, if you have a good sense of humor and are familiar with Stephen Colbert…watch this video with his own little liturgical dance. video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6394969175112372586

Peace

 

[drafdog]

Yeh, and I suspect Arinze has two left feet, just like me.

Matthew

 

[Rand_Al_Thor]

Yeh, and I suspect Arinze has two left feet, just like me.

Matthew

I’m sure you’re right. The Cardinal doesn’t approve of dance because he can’t dance… Or maybe, just maybe, Cardinal Arinze knows just a *little *more than you do about the Church and the Mass and is right about dancing not being appropriate. Since, you know, he has the support of the pope and all.

In Christ,
Rand

 

[Ignatius]

Dear Catholic Answers Forum… Can anyone tell me when Liturgical Dance first started to appear within the Mass? Is it a new innovation? Or… is it, perhaps… something which the early Church used… and is just being revised now?

My current parish is not doing Liturgical Dancing… but I saw a photograph of some Liturgical Dancers (the caption stated the dancers were performing, just after Holy Communion) in our Archdiocesan Newspaper… and I’m afraid it more than bewildered me. Something about it… just seems so out of place, to me. It seems to me, that Liturgical Dancing during the Mass, could be a very large distraction… and could take the focus OFF of God. Kind of like, parishioners who applaud, etc. Maybe I’m just getting old. lol.

I appreciate your opinions. God bless.

The Holy See has condemned it. Apparently that’s not good enough for the ‘progressives’ minority that’s in charge of a number of diocese.