The False Ideology of Liturgical Sloppiness

There has been for some time now (viz. the past fifty years with an definite hiatus during the Pontificate of Benedict XVI) a certain promotion of spontaneity and the whimsical in liturgy, which is accented anew by Pope Francis' style.

Let me just say for the record that liturgical shabbiness is no sure sign of humility, poverty or authenticity or real concern for people. Liturgy is first of all the explicit and dignified worship and adoration of God, and the cleric who emphasizes that supreme aspect need not be less humble, less poor, less authentic and less concerned for the people than the liturgical buffoon.

Notice today the Holy Father had two priests of Rome join him at the window for the Regina Coeli. Neither of the two was clean shaven (priestly beards are back in the diocese of Rome), at least one of them did not know that basic Christian prayer in Latin, and at the end the Holy Father audibly tells them to join him in giving the blessing which they did in the triple episcopal fashion!

There were record crowds in Saint Peter's Square today (undoubtedly swelled by those who had attended the Basilica Papal Ordinations just before). The Piazza is filled for the midday Papal prayer, address, greeting and blessing, Pope Francis style! He does draw the crowds like no one else!

Cf. On the logic of uniforms.