From the Editor

From the Editor Rev. Thomas M. Kocik Explanation is not excuse, yet it frequently puts a new face on matters . The present number of Antiphon arrives much later than had originally been scheduled, and for that I must beg our readers’ pardon. It was probably inevitable, given the increased demands on my time as a parish priest, theology instructor, spiritual director, and writer with (other) publishing commitments. In early June, I informed the Board of Directors of the Society for Catholic Liturgy of my desire to relinquish the editorship of Antiphon beginning in 2011. My decision was not made lightly; nor, I am happy to say, was it received gladly. I have learned much from serving as editor and hope that during these past two years I have made a contribution of some value. Until the board appoints my successor, I will try to see the next number of Antiphon through to publication – there is ample material for it – and to put things in order for a smooth transition. I remain grateful for the assistance of Msgr Michael Heintz, our Book Review Editor, and the editorial advisors whose names appear on the masthead. In the Current Number Thomas Harmon observes in his essay the tendency among some moral theologians to depreciate the role of the sacraments in living the Christian moral life. This is partly the result of an inadequate understanding of the sacraments as sanctifying, efficacious signs of the divine gifts they signify. If the recipient is properly disposed, the sacraments are fruitful of the grace that enables love of God and love of neighbor. Drawing deeply from the thought of St Thomas Aquinas, Harmon places the sacraments at the center of our incomprehensibly exalted vocation to live and love in the name of the triune God. His work exemplifies the practice of theology as an integrated science rather than a jumble of discrete specializations. The essay by Owen Vyner takes up the question of what Sacrosanctum concilium was calling for in its affirmation that “full, conscious , and active participation in liturgical celebrations” is the “aim to be considered before all else” (no. 14). There has been no dearth of opinions and politicizing with regard to the participation of the lay faithful in the sacred liturgy. The usual disagreement is centered on whether this is to be understood externally, or rather as interior Antiphon 14.3 (2010): 244-246 245 from the editor participation. This is of course a false dichotomy. The Second Vatican Council affirms both internal dispositions and external gestures as essential to a correct understanding of participatio actuosa. Vyner is particularly interested in Pope Benedict XVI’s claim that active participation is necessarily linked to an appreciation of beauty in liturgical celebration and ambience. Yesterday’s reform is today’s convention calling for reform. Although Vatican II did not make the celebration of Mass “facing the people” (versus populum) compulsory, liturgists championed it and the practice rapidly spread throughout the Latin Church. Today there is a new interest, primarily among younger priests, in celebrating the liturgy facing ad orientem, towards the east, towards the rising sun symbolizing Christ, the Oriens ex alto. This is the ancient way of offering the Eucharistic Sacrifice and it remains the practice of the Eastern Christians. Still, eastward orientation remains largely misunderstood and maligned, as if it were all about the priest having his back to the people (a return to clericalized liturgy!), or devotion to the reserved Blessed Sacrament (commendable in itself, but not liturgical!), or anything else besides what it is has always symbolized. Citing the witness of Christian antiquity, Sister Madeleine Grace, CVI, aims to show in her Pastoralia contribution that a common orientation of priest and people expresses the full dimensions of the Eucharist better than celebration versus populum. The Commentary by Father Peter Stravinskas suggests modest steps toward ongoing liturgical renewal along lines generally supported by those who seek a “reform of the reform.” Many of these suggestions do not touch upon the Roman Missal itself but rather concern liturgical discipline and praxis; some are presently permissible and therefore require no new legislation. Father Paul McGavin’s brief Essay proffers a method of harmonizing both forms...