From May to August, the pope has dedicated his Wednesday general audiences to reflecting on the liturgy. Here is a recap of what he said.

With his Wednesday general audience at the Vatican on Aug. 26, Pope Leo XIV concluded his catechesis on the Church’s liturgy, focusing on the Second Vatican Council’s constitution on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium.

From warning against virtual participation in Sunday Mass to calling for a rediscovery of the symbols of the liturgy, here’s an overview of what the pope taught about the liturgy in this series:

Vatican II’s reform did not change only ‘the rites’ of the liturgy

Leo began his catechesis on the liturgy during his general audience at the Vatican on May 20. He explained that the liturgical reforms were not the only changes in the Church that came from the Second Vatican Council.

“In drafting this constitution, the council fathers sought not only to undertake a reform of the rites but to lead the Church to contemplate and deepen that living bond which constitutes and unites her: the mystery of Christ,” Leo said in his remarks.

Leo also highlighted the missionary and universal dimensions of the liturgy, and, quoting Pope Francis, recalled that “the world still does not know it, but everyone is invited to the supper of the wedding of the Lamb.”

Priests must respect ‘norms of the liturgy’ to avoid confusion at Mass

During his general audience on May 27, Leo urged priests not to alter the celebration of Mass on their own, to avoid confusing the faithful.

“I encourage all priests to respect the texts and norms of the liturgy with openness, humility, trust in God’s greatness, and with sincere fidelity to ecclesial communion.”

Leo also explained that liturgical reforms following the Second Vatican Council are not a departure from tradition but a development. To emphasize this, he quoted Pope Benedict XVI, who said that the council fathers’ “reform program” sought “a balance between the great liturgical tradition of the past and that of the future.”

We must rediscover signs and symbols of the sacred liturgy

In his audience on June 3, Leo called on Catholics to rediscover the meaning of the various gestures associated with the liturgy, such as the sign of peace and kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament. He explained that these symbols and signs are not arbitrary gestures but help Catholics experience “the presence of God through Jesus Christ.”

“The rites of the Christian liturgy are not an outward covering of the sacramental mystery or a set of arbitrary ceremonies,” Leo said. “Rather, they are the ecclesial mediation through which the divine gift reaches us.”

The Eucharist is a powerful antidote to division

Pope Leo dedicated his June 24 general audience to the mystery of the Eucharist, calling on Catholics to “draw with faith from this source of divine life” and to allow themselves “to be transformed by the mystery we celebrate.”

“Thus, by incorporating us into Christ, the Eucharist teaches us to adopt the very style of life of the Lord Jesus, which was marked by the free gift of himself,” the pope said.

He also drew on the teaching of St. Augustine, who explained the mystery of the Eucharist to the newly baptized.

“It is your own mystery that you receive,” Augustine wrote, according to the pope. “To what you are, you respond: ‘Amen,’ and your response is like your signature. You are told, ‘The Body of Christ,’ and you reply, ‘Amen.’ Be therefore members of the Body of Christ, so that your ‘Amen’ may be true.”

The tradition of prayer is disappearing from families

Leo resumed his catechesis at the Aug. 5 general audience following a few weeks of rest at Castel Gandolfo. He lamented that many Christian families no longer pass on prayer and urged the faithful to rediscover it as a fundamental dimension of human life.

“Furthermore, even in many Christian families, the tradition of prayer is no longer passed on, whilst many people risk confusing it with just another technique, of a psychological nature aimed at personal well-being,” the pope said.

Leo proposed the Liturgy of the Hours — the Church’s official public prayer — as a remedy.

“To the many people who wish to learn to pray, especially catechumens, it can offer the path and the school of Christian prayer.”

Attendance at Sunday Mass cannot be replaced by virtual participation

In his audience on Aug. 12, Leo reflected on the importance of the liturgical year. He also urged Catholics to prioritize attending Sunday Mass and warned that virtual gatherings cannot replace in-person Mass attendance.

“To sanctify Sunday, it is essential to celebrate the Eucharist,” Leo said. “This
assembly cannot be substituted by a solely virtual presence, nor can it be reduced to a merely passive gathering.”

On the liturgical year, he explained that it should be understood “as a constant renewal of the work of salvation which Christ accomplishes in history.”

“As she journeys through this temporal cycle, the Church remains in contact with the Lord’s redemptive action, so that all the faithful may be filled with his grace.”

The musical heritage of the Church must be preserved

Pope Leo called for the Church’s musical heritage to be preserved during his general audience on Aug. 19. He also said that inculturation can take place in Church music to accommodate different cultures.

“A theme close to the council’s reform is that of inculturation, including in the field of sacred music. In particular, with regard to the musical traditions of different cultures, the council emphasizes the importance of taking them seriously into consideration, as they form part of people’s religious and social life.”

Vatican II reformed the liturgy to promote active participation

Leo concluded his catechesis on the liturgy on Aug. 26, reflecting on the reasons for the liturgical reforms after the Second Vatican Council.

He described those reforms as necessary to encourage active participation by the faithful and urged them not to be mere spectators during the celebration of the liturgy.

“Since the gestures and words of the sacred liturgy are critical to realizing this experience, the participation of the faithful cannot be passive,” Leo said. “The liturgical reform promoted by the Second Vatican Council is thus firmly rooted in the living tradition of the Church.”

This article was originally published by EWTN News English.