Pope Francis has issued a wonderful Apostolic Letter, Desiderio Desideravi (do take the time to read it in full). It was published on 29 June, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, and comes a year after the publication of the Motu Proprio Traditionis custodes which restricted the use of the Traditional Latin Mass.
In a wonderfully direct way, Francis writes deeply about the liturgy – especially the Eucharist, highlighting that the beauty of the liturgy, of the Eucharist comes not primarily from external, secondary elements which may vary, but from the heart, the core of the celebration which Jesus has left us.
This letter deserves not only to be read, studied, and discussed by those who are in full communion with the Bishop of Rome; I would hope that it is read reflectively by Anglican (and other denominations) lay faithful, clergy, and studied and discussed by those in seminaries and theological colleges. If the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, is the…
