January 31, 2014

What was in the news on Jan. 31, 1964?

The pope puts some liturgical reforms into place, and an archbishop sees the liturgy released from chains

Criterion logo from the 1960sBy Brandon A. Evans

This week, we continue to examine what was going on in the Church and the world 50 years ago as seen through the pages of The Criterion.

Here are some of the items found in the Jan. 31, 1964, issue of The Criterion:

  • Pope rules liturgy changes are effective February 16th
    • “VATICAN CITY—In line with the ecumenical council’s liturgy constitution, Pope Paul VI has provided for changes in the public workshop of the Church to begin on February 16. They include mandatory sermons at Masses on Sundays and holy days, and put the administration of the sacrament of matrimony within the Mass rather than before it. The pope also announced the establishment of a special commission which will be entrusted with the long-range work of revising the missal, breviary and other liturgical books. … The document authorizes the implementation of 11 specific provisions of the liturgical constitution enacted by the Vatican Council last December 4. … Also as of February 16, which is the first Sunday of Lent, the sacrament of confirmation may be conferred during Mass.”
  • 2 Catholic missioners among Congo victims
  • New Columbus parish schedules dedication
  • Cardinal stresses need for statement on liberty
  • Chancy announces shift in principals
  • Retreat house blitz: From a stalwart crew…the pigments flew
  • Ecumenical series set for Marian Lectures
  • Needed: A Christian approach to care of aging
  • Orphanage adopted by U.S. flagship
  • Panamanian bishops speak out in dispute
  • Prelate sees release of liturgy from chains
    • “SAN ANTONIO, Tex.—Archbishop Robert E. Lucey said here the Church’s new liturgy plans will release worship from the chains of excessive rubrics and restore warmth, joy and exultation. The Archbishop of San Antonio, speaking at the opening of a study week on the liturgy for priests from four Southwest states, said that ‘during almost 400 years the liturgy was smothered in rubrics.’ … ‘The idea seemed to be that the action of the priest involving the Mass and the sacraments must be both valid and licit; therefore, the less interference there was from the congregation, the better for all concerned. The fact that the laity are authorized by baptism to participate in the public worship of the Church was lost sight of.’ ”
  • Predict Catholic use of Protestant Bible
  • Lay diaconate seen Latin American need
  • Deanery CYO cage action full swing
  • First jubilee event Sunday
  • Southsiders ‘dominate’ Style Show
  • Sees lay deacons administering the sacraments
  • Rosary rally set
  • Family Clinic: Wife’s housekeeping draws husband’s ire
  • Pope John’s body to stay in basilica
  • Fair housing law asked by prelate
  • New ecumenical journal planned
  • Rev. Joseph Breidenbach honored in Beech Grove
  • Parochial school aid report stirs protest
  • Art renewal is sought in reforms of worship
  • Pope delineates role of the working man

(Read all of these stories from our Jan. 31, 1964, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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