Ceremonial and the Eucharist by Donald Gray, Canon of Westminster IT HAS ALWAYS been possible to raise a laugh, within a wide range of Anglican circles, at the expense of those who are judged to be over-concerned with the ceremonial and gestures involved in the performance of liturgy. Indeed, for some, the suggestion that it was 'a performance' only served to confirm them in their worst suspicions - that such concerns were narrowly focused on a liturgical style and content that could be described, with the maximum of courtesy, as 'unanglican'. Nowhere has the Anglican amateur approach to liturgy been more prevalent than in regard to liturgical style and the choreography of gesture and movement. From the first, Percy Dearmer's Parson's Handbook* was widely ridiculed, even though it was eventually to go through twelve editions between 1899 and 1932. In what secret places was it being read? As for Ritual Notes, that was only for the most extreme Anglo-Catholics and not for mainstream Anglicans! 'ANYTHING GOES' The simplification of our rites together with the new-found austerity of our churches, which have been the result of the Liturgical Movement and of our programmes of liturgical reform, seem to have encouraged the final abandonment of any generally-agreed standard of liturgical style and ceremonial. In what is believed to be the spirit of the age it is a case of 'anything goes' or, more accurately, 'everything goes'. Presidential gestures are now minimal and congregations are rarely encouraged to accompany words with signs - even that of the Cross. Those being prepared for Communion are not given any rationale for even the postures of standing or kneeling. And certainly they would be hard-pressed to discover any devotional pattern from the outward gestures of most congregations. ON ITS KNEES Consider first the congregational aspects of this matter and, in particular, a couple of examples of apparent present-day neglect. There was every reason to deplore the custom, which prevailed until about twenty-five years ago, of a congregation spending the majority of its time at the eucharistic worship meekly kneeling upon its knees. However, what has observably been lost in many places is any use of that devotional attitude. Also, with it the genuflection seems to have gone - that acknowledgment of the particular eucharistic presence of our Lord. If we also mention the sign of the Cross, it is because that seems to be an increasingly rare personal devotion. True, it can be used casually or unthinkingly. Perhaps in the past, in some traditions, it was used to almost laughable excess, but it is sad that such an ancient custom should be so easily put aside for no seemingly good reason. ALL THINGS VISIBLE The responsibilities of presiding at the Eucharist are immense and no sensitive priest is unaware of them. Yet it would seem often that sufficient thought has not been given to what might be conveyed by signs and gestures that could accompany the spoken word during the presidential parts of the service. We have become over-preoccupied with getting the words right and forgotten the visual content. Westward-facing celebrations have, of course, made all things visible. The abandonment of the congregational custom of not only kneeling but hiding below the book ledge, with eyes tightly shut, has only increased the need for what is seen, as well as heard, to be instructive, non-distractive and conducive to devotion and the building-up of the Body of Christ. The priest at the altar needs always to have that in mind. 'TWO-PENCE COLOURED' On the subject of presidential style, there has been a certain amount of work done by Roman Catholic writers, particularly in the United States.** A good deal of what has been written transfers easily to Anglicanism, but further work is needed on this subject. This task ought to be undertaken at provincial level so that local customs and attitudes are reflected in the presidential as well as the congregational aspects. This is a matter to which the principles of inculturation must be applied. However, it remains important to remember that while our liturgy, in some respects, seems to have become 'penny plain', it needs always to be an inspiring combination of words and action so that it is actually 'two-pence coloured'. *Percy Dearmer. The Parson's Handbook, containing practical directions both for Parsons and others as to the management of the Parish Church and its services according to the English use, as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer, 1899. Dearmer constantly revised the book. The 12th edition (1932, fifth impression, 1949) is more than twice the length of the first edition. ** For example: Robert W. Horda, Strong, Loving and Wise: Presidency in Liturgy, Collegeville, 1976; Aidan Kavanagh Elements of Rite: A Handbook of Liturgical Style, New York, 1966. See also Leading the Prayers of God's People: Liturgical Presiding for Priests and Laity, a document of the Association of National Liturgy Secretaries of Europe, Dublin, 1991. One Anglican contribution is also from the U.S.A.: Howard Galley, The Ceremonial the Eucharist: A Guide to Celebration, Cowley Publications, 1989. Published in Affirming Catholic NEWS, Issue No. 5, February 1996 Statement of Principles | Guidelines for Christian Living Today | Membership Events | Publications | Articles from back issues of Affirming Catholic NEWS Return to Affirming Catholicism in the UK Visit our sister organization, Affirming Anglican Catholicism in the US Back to the www.AffirmingCatholicism.org home page Affirming Catholicism is an educational charity involved in various initiatives: publications, seminars, shared worship, retreats, pilgrimages, conferences. Most dioceses have their own local groups to undertake similar projects themselves.