Media Release

Shimoga, Aug 25: A seminar on ‘Fidelity to the Liturgical Norms in Christian Liturgy’ was organized by the Commission for Liturgy in the Diocese of Shimoga on August 24 for the religious and August 25 for the diocesan priests. The resource person of the day was Dr Antony Dias, the professor of Liturgy from St Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Bengaluru. The seminar began with a welcome by Dr Francis Serrao, SJ, bishop of Shimoga, followed by the introduction of the speaker by Fr Nelson D’Souza, the diocesan director for Liturgy.

The first session commenced where Fr Antony emphasized that the Holy Mass is not a drama or an enactment but spiritual nourishment. He reminded the participants that the Liturgy is not anyone’s private property, and to preserve the Church’s tradition, one must not treat it according to personal whims and fancies but faithfully follow the prescribed norms and rubrics.

In the second session, he elaborated on the four principal parts of the Holy Mass the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist (Communion), and the Concluding Rites explaining each part in depth to help the participants understand their significance.

The third session focused on common liturgical aberrations observed in the Church. He urged everyone to remain vigilant and to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in a dignified and worthy manner.

The seminar concluded leaving the participants enriched and inspired to foster a deeper reverence and fidelity to the liturgical norms of the Church. There were 50 sisters participated on the first day and 50 priests on the second day.