Pope Leo XIV’s summer catechesis: Understanding the sacred liturgy

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.”

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