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Mission Statement and FAQ
I. Statement of Mission, Goals and Principles
1. Adoremus - Society for the Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy is an association of Catholics established on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul 1995, to promote authentic reform of the Liturgy of the Roman Rite.
2. The mission of Adoremus is to rediscover and restore the beauty, the holiness, the power of the Church's rich liturgical tradition while remaining faithful to an organic, living process of renewal. The purpose of such a renewal cannot be stated more eloquently than this statement by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger:
Christian Liturgy is cosmic Liturgy, as Saint Paul tells us in the Letter to the Philippians. It must never renounce this dignity, however attractive it may seem to work with small groups and construct homemade liturgies. What is exciting about Christian Liturgy is that it lifts us up out of our narrow sphere and lets us share in the Truth. The aim of all liturgical renewal must be to bring to light this liberating greatness. -- Feast of Faith
3. Adoremus was inspired to reconsider the liturgical renewal by Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter on the 25th Anniversary of the Liturgy Constitution (1989). The pope is concerned not only with questions of liturgical translation, but with liturgical renewal as a whole. He says:
For the work of translation, as well as for the wider implications of liturgical renewal for whole countries, each episcopal conference was required to establish a national commission and to ensure the collaboration of experts in the various sectors of liturgical science and pastoral practice. The time has come to evaluate this commission, its past activity, both the positive and negative aspects, and the guidelines and the help which it has received from the episcopal conference regarding its composition and activity. (§20, emphasis added)
4. Adoremus fully and unreservedly accepts the Second Vatican Council as an act of the Church's supreme Magisterium (teaching authority) guided by the Holy Spirit, and regards its documents as an expression, in our time, of the word of Christ Himself for His Bride, the Church.
5. Adoremus believes the aim of Liturgy is union with Christ in communion with the Church. The experience of the past thirty years since Vatican II -- declining Mass attendance, dramatic decreases in priestly and religious vocations, diminished belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and in other core doctrines of the Catholic Church, and a widespread loss of the sense of the sacred -- makes clear the need for genuine liturgical reform.
6. Adoremus's guiding principle for authentic liturgical reform is enunciated in Sacrosanctum Concilium, §23:
... there must be no innovations unless the good of the Church genuinely and certainly requires them, and care must be taken that any new form adopted should in some way grow organically from forms already existing.
7. Adoremus, in a spirit of obedience, also accepts the liturgical changes approved by appropriate Church authorities since the Council as the legitimate exercise of the Church's disciplinary authority over the Liturgy. Adoremus seeks a more authentic observance of the liturgical norms approved since the Council.
8. With the Holy Father (cited #3 above), Adoremus believes liturgical changes approved since the Council should be reviewed and measured against a deeper understanding of the Council's teaching. We believe the Church should reflect carefully on these changes, and evaluate them in the light of the original conciliar texts and of the experience of Catholic faithful since the Council. Thus, when necessary, Adoremus will propose to Church authorities changes more in harmony with the authentic renewal of the Liturgy expressed in the Council documents.
9. Adoremus believes that the liturgical reform legitimately mandated by the Second Vatican Council cannot be furthered by a simple return to the pre-conciliar Liturgy; although it does not oppose those who make lawful use of the present discipline which permits celebration of the pre-conciliar Liturgy under certain conditions.
10. Adoremus looks forward to cooperative effort and fruitful exchange of ideas with all faithful Catholics, and seeks to build support for a new liturgical movement. Adoremus will provide a forum for many Catholics concerned about the Liturgy and give voice to their legitimate desires and complaints, aware that many existing liturgical organizations and commissions do not genuinely foster greater understanding and appropriation of and actual participation in the Church's worship.
Principal Actions and Plans of Adoremus:
Executive Committee: Father Joseph Fessio, SJ - Helen Hull Hitchcock - Father Jerry Pokorsky Join in prayer: Novena for Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy
II. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the goal of Adoremus?
Why do we need another organization?
How will Adoremus promote liturgical reform?
Does Adoremus accept the principles of liturgical reform enunciated at the Second Vatican Council?
Does Adoremus reject the liturgical changes approved since the Council?
Is Adoremus seeking a restoration of the pre-conciliar Liturgy?
Does Adoremus have a guiding principle?
Is Adoremus just an American effort?
Is Adoremus associated with any other Catholic organizations?
What does "Adoremus" mean?
What is the Adoremus Bulletin?What is the goal of Adoremus?
The mission of Adoremus is to rediscover and restore the beauty, the holiness, the power of the Church's rich liturgical tradition while remaining faithful to an organic, living process of growth. The purpose of such a renewal cannot be stated more eloquently than this statement by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger:Christian Liturgy is cosmic Liturgy, as Saint Paul tells us in the Letter to the Phillippians. It must never renounce this dignity, however attractive it may seem to work with small groups and construct homemade liturgies. What is exciting about Christian Liturgy is that it lifts us up our of our narrow sphere and lets us share in the truth. The aim of all liturgical renewal must be to bring to light this liberating greatness.
Why do we need another organization?
The aim of Liturgy is union with Christ in communion with the Church. The need for liturgical reform is clear after thirty years experience since Vatican II of falling Mass attendance, declining priestly and religious vocations, a decrease in belief in the Real Presence, the weakening of doctrinal content and a loss of the sense of the sacred. This union is being further threatened as faithful Catholics feel marginalized as liturgical changes continue apace. Adoremus seeks to give voice to these Catholics' legitimate desires and complaints. Too many liturgical commissions function as political pressure groups with a self-perpetuating membership, rather than as agencies genuinely fostering greater understanding and appropriation of and actual participation in the Church's worship.How will Adoremus promote liturgical reform?
Adoremus has as its principal activities:
Does Adoremus accept the principles of liturgical reform enunciated at the Second Vatican Council?
Yes, fully and unreservedly. We accept the Second Vatican Council as an act of the Church's supreme Magisterium, guided by the Holy Spirit. We hold that its documents are an expression of the word of Christ Himself for His bride the Church in our time.Does Adoremus reject the liturgical changes approved since the Council?
No. We accept them obediently as a legitimate exercise of the Church's disciplinary authority. Nevertheless, we believe the time has come to reflect carefully on these changes. We plan to evaluate them in the light of the original conciliar texts and of the experience of Catholic faithful since the Council. Where necessary, we will propose to Church authorities alternatives more in harmony with the authentic renewal desired by the Council. We were inspired to reconsider liturgical renewal by Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter on the 25th Anniversary of the Liturgy Constitution (1989). The pope is not only concerned with questions of liturgical translation, but with liturgical renewal as a whole: "For the work of translation, as well as for the wider implications of liturgical renewal for whole countries, each episcopal conference was required to establish a national commission and ensure the collaboration of experts in the various sectors of liturgical science and pastoral practice. The time has come to evaluate this commission, its past activity, both the positive and negative aspects, and the guidelines and the help which it has received from the episcopal conference regarding its composition and activity." (para. 20).Is Adoremus seeking a restoration of the pre-conciliar Liturgy?
No. We do not think that a simple return to the pre-conciliar Liturgy will further the reforms lawfully mandated by the Second Vatican Council. However, we do not oppose those who are seeking a Liturgy more in harmony with the Church's tradition provided they legitimately make use of the present discipline which permits the pre-conciliar Liturgy under certain conditions. Indeed, we look forward to mutual collaboration and a fruitful exchange of ideas.Is Adoremus promoting a more careful observance of the liturgical norms approved since the Council?
Yes, but not as our ultimate goal. With Pope John Paul II, we believe that even some of the changes approved since the Council need to be reviewed and measured against a deeper understanding of the Council's teaching.Does Adoremus have a guiding principle?
Yes. It is that enunciated in Sacrosanctum Concilium, § 23: "...there must be no innovations unless the good of the Church genuinely and certainly requires them, and care must be taken that any new forms adopted should in some way grow organically from forms already existing."Is Adoremus just an American effort?
Since the initiative is primarily an American one, most of our members are Americans. They come from every state in the Union. We also have many members from Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. However the, Council intended liturgical renewal for all Latin Rite Catholics. We already have members from Europe (East and West), Latin America, and Africa and will continue to solicit members there.Is Adoremus associated with any other Catholic organizations?
We cooperate with many Catholic organizations and publications which are in agreement with our purpose. But we are an independent organization.What does "Adoremus" mean?
Adoremus means "Let us adore". It is familiar to most Christians from the refrain of the Christmas carol Adeste Fideles, still popularly sung in Latin, Venite adoremus ... Dominum (Come, let us adore ... the Lord).What is the Adoremus Bulletin?
This liturgical journal contains news and information about topics concerned with the Liturgy, such as:
- The history of elements of the Mass;
- Answers to liturgical questions that affect you;
- Reviews of liturgical resources (including music) that can improve Mass in the parish and promote authentic devotion;
- Updates on changes being proposed for the worship of the Church;
- Action Items: What you can do in your parish and beyond.
The Adoremus Bulletin is sent to donors and those who request it.
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