The Mass as Theophany: Pope Francis Speaks on the Beauty of the Liturgy

Among the critical assessments of the young papacy of Francis is one which claims that he is some sort of liturgical minimalist. In its more judgmental versions, it comes close to implying that he may not does not fully appreciate the beauty of the Liturgy. It is sometimes accompanied by an effort to contrast his style of presiding at Holy Mass with his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as some sort of proof of the claim.I not only reject it, it offends me. Pope Francis celebrates the Liturgy with the simplicity which characterizes his demeanor and points to his charism. He is a man of deep communion with the Lord and his celebration of the Liturgy is beautiful.

VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - Among the critical assessments of the young papacy of Francis is one which claims that he is some sort of liturgical minimalist. In its more judgmental versions, it comes close to implying that he may not does not fully appreciate the beauty of the Liturgy.

It is sometimes accompanied by an effort to contrast his style of presiding at Holy Mass with his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as some sort of proof of the claim.I not only reject it, it offends me. He simply celebrates the Liturgy with the simplicity which characterizes his demeanor and charism. He is a man of deep communion with the Lord and his celebration of the Liturgy is beautiful.

Having spent years as a young man in the early chapters of the renewal which became the Franciscan University of Steubenville, I recall such simplicity in many of the Friars with whom I served. Pope Francis may be a Jesuit, but he lives the evangelical simplicity of Francis of Assisi, his namesake.

On Monday, February 10, 2014, Francis offered some beautiful comments in his homily at daily Mass which exposed the error of such claims and reveal the depth of his love for the Liturgy. Based upon the summary on Vatican Radio, Asia news filed

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