In Person for Pentecost?

France always makes me smile, whether or not I ever get to return. On a river barge cruise, we stopped for a home-hosted visit on a national holiday, Pentecost Monday. What? After the French Revolution and the secularization of society, the French still celebrate Pentecost Monday? Our small group was fortunate enough to be hosted by the family of the parish organist, who played for us on the 18^th century organ. And when we got to their home, his wife encouraged us to sing “Veni Creator Spiritus,” which I, as the only Catholic, joined in.

So I understand why the French bishops were apoplectic that churches would be closed until the week AFTER Pentecost,  and why the government relented. We have three weeks to see how this works out.

Has everyone, everywhere begun to ask when masses in person can resume, whether or not they prioritize Pentecost? Italy is focused on the Ascension. Bishops in the UK have been urging churches to be among the first facilities opened. The US, like France, also makes me smile. The Bishops want an option for communion on the tongue; the diocesan liturgical officials say in the hand only. Those advising the bishops thought a lot about how various scenarios could actually work: no gloves for anybody, rotating who can come to any one liturgy, hand sanitizer, etc. Again, I hope there’s a lot of time to work this out.

Lay journalists in France have a different take. They argue that a new lay-led church is emerging with “domestic” celebrations and active social ministries. “Far from polemics, the baptized have invented new forms of community life during this time of pandemic: gathering together through broadcast or live-streamed liturgies, video-linked prayer groups, Bible study sessions… Catholics, like others in our society, have also continued to serve their neighbors through many associations and various solidarity initiatives.” These are the questions they say we should be asking:

Once they are back inside their church buildings, … What can be done to make sure that our communities, parishes and dioceses move forward in a more collegial way? How can we better articulate the diversity of ministries, those already existing or those yet to be created? How can we better include women in Church governance and decision-making?

This inclusive group of active, involved Catholics does not want to lose the close connections they have formed as the parishes resume liturgy.

Just about the opposite sensibility characterizes J.P. Grayland’s reflections. This New Zealand priest reminds us how the the Vatican II reforms declericalized the liturgy. Now both priest and people are necessary for a true sacramental Eucharist. We go to participate in the Mass, not to hear a priest say it. With that in mind, Grayland critiques virtual masses as consumerist, in which the people, conditioned by McDonald’s and Amazon, move easily into a passive situation once again.

What the French journalists describe strike me as Zoom liturgies with everyone acknowledged by being pictured or at least boxed. Grayland describes streamed liturgies in which “the priest (or concelebrants) fulfill all the liturgical functions, while the female cantor and organist supply the music and do not appear to share communion.” If Stephen Colbert himself can describe watching Mass with coffee cup in hand, is passivity the new normal? Or is pandemic normal the pious faithful who are kneeling and standing and sitting on cue? Or the Vatican II families who are singing their hearts out?

Grayland says, “What is essential to Pauline [Paul VI] liturgical practice is the full, conscious and active participation of the Church – clergy and laity – in the single act of worship. I remain convinced that this is missing in virtual Eucharistic experiences.” What the French journalists have realized is another level of declericalization in the pandemic church: priest and people become more equal, share more, commit more, and experience sacrament together. The streamed liturgy only provides “spiritual communion” because those anxiously waiting for churches to open cannot imagine “the new ministries that are being created.” They may have more awaiting them than they anticipate.