October 24, 2003

Dear Brother Priests:

In accord with a discussion that took place at the recent meeting of the Priests' Council, I want to indicate my determinations as the Diocesan Bishop with regard to two points of implementation of the new third edition of the Roman Missal including its GIRM. The Bishops of the United States have indicated as a group that kneeling is the preferred posture during the Eucharistic Prayer, from after the Holy, Holy, Holy until after the Great Amen at the conclusion of the Doxology. This determination by our Bishops' Conference indicates that for serious reason the Diocesan Bishop can determine another posture. It would seem that there is no particular reason for our departure as a diocese from what is the preferred and standard posture of kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer here in the United States. In fact, this is generally the practice in the Diocese of Madison and throughout our country, and people do have an awareness of it and a comfort level with it. Of course those who are not physically able to kneel may be seated.

Secondly, the new General Instruction of the Roman Missal indicates that it belongs to the Bishop to determine the posture from after the Lamb of God until the end of Communion. I have spoken with Mr. Patrick Gorman about this matter and once again entered into dialogue with the members of the Presbyteral Council. It seems that in general, kneeling is the customary posture from after the Agnus Dei until the end of Communion, and thus for the Diocese of Madison I am making the determination asked of me as Diocesan Bishop that this posture will be that of kneeling. Once again those who are not physically able to kneel are clearly excused from kneeling, and where it is customary, after all have received Communion, for the priest to be seated with the people for some moments of silence, this also is acceptable and may continue.

As with all of the minor changes indicated by the new Roman Missal and the GIRM, these postures are designed to bring about not a rigid conformism in our liturgical behavior but rather a reverent and prayerful solidarity. As I have said on many occasions, our people have a right to go to Mass feeling comfortable and at home - they have a right to know how to participate as they move from diocese to diocese or sometimes from parish to parish. An excess of diversity in liturgical rites or postures or behaviors really can serve as a distraction for our people, disabling their ability to pray which is after all the most important thing. Our people should not, as they go to a different parish or even a different diocese, have the experience of the basketball player trying to play heads-up ball in case some unforeseen or surprise play is attempted by the other team. As in our discussion at the Presbyteral Assembly and at the Priests' Council, I'm sure that you would all agree with this.

This prayerful and reverent solidarity is the whole point of the new Roman Missal and its GIRM, and it is extremely important that all of us begin to take the necessary steps so that our people are catechized adequately and are participating in accord with the approaches of the new Roman Missal and GIRM. Workshops have already been conducted by Mr. Patrick Gorman in this matter, and I would hope that all of you before too long will have had the benefit of participating in such a workshop. There Patrick, on my behalf, can elaborate about other details of our ritual behavior at the Divine Liturgy according to our new Roman Missal. It would be my hope that the implementation of the new Roman Missal would be well under way by the First Sunday of Lent and that our people would have become accustomed to the approaches of the new Roman Missal by the First Sunday of Advent 2004. Those parish churches that might need to arrange for the installation of kneelers should raise this topic as soon as possible and proceed with this installation as soon as is reasonable. If there are questions about this matter, they should be directed to my office.

A prayerful and reverent solidarity, which is what the new Roman Missal seeks, will enhance and reflect both our sense of community and the reverence proper to the heavenly liturgy into which the Mass incorporates us. Thus, I hope we can go forward wholeheartedly knowing that prayerful and reverent solidarity in worship is certainly in the very best interests of our wonderful people and our faith. With gratitude for you and for all that you do in the Lord's service, I am,

Fraternally yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino
Bishop of Madison