Chicagoland

Deepening liturgy

By Daniel P. Smith | Contributor
Sunday, July 4, 2010

Father Douglas Martis dismisses any notion of ego. Ten years is a nice accomplishment, admits Martis, the director of the Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, but the unrelenting responsibility to help people enter more deeply into the liturgy continues independent of milestones.

Marking its 10th year in 2010, the Liturgical Institute has educated diocesan directors of worship, seminary professors, school teachers, high school presidents, religious men and women and clergy from every continent save Antarctica.

Rooted in Second Vatican Council liturgy, the institute promotes the liturgical life of the church through its four degree programs, a publishing imprint, public conferences and special projects. In just one decade, the institute has blossomed from a regional setting for liturgical study into a shining light for the Roman Catholic world.

“If there’s any pride, it’s in our continual push toward fostering a genuine participation and engagement in the church’s prayer,” said Martis, the Liturgical Institute’s director since 2004.

‘Liturgical renewal’

Though plans for a liturgical institute originated with Cardinal Bernardin, Cardinal George spearheaded the creation of the institute in 2000. The vision of uniting sacramental theology and liturgical studies, Cardinal George hoped, would advance “a new era in liturgical renewal.”

After recruiting faculty and installing a curriculum, the institute’s first class welcomed seven students. From there, it grew.

In 2003, Christopher Carstens became one of the institute’s early graduates when he earned his masters in liturgical studies. Currently the director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wis., Carstens says the institute’s balance of liturgical celebration and academic work afforded him grounding in realworld applications.

“Everything we did was with an eye toward helping people, priests and parishes and I’m activating that knowledge base each day,” Carstens said, providing evidence that the institute’s objectives are being realized.

Future plans

While the institute initially focused on creating its academic program, outreach endeavors were close behind.

Hillenbrand Books, a publishing imprint, expands the institute’s study well beyond the Mundelein campus. Hillenbrand has released over two dozen titles covering a diverse range of liturgical topics.

The Institute’s conferences and lectures, meanwhile, address every aspect of the church’s population and have delivered liturgical- minded study on topics such as art, architecture, preaching and music to well over 2,000 public participants. Each year, the Institute hosts three major conferences, a handful of evening lectures and up to four day-long workshops. It has also sponsored retreats for parish musicians and will soon debut retreats for priests, experiences that aim to nurture the faith of those who present the liturgy.

“By way of educating those who are involved in the liturgy, we reach the Catholic faithful,” Martis said. “Everything we do is for the sake of the people in the pews.”

As the institute enters its second decade, Martis says the “next step” remains its perpetual question.

“There’s no master plan for reform,” he said. “The Institute today asks the same questions today as it did at its beginning: where do we need to be to help people better understand the liturgy and how do we plug into what’s already present?”

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