(Official) Homiletic Directory - approved by Pope Francis

SineNomine
SineNomine Member Posts: 7,043
edited November 20 in Resources Forum

The Homiletic Directory has just been published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. It is available in English in plain text and .pdf if you look around on the Internet.

It is a resource that I expect every single priest, deacon, and seminarian Verbum user will want. It should be in the next round of Verbum base packages. It should also be available through Faithlife asap.

“The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one thinks about reforming himself.” St. Peter of Alcántara

Comments

  • Average Joe
    Average Joe Member Posts: 275

    [Y]

  • Dan Francis
    Dan Francis Member Posts: 5,335 ✭✭✭

    Only having glanced at this I can see the value of this resource. Since it has been made available freely could one put it into a personal book and offer it on here? But I also do agree with you this should be part of the next Verbum update, heck it is a useful enough resource I think FL should consider adding it in to Verbum 6 packages now (I would say at least Scripture Study and higher)... THE HOMILY AND THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH Appendix would really be great to have come up in the lectionary guide. I do know that the passage guide brings out relevant Catechism selection but this set being done by the Church focuses on the set of readings as a whole.

    -Dan

  • Fr Devin Roza
    Fr Devin Roza Member, MVP Posts: 2,409

    Another important thing to keep in mind - the Appendix 1 of this resource includes recommendations for the numbers from the Catechism that might be of interest for the preparation of homilies for every single Sunday and Feast Day of the liturgical year. 

    So, if in the future there is a sort of Liturgical Guide in Verbum, tied to the readings of the liturgical date, this appendix could be used to create a Tool within that Guide, with recommended numbers from the CCC for that day.

    Here is a section, so you can see what I'm talking about:

    Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    CCC 539, 565, 600-605, 713: Christ, obedient Servant of God

    CCC 786: to serve is to reign

    CCC 1547, 1551: priestly ministry as service

    CCC 2538-2540: the sin of envy

    CCC 2302-2306: safeguarding peace

    Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    CCC 821, 1126, 1636: ecumenical dialogue

    CCC 2445-2446, 2536, 2544-2446: the danger of immoderate riches

    CCC 1852: jealousy

    Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

    CCC 1602-1617, 1643-1651, 2331-2336: conjugal fidelity

    CCC 2331-2336: divorce

    CCC 1832: fidelity, a fruit of Spirit

    CCC 2044, 2147, 2156, 2223, 2787: the fidelity of the baptized

  • Deacon Steve
    Deacon Steve Member Posts: 1,609

    The subject of homilies has been important to me for several years.  Unfortunately, I've heard so many poor ones that I've become discouraged about the whole subject. 

    Some months ago I was having a conversation with my spiritual director about the same subject.  His comment to me was that the church has been talking about it for years ... and still we are stuck in the doldrums.  I'd like to think that the specific focus from the magisterium would help, but we've had more than enough statements from the bishops and the Holy Father that it is abundantly clear that the quality of homilies are in great need of improvement.  There is not much else to say.

    We could all agree that because there is a specific current document speaking to homiletics in the church ought to tell everyone what is needed to rectify the poor quality we have to day.  It should be no surprise.

    I remain hopeful that we can touch the heart and minds of the person in the pew.  But is requires some work ... and preparation.

  • SineNomine
    SineNomine Member Posts: 7,043

    We could all agree that because there is a specific current document speaking to homiletics in the church ought to tell everyone what is needed to rectify the poor quality we have to day.  It should be no surprise.

    Well, now we have that document, and I want it in Verbum!

    “The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one thinks about reforming himself.” St. Peter of Alcántara

  • Average Joe
    Average Joe Member Posts: 275

    Since it has been made available freely could one put it into a personal book and offer it on here?

    I'm not sure about that.  The text of the Catechism and the NABRE are also available freely online, but I know we couldn't do it with those resources.  As this is a recently released document, I would probably err on the side of assuming we cannot post it on here.

  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith Member, MVP Posts: 53,042 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I know that our pastor who wanted to give an evening lecture on each new document within a week or two of our release always asked for permission to print and distribute copies of what was on the web. Emphasis on asked ... he was never denied.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

  • Deacon Steve
    Deacon Steve Member Posts: 1,609

    I know that our pastor ... always asked for permission to print and distribute copies of what was on the web.

    Good for him!  An important step in the process and I'm glad to hear he did that.  Also really happy to hear that he takes the time explain things.  So many don't.

    Amen!

    [:)]

  • Brian Losabia
    Brian Losabia Member Posts: 245

    The USCCB sent out an email about the Homiletic Directory and I thought of this thread.  If the Faithlife folks were wondering how much interest there might be in this resource, then I'd like to cast my vote for its production.

  • Deacon Steve
    Deacon Steve Member Posts: 1,609

    ... I'd like to cast my vote for its production.

    Me too.  [:)]

  • Mark Nolette
    Mark Nolette Member Posts: 508 ✭✭

    Yes. This resource definitely belongs in Verbum! 

  • SineNomine
    SineNomine Member Posts: 7,043

    The Directory has been added to the Book Suggestions UserVoice.

    “The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one thinks about reforming himself.” St. Peter of Alcántara