Offices & Services

SECTION 1: The name of this organization shall be the Liturgical Commission of the Archdiocese of the Boston (hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”).

SECTION 2: The Second Vatican Council in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy article 45 called for the establishment of Liturgical Commissions in each diocese for promotion of it’s liturgical life. “Every diocese is to have a commission on the liturgy under the direction of the Bishop, for promoting the liturgical apostolate.”

A primary responsibility of the Archbishop as the chief liturgist is to ensure a well-formed liturgical life for the people of God. This well-formed liturgical life is achieved only when the full, active and conscious participation of the people of God comes to fruition. To accomplish this goal, it must be acknowledged that the Commission must also serve the needs of those who participate in promoting the liturgical apostolate such as pastors, parochial vicars, deacons, lay-liturgical ministers, RCIA directors, and the other faithful who participate in the liturgy.

The Commission’s role then is to support the Archbishop in his role as chief liturgist of the Archdiocese of Boston and promoter of the Church’s liturgical life.

The Commission shall act as a consultative body to the Archbishop in all of the liturgical matters that he requests. The Commission in conjunction with the Office for Worship will formulate policies and programs that will affect the liturgical life of the Archdiocese and recommend these policies and programs, in written form, to the Archbishop. The Archbishop or the Director of the Office for Worship (hereinafter referred to as the “Director”) may make requests of the Commission, asking the Commission to study and/or make recommendations on liturgical issues.

Therefore, the Commission also shall work with the Director to assess the liturgical needs of the Archdiocese. From that assessment, the Commission will help in the formulation of a vision, a mission and goals in order to assist the Director in providing programs, guidelines, and other liturgical materials. All of which must remain consistent with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church as enunciated by the Holy Father and the Bishops in communion with him as found in the liturgical books and other Church documents pertaining to the liturgy and sacraments.