Summary
In this article, the Catholic Church emphasizes that God is the ultimate source of beauty and as such, all beauty in nature is a reflection of Him. The liturgy must be beautiful to properly glorify God. Pope Pius XII emphasized this point, stating that the liturgy should be orderly, precise, and beautiful, with even humble friars like Saint Francis advocating for beautifully adorned churches to reflect the immense mystery of the Eucharist. Pope John XXIII’s reforms in 1960 led to a decline in the quality of liturgical celebrations. The Rite Reform of the Mass introduced slovenly practices that deviated from traditional standards, including unnecessary innovations and even some unimagined abuses. These changes were criticized by Pope Pius XII, who expressed disgust at the situation during his audience with Saint Pio da Pietrelcina in 1913. This led to a call for liturgical reform to restore order and beauty within church services.
Key Topics
Biblical beauty, liturgy, purity
