Christopher Carstens
Christopher Carstens
Christopher Carstens is Director of the Office for Sacred Worship in the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, instructor at Mundelein’s Liturgical Institute, editor of the Adoremus Bulletin, and a voice on The Liturgy Guys Podcast.
What’s Wrong with the Liturgy? —I am.
In the early 20th century, The Times newspaper of London is said to have asked notable authors, “What’s wrong with the world?” G.K. Chesterton responded simply: “I am.”
Today’s Forecast: Cloudy, Increasing Light and (More Than) a Chance of Scattered Grace by Dewfall
The Latin Church is often accused of giving scant attention to the Holy Spirit. You can decide for yourself whether…
Praying in Good Faith: Ten Ways to Examine Your Liturgical Conscience
Guitar choir or Gregorian chant? Communion on the tongue or in the hand? Liturgical language that is elevated, formal, and…
The Style of Liturgical Language
According to recent reports, Pope Francis has established a commission to review the translation principles and processes outlined in Liturgiam Authenticam. For some, the announcement is a reason to rejoice; for others, it is a cause for concern.
John the Baptist: A Clear Voice for the Liturgy in the Wilderness of the World
One rarely named—or, perhaps, never named worthy—is St. John the Baptist. But Christ’s cousin, the Forerunner and the Last Prophet certainly deserves a hearing from anyone wishing to deepen his or her insight into the depths of the liturgy.
The Beating Heart of a Liturgical Life
At every Sunday Mass you can hear the heart of Christ, see the face of Christ, and experience the love…
The Rite Questions: What is “Intinction,” and is it Allowed?
Q: What is “intinction,” and is it allowed? A: “Intinction” is the practice of dipping the consecrated host into the Precious…
Stand—Sit—Kneel—Repeat: Colin Kaepernick and Liturgical Posture
A recent drive to work one morning found me listening to sports radio. The topic was San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback…
“Make Worship Better”
With a decrease in the number of Catholics in the Diocese of Pittsburgh from 914,000 to 632,000 over the past 35 years, a 40 percent decline in Sunday Mass attendance—less than 100,000 attend on a given weekend—, and a projected decline in priests, Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik sees the solution, in part, as a liturgical one.
What’s Behind Cardinal Sarah’s Ad Orientem Call?
Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, gave a recent interview to the French Catholic magazine Famille Chretienne. For many commentators and readers, the subject of the interview was his encouragement (again) for priest and people to face east, toward the orient—ad orientem in Latin—at certain parts of the Mass.