Vatican approves liturgical adaptations for indigenous communities in Mexico

The Vatican has approved a series of liturgical adaptations for the indigenous communities of the Mexican state of Chiapas. According to Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel, Bishop Emeritus of San Cristóbal de las Casas, this decision transforms certain indigenous expressions into “liturgy of the Church,” eliminating the perception that they were simple “usages and customs that were viewed with distrust.”

The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments of the Holy See granted the confirmation on November 8, endorsing the “adaptations to the Ordinary of the Mass in the Spanish language” for the Tseltal, Tsotsil, Ch’ol, Tojolabal and Zoque ethnic groups. Likewise, he granted the recognition for the translation into Tseltal of key documents of the Magisterium, such as the Apostolic Constitution Roman Missal and the by the proper motion of the Paschal Mystery.

Cardinal Arizmendi, who led the efforts of the Mexican Episcopate to promote these adaptations, pointed out in a message shared with ACI Prensa that these practices are a form of “incarnation of faith in expressions typical of these cultures.” Its acceptance by the Holy See represents an example that “if there are deviations in some indigenous customs, we can help them reach their fullness in Christ and in his Church.”

The cardinal expressed his hope that this approval “will encourage the process to promote similar adaptations in other indigenous groups.” To this end, he invited his brother bishops and pastoral agents to “have an interest in giving liturgical value to many Catholic expressions of our native groups, and not see them as simple folklore.”

What are the adaptations approved by the Vatican?

The cardinal explains that “ritual dances were approved in the offertory, in the prayer of the faithful or in thanksgiving after communion,” pointing out that these “are not folklore, but simple movements of the entire assembly, monotonous, contemplative.” , accompanied by traditional music, which express the same as the Roman rite, but in another cultural form.”

“The content of the Mass is not changed, but the way of expressing it,” said the cardinal.

Another approved point is that women will be able to exercise the ministry of incensers during Mass. Once the priest “imposes and blesses the incense,” they will proceed to incense the altar, the images, the gospel, the ministers and the assembly. “They do it not with the common censer, but with an incense typical of the culture,” added the cardinal.

The cardinal warned that this sign “is not a feminist demand,” but rather one that responds to the customs of indigenous communities, where “they are usually the ones who incense in traditional prayers.”

On the other hand, it was approved that a layman of “recognized moral relevance” can lead “certain parts of community prayer.”

This can be done “at the beginning of the Mass, to initiate the community into the celebration, to name the intentions and to ask for forgiveness,” as well as “in the prayer of the faithful, after the priest makes the initial invitation and closes.” with the concluding sentence.”

It may also occur “after communion as thanksgiving, which the priest concludes with the post-communion prayer.”

“This is not removing the priest from his service as president of the assembly,” explained the cardinal, “since it is he who is in charge of the celebration and who authorizes these moments.” With this, he pointed out, a way is being sought for the assembly to participate.

“The content of the Roman rite is not changed, but rather its cultural expression,” he assured.