Land of the Holy Spirit Mass approved
National
Australia’s Catholic bishops have approved a liturgy which incorporates elements of Aboriginal language and culture, for use in the Diocese of Broome, Western Australia.
A motion was passed at the plenary meeting of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in Sydney last month approving the Mass of the Land of the Holy Spirit (Missa Terra Spiritus Sancti) which will now be submitted to the Dicastery for Divine Worship for official recognition by the Vatican.
“We have to walk with Aboriginal people. I am so pleased that after such a long period of use the Missa Terra Spiritus Sancti has been given official recognition by the bishops of Australia,” said Bishop Administrator of Broome, Michael Morrissey.
“We recognise there are many Aboriginal cultures in Australia and we pray that they all be guided by the Holy Spirit to develop the best way of celebrating the Eucharist in the most appropriate ways with their people, within the life of the Church.”
Two elders from the Bidyadanga (La Grange) parish – Maureen Yanawana and Madeleine Jadai – came to Sydney to present a printed copy of the Mass to bishops and talk about their experience with it.
Maureen said of the sung Mass: “Singing at the top of our voices brings us peace.”
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