BRIDGEPORT— Bishop Frank Caggiano has promulgated the new liturgical norms of the Diocese of Bridgeport, effective Sunday, December 2nd. Though they have been officially promulgated, the Norms will not go into effect until January 1, 2019. Formation for current ministers will begin December 3, 2018.
The norms, or rules, governing liturgical and sacramental practices in the Diocese of Bridgeport, will be revised over the next four years.
By definition, norms are an authoritative standard. Liturgical norms regulate how the public worship of the Church is to be carried out. In the case of the Holy Eucharist, these norms ensure that the celebration of Mass in our Diocese is in conformity with the universal liturgical law of the Church.
As such, the norms of the Diocese of Bridgeport are based on the teaching and guidance of Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, the Magisterium and the entire prayer history of the Church, the Bride of Christ. More than two dozen clergy, lay leaders, and theologians worked to develop these norms over the course of a year.
“When we concluded the diocesan synod, one of the major initiatives which I confirmed was the need to revise the diocesan sacramental guidelines,” Bishop Caggiano said on October 1. “The sacramental guidelines are really the depository of all the norms and guidelines that allow us to pray effectively and reverently as a Church.”
The norms were last promulgated in 1983 under Bishop Walter Curtis.
“Lay participation in the liturgy is an essential component,” the bishop added. “These norms are meant to enhance, and, in some cases, regularize how these ministries are undertaken.”
Click here to see the Revised Norms.
