Homiletické direktórium

A document designed by priests and laymen to deepen the word of God in Homer.

The Homily Council's purpose is to respond to the request made by the participants of the Synod of the Bishops' Synod on the Word of God, 2008. Pope Benedict accepted it and asked the competent authorities to prepare a homiletic council (cf. VD 60). He also recognized the view expressed by fathers at the previous Synod that greater attention should be paid to the preparation of homilies (cf. SC 46). His successor, Pope František, regards homily as one of the priorities of the Church's life, as is evident from his first apostolic exhortation of the Gospel of Gospel.

When Fathers of the Second Vatican Council describe homily, they emphasize its unique character in the context of the sacred liturgy. Homily is "to draw first of all from the sources of the Holy Scripture and the liturgy to declare the admirable works of God in the history of salvation or in the mystery of Christ that is continually present and active in us, especially in liturgical celebrations" (SC 35, 2). Many centuries have been homily with moral or doctrinal teachings delivered during the feast of the Holy Mass, which often was not directly related to the celebration itself. Since the Catholic liturgical movement - which was established at the end of the nineteenth century - has attempted to integrate the personal piety and the liturgical spirituality of believers into the celebration of the Mass, attempts are being made to deepen the inner relationship between Holy Writ and worship. These efforts, encouraged by the Pope in the first half of the twentieth century, brought their fruits to the liturgy of the Church that left us the Second Vatican Council. The nature and function of homily is understood in this perspective.

The Homilies Directorate seeks to summarize what has been going on in the past fifty years, critically assessing it, helping the preachers appropriately appreciate the function of homily, and offer them a guide in carrying out their mission which is essential to the Church's life.