NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LITURGY
WELCOME TO THE WEBSITE OF THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LITURGY
St Patrick's College, Maynooth, 26 March 2012
In the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the first document of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), the establishment of an institute of pastoral liturgy was recommended. The late Mgr Seán Swayne (1933-1996), a priest of the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, studied liturgy at the Institut Supérieur de Liturgie in Paris in the years immediately after the Council and returned in 1968 to teach at Carlow College. In May 1973 he was appointed as the Bishops’ first national secretary for liturgy. This he saw as an opportunity to establish an institute of pastoral liturgy, which would house the secretariat and also be an outreach into parishes and communities. He sought a place of prayer, study, reflection and welcome. The secretariat was based at Mount St Anne’s, near Portarlington in 1973 and a one year course in liturgy was established the following year as well as providing shorter courses and days on aspects of the renewed liturgy. The Centre moved to Carlow College in 1978 and to its third and present home at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in August 1996.
Liturgical Formation
Liturgical formation has been the work of the Centre through the years since 1974. The Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy became an award of the Pontifical University, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth and now with a post-graduate Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy and a Master’s in Theology, specialising in liturgy. Up to sixty students have been awarded this Masters. This development has also enabled the Centre, working with the Faculty of Theology, to bring several leading liturgical scholars to present seminars and courses at Maynooth. The National Centre for Liturgy works with the Department of Music, Maynooth University, on the Diploma in Arts (Church Music) and with the Chaplaincy of Maynooth University in providing weekday Mass, which takes place in St Mary’s Oratory at midday during the academic year.
Re-forming and Renewing the Mission of Liturgy in Ireland
It was decided that from September 2020 the National Centre for Liturgy with its programmes in Liturgical Formation would come under the umbrella of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. Fr Neil Xavier O’Donoghue, lecturer in theology at St Patrick’s College was appointed as the Episcopal Conference’s Secretary for Liturgy. Sr Moira Bergin works as co-ordinator of the National Centre for Liturgy within the Pontifical University.
The National Centre for Liturgy has played a key role in the work of liturgy in Ireland since 1974, that role and mission will continue through its programmes and outreach to dioceses and parishes. At the time of the new edition of the Roman Missal, the Centre provided several aids to understanding the translation. More recently, it produced material on celebrating liturgy on weekdays when there is no celebration of the Eucharist. The Centre will continue to address our current needs and offer assistance with liturgical formation which is its primary task.
At various times - 1973, 1974, 1978, 1996 and now in 2020 - fresh opportunities as circumstances change. The goal remains the same even now during these unusual circumstances of Covid-19. It is more important than ever that the National Centre for Liturgy continues its vital role in pastoral liturgy by serving the needs of the Church in Ireland.
The National Centre for Liturgy will continue to be a place of welcome and hospitality, worship and prayer, study, reflection and refreshment.
Liturgical Formation
Liturgical formation has been the work of the Centre through the years since 1974. The Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy became an award of the Pontifical University, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth and now with a post-graduate Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy and a Master’s in Theology, specialising in liturgy. Up to sixty students have been awarded this Masters. This development has also enabled the Centre, working with the Faculty of Theology, to bring several leading liturgical scholars to present seminars and courses at Maynooth. The National Centre for Liturgy works with the Department of Music, Maynooth University, on the Diploma in Arts (Church Music) and with the Chaplaincy of Maynooth University in providing weekday Mass, which takes place in St Mary’s Oratory at midday during the academic year.
Re-forming and Renewing the Mission of Liturgy in Ireland
It was decided that from September 2020 the National Centre for Liturgy with its programmes in Liturgical Formation would come under the umbrella of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. Fr Neil Xavier O’Donoghue, lecturer in theology at St Patrick’s College was appointed as the Episcopal Conference’s Secretary for Liturgy. Sr Moira Bergin works as co-ordinator of the National Centre for Liturgy within the Pontifical University.
The National Centre for Liturgy has played a key role in the work of liturgy in Ireland since 1974, that role and mission will continue through its programmes and outreach to dioceses and parishes. At the time of the new edition of the Roman Missal, the Centre provided several aids to understanding the translation. More recently, it produced material on celebrating liturgy on weekdays when there is no celebration of the Eucharist. The Centre will continue to address our current needs and offer assistance with liturgical formation which is its primary task.
At various times - 1973, 1974, 1978, 1996 and now in 2020 - fresh opportunities as circumstances change. The goal remains the same even now during these unusual circumstances of Covid-19. It is more important than ever that the National Centre for Liturgy continues its vital role in pastoral liturgy by serving the needs of the Church in Ireland.
The National Centre for Liturgy will continue to be a place of welcome and hospitality, worship and prayer, study, reflection and refreshment.
SOME IMAGES OF HISTORY
Sr Moira Bergin
Moira Bergin has been a staff member of the National Centre for Liturgy since 1993. A native of Camross, Co. Laois, she is a Sister of Mercy, joining the community in Borris-in-Ossory and now in Maynooth. She studied piano at the Royal Academy of Music (LRAM), theology and music at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth (BATh) and education and church music at NUIM (HDipEd, DipArts (Church Music). She received MTh in liturgy from the Pontifical University at Maynooth in 2003. Member of the Council for Liturgy and the Advisory Committee on Church Music, Irish Episcopal Conference. Company Secretary and Treasurer of the Irish Church Music Association.
Rev. Liam Tracey
Liam Tracey is an ordained presbyter of the Order of Friar Servants of Mary (Servites). He did undergraduate studies in philosophy and theology in Dublin and Rome ( STB , DipMar,DipPastoral Theol) and studied liturgy at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute, Sant’ Anselmo, obtaining a Doctorate (SLD) in 1998. Has taught and lectured in many parts of Ireland and Australia, Ghana , Italy, UK and USA . Liam is a member of the Council for Liturgy, Irish Bishops’ Conference. Professor of Liturgy at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth since 2002. Appointed Director of Post-Graduate Studies at the Pontifical University at Maynooth in 2009. Review editor of the Irish Theological Quarterly.
The National Centre for Liturgy, St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co Kildare
telephone: 01-7083478 / 7083512
email us at: liturgy@spcm.ie