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ePaper created 2015-02-27, 18:37:22 | version 1.33.01
61 What is a mystagogy? It is an illustration of the Eucharistic Mystery by way of explaining the meaning of gestures, actions, words, processions, spaces, fittings and furnishings, and the ways in which we conduct ourselves … that all go to make up the Eucharistic Celebration. In this way we move from what is visible to what is invisible, from what signifies to that which is signified, from the sign to the content of the mystery. Such an illustration comes about in the light of biblical events and in view of our Christian duties in life. 62 What is the Holy Mass celebrated according to various liturgical rites? The one Eucharistic Mystery is celebrated according to various rites (Roman, Ambrosian, Byzantine, Maronite…), but it nevertheless preserves intact all the fundamental elements, since: The unfathomable riches of the Eucharistic Mystery cannot be fully expressed by any liturgical rite, but each one helps and enriches the others in understanding and celebrating this unique and infinite Mystery. In the Mass there is one part which may not be altered because this has come to us as a divine institution and the Church is its faithful custodian. There are elements which are changeable according to various needs and circumstances. The various persons and peoples who are invited to celebrate the Eucharist all come from different cultures, and have diverse customs and ways of doing things. These can all be taken on board, purified, moulded and completed by the mystery that is celebrated. The variety and complementarity of the various liturgical rites shows forth the catholicity of the Church which goes out to all people and nations and is called to integrate all that it discovers to be true, good and beautiful into a unity from all the persons, cultures and peoples. 63 Whose task is it to discern the authenticity and the fidelity of a liturgical rite to the Eucharistic Mystery? This task of discerning and guaranteeing the authenticity and fidelity of a rite to the Eucharistic Mystery belongs to the Successor of Peter, the Pope, and to the Bishops in communion with him. 186