On the Hill

Some of you may know that I have been pursuing graduate studies in biblical studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. During these last two years, I have been discovering an interest in the relationship between the Bible and our Christian liturgy. So when I learned about an opportunity to take a course at the University of Trier in Germany on this very subject, I jumped at the possibility. The bulk of the course was taught by a German priest, Fr. Marco Benini, who I had already met in Washington, D.C. shortly after I moved to the area two years ago. His dynamic interest and enthusiasm about this subject encouraged me to make the flight to Trier for this one-month course. I was not disappointed.

During this course, I was fascinated to learn about the work that went into the formation of our current Lectionary. After one of our class periods focusing on the formation of the current Lectionary, I started to spend more time in the archives of the German Liturgical Institute in Trier. Reading some of the original letters in Latin from the 1960s of the group of biblicists and liturgists tasked with reforming the Lectionary showed me Scripture’s significance in the liturgy. Countless arguments are behind this Lectionary that I so easily take for granted every time I celebrate Mass. I am grateful for the fruit of their intense labor.

When I was not studying, I had the chance to explore Trier. I lived about a five-minute walk away from Trier’s market square in the old part of the city. What a beautiful place! During the solemnity of Corpus Christi, we processed through the market square and the rest of the old city with the Blessed Sacrament. In addition to exploring Trier, I also visited the cathedral in Cologne. I was struck by the sheer size of the building itself. A building as big as the cathedral in Cologne certainly reminds me of God’s transcendence. I was even able to concelebrate Sunday Mass in the cathedral.

Finally, I visited the Benedictine monastery of Maria Laach, where I celebrated Mass in their crypt. The crypt of Maria Laach has a lot of history regarding the liturgical movement in Germany. In fact, it was in that crypt in 1921 where the first dialogue Mass was celebrated in the vernacular in Germany. The presider faced the people, the assembly prayed the common parts of the Mass together, and members of the community brought up the gifts during the offertory procession. Worshipping in a chapel with such history is something I hope not to forget for a long time.

I am very thankful for the opportunity I had this summer to study and explore Trier and beyond. I look forward to seeing how this experience bears fruit in my continued studies. Please pray that God’s work may be done as I continue my time in Washington, D.C.