Rome (Italy). On 31 August 2022, Sr. Elena Massimi, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, was elected by the Assembly of Members, gathered in Rome for the XLIX Study Week, as President of the Association of Liturgy Professors (APL).

The purpose of the APL Association is to promote, update, and qualify the study and teaching of the Liturgy in theological Faculties, in Religious Seminaries and Studentates or in other Institutes of Religious Sciences, according to the spirit of Sacrosanctum Concilium 16 and Optatam Totius 16 and the norms of the Ratio Studiorum for Seminaries. It also intends to collaborate, in its specific field, in the promotion of liturgical life in the Italian Church and favor the formation of the clergy in the liturgical field.

50 years after its foundation, the Association has its first female President. In the same Assembly, members of the Council were elected: Fr. Marco Gallo, Fr. Luigi Girardi, Fr. Paolo Tomatis, Prof. Valeria Trapani, Fr. Fabio Trudu.

Sr. Elena Massimi is Professor of Liturgy at the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences “Auxilium”, the Salesian Pontifical University (UPS), and the Institute of Pastoral Liturgy of Padua. She is Director of the ‘Liturgical Magazine’. She collaborated on the new edition of the Roman Missal for the music section of the Liturgical Office of the CEI and has several publications to her credit.

On 1 September 2022, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Foundation of the Association, the members participating in the Study Week, accompanied by Archbishop Msgr. Vittorio Francesco Viola, Secretary of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, were received in special audience with Pope Francis.

At the beginning of the audience, the President, Sr. Elena Massimi, addressed the Holy Father thanking him for his Magisterium on the Liturgy: Magnum Principium, which returned translation to the local Churches; Traditionis Custodes, which indicates the safe way to proceed; and finally, the Apostolic Letter Desiderio Desideravi, which underlines the importance of the formation of the People of God.

In his Address, Pope Francis encouraged the members of the APL to carry on the activity of study and research in dialogue with each other and with others, “because even theology can and must have a synodal style, involving the different theological disciplines and human sciences, ‘networking’ also with institutions outside Italy that cultivate and promote liturgical studies.”

He concluded with a wish, “may your study of the liturgy be impregnated with prayer and the living experience of the Church it celebrates, so that liturgical ‘thought’ may always flow like vital lymph from the liturgy lived.”

The FMA Institute wishes that Sr. Elena may continue to put her liturgical competence at the service of the Church with the passion that distinguishes her, bringing the specific educational aspect of the Salesian charism.

6 COMMENTS

  1. Querida Ir. Elena Massimi, parabéns pela eleição. Que o Espírito Santo a ilumine sempre. Sono felice per la tua nomina. Conservo tanti bei ricordi della nostra convivenza a Castelgandolfo. Auguroni!

  2. Parabéns irmã Elena pela sua preparação e aprovação para o importante serviço na Igreja Universal. Que a luz do Espírito Santo e a proteção da Mãe Auxiliadora a acompanhe cada dia.

  3. ¡Felicitaciones Sor Elena!, augurios de una buena misión y un trabajo de equipo conducido por el Espíritu Santo. Le aseguro mis oraciones.

  4. Congratulations, Sr. Elena. Your presence and animation of the APL is our joy and pride on this year of our 150 Anniversary. the Church is made richer by your collaborative presence and expertise.
    Sending prayers of support.

    Sr. Corazon Beboso-Canada

  5. Sincere congratulations sr. Elena. Thank you for taking on this responsibility in our name. Supporting you with our prayer.

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