Pope’s Plea for Shorter Homilies Falls on Deaf Ears

ML Satyan –

I wish to begin this write-up with two examples.

Two months ago, I attended a Holy Mass that exemplified this issue. The priest began with an introduction that stretched nearly ten minutes. Following the Gospel reading, he delivered a homily that lasted thirty-five minutes. Just before the final thanksgiving prayer, he offered a seven-minute message. Being a charismatic person, he sang five songs during the Mass. In total, the Mass lasted an exhausting two hours and ten minutes.

On another occasion, a young priest celebrated his first Mass at St. Antony’s Shrine church. His homily alone lasted twenty-five minutes, contributing to a total Mass duration of one hour and forty-five minutes. These experiences raise a critical question: Are priests truly aware of the impact of their lengthy sermons on their congregations?

Pope Francis has articulated his concerns about lengthy homilies on multiple occasions. He stated, “Priests sometimes talk a lot and people do not understand what they are talking about. Priests should keep their messages to eight minutes because after that time attention is lost and people fall asleep.” His call for brevity is not merely about time; it is about making the message accessible and meaningful. The homily should evoke an image, a thought, or a feeling that parishioners can carry with them beyond the church walls.

A closer examination of many homilies reveals that over 80% of the content often lacks relevance to the congregation’s lives. The homily should serve as a platform for priests to address pressing socio-economic and political issues affecting their communities. For instance, during Mass on Independence Day, one would expect a priest to inspire patriotism and reflect on current events. Yet, in my experiences of attending Mass in Bengaluru and Coimbatore, the focus remained solely on the Assumption of Mary, neglecting the opportunity to connect faith with national identity.

An illustrative anecdote further highlights the disconnect between priests and their congregations. During a Sunday Mass, a priest delivered an eloquent homily on “Heaven and Hell.” He invited those who wished to go to heaven to stand, and nearly everyone complied. However, one man in the back remained seated. The priest made the people to sit down. He then said, “All those who want to go to hell please stand up”. The man on the last bench stood up with great hesitation. The surprised priest asked him, “Why do you want to go to hell?” The man replied, “Father, I saw you standing alone. In order to give you company to go to hell, I stood up.”

This humorous yet poignant exchange underscores how emotional responses often overshadow rational engagement during lengthy sermons.

I had the opportunity to interact with a few priests and a retired bishop about the instruction of Pope Francis on the duration of a homily. They all gave the same answer: “What can we preach in seven to eight minutes?” These answers are a clear indication that they have not understood what the Pope has said. The priests want to make use of the occasion of the Eucharist as an opportunity to “bulldoze”. They think that they have to talk as much as possible and as long as possible. In the whole exercise, their “ego” dominates and nothing else.

Among the church-goers there are many senior citizens and children who cannot sit for a long time. There are also people with health issues who find it difficult to sit for more than thirty to forty-five minutes. I have seen many elderly people rushing to toilet soon after the Mass. Are the priests really bothered about such people? No. The priests think that when the people come to church they are under their control. Hence, priests take undue advantage of the presence of the people. They keep “bombarding” with their loud songs and lengthy homilies.

As far as I know, there are Parish Council, Catholic Sabha, Mahila Sangh and Youth Group and Pious Associations. I have never seen a parish having a permanent “Liturgical Committee”. Why? The priests think that liturgy is their “specialised area” and no one should interfere in it. Hence, the priests do “whatever they want” in the liturgical celebrations. Liturgical books, authorised by Rome and the local bishops’ conferences, exist. Yet, each priest celebrates Eucharist in “his own style”. This can be witnessed in every Catholic Church.

The time has come for both priests and laity to awaken to the reality that liturgy is a celebration of life. Every liturgical celebration should be meaningful, fostering a genuine connection between the congregation and the message being delivered. Pope Francis’s plea for brevity in homilies is not merely a suggestion; it is a call to action for priests to engage their congregations effectively.

As the Church continues to evolve, it is crucial for priests to embrace the Pope’s guidance on homily length. By prioritizing clarity, relevance, and brevity, priests can create a more engaging and spiritually enriching experience for their congregations, ensuring that the Word of God resonates long after the Mass has concluded. The challenge lies not only in the words spoken from the pulpit but in the willingness of priests to listen and adapt to the needs of their parishioners.