By Gradire Kimbodi
Introduction: Liturgical Innovation Rooted in Culture
In 1988, the Vatican officially approved the Zairian Rite, a liturgical form tailored for the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire). This unique Eucharistic celebration is more than just a regional variation; it is the “only inculturated form of the Catholic Mass approved after the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II). It stands as a powerful, prophetic embodiment of the second Vatican vision of a global Church embracing cultural diversity in worship.
Vatican II marked a turning point in how the Church engaged with the modern world. For the first time, the Catholic Church officially acknowledged that it must interact with and integrate cultures beyond its traditional Mediterranean roots. This vision was articulated in Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, which recognized the deep bond between liturgy and culture. The document encouraged adaptation of the liturgy to reflect the cultural contexts in which it is celebrated, urging the Church to foster full and active participation of the faithful.
History of Inculturation: Before and After the Council
Efforts to inculturate the liturgy were not entirely new. Historical cases such as the Chinese Rites controversy in the 17th and 18th centuries illustrate the Church’s longstanding struggle with local cultural expressions of faith. In Africa, prior to Vatican II, various experimental liturgies had already emerged, especially in “mission countries,” a term once used to describe non-Western nations. The bishops of the Congo, following Vatican II, naturally extended these earlier efforts by formally requesting the development of a localized rite.
The development of the Zairean Rite is closely tied to the influence of the **Belgian Liturgical Movement**, which strongly advocated for liturgical reform and adaptation. As a former Belgian colony, the Congolese Church was deeply impacted by these reformist ideals. Empowered by the theological underpinnings of Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Congolese bishops championed a liturgy that would resonate with their people’s cultural symbols and spiritual expressions.
Uniqueness of the Zairian Rite
Though based on the Roman Rite, the Zairean Rite integrates African cultural elements in both structure and spirit. Key distinctions include:
a) The Role of the Announcer
An announcer leads the assembly into worship, symbolizing communal gathering in the African model of assembly and leadership akin to a tribal chief. The announcer plays the role of a village crier. They introduce the mass, and every other aspect related to it; the entrance, the Gloria, the readings, and the announcements.
b) Invocation of Saints and Ancestors
One of the most debated features of the Zairean Rite is the invocation of both saints and ancestors during the liturgy. This inclusion reflects the deep African reverence for lineage and heritage, where ancestors hold a vital place in communal life. Given the Rite’s African foundations, the Congolese Episcopal Conference (CENCO) deemed it essential to incorporate this element. In many African cultures, significant actions especially sacred ones, are not undertaken without acknowledging the presence of the ancestors. Importantly, those invoked in the liturgy are individuals believed to have lived exemplary lives, serving as moral and spiritual models for the community.
c) Penitential Rite and Peace Gesture Placement
In the Zairian Rite, the penitential rite is placed after the homily and the creed, rather than at the beginning of the celebration as in the Roman Rite. This structure emphasizes the primacy of communion with God as the first step in worship. After hearing the Word of God which reveals human sinfulness and inspires conversion, the community enters a moment of purification.
This placement reflects traditional African rituals, where purification follows initial preparatory acts. It allows the penitential rite to serve as a response to the transformative power of God’s Word, strengthening the assembly’s resolution for a renewed life.
Reconciliation in this context is twofold: vertical (between God and the faithful) and *horizontal** (among people). The sign of peace, placed after the penitential rite, symbolizes restored harmony and unity, affirming that the worshippers are now one reconciled family in God, in accordance with Matthew 5:24.
Conclusion: A Rite for the Whole Church The Zairian Rite is more than a regional adaptation; it is a prophetic model for the global Church. In an age when Catholicism continues to grow most rapidly in the Global South, the question of liturgical inculturation is not optional. It is essential