An Insight into Professor Mary Healy’s New Role in the Church
On January 11, 2025, Pope Francis appointed Professor Mary Healy to the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
This is a significant move for Healy, who has been a professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Michigan and is known for her work in Scripture and her leadership in Catholic renewal movements.
Her Background and Expertise
Healy, originally from New York, was already serving as a consultor to the dicastery before her formal appointment.
She holds a doctorate from the Pontifical Gregorian University, along with other advanced degrees.
Since 2008, she has taught Scripture at the Detroit-based seminary, and in 2014, Pope Francis named her to the Pontifical Biblical Commission, a position she was reappointed to in 2021.
Her expertise is not limited to Scripture; she’s also an active member of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and chairs CHARIS, the Charismatic Renewal International Service in Rome.
Healy is the author of several books, including Healing: Bringing the Gift of God’s Mercy to the World and Men and Women are from Eden.
Additionally, she’s the general editor of the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, where she authored volumes on The Gospel of Mark and The Gospel of Hebrews.
The Role of the Dicastery for Divine Worship
The Dicastery for Divine Worship, headed by British Cardinal Arthur Roche, plays an essential role in guiding the Church’s liturgy practices.
Its primary focus is the promotion of the sacraments, the Mass, and the liturgies of the Latin rite.
The dicastery consists of cardinals, bishops, priests, religious, and laypeople from all over the world.
Its mission includes ensuring the faithful adherence to Church laws and liturgical norms.
As Healy explained in an interview, the dicastery isn’t currently working on reforms to liturgical rites themselves.
Instead, the focus is on fulfilling Pope Francis’s call for deeper liturgical formation for all Catholics.
This formation aims to help the faithful experience the transformative power of the liturgy in their own lives.
Healy’s Unique Perspective
Being a layperson, Healy brings a fresh viewpoint to the dicastery’s work, one that complements the perspectives of ordained ministers.
Along with another new lay member, Donna Orsuto, Healy offers the perspective of a member of the congregation, someone who participates in the liturgy through the “common priesthood of the faithful.
” Healy finds this addition of lay perspectives to the dicastery a beautiful complement to the Church’s overall liturgical approach.
Vatican II’s Ongoing Relevance
Healy spoke passionately about the ongoing mission of the Second Vatican Council, which aimed to renew the Church for a more effective mission in the world.
The council’s goal was to deepen holiness within the Church to better share the Gospel with the world, and Healy believes that the Church needs to continue to focus on this goal.
One important step for achieving this renewal, she recommends, is making the study of the Bible a central focus for Catholics.
She’s noticed a growing hunger for Scripture, reflected in the success of resources like Father Mike Schmitz’s Bible in a Year podcast.
Understanding the Bible, Healy argues, helps Catholics fully participate in the liturgy, especially as they approach the ultimate act of salvation—the sacrifice of Christ.
Evangelization and the Charisms of the Spirit
Healy also stresses the importance of evangelization and openness to the Holy Spirit.
She points out that the Holy Spirit not only animates the Scriptures but also brings the sacraments to life. In her view, Catholics need to continually renew their commitment to evangelization, sharing their faith with others as a way of invigorating their own.
Countering Misinterpretations of Vatican II
When asked about countering movements that misinterpret or disparage Vatican II, Healy emphasized the need to speak the truth about the council’s achievements.
She reminded listeners that the council brought to light truths that had been neglected, such as the baptismal priesthood of the faithful and the role of laypeople in the Church’s mission.
However, she also noted that many Catholics today are unfamiliar with the council’s teachings, and there is a need for better catechesis on these matters, especially in seminaries and parishes.
Supporting Pope Francis’s Initiatives
Healy expressed her hope that she could help promote the full, active, and conscious participation of the faithful in the liturgy, one of the key goals of the liturgical reforms initiated by Vatican II.
She described the liturgy as a moment when Catholics should be fully present to the Lord, not just physically attending Mass but bringing their entire hearts, minds, and souls to the experience.
Vatican II and the Young Generation
In her conversation, Healy also touched on how important it is for young Catholics to understand Vatican II. Many young people are drawn to tradition, seeking something lasting and beautiful in a world often focused on fleeting trends.
Healy explained that Vatican II didn’t reject tradition but rather aimed to deepen it, preserving essential aspects while discarding those that had become less effective in communicating the mystery of Christ.
Charismatic Renewal and Personal Transformation
Healy’s involvement in the charismatic renewal movement began in her youth when her parents joined a charismatic prayer group.
Through her experience, she came to understand the profound effect of the Holy Spirit on personal faith.
While not everyone is called to the specific style of the charismatic movement, Healy believes that all Catholics should remain open to the Holy Spirit and embrace the charisms given to the Church for its mission.
The Need for Mystagogical Catechesis
Lastly, Healy emphasized the importance of “mystagogical catechesis,” a type of catechesis that leads people into the mysteries of the faith, particularly the Eucharist.
She argued that in today’s culture, which often overlooks the sacramental life, people are in desperate need of this deeper understanding.
The dicastery’s role, she noted, would not be to conduct this catechesis itself but to provide resources and guidance to ensure it’s done effectively at the local level.
Healy’s insights reveal not only her deep commitment to the Church’s mission but also her belief in the transformative power of the liturgy, the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit in the life of every Catholic.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn