The Zaire Use or Roman Missal for the Dioceses of Zaire is a variation of the most common Mass of the Roman Catholic Church. While containing many of the elements of the Ordinary Form of the Mass of the Roman Rite, it incorporates elements from sub-SaharanAfrican culture, particularly Congolese, a process referred to as inculturation. Additionally, the Zaire Use may refer to the adjusted sacramental rites utilized by the Congolese dioceses. The Zaire Use form of the Mass is unrelated to the earlier defunct African Rite. It is largely a product of the Second Vatican Council's constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, particularly the move "for legitimate variations and adaptations to different groups, regions, and peoples, especially in mission lands, provided that the substantial unity of the Roman rite is preserved." Promulgated by the decree Zairensium Dioecesium on April 30, 1988, by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Missel romain pour les diocèses du Zaïre is an attempt to inculturate the Roman Missal in an African context, inspired by the liturgical reform initiated at the Second Vatican Council. The missal is now officially entitled Congolese Missal for the dioceses of Zaire.
History
It follows the 1956 Masses of the Savanes in Upper Volta and of the Piroguieres and the 1958 Missa Luba in Zaire. Following the 1970 authorization from the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the 1973 draft presentation of a new Order of the Mass from the Commission on Evangelization, the Episcopal Conference in Zaire approved its use experimentally. As the "Zairean Rite," it was adopted formally in 1985. On 1 December 2019, Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the first Sunday of Advent in Saint Peter's Basilica using this rite to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the first chaplaincy for the Congolese Catholic community in Rome.
Differences from the Ordinary Form
Liturgical calendar
Under pressure from Zairean PresidentMobutu Sese Seko to remove Western influences as part of broader cultural reforms, a 1975 synod of the Congolese Episcopal Conference chose to not celebrate various feasts venerating saints when they fall during the week, moving their celebration to the nearest Sunday. This choice was approved by the Holy See. Similar pressures from the Seko government inspired a revision of the practice of baptismal names, with some families selecting traditionally native African names for common use and baptismal names such as "Grâce à Dieu" and "Gloire à Dieu."
Adjustment of the liturgy
Distinct from the Ordinary Form, the congregation stands in the presence of Christ–rather than kneeling–and there is an "invocation of the Ancestors of upright heart" in addition to the invocation of the saints. The intention of the latter act is the veneration of only "ancestors" "who have lived in an exemplary way." The Penitential Act is performed following the homily or the recitation of the Creed. One state intention for this placement is that only after listening to scripture that the congregation is able to seek forgiveness. Servers are permitted to dance around the altar as a form of veneration. Dancing is also permitted for the bringing gifts to those in need. Priests dress in traditional African priestly vestments.
Participation of the laity
The Zaire Use was created with intention to better incorporate the congregation into the celebration of the Mass. To do this, responses were added, including one at the conclusion of the homily and Eucharistic prayer. Additionally, the congregation is explicitly welcomed to raise their hands for the Lord's Prayer, a practice variously allowed or prohibited by episcopal conferences utilizing the Ordinary Form. Due to awareness of culturally-normative displays of respect and attentiveness in the Congo, the congregation sits for the reading of the Gospel. An announcer also calls the congregation to attention at points in the liturgy. Dancing among the congregants is permitted.
