ILOILO City – “We take it as a challenge, for us priests to limit our homilies.”
The director of the Archdiocese of Jaro’s Social Communication Office, Fr. Angelo Colada, was referring to Pope Francis’ urging that Catholic priests keep their homilies short — no longer than eight minutes — to prevent their audiences from “falling asleep.”
Actually, according to Colada, seminary training already encourages priests to deliver brief, impactful homilies that impart lasting lessons or values.
Pope Francis’ latest instruction might not mean strictly adhering to the eight-minute rule, said Colada, to the extent that priests should end their homilies even if they haven’t delivered their key messages or points.
“It is an invitation for us priests to diligently prepare and reflect on our homilies, as they are the fruit of our prayers and reflections shared with the faithful,” Colada said.
Colada acknowledged that sometimes lengthy homilies may lose their intended message, causing listeners to become bored. However, he also pointed out that there are situations where it is unavoidable for priests to extend their homilies, such as in remote areas where masses are scheduled infrequently. In these cases, priests might take the opportunity to deliver longer sermons to provide catechesis and spiritual experiences.
He added that during barangay or municipal fiestas, priests might need to deliver longer homilies to convey multiple points or messages to the congregation.
Colada said Pope Francis’ statement should be viewed as an opportunity for priests to evaluate and refresh their homiletic practices to ensure they resonate genuinely and meaningfully with their audiences.
“The important thing is that the homily really comes from the heart,” he stressed./PN
