Zairean rite rooted in Congolese culture

Bro Yannick Kabi OSB concludes his examination of the Zairean rite of the Mass. Bro Yannick, a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is currently based at the Our Lady of Exile Abbey at Mt St Benedict.

The Zairean Rite preserves the structure of the Roman Mass while integrating Congolese cultural elements that enrich the liturgical experience.

Entrance and veneration of the altar

The announcer calls the assembly to peace and fraternity, and the congregation responds with joy. The faithful stand to welcome the procession with songs and dances. The priest venerates the altar by kissing each corner, symbolising his respect for God and his bond with the community.

In African traditions, chiefs demonstrate their authority over their domain. Similarly, in the Zairean Rite, the priest represents spiritual leadership by kissing each corner of the altar, signifying his care for all, his unity with God, and his bond with the congregation through humility and reverence.

Liturgy of the Saints and invocation of ancestors and the Gloria

Before the Gloria, the saints and virtuous ancestors are invoked, emphasising the connection between ancestral memory and the communion of saints. According to Fr Kabasele Lumbala, the term ‘ancestor’ refers to those who led a virtuous life, unlike the Roman perspective that equates it with all the dead.

This highlights the profound ties to ancestral veneration rooted in African religious thought. It shows how this bond serves as a foundational pillar of spiritual understanding, increasingly recognised by contemporary theologians and scholars (Moloney 1988, 433–442).

In the Zairean Rite, the Gloria preserves the Roman liturgy’s wording but gains a vibrant dimension with a joyful dance, performed by the priest and altar ministers around the altar, symbolising Christ as the cornerstone of life and society.

Inspired by African traditions of dancing around fire to signify community, celebration, and purification, this ritual expresses gratitude and praise, connecting Christ, the source of light and life, with the communal vitality celebrated in African culture.

The Liturgy of the Word uses local languages (Swahili, Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba) to strengthen connection and aid conversion.

During the Gospel procession, Christ’s voice is honoured amidst the faithful. The ‘Nkumu’, a lay narrator and figure of wisdom, introduces key moments while representing community elders.

Readers first receive the priest’s blessing before reading. The homily transitions fluidly into the Creed and Penitential Rite, creating a progression from proclamation to reflection and repentance.

In the Zairean Mass, the Gesture of Peace follows the homily, Creed, and Kyrie, highlighting community and reconciliation. Reflecting Matthew 5:23–25, reconciliation with God through the Word precedes peace among the assembly. Unlike the Roman Rite, the Sign of Peace is exchanged before approaching the altar for the Eucharistic Prayer, accompanied by a song for peace. (Raymond Moloney, The Zairean Mass and Inculturation, Worship 62, no 5 [1988]: 433–42)

The Eucharistic Table invites the community to actively engage in the Eucharist, fostering unity and shared worship. The celebration incorporates African-inspired melodies for acclamations, the preface, and the doxology, complemented by vibrant songs, dances, and a joyous procession of offerings—including monetary gifts, donations, and Bread and Wine.

Reflecting the spirit of Psalm 118:27, “The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us,” liturgical prayers take the form of a dynamic dialogue between priest and assembly, enhancing communal participation.

While following the Roman Rite, the Mass often closes with a hymn of thanksgiving, encouraging song and dance as contemporary expressions of praise, though accepted with varying enthusiasm.

In the Zairean Rite, the distinctive placement of liturgical vestments, notably the priest’s stole worn over the chasuble, serves as a visible emblem of authority comparable to leadership insignia.

Although this practice diverges from the instructions outlined in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (§337) and Redemptionis Sacramentum (§123), it embodies African cultural traditions, where authority is outwardly displayed.

The Zairean Rite exemplifies the teaching of St John Paul II that “grace does not destroy nature but perfects it.” By integrating music, dance, language, and ancestral memory, the Rite manifests how the Gospel can illuminate and elevate local culture.

Nonetheless, pastoral challenges remain: the need for clear catechesis to prevent syncretism or folklorisation; the length of celebrations, which sometimes discourages clergy who opt for shorter Roman Rite liturgies with limited Zairean elements; and the necessity of well-trained ministers to ensure proper implementation.

The National Episcopal Conference of Congo has recommended reasonable lengths for celebrations.

Despite these challenges, the Zairean Rite continues to inspire liturgical creativity worldwide. Pope Francis cited it as a valuable example for other regions—such as the Amazon—that seek authentic inculturation. Fr Michel Libambu affirms that this Rite expresses the Church as the “family of God,” harmonising universality and African identity.

This Rite is a living testimony of the Catholic faith adapted and fully rooted in Congolese culture, highlighting music, dance, and traditional symbols while preserving its Christian authenticity.