Contact information for the Office for Divine Worship
Phone: 215-587-3537
Email: worship@adphila.org

Contact information for the Office for Liturgical Music
Phone:215-587-3696
Email: jromeri@adphila.org

Website: https://www.archdiocese-phl.org/evangelization/worship/worship.htm

The Office for Divine Worship serves as a resource for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  The Office provides in a general way for the ongoing liturgical formation of the clergy and faithful, with a special emphasis on the formation of liturgical ministers.

The Office for Divine Worship assists the Archbishop with the preparation and planning of all the liturgical celebrations in the Archdiocese for which he is the celebrant.  The Office also assists the Rector of the Cathedral-Basilica with the preparation of all archdiocesan liturgical celebrations celebrated at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral-Basilica.  This also includes the principal liturgical celebrations of the Church Year at the Cathedral-Basilica.  The Office assists with the liturgical celebrations associated with the various offices of the Secretariat for Evangelization.

The Office for Divine Worship assists pastors and those in parishes and schools who are responsible for sacramental liturgical preparation and celebration.  This assistance includes directives, consultation and workshops.  These workshops are often in conjunction with other offices of the Archdiocese.  This Office assists with the formation of leaders in the initiation of adults and the Archdiocesan celebration of the rites for the initiation of adults.  Additionally, the Office provides on-going direction for the liturgical celebration of adult initiation in parishes.

The Office for Divine Worship moderates the training and appointment of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for all institutions throughout the Archdiocese.  All new Extraordinary Ministers, after selection by their pastor/chaplain, are expected to attend one of the Archdiocesan Training Sessions in addition to training on the local level.  A pastor/chaplain should inform the Office for Worship if he conducts his own training session.  Once the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is properly trained, then a letter of appointment is sent in the name of Archbishop Chaput by the Office for Worship.  All parishes and institutions maintain their own records of active Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

The Office for Divine Worship sponsors an annual workshop for coordinators of parish lectors and lectors.

The Office for Divine Worship, with the assistance of the Office for Liturgical Music, directed by Dr. John Romeri, plans the liturgical music for all Archdiocesan celebrations and Cathedral-Basilica celebrations.  Dr. John Romeri is available to parishes for consultation on liturgical music, formation of liturgical music ministers and assistance with the purchase/maintenance of new musical instruments. The Office for Divine Worship, in conjunction with the Association of Church Musicians of Philadelphia, fosters and coordinates formation programs for liturgical musicians.

The Office for Divine Worship provides guidance for the liturgical arrangement and appointments for new and renovated churches and chapels.

The Commission, re-established in 2008, promotes authentic celebrations of the Liturgy, as well as the ongoing formation of the ordained and baptized, and to respond to liturgical needs and issues.  The Commission will eventually include two sub-committees, one on music and the other on art and architecture.  Membership is by appointment by the Archbishop.

The Liturgical Studies Certificate can be obtained through the Graduate School of Theology and Program of Catholic Studies at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.  The Liturgical Studies Certificate Program is for those interested in more formal instruction on the Sacred Liturgy.  More information on the certificate program is found on the website for Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Each parish has a designated contact, identified by the pastor, with the Office for Divine Worship.  These contacts receive regular electronic communications for publication and dissemination to the appropriate parish coordinators.

Reverend Gerald Dennis Gill, Director
Dr. John Romeri, Director of the Office for Liturgical Music
Mary Ann Johnson, Program Coordinator

Eighth Floor
222 North Seventeenth Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103