Catholics on the First Coast may see some changes in how they celebrate Mass in coming months.
Jacksonville-area church leaders say a directive from the Vatican is expected by Pentecost, which is May 19.
The goal is to increase reverence in America's Catholic churches and to encourage consistency in all parishes, said Bernie Sans, who serves on the Diocese of St. Augustine's liturgical commission.
"We've become somewhat lazy, lax and irreverent over the years," said Sans, director of liturgical music at Christ the King in Arlington. "The church is calling us back."
Kathleen Bagg-Morgan, communications director for the Diocese of St. Augustine, said Bishop Victor Galeone didn't want to be interviewed because he wasn't sure what the changes would be and he felt uncomfortable discussing a directive that has yet to be finalized. However, Bagg-Morgan said that Galeone expects the changes to be minor and cosmetic.
Some changes may vary from parish to parish.
For example, Sans said, ministers at Christ the King have been distributing Holy Communion in both the front and rear of the church to save time.
"That's wrong," Sans said. "We are going to change it."
All parishioners will have to go forward to the altar to receive Communion, he said.
Also, parishioners may be asked to remain standing until all members of the congregation have gone to the altar, received Communion and returned to their seat. Then, when all have returned, the congregation as one will kneel and meditate.
At present, each parishioner kneels immediately after returning to his or her seat after receiving Communion.
Another change may affect the timing of the sign of peace. The sign of peace is a ritual near the end of Mass when parishioners shake hands and say, "Peace be with you."
The ritual may be moved to the first half of the service, before the offering is collected. In scripture, the apostle Paul says Christians should make peace before they present gifts and offerings, Sans said.
The Rev. Tom Willis, pastor of Most Holy Redeemer on the Westside, is the chairman of the liturgical commission for the diocese. Willis recently discussed some possible changes with Christ the King's congregation.
Sans, who attended Willis' presentation, said he was pleasantly surprised by the reaction of his parishioners.
"They all turned around and said to each other, 'It's about time,''' Sans said. "It was the most wonderful spirit. They said, 'Let's do it now.'''
Ed Carmona of Orange Park drives more than 40 miles on Sunday mornings to attend services at the 92-year-old Immaculate Conception in downtown Jacksonville, where Mass is sometimes offered in Latin.
Carmona said he was pleased to hear about efforts to bring the church back to tradition.
"We've been getting away from Rome," he said. "It's good that changes are coming."