“. In it, I propose seven criteria — four canonical and three pastoral — for evaluating whether something is potentially a legitimate liturgical custom or simply a tacky liturgical gimmick.
The four canonical criteria I propose are:
1) Are the majority of the faithful within the community favorable, or at least not opposed, to the proposed custom? (cf can. 23)
2) Is the practice contrary to the Divine Law? (cf. can 24, par. 1)
3) Is the practice reasonable? (cf. can 24, par. 2)
4) Has the practice been expressly forbidden by the competent legislator? (cf. can. 26)
Additionally, the three pastoral criteria I propose are:
1) In the common estimation of most people, would such a practice be a gimmick to entertain them, or a custom from which they could draw spiritual significance?
2) Is the proposed custom fitting for the community in question?
3) Does the proposed custom facilitate and/or enhance the liturgy, drawing people deeper into the liturgy? Or does it simply draw attention to itself, limiting its appeal to a select few within the community, while leaving the majority of the faithful cold as to its meaning?