Desiderio desideravi: A Prolegomena to Liturgical Formation? The Relationship between Pastoral Care and the Liturgy Itself in the Process of Formation in the Liturgy

Pope Francis’ apostolic letter Desiderio desideravi, promulgated in 2022, highlights the crux of the formation in the liturgy of the faithful. This has become especially poignant in a contemporary world, where the attribute of the symbol, stemming from a technological world, has stemmed the window into the transcendent (The double meaning of the verb "stem" is intentional). An important point is the role of formation through the liturgy itself. However, how does this formation of the liturgy through the liturgy itself have potential benefit for the faithful? Regarding the experience which the liturgy imparts to the participants, this cannot occur without the role and the dynamics of the whole person involved in the experience. This paper seeks to address the role of pastoral care and its relationship to worship and to show how said process of formation in the liturgy through the liturgy itself can yield the highest spiritual and transformative benefit.