A highpoint of the symposium was the liturgy in the Rite
Zaiois de la Messe. Developed over a 100 year period under the leadership of
Cardinal Joseph Malula, Archbishop of Kinshasa, the “Zairian Rite Mass" is
perhaps the most creative response to Vatican II’s mandate for indigenous
liturgical expression in the world.  Those who, like myself, were enamored of
the Rev. Guido Haazen’s "Missa Luba" of 10 years ago will find it but a faint
foreshadowing of the Zairian Mass.

   
While it is unmistakably the Roman Catholic Eucharist, everything in the
celebration has been adapted to the African culture with the help of experts in
evangelization, anthropology, liturgy and African ritual.  The uncluttered
sanctuary was brightly painted in white, red, green and black traditional
African patterns.  The flowing robes of the choir, ministers and celebrants were
woven in green, brown and orange.  The language was not the French of the
Belgian colonialist but the native African tongue.  The rite began with the
"announcer" dramatically coming down the aisle striking a gong-like instrument
calling the assembly to prayer.  The ministers of the mass entered in a swaying
dance-like procession. The solemn processional candles were alternated with
spear-like ornaments. 

    The celebrant wore a very ample and festive chasuble.  His
head was covered with a ceremonial cap that indicated that he represents the
whole clan, the people of God.  He venerated the altar on all four sides with
great reverence.  During the Eucharistic Prayer the sanctuary was surrounded by
a circle of ministers moving in eloquent gestures of prayerful awe.
The rite lasted about two hours, but it seemed much shorter because of the rich
atmosphere of prayer and celebration.  The ebullience of the congregation was
contagious. Chants, applause, acclamation, spontaneous prayer and dialogue with
the priest added to the familiar atmosphere. The music was extraordinary. 
Drums, tom-toms, guitars, accordions and ancient African instruments provided
the background for the enthusiastic singing.  And everyone sang, the old, the
young, men and women. The church was packed and every participant was caught up
in the spiritual rapture of sound.  As we sang we sculpted the air with our
hands in clap-like gestures that embodied the meaning of each song. Though we
did not know one word of the language, we never felt outside the bonds of
spiritual communion electrifying the congregation of St. Alphonse de Kin-Matete. 
I do not believe that there is anything like it anywhere else in the world.  The
Americans present agreed that praying in this way was an experience of a
lifetime.