Episode 35: Mary Anne Urlakis interviews Rev. Mr. Lucas LaRoche, seminarian for the Diocese of Worcester, MA (May 18, 2021)

Rev. Mr. Lucas LaRoche is Dr. Mary Anne Urlakis’ guest on Episode 35 of WCAT Radio’s “Vows, Vocations, & Promises: Discerning the Call of Love.” Deacon Lucas LaRoche is a seminarian, for the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts and is currently in his first year in the Licentiate in Sacred Theology in Patristic Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University while simultaneously completing his final year at the Pontifical North American College. Deacon Lucas wrote the thesis for his Bachelor’s in Sacred Theology on the Zairian Use of the Mass, which was a fruit of his long interest in liturgy, after working with the parishes in his Diocese, as well as local Melkite and Extraordinary Form communities.

In this interview, in addition to discussing his vocational journey, Deacon Lucas details his fascinating research which was recently published in Ex Latere Christi, the Journal of the Pontifical North American College, in a paper entitled: “Inculturation in the Roman Rite (2021_Winter_Digital.indd (netdna-ssl.com).” The subject of liturgical inculturation within the Church is significant and timely, and Deacon LaRoche’s extensive research spans continents and cultures, as well as reviews the salient magisterial documents. In his paper, Deacon Lucas defines “Inculturation” as: “. . . . when the Gospel takes on some cultural elements which are neither native nor vital to the kerygma to better articulate the truth of its proclamation to a group of people (p. 84-85).” In this interview, Deacon Lucas explains the ways in which various traditions and cultures have authentic liturgical expression in the Roman Rite, while delineating the methods requisite to safeguarding the integrity of the Liturgy.