Chapter VI (B) develops one main point, answers one question from the lay faithful, our listeners: What Lay Faithful Expect from Preachers?
- PREACHERS AND LISTENERS
With God’s grace and his hard work, the preacher develops the qualities of good speakers and preachers. Norms of eloquence teach him to preach sermons or homilies with these qualities: brief, poignant, direct, using the style and language of the times, speaking with confidence (self-confidence) and with courage. A speech, a sermon is like the waves of the sea: some are higher than others; some are wilder than others; some are beautiful, others are rough; some are foamier than others. The voice of the preacher at times is louder, at times soft, at times fast, at times slow, and at times it is silent…
Following Carl R. Rogers, experts in homiletics underline three qualities of the preacher regarding his listeners: unconditional positive acceptance of the other, empathetic or empathic understanding and authenticity.
Unconditional positive acceptance of the other. This implies respect and love of the other – of all others. “He who has no love of neighbor should not dedicate himself to the office of preaching” (St. Gregory the Great, quoted by F. J. Calvo, 90). “My listeners are not my enemies, but my brothers and sisters” (R. Zerfass, quoted by F. J. Calvo, 90). Best example: Jesus’ encounter with the woman caught in adultery (cf. Jn 8:1-12).
Empathetic understanding. Empathy is a bit different from sympathy: empathy enables a person to place himself or herself in the shoes or place of another – of the listeners. If the preacher talks to the head but not to the heart of listeners, he will not move them to action.
Authenticity. The preacher presents himself as he is, not as an actor or politician. He shows his words as authentic, sincere, and truthful. He means what he says. When I invite people to love Jesus I have to be in love with Jesus. “The Word needs good drivers” (F. J. Calvo, 92): preachers are driving people to the Word, to renewal of faith. Our preaching comes not only from books but from our hearts. “Qui no ardit non incendit” - he who does not burn does not fire up people. “Only he who is convinced can convince; only he who is burning can inflame; only he who loves can wake up love.” (cf. F. J. Calvo, 92). “Cor ad cor loquitur” - the heart talks to the heart.
- WHAT LAY FAITHFUL EXPECT FROM DOMINICAN PREACHERS:
A PARISH SURVEY
Dr. Armando de Jesus was then the Director of the UST Social Research Center. With his staff, he conducted a survey in the Santissimo Rosario Parish in the University of Santo Tomas campus.
SAMPLE: Sunday Mass attendants, about 12 thousand per Sunday. Sample: 2915. More women and young people than men and old people.
RESULTS: The majority of participants are basically satisfied with the homilies pronounced by Dominicans in the Eucharistic celebrations of Sunday. Among the positive highlights: 79 per cent like the way the Sacred Scriptures are commented, 67 per cent like the way the preachers speak of social issues (although some consider this item not positively), and 76 per cent appreciate the personal experiences and issues of the preachers. The majority like the treatment of practical issues and new insights, and the use of simple language easily understood, and lively and interesting delivery. Fully satisfied: 57 per sent; not fully satisfied, 43 per cent. The more satisfied are women and the less satisfied, educated and regular worshippers. The least satisfied are the younger and the highly educated people. Many underlined the lack of preparation of some priests and the seemingly defective spirituality of the preacher. (Cf. Armando F. De Jesus, UST Social Research Center, “Perceptions of Parishioners on Dominican Preaching,” Boletin Eclesiastico de Filipinas, Vol LXXXI, No. 851 [November-December, 2005], 757-770)
- RETREAT ONPREACHING AND DOMINICAN PREACHERS
Although the Retreat took place years ago (April 17-22, 2000), I think that it is still generally relevant. I wrote some notes then. Here they are: some specific - and interesting - comments from the speakers in said Retreat on Preaching and Dominican Preaching. (This is the first time these notes are published)
Bishop Teodoro Bacani, Jr.
He is considered one of the best preachers in the Philippines. His comments.
It is essential for the preacher to understand that he is speaking the Word of God to this congregation. We only preach when we seek conversion and (in the Philippines), “you have to make people laugh or cry.” Preach the substance of our faith, with illustrating stories (some jokes, perhaps), personal experiences. “The Holy Spirit preaches through you.” Have a dialogue, a conversation with the people. At least, let them say Amen! Make them remember the key point of your sermon; let them repeat it. Pray to God.
Prepare well your sermon. Prepare yourself to preach (holiness, an honest life). Once he read his sermon to the people: “I read my sermon once. After this, I promised not to read it again.” “Let us live according to the Gospel, and speak about what you have experienced. Our lives speak louder than our tongue.”
Msgr. Sabino Vengco
Diocesan priest. Professor of homiletics, well-known preacher. He started his talk by quoting St. Augustine: “The Word of God is the sacramentum audibile.” The priest has munus docendi (the Word of God) and munus sanctificandi (the Sacraments). Christ was Teacher, Priest and Shepherd. He is the model of preachers who are teachers of the Word, priests of worship and sacrament, and shepherds of the flock (cf. Vatican II, OT, 4). Vatican II rediscover for us the Word of God.
The transmission of the Word of God is an event: the presence of God in the proclamation of the Word – in the word proclaimed. The preacher proclaims Christ, not himself. The proclamation of the Word as sacramental encounter.
Who can preach the Word? The priest who is on fire, who loves and lives the Word – like the disciples of Emmaus. No to intellectualism in preaching the Word, which is an existential encounter.
Our preaching the Word is life-giving, but only if the preacher lives it, if it is life-giving for him. The preacher is a living witness of the Word.
Bishop Teodoro Buhain
Bishop Buhain, a much-loved shepherd of souls, feels close to the Dominicans. He began his talk by reminding us of our motto: contemplata aliis tradere, and of the fact that the life of the first Dominican convents was “sacra praedicatio” (St. Dominic).
Among the advices the good bishop gave us concerning the homily: The homily is liturgical preaching rooted in the readings of the Scriptures, in particular the Gospels. It should focus on the main point, and last no more than ten minutes. Prepare it well, consider specific audience, “use simple language and recite examples” (St. Vincent Ferrer).
He added five simple suggestions: (1) Listen to the readings of the word being proclaimed. (2) Speak from the heart – to change the lives of the assembly; this is possible if we are witnesses; if not, we still preach the word and painfully realize our unworthiness. (3) Respect the assembly – know them. (4) Always bring the Good News – joy! (5) Preach from the chair (sitting is a posture of conversation).
Mr. Lito Zulueta
Lito Zulueta is a well-known Filipino journalist, professor of mass media at the University of Santo Tomas and the adviser of the famous UST student newspaper The Varsitarian. He was asked to share with the UST Dominican community of about 40 his experiences on the preaching of the Dominicans.
He began by saying that the youth is restless. For them the supercomputer is the Big Brother. For many of the young, life seems to be meaningless. In this technological world of ours the uncritical mind predominates.
He suggests the use of internet for preaching. He thinks that our preaching is like a monologue and a bit paternalistic. He recommends a dialogical preaching as in a computer chat imbued with the fire of the Spirit. Zulueta added that the best preacher is the witness: one who preaches what he teaches by his life.
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hilario
The Christian couple spoke mainly of preaching to families. Mrs. Hilario is a faculty member of the UST College of Engineering where she teaches ethics and theology.
Homilies have a great importance for families. They addressed us: “You preach to make disciples. Teach us to love. Show us how to forgive.” The values of the Gospel are contrary to the values of the world.
Preaching today must turn from academic to pastoral. The importance of stories and personal experiences. Give us one-liners to remember. (E. g., “The family that prays together stays together”).
In preaching, most important is witnessing by the preacher. The goal of preaching is not eloquence but conversion. Follow Christ way of preaching: his life; his preaching from reality to conversion; put yourselves in the shoes of the disciples.
Dr. and Mrs. Vicente Rosales
A couple of professors at the University of Santo Tomas. Mrs. Piedad Rosales, a popular and loved teacher at the UST College of Arts and Letters, and Dr. Vicente Rosales, a professor at the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and an outstanding speaker on medical issues and ethics. Both of them were much sought-after speakers. Dr. Rosales was a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life (PAV).
They both underlined that there are different means of preaching, not only from the pulpit.
Comments on the Sunday Homily. The homily is for many “a necessary evil,” as part of the Mass. Dr. Rosales liked in particular a concrete preacher (Spanish) for these reasons: (1) No more than 10 minutes. (2) Clarity. (3) He preaches as a sinner: he does not say “You sinners,” but “we” sinners - inclusive as part of the audience. (4) In a homily, develop 3 or 4 ideas only.
For them, listening to a homily is difficult but necessary. We like a homily that is applicable to life, interesting; a homily that gives what the audience needs. This is difficult, for sure, however, the Holy Spirit helps you!
WHAT DID WE LEARN FROM THE RETREAT ON PREACHING, FROM THE 7 SPEAKERS? A few essential converging points: (1) Witnessing by preacher. (2) Consider and love your audience. (3) Prepare well your homilies and sermons. (4) Do not preach long. About 10 minutes. Some preachers preach very long homilies. These are like (pardon my comparison) the meat in a sandwich covered by the two pieces of bread – the bread of the Word of God and the bread of the Eucharist. The preacher makes himself the center of the Holy Eucharist and the homily takes longer than the two essential parts.
By the way, it was a needed retreat and was very different, fruitful and enjoyable for all the retreatants. A lesson: know, listen, and consult your audience – when possible. Dialogue with the people, listen to them, love them.
And to conclude, a story, a true story. A mother is listening to the homily of the priest with her daughter Encarnita, 7 years old. The little girl is bored: “Mom, why the priest repeats again what he read earlier?” Mom: “Dear, to explain it so that we understand it better.” Encarnita: “Mom, I understood it better the first time. Now I do not understand anything, and it is much longer.” (FGB, OP)
- ADDENDUM: CATHOLOC SURVEY: SOUTH KOREA,MAY 7, 2025 (From Zenit) .
HOW MANY MINUTES SHOULD A HOMILY LAST? Survey of Catholics gives the answer In South Korea, Catholics Call for Shorter, Sharper Homilies Rooted in Real Life.
A new survey from South Korea highlights a growing preference among the faithful for brevity, relevance, and clarity in Sunday homilies — echoing concerns long voiced by the late Pope Francis.
HOW LONG? Conducted in April by Catholic Poll — a collaboration between Catholic Times and the Archdiocese of Seoul’s digital platform Good News — the survey gathered responses from over 1,350 Catholics on how long a homily should ideally last and what content it should include. Nearly half of all respondents (49%) said ten minutes is the ideal maximum length for a sermon, aligning with Pope Francis’s. This sentiment isn’t new. In one of his more candid remarks on the subject, Francis once warned priests, “If you go on for more than ten minutes, people will fall asleep.” A year before his death, he even joked that an eight-minute limit might be safer.
CONTENT - But time isn’t the only factor. South Korean Catholics seem equally, if not more, concerned with what’s being said during those precious minutes. The overwhelming majority — 61% — expressed a desire for homilies that interpret society through the lens of Scripture. Another 55% said they want to better understand how the Bible connects with personal faith. While some preferred simple and entertaining messages (17.3%), only a small group (10.9%) was interested in more abstract theological content.
PREPARATION -The survey also explored perceptions of the quality and preparation behind the homilies. A slim majority (51%) felt their parish priests dedicate significant time and care to preparing their sermons, while nearly 30% found them adequately done. Still, 12.6% perceived a lack of preparation, and a few even suspected recycled content — 3.9% said their priest seemed to be repeating homilies from previous years.
IMPACT - When asked about impact, 76.6% reported that homilies usually reflect the day’s Gospel and readings, and half said they helped make Scripture more relevant to their lives. Yet for some, the messages didn’t stick. About 12% admitted they don’t remember much afterward, while others noted that priests occasionally drift into unrelated topics or veer into politics.
The data paint a nuanced PORTRAIT OF A CATHOLIC LAITY that is engaged, discerning, and hopeful for more meaningful communication from the pulpit. The call isn’t just for shorter sermons — it’s for sermons that speak clearly and concretely to the real-world challenges and questions Catholics face today.
(FromZenit,June15,2025).