從鏡頭中觀察彌撒聖祭

從鏡頭中觀察彌撒聖祭

陳靜芝 Cynthia Chen

攝影是一個追光逐影的藝術。 感謝休士頓美華天主堂給我機會參與本堂彌撒禮儀攝影服侍。 更是力求 能表現出莊嚴的彌撒禮儀與教堂最美的角度，暉映著基督之光。從2017年開始拍攝本堂彌撒，至今拍了不少台彌撒。

Photography is the art of chasing light and shadow. I am grateful to Ascension Chinese Mission Church in Houston (Ascension) for the opportunity to participate in liturgical Mass photography. I strive to capture the solemnity of the Mass and showcase the church's most beautiful angles, reflecting the light of Christ. Since 2017, I have served as photographer for many Masses.

美華堂是美洲唯一的華人自地自建在2005年完成的天主教堂。 建築設計以現代簡約風格為主。 在拍攝的過程中也儘量表現出建築線條之美。

Ascension, built in 2005, is the only Catholic church in the Americas constructed by Chinese immigrants. Its architectural design embraces a modern and minimalist style. During my photography sessions, I focused on capturing the beauty of the church's architectural lines.

每每整理照片時，有機會更仔細觀察彌撒禮儀，及各神父們領導彌撒的風格。天主教的彌撒禮儀看似千篇一律，全世界同一天的彌撒，都以同一個節奏，同一組經文進行。 但是在定格中仔細看，每位神長卻各有風格。

While organizing photos, I have the opportunity to look closely the liturgy of the Mass and the individual styles from the leading priests. The Catholic Mass liturgy appears uniform, with the same rhythm and set of scriptures performed worldwide on any given day. However, upon closer review through freeze-frame images, I've noticed that each priest brings his own unique style to the celebration.

老神父在聖體聖事祭禮中，總是高舉著聖體聖血，向左邊高舉一次。 向中間高舉一次，並在右邊高舉。 據老教友說這是代表，聖父聖子聖神三位一體。而幾乎所有拍到的年輕的神父在聖體聖事祭禮時，只舉起聖體聖血在正中間到臉前面。是世代更迭？

The senior priest always exalted the Ciborium and Chalice once to the left during the Eucharistic service, then, raise once in the middle, and raise to the right.  According to the old parishioners, this represents the Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Almost all of the young priests photographed during the Eucharist liturgy only lifted the Eucharist and holy grail in the middle to the front of the face. Is it a generational change?

印象最深刻的是 2018年5月20日徐神父領導本堂堂慶耶穌升天的那臺彌撒。 當天我帶著廣角鏡頭。趁著晨光拍了教堂外觀。在美華堂興建圍墻的工程之前，記錄了本堂沒有建圍牆前的樣貌。

The most memorable moment was the Mass on May 20, 2018, when Fr. Zee celebrated the Ascension of Jesus Mass to commemorate the parish's anniversary. That day, I carried only a wide-angle lens to capture images of our church campus before the fence construction began.

當彌撒開始。 6位身穿紅袍的神父和執事。 魚貫而入。 在禮儀中所有的神父和執事在祭臺前一字排開，氣勢莊嚴。 而老神父領導的彌撒行雲流暢。 我立刻重新裝上鏡頭，為這臺彌撒留下紀錄。雖然那天只帶了廣角鏡頭卻因此拍出6位神父和執事共祭彌撒美華全景，喜洋洋又莊嚴的氣勢。

As the Mass began, six priests and deacons, dressed in red vestments, processed in. During the liturgy, they lined up solemnly before the altar. The Mass, led by the senior priest, proceeded smoothly. I quickly readied my camera to document the event. Although I had only brought a wide-angle lens that day, it allowed me to capture a panoramic view of the six priests and deacons celebrating Mass, conveying both the joyful and solemn atmosphere.

還記得那天彌撒後，我向神父致意。您領全部的神父和執事一字排開一起舉揚聖爵看起來好壯觀啊！ 徐神父笑著說：那是我的特色！他接著說：我做了一輩子彌撒。 就是希望有人能好好地幫我拍一組主祭彌撒照片。謝謝你今天幫我拍了一組。 我聽了好開心。 我跟神父說：可惜您的大袖袍。舉揚聖體的時候都遮住臉。 他說：拍不拍到我的臉不重要，敬禮天主耶穌更重要。謙遜之情溢於言表。

After Mass, I greeted Fr. Zee, saying, "You led all the priests and deacons in a line to elevate the Host together. It looked spectacular!" Fr. Zee smiled and replied, "That's my specialty!" He continued, "I've celebrated Masses my entire life. I've always hoped someone would capture a set of photos of me officiating. Thank you for doing that today." I was delighted to hear this. Then I mentioned, "It's a shame your large sleeve covered your face when you elevated the Blessed Sacrament." Fr. Zee responded, "It doesn't matter if my face is showing or not. What's more important is paying homage to Jesus Christ." His humility was palpable.

尋光的過程發現，每年冬陽在早上十點多從本堂右邊的花窗撒下基督之光，真美！教友們虔誠祈禱的身影令人動容。

During my quest to capture light, I discovered that around 10 AM each winter, the light of Christ streams through the stained-glass window on the church's right side, creating a breathtaking effect. The sight of parishioners praying devoutly under this beautiful, soft illumination is truly moving.

我也曾經坐在那冬陽下。 那可是非常炙熱的。 有機會您也可以試試看。

I have also sat in the light of Jesus, and it was quite warm. If you have the chance, I encourage you to experience it for yourself.

每當大禮彌撒如復活節，聖誕節，春節都有上香爐。 在香煙嬝嬝的過程是很美的禮儀。 奉獻馨香表示信友們中悅天主和知恩的祈禱。願這一縷縷上升的香煙。 把我們虔誠的祈禱，帶到天主臺前。

During major liturgical celebrations such as Easter, Christmas, and Chinese New Year, incense is offered. The rising of the fragrant smoke is a beautiful ritual. This offering symbolizes the prayers of the faithful, pleasing to God and expressing gratitude. May these ascending wisps of incense carry our sincere prayers to God's presence.

猶記得大學時候看過一期國家地理雜志（National Geography）報導回教教徒一生必去一次麥加朝聖。那期雜誌，正中間全開插頁一張照片大大的場景幾百人匍匐跪地朝拜。那虔誠的膜拜祈禱的畫面，非常震撼。 至今仍印象深刻。 那樣的場景，在天主教的彌撒中很難達到。 因為領完聖體後，各自祈禱時間長短不一。而且每個人可以自由選擇祈禱的方式，或坐或跪，都很自由。 在網路上也曾看到一系列的攝影作品，在寺廟裏，拍出佛教僧人，潛心學佛唱經膜拜的空靈境界。 這是我看過宗教相關的藝術攝影作品。也是我宗教攝影的標杆。

I've also seen online photography series capturing Buddhist monks in temples, portraying their ethereal realm as they concentrate on studying, chanting, and worshipping. These religious art photography works have set a benchmark for my own approach to religious photography. The contrast between these different religious practices and their visual representations has deeply influenced my perspective on capturing spiritual moments through photography.