Class I, II, III days

[David_Eckel]

I am subscribed to Jimmy Akin’s “Liturgical Day” emails. When he mentions that an observancein the Tridentine Mass, he often refers to them as Class I, II, III days or other distinctions that I am not familiar with. I have also noticed even more complicated terms in the older version of the Catholic Encyclopedia on New Advent.org. Can anyone refer a website or book that will explain these and other terminologies/practices of Traditional Catholicism?

 

[Rich_C]

This site explains it all: divinumofficium.com/www/horas/Help/Rubrics/Missal1960%20rubrics.html

Basically, some feasts are more important than others. Some have their own propers, some share propers with other feasts of a similar theme. Some merit the use of the Credo, some don’t. There are other differences but these are the most noticable to the Mass-going Catholic.

 

[malphono]

I have also noticed even more complicated terms in the older version of the Catholic Encyclopedia on New Advent.org. Can anyone refer a website or book that will explain these and other terminologies/practices of Traditional Catholicism?

The classification of feasts was simplified by Bl PP John XXIII, and it is that simplification which is reflected in the 1962 Missale Romanum. When the older schema began, it was also intelligible, but as it was modified and added to over the centuries, it had become a bit unwieldy (not to mention confusing). Basically what John XXIII did was to press the “reset” button.

 

[Nat682]

The classification of feasts was simplified by Bl PP John XXIII, and it is that simplification which is reflected in the 1962 Missale Romanum. When the older schema began, it was also intelligible, but as it was modified and added to over the centuries, it had become a bit unwieldy (not to mention confusing). Basically what John XXIII did was to press the “reset” button.

It was Pope Pius XII who simplified it, not John XXIII. John XXIII simply published his simplification.

 

[malphono]

It was Pope Pius XII who simplified it, not John XXIII. John XXIII simply published his simplification.

I don’t think so. IIRC, Pius XII’s “reform” was minimal, and merely suppressed “semi-duplex” while leaving duplex and simplex, along with the rest. I do believe it was John XIII who reordered the entire classification system, replacing it with what I find to be the more logical I, II, III etc feasts. (I’m not so thrilled with the suppression of some Octaves, but that’s another matter entirely.) I could well be wrong, but I’d need an official reference to show otherwise.

 

[David_Eckel]

Thank you Rich C. for the link, but it didn’t help much, since I am completely unfamiliar with the terminology used. I take it that a Class III day is less important than a Class II or I, but I need something less “technical.”

 

[MarkThompson]

Thank you Rich C. for the link, but it didn’t help much, since I am completely unfamiliar with the terminology used. I take it that a Class III day is less important than a Class II or I, but I need something less “technical.”

Perhaps this Wikipedia page will help you.

 

[IesumPerMariam]

Thank you Rich C. for the link, but it didn’t help much, since I am completely unfamiliar with the terminology used. I take it that a Class III day is less important than a Class II or I, but I need something less “technical.”

Here is the simplified explanation (and just off the top of my head, so there may be some minor mistakes):

For the Mass:

• Commemorations mean there is only an additional Collect, Secret, and Postcommunion. These may be celebrated on a Feria or a Feast day.
• I, II, and III Class feasts all replace the Feria (a Feria simply uses the propers from the Sunday prior and can also be called IV Class).

For the Divine Office:

• Commemorations include an additional Antiphon, Responsory, and Collect at Lauds (Morning Prayer) only.
• III Class feasts use the Psalms of the weekday, but the Third Lesson at Matins, the Chapters, the Antiphons at the Gospel Canticles, and the Collects are either proper or from the Common of the Saints.
• II Class feasts use abrogate the weekday entirely. They have proper Psalms, use the Psalms of Sunday, or use the Common of the Saints.
• I Class feasts are usually all proper, and always include a Vigil the evening prior (i.e. the feast begins with First Vespers – evening prayer before the day of that feast).

Of course a I Class feast precludes a II Class; II Class precludes III Class; and III Class takes the place of the Feria. Beyond that, the rules only get more complicated.

It could, more or less, be said that I Class relates to Solemnities in the new calendar; II Class relates to Feasts; and III Class relates to Memorials. There are no Commemorations in the liturgy of Paul VI (unfortunately, IMO).

 

[David_Eckel]

IesumPerMariam, thank you for the clarification. I appreciate everyone’s response, including Rich C., whose link I will use to better educate myself on the Tridentine Mass. May Christ’s blessings be with all of you.
David