Latin Mass Consecration

[Daughter_of_The_King]

I’ve recently been going to Traditional Latin Mass, and I love it. But I noticed that during the moment of consecration, the server lifts the priest chasible (at least that’s what I think it’s called). Why is this?

 

[Fauken]

But I noticed that during the moment of consecration, the server lifts the priest chasible (at least that’s what I think it’s called). Why is this?

They used to be (I don’t know if they still are) quite heavy! Gold threading and gold cloth is still gold! The server lifts the chaucible to help Father lift his arms.

 

[Augustinian]

I’ve recently been going to Traditional Latin Mass, and I love it. But I noticed that during the moment of consecration, the server lifts the priest chasible (at least that’s what I think it’s called). Why is this?

The rules for actions in the Latin Mass are really specific about what to do so that the people know what’s going on and how the Mass is progressing.

Most of the faithful don’t understand Latin, and even with those that do, many of the prayers are recited in a very low tone of voice.

The consecration is a high point of the liturgy, making people aware of it seems to be important so the actions of the priests and servers seems to be working to that purpose

 

[ProVobis]

For what it’s worth the words of consecration (“Hoc est enim Corpus Meum”/“Hic est …”) are said slowly and slightly louder than the narrative. Also in the Latin the “hoc” clearly refers to the Body by gender and there is no ambiguity as there is in the English where “this” can be taken to be bread. This would be consubstantiation not transubstantiation. The demonstrative in Latin is more precise in this case. Same for the Blood.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Correct spelling of the word is chasuble.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Yah. I love it too.
Won’t say anything beyond that because people are really hostile about it on here.
I’m constantly warned about things I say about it. On a Catholic forum. About the Mass that was the only mass for centuries.

This forum has a long history of being very supportive of precision around Church teaching, and up until about 14-15 months ago, we had very well-defined rules for certain topics. Some of us prefer the atmosphere to remain that way, as it lends to more civility. The discussion of EF vs OF is one such topic. It’s not necessarily what is said (provided the information is accurate and supported by the Church’s official positions), it’s frequently more the way in which things are stated/insinuated.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

great question and so far only one relevant answer. I can ask tomorrow if I get the chance

 

[OraLabora]

About the Mass that was the only mass for centuries.

Except it wasn’t the only Mass for centuries before that, roughly 1500 years to put a number on it. In fact it was the only Mass for less than 500 years, and not the only Mass for 1500 years before Trent, and nearly 50 since Vatican II.

It certainly is valid, and still very much appreciated by many, but we need to keep a sense of perspective…

 

[OraLabora]

I was not wrong. You said it was the “only” Mass for centuries. It was not. It really hasn’t been the only rite at all even after Trent, because the Ambrosian rite continued to exist, as did the Mozarabic, albeit both in limited geographic areas. And for that matter, the Carthusian and Dominican rites…

 

[Roseeurekacross]

In fact it was the only Mass for less than 500 years,

The Tridentine Mass was officially the Mass of Pius V from 1570-1970 as the Ordinary Mass.

now isn’t that what Oralabora just said?
And yes it was normalised because everyone was doing their own thing in their own diocese. Thats why it was normalized.

Church history is a wonderful thing and so easily learned.

The real traditional Mass going back through the centuries before that would have to be a Greek sung Mass, and before that, Mass in Aramaic or in the Vernacular or Greek, in the Diaspora.

 

[ProVobis]

The Latin codified by Cicero might not have been widely spoken but Vulgar Latin, from which the modern Romance languages descended, became very prominent. Today FWIW half the world’s population uses the Latin alphabet.

 

[OraLabora]

Latin was in fact an early vernacular for the Mass. The first language of the Mass was probably Aramaic, then Greek. The Bible itself wasn’t translated into Latin until St. Jerome translated it into the Latin Vulgate in the 4th century, so it is unlikely that Latin would have been used in the liturgy before then. Greek was the liturgical language of the mediterranean region until then.

Note I don’t have anything against Latin. Since the 4th century, the Church’s liturgical patrimony has indeed been Latin; I sing in a Gregorian schola (Latin and Greek), and I chant the LOTH in Latin daily. I do it for a couple of reasons. One, it keeps my reading of it fluid for the schola, and two, it is a form of “mantra” for me in the LOTH; chanting it in Latin prepares me to read and meditate it in the vernacular (in my case French).

Greek as you probably know is still part of the Western liturgy: the Kyrie is Greek, as are the responses to the improperes on Good Friday.

 

[Loud-living-dogma]

Latin Mass Consecration Liturgy and Sacraments

I’ve recently been going to Traditional Latin Mass, and I love it. But I noticed that during the moment of consecration, the server lifts the priest chasible (at least that’s what I think it’s called). Why is this?

The Symbolic Purpose of Lifting the Rim of the Chasuble During the Elevations
arsorandi.blogspot.ca/2010/10/symbolic-purpose-of-lifting-rim-of.html

There are two clues to the symbolic meaning of this ceremony. One comes from the ordination Mass wherein the chasuble is said to signify charity. The second comes from the vesting prayer the priest recites when he puts on the chasuble before Mass wherein the chasuble is referred to as the “yoke of Christ”.

In the ordination Mass, when the bishop bestows the chasuble upon the priest he says: “Receive the priestly vestment, which is signified by charity.” The chasuble, therefore, is a symbol of charity.

At the moment of the elevations, all are called to adore the God-Man, really present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. As those assisting at Mass adore the Blessed Sacrament, a minister at the altar lifts the rim of the chasuble, symbolically signifying that from which all charity flows, namely the God Who dwells among us, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

Altar boys performing the ceremony at low Mass.
Secondly, when putting on the chasuble before Mass the priest recites this vesting prayer: “O Lord, Who hast said, ‘My yoke is sweet and My burden light,’ grant that I may so carry it as to merit Thy grace. Amen.” Thus, as well as being symbolic of charity, the chasuble is specifically referred to as the “yoke and burden of Christ” in the Church’s rites. When the deacon lifts the rim of the chasuble at the the elevations he symbolically signifies that the God-Man’s “yoke is easy and His burden light” (Matt 11:30) specifically because He dwells among His people in the Eucharist.

These more important symbolic reasons for the ceremony can bear much meditative fruit for those assisting at Mass. For this reason, even though the rubrics do not call for the altar boy to perform the ceremony at low Masses, it is a good and upright custom for the faithful. Because of the rarity of solemn Masses today, if it were not for the custom of the altar boy imitating the ceremony at low Masses the faithful would needlessly be denied the ceremony and the symbolic significance attached to it.

 

[ProVobis]

Isn’t “Sabaoth” Greek as well?

 

[OraLabora]

I think it’s Greek-modified Hebrew.

 

[DignumEtJustum]

What you’re asking about is found in many rites. I think it’s a relic from a time when the Chasuble was so heavy that the priest actually did need help with the weight during the elevations. You may even find it done in the Ordinary Form of the Mass if there’s some traditionally minded people around.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

If that’s to me, I certainly am not opposed since I attend EF and OF Mass.
Greek was the common language in the Roman Empire back then. Written and spoken. We can thank the Roman road system for the speed of the spread of Christianity around the Mediterranean

 

[Roseeurekacross]

To the OP, I asked the question on Sunday, There is a reason for every move and action in the Latin Mass. The guy who assists the Bishop ( not sure if he is a Deacon or Altar server) is going to find out and get back to me. He said it was a great question. And there will be a meaning behind it.

It might be more to do with him representing the people in the Mass and hence a connection to the clergy at that point in the Mass.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Why is everyone so opposed to Latin?

I’m not opposed to Latin. We frequently include Latin in parts of the Mass. We did have a mid-week OF Mass entirely in Latin, ad orientem (but I haven’t been available for that for a while to know if it’s still happening). I appreciate the EF, I just don’t want it to be my default, everyday normal form of Mass.

 

[ProVobis]

I’m not opposed to Latin.

I wouldn’t think so given your nice moniker/handle.