Trevelyan:
Can anyone give me any help to compose a list of significant dates and the major developments in the history of the Liturgy of the Mass from the first century to before Vatican II?
(Popes, Liturgical changes, additions, subtractions, combinations and eras etc.)
Thanks.
(I say up to before Vatican II, so as to avoid any VII debate.
)
From My personal research from Cathoic Sources this is what I have to date. It is not final, however, since I am still confirming the below dates with Catholic Teaching (Church History-Catholic) & Catechism. The problem is that sources differ on the dates. If you need my sources, I can get you that later. The Bible is a good place to start also. It usualy has timelines in there either at the beginning or end.
Hope this helps - Davemcher
Part I
***Mass History Time Line (compiled by Davemcher)*****Year Description **
- Note: It is commonly accepted that Jesus died in his 30’s. If Jesus was 33, then his life span would be 4 BC to 29 AD, with his public ministry starting in 26 AD. I do not believe He was older than 37.]
6-4 BC* Birth of Jesus Christ
26-30 AD* Jesus Public Ministry (3 years,
depends on birth date)
29 or 30 AD* Institution of Eucharist by
Jesus at Last Supper
Death of Jesus Christ (&
Resurrection & Ascension) Matthias replaces Judas as
one of 12 Apostles
37 AD Conversion of Saul (Paul)
41 AD 1st Voyage of Paul
49 AD Council of Jerusalem
2nd Voyage of Paul
50-100 AD New Testament writings: Gospels, Letters,
Acts, and Revelations
58 AD 3rd Voyage of Paul; Paul is arrested
64-67 AD Paul & Peter are martyred under Roman
Emperor Nero’s rule
90 AD Judaism and Christianity are separate
religions
100 AD Didache - Teachings of the 12 Apostles
155AD Apology of St. Justin Martyr - structure of
Mass
200 AD Apostolic Tradition of St. Hippolytus -
Eucharistic Prayer
(3rd Century) Offertory Procession added to Mass
312 AD Edict of Milan - Freedom or Religion for
Christians
(4th Century) Gloria first sung by Bishops’ at Midnight
Christmas Mass
325 AD 1st Council of Nicea - Nicene Creed
(4th Century) Alleluia added to Easter Mass by Pope
Damasus (368-384)
381 AD Council of Constantinople - Affirms &
Expands Nicene Creed
393 AD Council of Hippo - List of Official Books of
New Testament (27)
397 AD Council of Carthage - Ratifies New
Testament Books (27)
Bible OT & NT Books are complete
(4th Century) Antiphonal Singing introduced (Precedes
modern Entrance Hymn)
Eucharistic Prayer 1 - Roman Canon
Lord Have Mercy - Antioch-Jerusalem
Liturgy
400 AD Council of Toledo - Promotes regular
attendance of Eucharist Celebrations
(5th Century) Gloria is said at every Mass, except
during Lent & Advent
450 AD (mid 5th) Opening Prayer is introduced
451 AD Council of Chalcedon - Pope Leo I (Leo
the Great):
1. Jesus has human & divine natures.
2. Pope/ Bishop of Rome is successor of
St. Peter.
(6th Century) Alleluia said at every Mass, except during
Lent & Advent - Pope Gregory (540-604)
(7th Century) Lamb of God added to Mass
(Between 8th & Nicene Creed is introduced into the Mass
11th Centuries)
787 AD 2nd Council of Nicea - Reinstates teaching
that images can help Christians worship
God
1000 AD Christmas Mass Prayer from which comes
modern commingling of water & wine
1054 AD 1st Schism: Church Splits into East
(Greek Orthodox) and West
(Roman Catholic)