Readings in Vernacular Prior to N.O. Rite

[CuriousMike]

Prior to the introduction of the Novus Ordo rite, was it commonplace for the day’s readings to be recited in the vernacular by the Priest before his homily (at either High or Low Mass) or not?

Simply “curious,” I’ve seen Tridentine Masses on YouTube from EWTN where this is the practice, whereas at the Chapel I’ve attended about 20 minutes away, it is not commonplace. However, the majority of the congregation either have the day’s handout with all the specific prayers and readings for that particular day (terminology? ) or a 1965 Missal that they are following along with. The Priest simply gives his homily and that’s that.

 

[commenter]

Prior to the introduction of the Novus Ordo rite, was it commonplace for the day’s readings to be recited in the vernacular by the Priest before his homily (at either High or Low Mass) or not?

Simply “curious,” I’ve seen Tridentine Masses on YouTube from EWTN where this is the practice, whereas at the Chapel I’ve attended about 20 minutes away, it is not commonplace. However, the majority of the congregation either have the day’s handout with all the specific prayers and readings for that particular day (terminology? ) or a 1965 Missal that they are following along with. The Priest simply gives his homily and that’s that.

From my fading memory, the priest sometimes did the readings in the vernacular, sometimes not. More likely he would do the gospel in vernacular, at least.
The particular prayers of the day - I think they were called “propers” for that day - were in Latin. In a high Mass, they were sung in Latin. For instance, the priest would sing “Sursum Cordat”, (lift up your heart!), then the choir would sing the response, in Latin. Many people had missals, not all. The old St. Joseph Daily Missal was hard to follow, because you were frequently passing back to this bookmark, forward to that bookmark. They later offered a Sunday only missal, which was much easier (but only covered Sundays).

As a child, I was promised a “missile” for a present one year. I imagined something I would set up in my back yard, shoot maybe 50 feet in the air. That is not the kind of “missal” I ended up getting.

But things were changing in the 5 years or so before Vatican II. There were “dialogue Masses”, I read that priests were asked to preach more on the readings at Mass, so there likely was more tendency to do all the readings in the vernacular so people could understand the sermon…er, “homily”. Good memories.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

I only remember the Gospel in English, read from the pulpit after the Latin Gospel was read from the altar, facing the altar.

 

[ProVobis]

I believe the English is the D-R version of the Bible.

 

[Lormar]

Yes, at least in my archdiocese it was. I’m not sure what it was like in Europe or other parts of the world, or even in other areas of the United States.

 

[corsair]

The Epistle and Gospel were read in the vernacular after they were read in Latin but prior to the homily on Saturday’s and special feast days. Often times they were read only in Latin during the week.

The vernacular readings were done from a variety of translations, DR or Knox and various order translations. Many were very inaccurate as many are still today.

But we all survived.

 

[felsguy]

I only remember the Gospel in English, read from the pulpit after the Latin Gospel was read from the altar, facing the altar.

The Epistle and Gospel were read in the vernacular after they were read in Latin but prior to the homily on Saturday’s and special feast days. Often times they were read only in Latin during the week. :

This is what I remember regarding the reading of the Gospel. I don’t remember the Epistle being read in the vernacular but, boy, that was a loooong time ago.

 

[corsair]

Just noticed an incorrect spelling on my post. I meant to say “Sundays” not Saturdays.

Mea Culpa

 

[Kielbasi]

Many people had missals, not all. The old St. Joseph Daily Missal was hard to follow, because you were frequently passing back to this bookmark, .

Missals for the people to follow along was a more or less modern innovation, only becoming popular in the 20th Century.

The faithful could follow along without knowing Latin, by noting the gestures and actions of the priest as well as by listening for the bells- what they called the “rubrics” of the mass.