Requiem Masses

[PadraigPearce]

With all soul’s day approaching, I was wondering, did the Vatican II liturgical changes eliminate the requiem mass? It seems strange to me that with all the amazing settings of the requiem mass over the centuries, I’ve never heard a real live requiem mass, except in a concert hall. I’ve been to a lot of funerals, and every single one had the priest in white vestments, peppy guitar or piano music, and a generally “celebratory” vibe. If the Church eliminated the requiem mass, why did they do it? It seems so much a part of our heritage.

 

[ElizaMJ]

With all soul’s day approaching, I was wondering, did the Vatican II liturgical changes eliminate the requiem mass? It seems strange to me that with all the amazing settings of the requiem mass over the centuries, I’ve never heard a real live requiem mass, except in a concert hall. I’ve been to a lot of funerals, and every single one had the priest in white vestments, peppy guitar or piano music, and a generally “celebratory” vibe. If the Church eliminated the requiem mass, why did they do it? It seems so much a part of our heritage.

I actually asked my RCIA director about this yesterday and he said the “old” Requiem Mass wouldn’t be what I will see this Sunday for All Souls Day. I read that there would be black vestments and a symbolic coffin and all this but priests wear white vestments now in celebration of souls being with God and no coffin. Kind of a bummer.

 

[PacoG]

I actually asked my RCIA director about this yesterday and he said the “old” Requiem Mass wouldn’t be what I will see this Sunday for All Souls Day. I read that there would be black vestments and a symbolic coffin and all this but priests wear white vestments now in celebration of souls being with God and no coffin. Kind of a bummer.

That’s inaccurate. All Saints Day is on Sunday, not All Souls Day. Priests wear white on All Saints Day because it is a Solemnity. All Souls Day is on Monday, November 2.

On All Souls Day, I have generally seen priests wear Violet, since it is the color of penance and we are commemorating the suffering souls in purgatory.

When priests wear white in funerals and other Masses for the dead, it is because is emphasis is on the Resurrection of Christ and the ultimate conquest over death that His Resurrection represents.

 

[ElizaMJ]

That’s inaccurate. All Saints Day is on Sunday, not All Souls Day. Priests wear white on All Saints Day because it is a Solemnity. All Souls Day is on Monday, November 2.

On All Souls Day, I have generally seen priests wear Violet, since it is the color of penance and we are commemorating the suffering souls in purgatory.

When priests wear white in funerals and other Masses for the dead, it is because is emphasis is on the Resurrection of Christ and the ultimate conquest over death that His Resurrection represents.

Whoops, sorry, I meant Monday. But, yeah, I was told there would be nothing “special” or out of the ordinary and the priest would wear white vestments. I was told this is because the dead are honored during every Mass in the intentions. The director could be wrong, maybe? I won’t get to find out though, since the only Mass offered on Mondays is during one of my classes.

 

[corsair]

Near as I can tell, there is not much that is “Special” in the Novus Ordo. Even Easter, Christmas, and many other Masses are kind of “just plain vanilla”.

I know there are some NO parishes that really do things up more reverently but its not the “norm”.

 

[sancte_joseph]

Near as I can tell, there is not much that is “Special” in the Novus Ordo. Even Easter, Christmas, and many other Masses are kind of “just plain vanilla”.

I know there are some NO parishes that really do things up more reverently but its not the “norm”.

not to go too off subject but… my priest every year on the easter/holy saturday…he says that this is the one time of the year where we are those catholics that protestants talk about… with the smells and bells…
I thought hmm??? shouldn’t at least the bells be part of every celebration? and yea that’s the only time of year where incense is used which i don’t know why?

 

[corsair]

Hey, in the Novus Ordo, incense can be used at every Mass not just at High Mass(EF).

So why don’t our NO priests try to do a little extra? answer; too lazy!