Scripture readings at mass before 20th century

[AlanW]

Hello,
I’m a convert to Catholicism and have only recently begun to read a bit about the Tridentine mass. I have read that during the 20th century (in the decades before V.ll) the use of bilingual missals became common, as well as the practice of the priest “re-reading” the Gospel in the vernacular before the homily.

Does anyone have any information as to the general practice before the 20th century? Were the readings ever repeated in the vernacular? If not, I’d find that troubling, given that most people probably were not engaging in private, devotional reading of scripture, so their only real access to the scriptures would have been at mass. Also, does anyone know of any web-sites that they have found particularly helpful in reading up on the history/development of the Tridentine rite? Thanks for your help.

Peace,

AlanW

 

[ProVobis]

Hello,
I’m a convert to Catholicism and have only recently begun to read a bit about the Tridentine mass. I have read that during the 20th century (in the decades before V.ll) the use of bilingual missals became common, as well as the practice of the priest “re-reading” the Gospel in the vernacular before the homily.

Does anyone have any information as to the general practice before the 20th century? Were the readings ever repeated in the vernacular? If not, I’d find that troubling, given that most people probably were not engaging in private, devotional reading of scripture, so their only real access to the scriptures would have been at mass. Also, does anyone know of any web-sites that they have found particularly helpful in reading up on the history/development of the Tridentine rite? Thanks for your help.

Peace,

AlanW

People were perhaps more versed in both written and spoken Latin the further back you go in time, I would think. Don’t forget, the Latin in the Mass goes all the way back to the second or third century.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

My earliest memories go back to 1940. Every mass I went to the Gospel was repeated in English. On rare occasions the Epistle was also repeated in English, but that was rare. I always had a missal which gave it all in English. The missal also had the fixed parts of the mass in Latin on the facing page, but not the readings and other changeable parts.

Early on I only had a missal with the Sunday readings, but in my teens I got a daily missal which had it all.

 

[AJV]

Such requirements were usually laid in particular law (i.e. by a bishop, or a synod) and not universally. e.g. for parts of America, the re-reading of the Gospel in the vernacular was commanded by the first synod of Baltimore. Of course, the liturgical movement gave increased importance to the practice.

 

[AlanW]

Thanks for your replies. I wouldn’t mind attending a Tridentine mass sometime; but in my area the only ones offered are by schismatic groups, unfortunately.

Peace,

AlanW

 

[palmas85]

Thanks for your replies. I wouldn’t mind attending a Tridentine mass sometime; but in my area the only ones offered are by schismatic groups, unfortunately.

Peace,

AlanW

Which group?

 

[AlanW]

Hello Palmas85,

We have churches from two different groups in my area: SSPX and CMRI (Congregatio Mariae Reginae Immaculatae).

Peace,

AlanW

 

[chicago]

People were perhaps more versed in both written and spoken Latin the further back you go in time, I would think. Don’t forget, the Latin in the Mass goes all the way back to the second or third century.

The educated classes certainly were, but not necessarily the average man.