Solemn Proclamation of Christmas - is this still practiced?

[PhilotheaZ]

Do you know if this proclamation is done in the EF??

Thanks.

I don’t think it’s part of Mass. I could not find it in an old Liber Usualis nor in a hand Missal from the early 60’s. I think it comes from the Martyrology. But I have seen mention of it used in Matins (Liturgy of the Hours) preceding Midnight Mass. Again, it is not properly part of Matins; I think it is an “add-on.”

 

[BayernAnhaenger]

I don’t think it’s part of Mass. I could not find it in an old Liber Usualis nor in a hand Missal from the early 60’s. I think it comes from the Martyrology. But I have seen mention of it used in Matins (Liturgy of the Hours) preceding Midnight Mass. Again, it is not properly part of Matins; I think it is an “add-on.”

Ah. Ok.

Hopefully they’ll be doing it before Mass. It’s my first Christmas EF, and… well, I think the proclamation sounds awesome in English, so, I can only imagine how much better it would sound…

Thanks.

 

[benedictgal]

Ah. Ok.

Hopefully they’ll be doing it before Mass. It’s my first Christmas EF, and… well, I think the proclamation sounds awesome in English, so, I can only imagine how much better it would sound…

Thanks.

Actually, the proclamation, because it is an ancient prayer, would probably occur during the EF, but, with the older translation. At least that is what I think.

 

[stephraim]

Where could I find a setting of this in Latin?

 

[stanthonyserver]

I was thinking of appoaching our Pastor and suggesting the reading of The Christmas Proclamation at our Solemn Midnight Mass this year. I’ve seen it in several texts and know that it is suggested but I have never heard it said/sung before.

I am wondering if any of your parishes use it and how it is received by the faithful.

Thank you,
David

 

[JMJ_coder]

Where could I find a setting of this in Latin?

My question. The music should be nearly identical to that provided by the USCCB (it’s just a simple tone with some inflections). But, what is the “official”(?) Latin text?

 

[Lisa_Lavadores]

I can’t believe I have to ask this again: at Midnight Mass, the priest chants a beautiful narrative of what was happening in the world when Christ was born. I can’t remember the title of the chant. More importantly, I’d like to find a copy of the words.

Thanks, all! Merry Christmas!

Lisa

 

[Joannm]

It is simply called the Christmas Proclamation and it is optional. I know very few parishes that do it so you are quite fortunate. We did it once but the music director butchered it so we won’t have her doing it again.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi,

Here’s a copy from the USCCB site

Also called The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ

Lux

 

[GemmaRose]

The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ

Today, the twenty-fifth day of December, unknown ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth and then formed man and woman in his own image.

Several thousand years after the flood,
when God made the rainbow shine forth as a sign of the covenant.

Twentyone centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah;
thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt.

Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges;
one thousand years from the annointing of David as King;
in the sixty-fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel.

In the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;
the seven hundred and fifty-second year from the foundation of the city of Rome.

The forty-second year of the reaign of Octavian Caesar;
the whole world being at peace,
Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father,
desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming,
being conceived by the Holy Spirit,
and nine mnths having passed since his conception,
was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary.

Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.

Definitely see Lux et Tenebrae’s above link. [Edited]

 

[JMJ_coder]

The rubrics from the USCCB concerning it state:

1. The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ may be sung or proclaimed after the greeting and introduction of the Christmas Midnight Mass. The Gloria and opening prayer immediately follow the proclamation.

The ‘worship resource’ that my parish employs (we won’t go there now ) states that with the Proclamation that the Penitential Rite is omitted. Given this rubric, is that correct?

 

[Joannm]

Does anyone know where I could find a copy of the music?

LTP publishes it in their Annual Sourcebook for Sundays and Seasons. If you can find someone with a copy of it that is great because they change the years mentioned each year and you don’t have to figure it out. but it might be too late to find a copy.

 

[Asperges_Me]

This Proclamation was done at the Pope’s Midnight Mass at the Vatican from 1986 on up until last year. I have read on various blogs that according to the Pope’s MC, Msgr Marini, it will not be part of the Mass this year. Quoting the New Liturgical Movement Blog

"The Midnight Mass will be preceded by a short prayer vigil which concludes with the Kalenda, the Christmas Proclamation, which had heretofore been included in the Mass itself, whereas Msgr. Marini notes that this placement corresponds better to its nature, since the “Roman Martyrology foresees the singing of the Kalenda on the day of the vigil of Christmas at the end of Lauds or of a Little Hour of the Liturgy of Hours”.

I still have a video of Pope John Paul II’s Midnight Mass from 1985 where they did the Confiteor and the Kyrie, and not the Proclamation I assume that is the way it will be done this year. Looking forward to watching to find out for sure.

 

[Lisa_Lavadores]

All of you, thanks so much for printing the words and linking the music! Yes, I have been very fortunate hearing it chanted by a priest who can sing. I’m sorry to hear it’s being replaced this year. It sends chills up my spine.

Again, thanks and Merry Christmas!

Lisa

 

[quiet52]

I’ve heard it both chanted and read.
Our deacon read it at our Christmas midnight Mass, after the entrance procession.

 

[beckycmarie]

The Proclamation was done at Midnight Mass in my parish this morning.

 

[Brendan]

We had the Proclamation at 9:30am Mass this morning

 

[benedictgal]

We didn’t at all and I was disappointed. However, having seen the Papal Mass three times, they didn’t do it there, either, as noted by a previous poster. However, it was recited on EWTN.

I really enjoy it because it places the birth of Jesus as the central point of our sacred and secular histories. I will read it before I go to bed tonight.

 

[stanthonyserver]

We had the Proclamation at the start of a wonderful Solemn Mass at Midnight. The Mass followed 30 minutes of hymns by the choir and a talented string quartet which played in the darkened church. Their final hymn was “O Holy Night” with a beautiful solo.

Then Father began the procession with the incense and candles. He incensed the altar and the cross, then introduced the Proclamation which was read by the deacon. Just after he proclaimed “the Nativity of the Lord”, the lights came on and the choir sang a rousing Gloria.

It was as if in those 30 minutes we had all experienced an abbreviated version of the centuries of waiting and expectation for the Savior’s birth. What a very moving start to a beautiful Celebration. I was very proud of my servers who had rehearsed for this Mass to help make it perfect and it was!

David