The Consecration

[h1478971]

Why were the words of consecration of the host changed slightly in the 1970 Missal when it reads “HOC EST ENIM CORPUS MEUM QUI PRO VOBIS TRADETUR” compared to the 1962 missal which is just" HOC EST ENIM CORPUS MEUM"?

Also in the consecration of the wine why was the “MYSTERIUM FIDEI” removed from the main body of the words of consecration of the wine to the end, a direct change from the 1962 missal?

I believe that I have read in many places that the Canon of the Mass especially the consecration, was untouchable and could not be altered.

What was the rational for this change in the 1970 Missal?

 

[MarkThompson]

Why were the words of consecration of the host changed slightly in the 1970 Missal when it reads “HOC EST ENIM CORPUS MEUM QUI PRO VOBIS TRADETUR” compared to the 1962 missal which is just" HOC EST ENIM CORPUS MEUM"?

Also in the consecration of the wine why was the “MYSTERIUM FIDEI” removed from the main body of the words of consecration of the wine to the end, a direct change from the 1962 missal?

I believe that I have read in many places that the Canon of the Mass especially the consecration, was untouchable and could not be altered.

What was the rational for this change in the 1970 Missal?

Presumably, in all cases for conformity with Christ’s words as related in Holy Scripture.

 

[japhy]

I believe that I have read in many places that the Canon of the Mass especially the consecration, was untouchable and could not be altered.

The Canon is not so untouchable. It had undergone quite a bit of change from the time of St. Ambrose until Pope St. Gregory I, and it was developed and tinkered with even after Gregory I, but Pius V reverted the Canon back to the form it had in the time of Gregory I (early seventh century). Bl. John XXIII added St. Joseph’s name to the Canon in 1962. Then Paul VI changed the words of consecration slightly in 1969.

Presumably, in all cases for conformity with Christ’s words as related in Holy Scripture.

Well, we don’t have perfect conformity to Christ’s words in the consecration formulae, but then again, neither do the other Eucharistic Prayers of the other Catholic and Orthodox Rites.

The specific reasons for these changes can probably be found in Bugnini’s The Reform of the Liturgy. I could try to find them, as I have the book at home.

Paul VI had originally been of the opinion, if I recall correctly, that the Roman Canon would be untouched, but there ended up being interest in a different wording of the Consecration in the other Eucharistic Prayers that were being developed after Vatican II. The desire to keep the same wording across all Eucharistic Prayers resulted in the Roman Canon having its wording altered.