The Mass as it was in the City of Rome

[patrick457]

Here we’ll discuss the Mass as it was celebrated during the period between the 4th-7th Centuries. More specifically, we’ll look at the Mass of Easter Sunday. (Main source: Ordo Romanus I)

THE ECCLESIASTICAL DISTRICTS

Back then, Rome is divided into Seven Ecclesiastical districts, with a Deacon alloted in each. The Collets (Acolytes) are under the district-Deacon’s jurisdiction, save when he dies; in that case the Acolytes are subject to the Archdeacon (the Pope’s Vicar) until another Deacon takes the former’s place.

These Seven districts are each assigned their own days of the Week:

(Easter) Sunday-3rd District
Monday-4th District
Tuesday-5th District
Wednesday-6th District
Thursday-7th District
Friday-1st District
Saturday (aka Sabbath)-2nd District

“Each district has its proper position both in procession and in church, or wherever a particular day may constrain them to go or to minister by reason of its rank, according to the ancient constitution; nor can the district-clergy be absent from attendance on the pontiff without incurring some sentence of excommunication or disciplinary censure.
And this attendance they used originally to divide into two parts by a simple rule, to wit (1) the Pope’s procession to the Stational Church, and (2) from his leaving the Sacristy until the end of Mass.”

-Ordo Romanus I

THE PROCESSION

At daybreak, Acolytes of the district (in this case, that of the 3rd District) and the Counsellors (Defensores) of every District meet at the Lateran Palace and go before the Pope (who is in horseback) to the Stational Church (Lay grooms walk beside the Pope should the Pope’s horse stumble).

The Deacons, the Chancellor, and the two District-Notaries, the District-Counsellors, and the District-Subdeacons also ride in horseback in front of the Pope in two columns, leaving a space for the Pope between them. The Papal Vicar, the Sacristan, the Invitationer and the Treasurer ride behind him.

The Stational Acolyte walks in front of the Pope, carrying an Ampulla filled with Chrism wrapped in a napkin. The other Acolytes also walk, also carrying Chrism and other necessary stuff such as linen cloths, sacks, Gospel books and basins (for hand-washing).

Bearers carry the vessels, such as the daily Paten, the Chalice, the Reeds (straw-like devices made of gold or silver which was used by the Clergy to drink the Precious Blood), the silver Gemellions, the strainer made of gold and silver (and a more larger one made of silver), the Flagons, the grail, the Candlesticks and the rest which was taken by the Chief Sexton from the Lateran Basilica. On greater Feasts, the larger (and gem-studded) Paten and Chalice from the Papal Vestry are brought and used; these being protected by the Sacristan’s Seal to prevent theft. The Lay Chamberlain goes ahead to prepare the Pope’s Chair in the Sacristy.

On the way to St. Mary Major (the Station Church for Easter Sunday), the district-Notary stands in “Ad Merulanas” (the present-day Via Merulana), and after saluting the Pope, says: “In nomine Domini nostri Jesu Christi baptizati sunt in sancta Dei
Genetrice Maria infantes masculi numero tanti feminae tantae.” (In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, last night there were baptized in the Church of St. Mary the Mother of God so many baby boys, and so many baby girls.) The Pontiff then replies, “Thanks be to God.” Then the Notary receives a solidus from the treasurer ; but the Pontiff goes on.

Those who were not part of the Procession make their way into the Church to meet the Pope, “with the Papal Almoner and the bearers and the rest who carry crosses, sitting in the presbytery; the Bishops, that is, on the left hand as they enter, the presbyters on the other hand on the right, so that when the Pontiff sits down and looks towards them, he may see the Bishops on his right hand and the presbyters on his left.”

When the Pope is near, the Acolytes and Counsellors of the District, the Presbyter of the title or the Church where the Mass is to be held (in this case, St. Mary Major), the Majordomos of the Roman Church, or the father of the hostelry (patre diaconiae; if that church happened to have one) and the Sexton humbly wait for him at the appointed spot. The Sexton carries a Censer out of respect for the Pope.

When the Pope finally arrives, those waiting will all bow their heads. The Acolytes with the Counsellors will separate into groups on either side and make their way before the Pontiff to the Church; the Advocates (Advocatores) with the Major-domos follow the Pope’s palfrey, together with the Acolyte who carries the Basin.

(Continued in next post)

 

[patrick457]

THE VESTING

The Pope first makes his way to the Sacristy, supported by the Deacons who received him when he dismounted, and sits at the Sedan-chair (the one prepared by the Lay Chamberlain). The Deacons salute him and go out of the Sacristy and vest before the doors.

The Deacon who will read the Gospel makes ready the Gospel Book (the seal of which has been unlocked) which an Acolyte (or two, if the Book used is larger) holds for him with his hands covered by the planeta (an overcoat which became the present-day chasuble). The Acolyte/s take the Book into the Presbytery before the Altar and hands it to the Subdeacon-attendant who places the Book honorably into the Altar (with his hands covered with the planeta, of course).

Meanwhile, after the deacons go out of the Sacristy, there remain with the Pontiff the chancellor, the secretary, the chief counsellor, the district-notaries, and the subdeacon-attendant who bears the Pope’s pallium with its pins on his left arm covered with the planeta. The Clerical Chamberlain receives the vestments folded-up from the Door-warden and brings them. Near the head of the bench the district-subdeacons take the vestments to put on the Pontiff according to their order:

-Linen
-Girdle
-Amice (Anagolaium)
-a linen Dalmatic
-the larger Dalmatic (majorem Dalmaticam)
-Planeta (Chasuble)

In this order do the district-Subdeacons vest the Pope. A Deacon or Subdeacon chosen by the Pope will then take the Pallium from the Subdeacon-attendant and sets it about the Pope’s shoulders, fastening it to the planeta behind, in front, and on his left shoulder by means of pins. Then:

Sd-A: Iube, domne, benedicere. (Grant, sir to bless.)
Pope: *Salvet nos Dominus. *(May the Lord save us.)
Sd-A: Amen.

One of the district-Subdeacons, with the Pope’s mappula (the maniple?) on his left arm over his unrolled planeta goes to the out:

D-Sd:Schola. (Choir.)
Choir: Adsum. (Present.)
D-Sd: Quis psallet? (Who will sing the Psalm?)
Choir: N. et N. (So-and-so and So-and-so.)

The Subdeacon will return to the Sacristy, present him the Mappula and bows to the Pope’s knees, saying:

“Servi domni met, talis Subdiaconus regionarius leget Apostolum, et talis de schola cantabit.” (My lord’s servants, so-and-so the district-subdeacon will read the Epistle, and so-and-so of the Choir will sing.)

(After this announcement was made, no change can be made in who will read the Epistle or sing the Psalm or else the the Ruler of the Choir, i.e. the fourth of the choir who always informs the Pontiff on matters that relate to the singers, will be excommunicated by the Pope)

The Subdeacon-attendant will then stand behind the Pope until the latter gestures to him that the Introit may be started. The Subdeacon-attendant will then go outside the Sacristy and say: “Accendite!” wherein the lights are then lighted. This done, the Subdeacon-attendant will take a golden Censer and put incense on it in front of the Sacristy Doors. And the Ruler of the Choir passes through the presbytery to the Precentor the (“first singer”) or the Succentor (the second) or vice-Succentor, and bowing his head to him says: “Domne iubete.” (“Command, sir.”)

The Choir then rises up and pass in order before the Altar and the two rows then arrange themselves: the men-singers on either side without the doors of the presbytery, and the children on each side within. The Precentor then begins the Introit.

 

[patrick457]

THE INTROIT (FOR EASTER SUNDAY)

Psalm 138 (139)

1st Semi-chorus: Resurrexi, et adhuc tecum sum, Alleluia: posuisti super me manum tuam, Alleluia: mirabilis facta est scientia tua, Alleluia.

(I arose, and am still with Thee, Alleluia; Thou hast laid Thy hand upon me, Alleluia; Thy knowledge is become wonderful, Alleluia.)

2nd Semi-chorus: Domine, probasti me, et cognovisti me: tu cognovisti sessionem meam, et resurrectionem meam.

(Lord, Thou hast searched Me and known Me; Thou knowest my sitting down and My rising up.)

1st Semi-chorus: Resurrexi…etc…

2nd Semi-chorus: Intellexisti cogitationes meas; de longe semitam meam et funiculum meum investigasti.

(Thou hast understood my thoughts afar off: my path and my line thou hast searched out)

1st Semi-chorus: Resurrexi…etc…

(The Choir continues singing the Psalm until the Pope gives the signal to sing the Gloria Patri)

When the Deacons hear the Introit, they go at once to the Sacristy. The Pope then rises and gives his right hand to the Archdeacon and the left to the second Deacon or whoever may be appointed; who, after kissing his hands, walk with him as his supporters. Then the Subdeacon-attendant goes before him with the Censer; and Seven Acolytes of the Disctrict which is responsible for that day will go before the Pope to the Altar, carrying seven lighted candlesticks.

Before they arrive at the Altar, the Deacons take their planeta off in the Presbytery and the district-Deacon takes them and gives each severally to an Acolyte of the district to which each Deacon belongs.

Two Acolytes then approach carrying open Pyxes containing Bread consecrated in the previous Mass, and the subdeacon-attendant, taking them, with his hand in the mouth of the pyx, shows the Holy Element to the Pontiff and the Deacon who goes
before him. Then the Pope and the Deacon salute the Body of our Lord with bowed heads, and look at the same in order that if there be too many fragments he may cause some of them to be put in the aumbry.

The Pope then makes his way to the Altar, but before he comes to the Choir the Acolytes carrying the Candles divide, four going to the right and three to the left ; and the Pontiff passes between them to the upper part of the choir, and bows his head to the
Altar. He then rises up and prays, and makes the Sign of the Cross on his forehead ; after which he gives the Kiss of Peace to one of the hebdomadary Bishops, and to the Archpresbyter, and to all the Deacons.

He then turns and signals to the Precentor to start singing the Gloria Patri. The precentor then bows to him and begins it.

Meanwhile the Ruler of the Choir precedes the Pope in order to set his faldstool before the Altar, if it should be the season for it : and approaching it, the Pope prays thereat until the repetition of the verse *.

*Gloria Patri, et Filio et Spiritui Sancto;
Sicut erat in principio (Here the Deacons rise up in order to salute the sides of the Altar, two by two and return to the Pope. And
then the Pope arises, kisses the Book of the Gospels
and the altar, and, going to his throne, stands there facing Eastwards) et nunc, et in semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

 

[patrick457]

THE KYRIE

The Choir then starts to sing the Kyrie, alternating with the District officials. During the singing the Precentor keeps his eye on the Pope, so that the latter may sign to him if he wishes to change the number of the Kyries, and bows to him.

THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS

After the Kyrie, the Pope turns to the people and intones: “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” if it be the season for it (The Gloria can be said by a Bishop during Sundays and Feastdays while Priests generally recite it only during Easter Sunday. The Gloria and the Alleluia is omitted on the days when the Litanies are performed). After the Gloria, the Pope once again faces East wherein he will say the Collect.

THE COLLECT:

Pope: Pax vobiscum. (Peace be with you.)
R: Et cum spiritu tuo. (And with your spirit.)
Pope: Oremus. Deus, qui hodierna die per Unigenitum tuum, aeternitatis nobis aditum devicta morte reserasti: vota nostra, quae praeveniendo aspiras, etiam adiuvando prosequere. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R: Amen.

(Let us pray. O God, who, on this day, through Your only-begotten Son, has conquered death, and thrown open to us the gate of everlasting life, give effect by Your aid to our desires, which You anticipated and inspired. Through the same Jesus Christ, You Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit; God, forever and ever.
R: Amen.)

At the end of the Collect, he then sits down and signals to the Bishops and the Presbyters to also sit. Meanwhile the district-Subdeacons go up to the Altar, and place themselves at the right and left of it.

 

[bpbasilphx]

I don’t think we’re going to see this revived any time soon.

 

[patrick457]

I don’t think we’re going to see this revived any time soon.

It sure won’t; that would be Archaeologism, right?

 

[EphelDuath]

Interesting thread. I’ll keep my eyes on it in case of development.

 

[patrick457]

THE EPISTLE

The District-Subdeacons go up to the Altar and place themselves at the left and right sides of it. When the Subdeacon who will read the Epistle notices that the Pope, the Bishops and Presbyters are sitting down, he will go up to the Ambo and read the Epistle facing the Altar.

In some churches, there were two Ambos, such as in San Clemente in Rome:

http://www.marcantonioarchitects.com/San_Clem_Figure3.jpg

In this case, the Subdeacon will go to the Ambo intended for the Epistle and read it from there.

(1 Cor. 5: 7-8)

Subdeacon: Lectio Epistolae beati Pauli Apostoli ad Corinthios.
Fratres dilectissimi: Expurgate vetus fermentum, ut sitis nova conspersio, sicut estis azymi. Etenim Pascha nostrum immolatus est Christus. Itaque epulemur: non in fermento veteri, neque in fermento malitiae, et nequitiae: sed in azymis sinceritatis, et veritatis.

(Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corithians.

Beloved brethren: purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened: for Christ our Pasch is sacrificed. Therefore let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.)

THE GRADUAL (Responsum)

After the Subdeacon had finished reading the Epistle, he goes down the Ambo while a Cantor takes away his planeta, goes up and sings the Gradual.

(Psalm 118 [117]: 24; 1, 2, 3, 4, 16, 22, 26)

Cantor: Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus; exsultemus, et laetemur in ea.

Choir: Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus…

Cantor: Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus, quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius.

Choir: Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus…

Cantor: Dicat nunc Israel: Quoniam bonus, quoniam in saeculum misericordia ejus.

Choir: Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus…

Cantor:* Dicat nunc domus Aaron: quoniam in saeculum misericordia ejus.*

Choir: Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus…

Cantor: Dicant nunc qui timent Dominum: quoniam in saeculum misericordia ejus.

Choir: Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus…

Cantor: Dextera Domini fecit virtutem; dextera Domini exaltavit me: dextera Domini fecit virtutem.

Choir: Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus…

Cantor: Lapidem quem reprobaverunt aedificantes, hic factus est in caput anguli.

Choir: Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus…

Cantor: Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini: benediximus vobis de domo Domini.

Choir: Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus…

THE ALLELUIA or TRACT

Another singer then comes up and sings the Alleluia, if it be the season for it, or the Tract; if when neither one nor the other is appointed, only the respond is sung.

(1 Cor. 5: 7-8)

Cantor: Alleluia, Alleluia. Pascha nostrum immolatus est Christus.
Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia. Pascha nostrum…
Cantor: *Epulemur in azymis sinceritatis et veritatis. *
Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia. Pascha nostrum…

 

[patrick457]

THE GOSPEL

At the end of the Alleluia, the Deacon who will read the Gospel will kiss the Pope’s feet while the Pope says to him:

Pope: Dominus sit in corde tuo et in labiis tuis. (May the Lord be in your heart and in your lips.)

The Deacon then goes up the Altar and takes the Gospel Book and walks to the Ambo. The Pope then rises from his throne and all the clergy with him.

Two District-Subdeacons walk before him, one on his right and one on his left. One of them carries a Censer received from the Assistant-Subdeacon, and before them walk two Acolytes carrying Candlesticks. On coming to the Ambo, the Acolytes part before it, and the Subdeacons and the Deacon pass between them.

The Subdeacon who is not carrying the Censer then turns towards the Deacon, and offers him his left arm on which to rest the Gospel Book, in order that the former may open it with his right hand at the place where the mark for reading was put; then, slipping his finger into the place where he has to begin, the Deacon goes up to read, while the two Subdeacons and the Taperers turn back to stand before the step coming down from the Ambo.

(Mark 16: 1-8)

Deacon: Dominus vobiscum.
R: Et cum spiritu tuo.
Deacon: Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Marcum.
Et cum transisset sabbatum, Maria Magdalene, et Maria Jacobi, et Salome emerunt aromata ut venientes ungerent Jesum. Et valde mane una sabbatorum, veniunt ad monumentum, orto jam sole. Et dicebant ad invicem: Quis revolvet nobis lapidem ab ostio monumenti? Et respicientes viderunt revolutum lapidem. Erat quippe magnus valde. Et introëuntes in monumentum viderunt juvenem sedentem in dextris, coopertum stola candida, et obstupuerunt. Qui dicit illis: Nolite expavescere: Jesum quæritis Nazarenum, crucifixum: surrexit, non est hic, ecce locus ubi posuerunt eum. Sed ite, dicite discipulis ejus, et Petro, quia præcedit vos in Galilaeam: ibi eum videbitis, sicut dixit vobis. At illae exeuntes, fugerunt de monumento: invaserat enim eas tremor et pavor: et nemini quidquam dixerunt: timebant enim.

 

[Milliardo]

Interesting. Is it just me, or does this seem almost like Divine Liturgy?

 

[patrick457]

Interesting. Is it just me, or does this seem almost like Divine Liturgy?

The similarities are not coincidental; back then, the two Liturgies are quite similar to each other. It was only after years of evolution (and separation from each other) that they started to appear differently from the other.

 

[Milliardo]

The similarities are not coincidental; back then, the two Liturgies are quite similar to each other. It was only after years of evolution (and separation from each other) that they started to appear differently from the other.

Actually, I thought about that as well, considering that the Orthodox Church often says that they have not changed the Liturgy. I was also wondering how the Mass was before the Tridentine Mass, that’s why I find this thread interesting, as it somehow confirms my thought that Divine Liturgy and the Mass as it was before the Tridentine were almost the same.

 

[patrick457]

THE DISMISSAL OF THE CATECHUMENS

The Dismissal was once done at this point. During the days of St. Gregory, the Deacon called out: “If any one does not
communicate, let him go away!” This had disappeared by the time of Ordo I, but at Scrutiny masses the deacon still called out here: “If any one be a catechumen, let him depart ! Let all catechumens go out of the doors!”

The Pope then says: “Pax tibi.” (Peace to you.) Then:

P: Dominus vobiscum.
R: Et cum spiritu tuo.
P: Oremus.

(The Prayers of the Faithful were recited here which had disappeared by the 8th Century)

The Deacon then goes down the Ambo, the Subdeacon who first opened the Gospel Book previously takes it from him and gives it to the other Subdeacon standing beside him. The latter, holding the Book before his breast, with his hands covered with the planeta, offers it to kissed by all who stand in the quire in the order of rank. Afterwards an Acolyte carrying the Book’s case comes and the Subdeacon puts the Book inside (again, to prevent theft), that it may be sealed. But the Acolyte of the same district as that to which the Subdeacon belongs carries it back to the Lateran.

THE OFFERTORY

The Deacon returns to the Altar where an Acolyte holding a chalice with a Corporal (which back then was as large as the Altar) lying on it. He raises the Chalice on his left arm and offers the Corporal to the Deacon, who takes it off the chalice and lays it on the right side of the Altar, throwing the other end of it over to the second Deacon in order to spread it. Then the chancellor and the secretary, and the chief counsellor, with all the district-
offcials and notaries go up the Throne; but the Subdeacon with the empty chalice follows the Archdeacon.

The Pope then descended to where the notables sit, the chancellor holding his right hand and the chief counsellor his left: and he receives the loaves of the princes in the order of their offertory. The Archdeacon next receives the flasks of wine, and pours them into the greater Chalice which is carried by a district-Subdeacon, and an Acolyte follows him holding a bowl with his hands covered by the planeta, into which the Chalice when full is emptied. A district-subdeacon takes the loaves from the pontiff and hands them to the Subdeacon-attendant, who places them in a linen cloth held by two Acolytes.

A hebdomadary Bishop receives the rest of the loaves after the Pope, so that he may, with his own hand, put them into the linen cloth which is carried after him.

Following him the Deacon-attendant receives the flasks of wine, and pours them into the bowl with his own hand, after the Archdeacon. Meanwhile the Pope, before passing over to the women’s side, goes down before the Confessio, and there receives the loaves of the Chancellor, the Secretary, and the Chief counsellor (For on festivals they offer at the Altar after the deacons.) In like manner the pontiff goes up to the women’s side (The women are separated from the men at Church), and performs there all things in the same order as detailed above. And the presbyters do likewise, should there be need, either after the Pontiff or in the Presbytery.

After this, the Pontiff returns to his throne, the Chancellor and the Secretary each taking him by the hand, and there washes his hands.

The Archdeacon stands before the altar and washes his hands at the end of the Offertory. Then he looks the pontiff in the face, signs to him, and, after the Pontiff has returned his salutation, approaches the Altar.

Then the District-Subdeacons, taking the loaves from the hand of the Subdeacon-Attendant, and carrying them in their arms, bring them to the Archdeacon, who arranges them on the altar. The Subdeacons bring up the loaves on either side. Having made the Altar ready, the Archdeacon then takes the Pope’s flask of wine from the Subdeacon-oblationer, and pours it through a strainer into the Chalice; then the Deacons’ flasks, and, on festivals, those of the Chancellor, the Secretary, and the Chief Counsellor as well.

Then the Subdeacon-Attendant goes down into the Choir, receives an ewer of water from the hand of the Ruler of the Choir and brings it back to the Archdeacon, who pours it into the Chalice, making a Cross as he does so. Then the Deacons go up to the Pontiff; on seeing which, the Chancellor, the Secretary, the Chief of the District-Counsellors, the District-Notaries, and the District-Counsellors come down from their ranks to stand in their proper places.

 

[jj2011]

There’s hardly anything in English written on a popular level about the early medieval Roman rite. Yeras ago there was an obscure book by a Jesuit priest called Live the Mass. What’s the source for this thread?

 

[patrick457]

There’s hardly anything in English written on a popular level about the early medieval Roman rite. Yeras ago there was an obscure book by a Jesuit priest called Live the Mass. What’s the source for this thread?

The main source is Ordo Romanus primus by E.G. Atchley, 1905 (available in the Internet Archive). Second would be the Mass of the Western Rites by Dom Fernand Cabriol (widely available in the net).

I do find it odd that as of now there are still no online versions of the Gelasian and Leonine Sacramentaries, as an aside.

 

[puzzleannie]

great pictures but I don’t see the sound system and the area set aside for the band with keyboard and drumset, or their mikes. also, where are the felt banners?

 

[AJV]

The main source is Ordo Romanus primus by E.G. Atchley, 1905 (available in the Internet Archive). Second would be the Mass of the Western Rites by Dom Fernand Cabriol (widely available in the net).

I do find it odd that as of now there are still no online versions of the Gelasian and Leonine Sacramentaries, as an aside.

(For the Gelasian that would depend which version you’re talking about )

There are indeed, online versions of these texts, and, of course, texts in book form. The most complete online version I have seen is at liturgia.it (see the left hand bar) which is a searchable database- however, I cannot figure out how to make the entire sacramentary visible in the search engine - you have to have some idea more or less of what you are looking for. The closest I have come is entering common words like “et”- however, even these do not reveal the whole sacramentary.

There is also one at nocturnale.de (Downloads – Liturgie – Quellen) but I do not think some of them are complete.

 

[AJV]

The main source is Ordo Romanus primus by E.G. Atchley, 1905 (available in the Internet Archive). Second would be the Mass of the Western Rites by Dom Fernand Cabriol (widely available in the net).

I do find it odd that as of now there are still no online versions of the Gelasian and Leonine Sacramentaries, as an aside.

There are indeed, online versions of these texts, and, of course, texts in book form. There was a version at Google Books but they have now changed the status from “Full view” and you cant view it.

The most complete online version I have seen is at liturgia.it (see the left hand bar) which is a searchable database (for the Gel. - of the Vat. manuscript text. It also has the later Angouleme sacramentary)

However, I cannot figure out how to make the entire sacramentary visible in the search engine - you have to have some idea more or less of what you are looking for. The closest I have come is entering common words like “et”- however, even these do not reveal the whole sacramentary.

There is also one at nocturnale.de (Downloads – Liturgie – Quellen) but I do not think some of them are complete.

 

[patrick457]

great pictures but I don’t see the sound system and the area set aside for the band with keyboard and drumset, or their mikes. also, where are the felt banners?

Try telling that to the (4th-7th c.) clergy and perhaps all you’ll get are blank faces or at most questions or reproaches (‘Are you possessed?’ ‘What is felt?’)

 

[patrick457]

THE OFFERTORY VERSE

(Ps. 75 [76]: 9-10, 2-5)

Choir: Terra tremuit et quievit cum exsurgeret in judicium Deus, Alleluia.

Cantor: Notus in Judaea Deus; in Israel magnum nomen ejus.

Choir: Terra tremuit…

Cantor: Et factus est in pace locus ejus, et habitatio ejus in Sion.

Choir: Terra tremuit…

Cantor: Ibi confregit potentias arcuum, scutum, gladium, et bellum; Illuminans tu mirabiliter a montibus aeternis.

Choir: Terra tremuit…

THE OFFERTORY (continued)

Then the Pope, arising from his throne, goes down to the Altar and salutes it, and receives the loaves from the hands of the hebdomadary Presbyter and the Deacons. Then the archdeacon receives the Pontiff’s loaves from the Subdeacon-Oblationer,
and gives them to the Pope. And when the latter has placed them on the Altar, the Archdeacon takes the Chalice from the hand of a District-Subdeacon and sets it on the Altar on the right side of the Pope’s loaf (the one which he will Consecrate), the Offertory-Veil being twisted about its handles. Then he lays the veil on the end of the Altar, and stands behind the Pope. The latter then bows slightly to the Altar and then turns to the Choir and signs to them to stop singing.

At this, the Bishops stand behind the Pope; the senior in the midst, while the Archdeacon stands at the right side of the Bishops and the Assistant-Deacon at the left. The rest stand arranged in a line behind the Bishops while the the District-Subdeacons go behind the Altar at the end of the Offertory and face the Pope. They make the responses to the Pope until the Sanctus.

On Concelebrations

“On festivals, that is to say on Easter day, Pentecost, St. Peter’s day, and Christmas day, the cardinal Presbyters assemble, each one holding a corporal in his hand, and the Archdeacon comes and offers each one of them three loaves. And when the Pontiff approaches the altar, they surround it on the right and the left, and say the Canon simultaneously with him, holding their loaves in their hands, and not placing them on the Altar, so that the Pontiff’s voice may be heard the more strongly, and they simultaneously consecrate the body and blood of the Lord, but the Pontiff alone makes a Cross over the Altar.”

-Ordo Romanus I

“On Christmas day, the Epiphany, the Holy Sabbath, Easter Day, Easter Monday, Ascension day, Whitsunday, and the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the Bishops stand behind the pontiff with bowed heads, and the presbyters on their right and left, and each one holds a corporal in his hand; two loaves are then given to each of them by the Archdeacon, and the pontiff says the Canon so that he can be heard by them; and they hallow the loaves which they hold, just as the Pontiff hallows those on the Altar. The Deacons, however, stand with bowed heads behind the bishops; and the Subdeacons face the Pontiff with bowed heads until he says, ‘Nobis quoque peccatoribus’.”

-Ordo of St. Amand

THE SECRET

Pope: *Suscipe, quaesumus Domine, preces populi tui cum oblationibus hostiarum: ut paschalibus initiata mysteriis, ad aeternitatis nobis medelam, te operante, proficiant. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, *(aloud) per omnia saecula saeculorum.

(We beseech Thee, O Lord, accept the prayers of Thy people together with the Sacrifice they offer, that what has been begun by the Paschal Mysteries, by Thy working may profit us unto eternal healing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit; God, forever and ever.)

Response: Amen.