F
fjacks
Guest
When discussing the Sacred Rites of the Church, the terms “right” and “wrong” are inappropriate in my view.
The Missal promulgated by Pope Pius V in the late 16th century and which was in use until 1969 is a product of its times. It was an era in which illiteracy was still widespread. These rites, therefore, do not presume the need for understanding on the cognitive level. They also presume that there is a wide separation between the baptized and the ordained. The prevailing theology of the priesthood at the time was that like OT priests they were to offer sacrifice on behalf of the faithful. Not just any sacrifice, but the very sacrifice of Christ “re-presented” (not repeated) through the hands and words and gestures of the priest. The people were obligated to attend and “hear” the Mass which was being offered on their behalf. They were neither required nor expected to participate in the prayers of the Mass. Any needed participation could be fulfilled by altar boys, or, in the case of more solemn celebrations (“High Mass”) by other members of the clergy.
Pope Pius X, in the early 20th century, recognized the need for greater participation by the faithful and recommended two alternative ways to celebrate the Mass: the missa cantata (sung Mass) and the dialogue Mass. In the former, choirs and even members of the congregation could be taught and sing the Ordinary parts of the Mass (the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Peter Noster, Agnus Dei). In the latter, the congregation was instructed to pray aloud the Ordinary parts of the Mass. These forms were regarded as optional and so they were adopted only where a bishop or priest was aware of them and might introduce them in their parish. There was no change in the Missal or the rubrics just the manner in which the people took part.
In the more common “low Mass” the emphasis on the scriptures and preaching were minimal. The priest–with the exception of the altar boy responses–did everything in the Mass. There weren’t even any readers of God’s word. There were choir members for High Masses who sang beautifully (sometimes and in some places) and who sometimes overpowered the Mass.
For many people, participating in Mass consisted of saying private prayers like the rosary or from prayer books and holy cards of various kinds. Because churches had so many statues and other images–including those in stained glass windows–people’s eyes could dart about hopefully to be inspired until the bells rang. Why bells? To call the people’s attention to the altar at the time of the consecration of the bread and wine. The priest had his back to the wall–and face to the east–and in an intense moment of fervor would hold first the consecrated Host high over his head so the people could gaze at it momentarily (actually many people had their faces buried in their hands), then the Cup of Christ’s Blood in a similar gesture. All the while bells were rung to ensure that all were aware of this sacred moment.
During this “Tridentine” rite, the priest would continue praying the Mass while the collection was being taken up. There was no need for people to carry the gifts of bread and wine to the altar…it was already on the altar ahead of time. He could also go on “saying” the Mass while people began to approach the altar rail for Holy Communion, beginning right after the Pater Noster. However, except for the earliest Sunday Masses very few people went to communion. They had to fast from food and drink (including water) from the midnight before. They also were taught that they should go to confession the day before receiving communion just in case they had committed a mortal sin.
I am recalling all of this from memory. It was all a part of my Catholic childhood and continue almost into my mid-twenties. I forgot to mention that some of us purchased people’s “missals” which had english on one side of the page and latin on the other. These became popular as more people became literate. They used to have little pictures which showed what the priest was doing so you could follow along better. Did I mention that the prayers of the mass were spoken–for the most part–in a whisper. Remember, cognitive understanding of what is going on is not presumed by the Tridentine Rite.
By the early 1960’s there had been a world of change since the late 1500’s when the Mass was established in the form promulgated by Pius V. The Bishops responded to Pope John XXIII’s ecumenical council by starting a period of renewal (aggiornamento in Itialian) which began in 1963 with the Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. The rest is history.
The Missal promulgated by Pope Pius V in the late 16th century and which was in use until 1969 is a product of its times. It was an era in which illiteracy was still widespread. These rites, therefore, do not presume the need for understanding on the cognitive level. They also presume that there is a wide separation between the baptized and the ordained. The prevailing theology of the priesthood at the time was that like OT priests they were to offer sacrifice on behalf of the faithful. Not just any sacrifice, but the very sacrifice of Christ “re-presented” (not repeated) through the hands and words and gestures of the priest. The people were obligated to attend and “hear” the Mass which was being offered on their behalf. They were neither required nor expected to participate in the prayers of the Mass. Any needed participation could be fulfilled by altar boys, or, in the case of more solemn celebrations (“High Mass”) by other members of the clergy.
Pope Pius X, in the early 20th century, recognized the need for greater participation by the faithful and recommended two alternative ways to celebrate the Mass: the missa cantata (sung Mass) and the dialogue Mass. In the former, choirs and even members of the congregation could be taught and sing the Ordinary parts of the Mass (the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Peter Noster, Agnus Dei). In the latter, the congregation was instructed to pray aloud the Ordinary parts of the Mass. These forms were regarded as optional and so they were adopted only where a bishop or priest was aware of them and might introduce them in their parish. There was no change in the Missal or the rubrics just the manner in which the people took part.
In the more common “low Mass” the emphasis on the scriptures and preaching were minimal. The priest–with the exception of the altar boy responses–did everything in the Mass. There weren’t even any readers of God’s word. There were choir members for High Masses who sang beautifully (sometimes and in some places) and who sometimes overpowered the Mass.
For many people, participating in Mass consisted of saying private prayers like the rosary or from prayer books and holy cards of various kinds. Because churches had so many statues and other images–including those in stained glass windows–people’s eyes could dart about hopefully to be inspired until the bells rang. Why bells? To call the people’s attention to the altar at the time of the consecration of the bread and wine. The priest had his back to the wall–and face to the east–and in an intense moment of fervor would hold first the consecrated Host high over his head so the people could gaze at it momentarily (actually many people had their faces buried in their hands), then the Cup of Christ’s Blood in a similar gesture. All the while bells were rung to ensure that all were aware of this sacred moment.
During this “Tridentine” rite, the priest would continue praying the Mass while the collection was being taken up. There was no need for people to carry the gifts of bread and wine to the altar…it was already on the altar ahead of time. He could also go on “saying” the Mass while people began to approach the altar rail for Holy Communion, beginning right after the Pater Noster. However, except for the earliest Sunday Masses very few people went to communion. They had to fast from food and drink (including water) from the midnight before. They also were taught that they should go to confession the day before receiving communion just in case they had committed a mortal sin.
I am recalling all of this from memory. It was all a part of my Catholic childhood and continue almost into my mid-twenties. I forgot to mention that some of us purchased people’s “missals” which had english on one side of the page and latin on the other. These became popular as more people became literate. They used to have little pictures which showed what the priest was doing so you could follow along better. Did I mention that the prayers of the mass were spoken–for the most part–in a whisper. Remember, cognitive understanding of what is going on is not presumed by the Tridentine Rite.
By the early 1960’s there had been a world of change since the late 1500’s when the Mass was established in the form promulgated by Pius V. The Bishops responded to Pope John XXIII’s ecumenical council by starting a period of renewal (aggiornamento in Itialian) which began in 1963 with the Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. The rest is history.
) Anyway, that grace is not negated by later possibly forgetting what the Latin said.
