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Posted on 05/01/2002 5:12:13 PM PDT by Lady In Blue
To Our Venerable Brethren: the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops, Bishops, and other Local Ordinaries in Peace and Communion with the Apostolic See -- Venerable Brethren, health and Apostolic Benediction! From the very first, upon Our elevation to the cheif Apostleship, We gladly turned our mind and energies and directed all out thoughts to those matters which concerned the preservation of a pure liturgy, and We strove with God's help, by every means in our power, to accomplish this purpose. For, besides other decrees of the sacred Council of Trent, there were stipulations for Us to revise and re-edit the sacred books: the Catechism, the Missal and the Breviary. With the Catechism published for the instruction of the faithful, by God's help, and the Breviary thoroughly revised for the worthy praise of God, in order that the Missal and Breviary may be in perfect harmony, as fitting and proper - for its most becoming that there be in the Church only one appropriate manner of reciting the Psalms and only one rite for the celebration of Mass - We deemed it necessary to give our immediate attention to what still remained to be done, viz, the re-editing of the Missal as soon as possible. Hence, We decided to entrust this work to learned men of our selection. They very carefully collated all their work with the ancient codices in Our Vatican Library and with reliable, preserved or emended codices from elsewhere. Besides this, these men consulted the works of ancient and approved authors concerning the same sacred rites; and thus they have restored the Missal itself to the original form and rite of the holy Fathers. When this work has been gone over numerous times and further emended, after serious study and reflection, We commanded that the finished product be printed and published as soon as possible, so that all might enjoy the fruits of this labor; and thus, priests would know which prayers to use and which rites and ceremonies they were required to observe from now on in the celebration of Masses. Let all everywhere adopt and observe what has been handed down by the Holy Roman Church, the Mother and Teacher of the other churches, and let Masses not be sung or read according to any other formula than that of this Missal published by Us. This ordinance applies henceforth, now, and forever, throughout all the provinces of the Christian world, to all patriarchs, cathedral churches, collegiate and parish churches, be they secular or religious, both of men and of women - even of military orders - and of churches or chapels without a specific congregation in which conventual Masses are sung aloud in choir or read privately in accord with the rites and customs of the Roman Church. This Missal is to be used by all churches, even by those which in their authorization are made exempt, whether by Apostolic indult, custom, or privilege, or even if by oath or official confirmation of the Holy See, or have their rights and faculties guaranteed to them by any other manner whatsoever. This new rite alone is to be used unless approval of the practice of saying Mass differently was given at the very time of the institution and confirmation of the church by Apostolic See at least 200 years ago, or unless there has prevailed a custom of a similar kind which has been continuously followed for a period of not less than 200 years, in which most cases We in no wise rescind their above-mentioned prerogative or custom. However, if this Missal, which we have seen fit to publish, be more agreeable to these latter, We grant them permission to celebrate Mass according to its rite, provided they have the consent of their bishop or prelate or of their whole Chapter, everything else to the contrary notwithstanding. All other of the churches referred to above, however, are hereby denied the use of other missals, which are to be discontinued entirely and absolutely; whereas, by this present Constitution, which will be valid henceforth, now, and forever, We order and enjoin that nothing must be added to Our recently published Missal, nothing omitted from it, nor anything whatsoever be changed within it under the penalty of Our displeasure. We specifically command each and every patriarch, administrator, and all other persons or whatever ecclesiastical dignity they may be, be they even cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, or possessed of any other rank or pre-eminence, and We order them in virtue of holy obedience to chant or to read the Mass according to the rite and manner and norm herewith laid down by Us and, hereafter, to discontinue and completely discard all other rubrics and rites of other missals, however ancient, which they have customarily followed; and they must not in celebrating Mass presume to introduce any ceremonies or recite any prayers other than those contained in this Missal. Furthermore, by these presents [this law], in virtue of Our Apostolic authority, We grant and concede in perpetuity that, for the chanting or reading of the Mass in any church whatsoever, this Missal is hereafter to be followed absolutely, without any scruple of conscience or fear of incurring any penalty, judgment, or censure, and may freely and lawfully be used. Nor are superiors, administrators, canons, chaplains, and other secular priests, or religious, of whatever title designated, obliged to celebrate the Mass otherwise than as enjoined by Us. We likewise declare and ordain that no one whosoever is forced or coerced to alter this Missal, and that this present document cannot be revoked or modified, but remain always valid and retain its full force notwithstanding the previous constitutions and decrees of the Holy See, as well as any general or special constitutions or edicts of provincial or synodal councils, and notwithstanding the practice and custom of the aforesaid churches, established by long and immemorial prescription - except, however, if more than two hundred years' standing. It is Our will, therefore, and by the same authority, We decree that, after We publish this constitution and the edition of the Missal, the priests of the Roman Curia are, after thirty days, obliged to chant or read the Mass according to it; all others south of the Alps, after three months; and those beyond the Alps either within six months or whenever the Missal is available for sale. Wherefore, in order that the Missal be preserved incorrupt throughout the whole world and kept free of flaws and errors, the penalty for nonobservance for printers, whether mediately or immediately subject to Our dominion, and that of the Holy Roman Church, will be the forfeiting of their books and a fine of one hundred gold ducats, payable ipso facto to the Apostolic Treasury. Further, as for those located in other parts of the world, the penalty is excommunication latae sententiae, and such other penalties as may in Our judgment be imposed; and We decree by this law that they must not dare or presume either to print or to publish or to sell, or in any way to accept books of this nature without Our approval and consent, or without the express consent of the Apostolic Commissaries of those places, who will be appointed by Us. Said printer must receive a standard Missal and agree faithfully with it and in no wise vary from the Roman Missal of the large type (secundum magnum impressionem). Accordingly, since it would be difficult for this present pronouncement to be sent to all parts of the Christian world and simultaneously come to light everywhere, We direct that it be, as usual, posted and published at the doors of the Basilica of the Prince of the Apostles, also at the Apostolic Chancery, and on the street at Campo Flora; furthermore, We direct that printed copies of this same edict signed by a notary public and made official by an ecclesiastical dignitary possess the same indubitable validity everywhere and in every nation, as if Our manuscript were shown there. Therefore, no one whosoever is permitted to alter this notice of Our permission, statute, ordinance, command, precept, grant, indult, declaration, will, decree, and prohibition. Should know that he will incur the wrath of Almighty God and of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul.
QUO PRIMUM
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QUO PRIMUM www.DailyCatholic.org
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Great point, and one that I agree with (of course!) - very few people use them in my parish - no need. I don't even see the little kids using them to learn the longer prayers that they don't yet know by heart. Bet it cost a lot every year to pay for something that most people don't use.
Therefore, no one whosoever is permitted to alter this notice of Our permission, statute, ordinance, command, precept, grant, indult, declaration, will, decree, and prohibition. Should know that he will incur the wrath of Almighty God and of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul.
Peter, Paul and God might disagree with you.
I'd keep the modern Mass at our church and never complain again if they could just put the altar kneelers back in for communion. That is so huge. I'm starting to think that there was/is some kind of conspiracy to chip away at the real meaning of the Eucharist. Ripping out the altar rails was just another way to "normalize" receiving Jesus. (tin foil hat donned)
Else how is it that only 30% of Catholics believe in the Real Presence?
When I was in high school, we lived near the Lithuanian church, which we usually went to. They had the custom that, on going to the communion rail, people would kneel on the bottom (of two) steps for the "Ecce Agnus Dei" and "Domine, Non Sum Dignus," and then move to kneel on the upper step to receive. I've never seen it anywhere else.
Obviously, you would have loved it!
Agreed. Although one benefit of Latin, if you understand it, is that it reverses the Tower of Babel phenomenon. An understanding of Latin is certainly essential for the clergy.
Also, someone else mentioned turning the priest around. I agree with Cardinal Ratzinger who said that it was the biggest mistake in the VII liturgical changes.
It's my understanding that the addition of "except future popes" at the end is understood and therefore left out.
Me too. As an illustrator and graphic designer I despise them for artistic reasons as well.
First of all, the sans-serif Helvetica typeface is very cold and institutional. Good for road signs. Bad for inspiring feelings of reverence.
But worst of all is the covers. What's up with the bad 70's wood block prints of who knows what? They're like some kind of woodblock Rorschach test. They make me want to hurl. And then they're in the most insipid colors. Magenta and black. Green and black. Yuk!
We own the copyright to the greatest art in the history of mankind and this is the crap that we put on our missalettes? Give me a plain cover with gold text anyday. Puhleeeeez.
Me too! My parish sang certain parts of the liturgy in Latin during this past Lent, and that inspired me to try to learn Latin and begin going to Traditional Latin Masses twice a month. Growing up with a neutered, politically-correct liturgy has left me feeling cheated, so I'm glad for the chance to discover the Church as it was meant to be!
Those noun declensions are tough to master, eh?
Right. And combine that with the effect of the vernacular -- too many priests feel they have the right to "freelance." I doubt that so many would try it in Latin (and in the old Mass, we wouldn't have had to hear it!).
From which, of course, the Kyrie survives. Who was it that wrote the piece on the old Mass that pointed out that it was like a beloved old home, with furniture and decorations from many different times, but all meaningful and, ultimately, all harmonious, assembled gradually with love.
The Adoremus Hymnal has the Novus Ordo in Latin and English in the front and then the best hymns in English and Latin. Ask your priest for it. (Skip the liturgist who is nothing but a terrorist anyway...)
The Anglican Use Roman Catholic parishes have a very beautiful liturgy in the most beautiful and reverent English. Their priests do not face the congregation but as they say "The Priest faces God". I just love that. Yes, I want a priest who faces God instead of posturing for his 'audience' .....
< / rant >
Would that be the same priest (relatively new to our parish) who leads singing in hymns of his choosing, who recently decided on a recessional which consisted of the words, "Open our eyes, Lord, we wanna see Jesus" over and over.
I fled (well, it was the recessional after all; I just receded fast). The memory of it still puts me in a gibbering state. If you want English hymns, what's wrong with "Be Thou My Vision"?
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