OMETIMES THE OPPOSITE of what we desire occurs. For example, I’ve had the experience of having Humana (a health insurance company) make fraudulent withdrawals from my bank account. When I contacted them, they promised to return the money, but instead took more. After several months of this type of behavior, I was forced to hire an attorney to get my money back.

The same is true of the reformed liturgy.

The fathers of the Second Vatican Council desired a greater use of Scripture, but somehow the reformers (who began their work after the Council ended) decided to do the opposite, removing gobs of biblical passages. A list of scriptural passages eliminated by the reformers would include:

a) An entire Psalm at the beginning (each Mass).
b) An entire Psalm during the Offertory Incensation (High Mass only).
c) An entire Psalm during the Washing of Hands (each Mass).
d) An entire Gospel Reading at the conclusion (each Mass).

It’s highly unlikely such items will be reintroduced to the Ordinary Form anytime soon. So what should we do? Grumble and complain?

RATHER THAN CURSE THE DARKNESS, priests in the Ordinary Form can immediately add tons of Scripture back into the Mass. All they have to do is use the Propers from the Roman Gradual, which are almost entirely scriptural. Moreover, the Propers are the “First Option” in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which means they must be given preference in “average” parish circumstances.

However, it is essential that those sitting in the pews follow along, whether Propers are sung in English or Latin. This has always been a concern to good and faithful priests, as you can see by the following examples:

      * *  PDF Download: Paris Missal for the Laity (1777)

      * *  PDF Download: Vienna Missal for the Laity (1783)

      * *  PDF Download: London Missal for the Laity (1806)

A new parish booklet is available which will absolutely change the liturgical landscape, in my opinion, owing to the sumptuous beauty of its printed fonts. It’s the only Ordinary Form pew book to include the complete Propers in English & Latin.

Do you agree its typesetting is insanely legible? Here are some samples:

      * *  Sample Pages — St. Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal, Lectionary, & Gradual

These books are incredibly affordable and will allow the members of your congregation to enter into the ancient Propers of the Mass. Because it’s for the “English Mass” (Ordinary Form) it adheres to the reformed Gradual.