Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

Views from the Choir Loft

Subdeacon’s Role In The Ordinary Form Mass

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378 Subdeacon ROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD, when the New Mass was first promulgated (1969) the office of Subdeacon had not yet been suppressed. The 1969 GIRM has a section treating the Subdeacon’s role during the New Mass. Can anyone explain more about this? Does anyone remember attending the Novus Ordo Mass with a Subdeacon?

I have to admit, I never realized Subdeacons were allowed to be a part of the New Mass, but it makes sense since the minor orders were not suppressed until 15 August 1972, by Pope Paul VI’s motu proprio Ministeria quaedam.

Obviously, there’s a lot we could discuss here: why the minor orders were gotten rid of, to what extent the various roles of the Church changed following the Council (girl altar servers, women lectors, and so forth). This post is worth reading, by the way. However, at this point, I’m looking for specific information on what the Subdeacon did in the Novus Ordo Mass, and whether anyone remembers this actually happening.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

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