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Views from the Choir Loft

Preconciliar Missal Allowed Mass “Versus Populum”

Jeff Ostrowski · April 7, 2014

683 Vatican E HAVE TALKED a lot about the history of “versus populum” celebration. For example, here is a whole series of articles on that topic. Some may be interested to learn that “versus populum” was actually allowed in the old Latin Liturgy (although Mass was almost never offered that way).

If you don’t believe me, click here:

      * *  Rubrics from a 1906 Missale Romanum

These same rubrics have been found in Missals published in 1962, 1927, 1943, 1906, and 1886. If you find earlier missals which say the same thing, please email me.


1962 RUBRICS — Ritus Servandus in celebratione Missae

V, §3 • Si Altare sit ad Orientem, versus populum, Celebrans versa facie ad populum, non vertit humeros ad Altare, cum dicturus est Dominus vobiscum, Orate, fratres, Ite, Missa est, vel daturus benedictionem; sed, osculato Altari in medio, ibi expansis et junctis manibus, ut supra, salutat populum, et dat benedictionem.

V, §3 • If the Altar faces the people, the Celebrant does not turn his back to the Altar when saying Dominus vobiscum, Orate, fratres, Ite, missa est, or when giving the blessing, but having kissed the Altar in the middle, there extending and joining his hands, as above, facing the people, greets them and gives the blessing.

XII, 2 • Si Celebrans in Altari vertit faciem ad populum, non vertit se, sed stans ut erat, benedicit populo, ut supra, in medio Altaris; deinde accedit ad cornu Evangelii, et dicit Evangelium S. Joannis.

XII, §2 • If the Celebrant is at an Altar facing the people, he does not turn around, but standing as he was, blesses the people, as above, at the middle of the Altar. Then he goes to the Gospel side, and reads the Gospel of St. John.

WHEN THE PRIEST FACES ad orientem, what a powerful statement it makes when he literally turns around to speak to the congregation. Think about it. How many times in your life are you focused on doing something, then literally turn around to speak to the ones who are following you? I was taught never to turn around in my pew … Can you imagine how awkward it would be in the middle of Mass for me to keep turning around to face the person behind me? Yet, the priest does this constantly, according to the rubrics, to emphasize the unity that ought to exist between celebrant and congregation. Wow! Very cool.



UPDATE (from a kind reader):

“Si Altare sit ad Orientem, versus populum, Celebrans versa facie ad populum…” can be found in a 1625 missal on p. xxxvii; a 1674 missal on p. 220; 1861 missal on p. 49; 1866 missal p. xxix as well as several other Missals. Go to google books and type in a dozen words from the rubric and it will come up with a list. You can sort and filter your results by year if you please. My guess is that the rubric has been in there since 1570 (and possibly in earlier Missals), however I have been unable to find either a pdf of one or to physically be able to look in one to verify this.

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Ad Orientem, Mass Facing The People Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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Jeff Ostrowski

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Can You Spare 33 Seconds?

Here’s an audio excerpt (33 seconds) of a setting for Kyrie VIII which was recorded live last Sunday at our parish in Los Angeles. The setting (“Missa de Angelis”) is by composer Richard Rice, and you can download the free PDF if you click here and scroll to the bottom. I think Richard’s composition is marvelous. I missed a few notes on the organ, but I’ll get them right next time.

—Jeff Ostrowski
5 April 2021 • When Girls Sing

Covid restrictions here in California are still extremely severe—switching “two weeks to flatten the curve” into “two years to flatten the curve.” Since 2020, we’ve had police breaking into our church to check if everyone is wearing a mask…even when only 5-6 people are present! But we were allowed to have a small percentage of our singers back on Easter Sunday, and here is their live recording of the ancient Catholic hymn for Eastertide: Ad Cenam Agni Providi. The girls were so very excited to sing again—you can hear it in their voices!

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • FEEDBACK

“E.S.” in North Dakota writes: “I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all the hard work you have put—and continue to put—into your wonderful website. In the past two years, my parish has moved from a little house basement into a brand new church and gone from a few families receiving Low Masses twice a month to several families (and many individuals) receiving Mass every Sunday, two Saturdays a month, and every Holy Day. Our priest has been incorporating more and more High Masses and various ceremonies into our lives, which has made my job as a huge newbie choir master very trying and complicated. CCWatershed has been an invaluable resource in helping me get on my feet and know what to do!!! Thank you more than I can express! May God bless you abundantly and assist you in your work and daily lives!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Although the Mass contains much instruction for the faithful, it has nevertheless not seemed expedient to the fathers that it be celebrated everywhere in the vernacular. The holy synod commands pastors and everyone who has the care of souls to explain frequently during the celebration of the Masses, either themselves or through others, some of the things that are read in the Mass, and among other things to expound some mystery of this most Holy Sacrifice, especially on Sundays and feastdays.”

— ‘Council of Trent, XII:8 (1562)’

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