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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.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Changing The Good Friday Prayer For The Jews

Jeff Ostrowski · November 30, 2015

N GOOD FRIDAY, Catholics pray for numerous different groups during the SOLEMN COLLECTS. People used to think these prayers might be a vestige of the “Prayer of the Faithful,” but there are difficulties with that hypothesis. In any event, one of the prayers is for the conversion of the Jewish people. This prayer has been changed several times. In the ancient form, no genuflection is made, nor is AMEN said:

* *  PDF • Missal from the 1500s (Latin Only)

* *  PDF • Version from 1619AD (Latin Only)

* *  PDF • Version from 1761AD (French Only)

* *  PDF • 1806 Version (English Only) — LONDON

* *  PDF • 1875 Version (English & Latin)

* *  PDF • 1895 Version (French translation inexplicably not given)

* *  PDF • 1923 Version (Latin only) — PUSTET

The history behind not genuflecting here is deep and cannot be fully discussed in my short article. Part of the symbolism has to do with emphasizing how serious a thing it is to mock Jesus Christ. St. Matthew, who (like our Savior) had been a Jew, writes in Chapter 27:

Then the chief priest rent his garments, saying: “He hath blasphemed…” Then they spat in His face and buffeted him, saying: “Prophesy unto us, O Christ, who is he that struck thee?”

The revisions of Pope Pius XII—some of which were optional in 1951 but all of which were mandatory beginning in 1955—no longer omit the genuflection:

* *  PDF • 1957 Version (English & Latin) — SOLESMES

The phrases “pérfidis Judǽis” and “Judáicam perfídiam” had caused confusion. That Latin word can mean “treacherous.” It can also mean “faithless.” Eugenio Zolli—formerly Chief Rabbi of Rome who became Catholic in 1945, choosing the name “Eugenio” in honor of Pius XII—asked Pius XII to eliminate this word from the prayer. Pius XII explained to Zolli that the correct translation in the Catholic liturgical context was “incredulous.” But Pope John XXIII did remove “pérfidis” in 1959: 1

* *  PDF • 1961 Version (English & Latin) — FULTON SHEEN MISSAL

That form—with genuflection but without “pérfidis”—was used in the Extraordinary Form until Pope Benedict replaced it with a prayer he composed. Here’s why Pope Benedict XVI made the change:

“A change also seemed necessary to me in the ancient liturgy. In fact, the formula was such as to truly wound the Jews, and it certainly did not express in a positive way the great, profound unity between Old and New Testament. For this reason, I thought that a modification was necessary in the ancient liturgy, in particular in reference to our relationship with our Jewish friends.”

Here’s how the Replacement Prayer by Pope Benedict XVI appears in the CAMPION MISSAL:

* *  PDF • EF “Replacement” by Pope Benedict XVI

Very few people realize the prayer was changed again in the 1965 edition of the Missale Romanum:

* *  PDF Download • Prayer for the Jews (1965 Missal)

Pope Paul VI changed the prayer again in 1970. Here’s the current English translation, which is almost identical to the former version by ICEL:

* *  PDF • 1970’s version (Novus Ordo)

For the record, here’s the Replacement Prayer by Pope Benedict XVI:

ET US PRAY ALSO for the Jews: May our God and Lord enlighten their hearts, so that they may acknowledge Jesus Christ, savior of all men.
Let us pray.
Vs. Let us kneel.
R. Arise.
LMIGHTY and everlasting God, who desirest that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of truth, mercifully grant that, as the fullness of the Gentiles enters into Thy Church, all Israel may be saved. Through Christ Our Lord.
R.  Amen.

RÉMUS et pro Judǽis: ut Deus et Dóminus noster illúminet corda eórum, ut agnóscant Jesum Christum salvatórem ómnium hóminum.
Orémus.
Vs.  Flectámus génua.
R.  Leváte.
MNÍPOTENS sempitérne De­us, qui vis ut omnes hómi­nes salvi fiant et ad agnitiónem veritátis véniant, concéde propítius, ut plenitúdine géntium in Ecclésiam Tuam intránte omnis Israël salvus fiat. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
R.  Amen.

Once we understand “pérfidis” as meaning “incredulous,” it’s difficult for me to see anything objectionable in the traditional prayer. After all, the Jews do not believe in Christ—that is to say, they LACK FAITH in Him. I suspect Benedict XVI, being German, felt a special sensitivity in this area, and felt called to go “above and beyond the call of duty” because of the evil acts done by Hitler against the Jews—but this is pure speculation on my part.

THE BISHOPS OF ENGLAND AND WALES recently complained about the B16 Prayer, asking that it be changed yet again. If you are concerned that Roman Catholic bishops are not in favor of prayers asking that a group of people come to accept Jesus Christ, you are right to be concerned. This is serious, and comes close to publicly renouncing Christ.

If someone knows the truth about Jesus Christ, it’s an act of love to share that truth with others. Leading others into falsehood—or encouraging others to continue to cling to something false—is never acceptable when it comes to serious issues. 2

Our culture looks at things differently. Consider the words of David Gregory, who’s Jewish. His exact words are: “She gave me the great gift of giving up—and sacrificing—her own faith…”


What a strange way to think of one’s faith; as if a believer renouncing Christ is a type of “gift.”

RESEARCHING THIS ARTICLE, I CAME ACROSS many absurd statements. Among them was an ill-considered statement by Fr. Anthony Ruff, which is troubling on various levels. For example, no serious person maintains that “we Westerners shouldn’t grant religious freedom to Moslems until every Muslim country grants full religious freedom to Christians.” More troubling are Fr. Ruff’s comments attempting to associate the Holocaust with a “Christian dominant culture,” which strike me as despicable.

984 Pope Pius XII


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   Pope John XXIII even interrupted the ceremonies on Good Friday when the word “pérfidis” was added by mistake, asking that the prayer be read over again without that word.

2   At the end of the day, the best that ecumenism can hope for is honesty in dialogue, and the famous convert-priest, Fr. Leslie Rumble, summarizes the Roman Catholic position succinctly:

Almighty God gave the true religion to mankind gradually, so that men would be prepared by more simple doctrines for still more noble truths. Thus He sent Moses the lawgiver, and after him a series of prophets to explain the law and to predict the coming of the Messiah. Christ fulfilled these predictions and taught the perfect law of God. The religion known by the Jews before Christ was therefore but imperfect and preparatory. The religion of Christ was its perfect fulfillment, and the Jews should have recognized and accepted it. They did not, and then Christ sent his Apostles to preach it to the Gentiles. Christ did not therefore establish another religion. Christianity is the perfect development of the Jewish religion, just as the perfect tree is the perfect development of the seed from which it grew.

By the way, RADIO REPLIES is a marvelous series, and the entire collection is available online—but that website constantly crashes, so you have catch it on a good day.

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

Filed Under: Articles, Featured Tagged With: Good Friday Prayer Jews, Judaicam Perfidiam, perfidis Judaeis Last Updated: December 7, 2020

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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 Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The production of this book was too far advanced for notice to be taken of the new translation of the Hebrew psalter into Latin by the professor of the Biblical Institute at Rome. The Holy Father’s permission to use it in the divine office when properly adapted for the purpose will prove a welcome boon.”

— Father Cuthbert Lattey (15 Nov. 1944)

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