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

English Prayers at EF Mass • How old are they?

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90605 ITE MISSA EST OW OLD are the English translations found in Extraordinary Form missals? Consider books currently being sold, such as the Campion Hymnal, which uses the Fr. Lasance translation. Or consider the famous “red books” popular in the 1990s. Or go back further, to the 1806 Roman Missal for Use by Laity (Fr. Husenbeth), which underwent numerous editions. Most of them use the same basic translation of the ORDO MISSAE—but how old is it?

I have previously mentioned that, in addition to the many contemporary texts composed specifically for the forthcoming Brébeuf hymnal, we also plan to include a few historic translations. Our research recently revealed a fascinating ORDO MISSAE in Latin & English from the year 1687:

    * *  PDF Download • ORDO MISSAE (Latin & English) … from 1687AD

Here are some excerpts, showing a breathtaking similarity to the English translation most “Latin Mass” Catholics have memorized:

90607 p326 • Latin English Mass (1687) ORDO MISSAE 90607 p310 • Latin English Mass (1687) ORDO MISSAE 90607 p298 • Latin English Mass (1687) ORDO MISSAE 90607 p292 • Latin English Mass (1687) ORDO MISSAE 90607 p286 • Latin English Mass (1687) ORDO MISSAE 90607 Canon • Latin English Mass (1687) ORDO MISSAE

It’s the same one I know—almost verbatim!

I also enjoyed looking at the prayers they included to help the congregation achieve deeper devotion. Some excerpts:

90607 p338 • Latin English Mass (1687) ORDO MISSAE 90607 p336 • Latin English Mass (1687) ORDO MISSAE 90607 p332 • Latin English Mass (1687) ORDO MISSAE

In the full PDF file (above) you’ll find interesting items such as:

A Prayer Before Confession

Prayer Before Receiving the Blessed Sacrament

Short Prayers during the Time of Mass
Necessary for the Better Understanding Thereof

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

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