Category: Jeffrey Tucker

I’ve written several times that these days seem very much like 1965, with the attempt to provide a solemn form of a vernacular liturgy. Professor Peter Kwasniewski underscores the point by digging up three interesting Mass cards from 1959, 1965, and 1967. The Latin version is commonly used today in parishes working toward Gregorian chant. The English versions use translations nearly identical to what we will experience beginning in Advent this year. The tunes are also similar to that found in the new Missal. It’s all a matter of trying to get beyond a certain unpleasantless that will be probably enter the annals of history as a time when Catholics sort of went a bit nutty. In any case, here is the blast from the past that looks much like our future.

Chant Mass

COLLECT

Current
God our father,
we are gathered here to share in the supper
which your only Son left to his Church to reveal his love.
He gave it to us when he was about to die
and commanded us to celebrate it as the new and eternal sacrifice.
We pray that in this eucharist
we may find the fullness of love and life.

Forthcoming
O God, who have called us to participate
in this most sacred Supper,
in which your Only Begotten Son,
when about to hand himself over to death,
entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity,
the banquet of his love,
grant, we pray,
that we may draw from so great a mystery,
the fullness of charity and of life.

AFTER COMMUNION

Current
Almighty God,
we receive new life
from the supper your Son gave us in this world.
May we find full contentment
in the meal we hope to share in the your eternal kingdom.

Forthcoming
Grant, almighty God,
that, just as we are renewed
by the Supper of your Son in this present age,
so we may enjoy his banquet for all eternity.

Note: In the forthcoming Missal, the use of “sacred supper,” “banquet of love,” “supper of your Son,” and the elimination of the word “meal” obviously changes the character of the message here.

PRAYER

Current
Lord, by shedding his blood for us,
your Son, Jesus Christ,
established the paschal mystery.
In your goodness, make us holy and watch over us always.

Forthcoming
Remember your mercies, O Lord,
and with your eternal protection sanctify your servants,
for whom Christ your Son,
by the shedding of his Blood,
established the Paschal Mystery.

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS

For the Church

Current
Let us pray, dear friends,
for the holy Church of God throughout the world;
that God the almighty Father
guide it and gather it together
so that we may worship him
in peace and tranquility.

Forthcoming
Let us pray, dearly beloved, for the holy Church of God,
that our God and Lord be pleased to give her peace,
to guard her and to unite her throughout the whole world
and grant that, leading our life in tranquility and quiet,
we may glorify God the Father almighty.

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

Current
Lord, send down your abundant blessing
upon your people who have devoutly recalled the death of your Son
in the sure hope of the resurrection.
Grant them pardon; bring them comfort.
May their faith grow stronger
and their eternal salvation be assured.

Forthcoming
May abundant blessing, O Lord, we pray,
descend upon your people,
who have honored the Death of your Son
in the hope of their resurrection:
may pardon come,
comfort be given,
holy faith increase,
and everlasting redemption be made secure.

Notes: the offerings in the forthcoming Missal seem far richer and without adding extraneous material urging God to “watch over us” and the like. The text and music for an English version of Crux Fidelis is printed. The Crucem Tuam is recommended by name. The options for other music are far less prominent; the normative music receives top billing. There seems to be an effort to standardize and re-institutionalize the traditions of Good Friday. Final note: I’m happy to see the word “gather” purged from the General Intercessions. We’ve had just about enough of that gather thing.

Palm Sunday features one of the few times when what is called a hymn is an embedded part of the ritual of Mass. The hymn is “Gloria, laus et honor tibi sit.” Ironically, in most American parishes, this is replaced by “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.” So entrenched is the vernacular hymn mania in the United States that not even the hymns in the ritual itself are used but instead are replaced by inferior substitutes. This is very sad. On the other hand, this is inspiring:

This is the antiphon being sung

This CD put together by Watershed is a great means of making sure that the sung Mass becomes the norm with the new Missal. Every priest should have this, and singers should too.

Fr. Brian Austin is conducting a chant workshop in Mableton, Georgia, and everyone is invited. Here he speaks of the chant and its meaning and what he plans for the workshop. For more see the sponsoring parish website.

Fr. Brian Austin, FSSP, is interview by Jeffrey Tucker of the Chantcafe.com from Church Music Association of Amer on Vimeo.