Changes in the 1962 Missal
At a High Mass the celebrant no longer reads the Epistle and Gospel (or any other lesson)
but listens while these are sung; seated at the sedilia for the Epistle (or any other lesson), standing at the altar as previously for the Gospel.
At a Missa Cantata where incense is used the Celebrant is no longer censed after he has sung the Gospel. Otherwise the censings are made as at High Mass.
The Confiteor is no longer said immediately before the people’s Communion, nor does the Celebrant say Misereatur and Indulgentiam.
Benedicamus Domino will not now normally occur, being restricted to the evening Mass on Holy Thursday, on Corpus Christi when followed by the procession and Mass on the opening and closing days of the Quarant’ore. On all other occasions, excepting Requiems, Ite Missa est is now said.
(Ritus Servandus in celebratione missae VI 4, 5,8. XII 4)
Sacred Music
During High Mass or Sung Mass nothing may be sung in the vernacular.
If the Sanctus and Benedictus are sung in plainsong they are chanted without a break between them, otherwise the Benedictus is to be sung after the Consecration.
During the Consecration all singing must cease, nor may the organ (or any other musical instrument) be played.
The Communion antiphon is sung as the Celebrant distributes Holy Communion. If anything else is sung it is to follow the Communion antiphon.
(Instruction of the Sacred Congregation of Rites on Sacred Music and Liturgy 3rd September 1958)
Votive Mass for an External Solemnity
Two Votive Masses of 2nd Class may be celebrated for the external solemnity of the following Feasts:
The Most Sacred of Heart of Jesus on 3rd Sunday after Pentecost. Gloria, Creed, Preface of the Sacred Heart, no commemoration of the Sunday. This Mass may not be celebrated on days of 1st Class.
BVM of the Rosary on 1st Sunday of October. Gloria, Creed, Preface of the BVM (et te in Veneratione), commemoration of the Sunday. The Introit Gaudeamus is replaced by Salve from the Common of Feasts of BVM. This Mass may not be celebrated on days of 1st Class.
(General Rubrics of Missal 356-361)
Votive Mass of the Blessed Sacrament at Corpus Christi
Where, during the seven days following the Feast of Corpus Christi, a procession of the Blessed Sacrament is held, Mass of the Blessed Sacrament may be celebrated as a Votive Mass of 2nd Class. Gloria, no Sequence, no Creed, Common Preface. (On the Sunday with Gloria and Creed, Preface of the Holy Trinity, no commemoration of the Sunday, no Sequence). Two such occasions are allowed. This Mass may not be celebrated on days of 1st Class.
(Rub. of 1962 Missal given after Corpus Christi)
Votive Mass of the Rogations
On 25th April (or the day to which the Greater Litanies is transferred), as also the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before the Ascension where a procession is made with the Litanies of the Saints (or other special supplications ordered by the Ordinary) the Mass of the Rogations is celebrated afterwards as a Votive Mass of 2nd Class. No Preparatory Prayers, no Gloria, no Creed, Preface of Easter, in Violet. (On Sunday with Creed.) This Mass may not be celebrated on days of 1st Class.
(Gen. Rub. 80-90, Gen. Rub. of Missal 341-344, 346-347)
First Thursday
One Votive Mass of 3rd Class of OLJC, High and Eternal Priest, for the sanctification of the clergy, may be celebrated on the First Thursday (or First Saturday) of each month. Gloria, no Creed, Preface of the Holy Cross. Two commemorations are allowed. Thursdays on which it may be celebrated are indicated thus: JCHP. This Mass, together with those of the First Friday and Saturday may only be celebrated on days of 3rd or 4th Class. Further it is envisaged that appropriate exercises of piety are performed on that day.
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 384-385)
First Friday
Two Votive Masses of 3rd Class of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus may be celebrated on the First Friday of each month. Gloria, no Creed, Preface of the Sacred Heart. Two commemorations are allowed. Fridays on which it may be celebrated are indicated thus: SH.
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 384-385)
First Saturday
One Votive Mass of 3rd Class of the Immaculate Heart of the BVM may be celebrated on the First Saturday of each month. Gloria, no Creed, Preface of the BVM (et te in Veneratione). Two commemorations are allowed. Saturdays on which it may be celebrated are indicated thus: IH.
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 384-385)
Votive Masses of 4th Class
A Votive Mass of 4th Class may only be celebrated on a liturgical day of 4th Class. The Gloria is not said, except in Masses of the Angels on any day and in Masses of the BVM celebrated on a Saturday. The Creed is never said. Two commemorations are allowed. Days on which it may be celebrated are indicated thus: † or ‡, the latter indicating that Requiem Masses of 4th Class may also be celebrated.
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 387-389)
Requiem Masses of 1st Class
These are:
Masses on the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed,
The Funeral Mass.
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 402-409)
Requiem Masses of 2nd Class
These are:
Masses for the day of death,
Mass after receiving news of a death,
Mass for the final burial.
Requiem Masses of 2nd Class may not be celebrated on days of 1st Class or any Sunday.
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 410-414)
Requiem Masses of 3rd Class
These are:
Mass on 3rd, 7th and 30th day from the death or burial,
Mass on the anniversary. By an anniversary is meant not only the annual recurrence of the date of death or burial of some person but also the celebration held once each year for all deceased members of some body. This Mass should be used for the Society's annual November Requiems held in various Dioceses,
Masses in the Churches and Chapels of cemeteries,
Masses within eight days of the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed.
Requiem Masses of 3rd Class may not be celebrated on days of 1st or 2nd Class.
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 415-422)
Requiem Masses of 4th Class
A Requiem Mass of 4th Class (Daily Mass for the Dead) may be celebrated only on Ferias of 4th Class outside Christmastide and Epiphanytide. It may not be celebrated on Saturdays. Days on which it may be celebrated, as also 4th Class Votive Masses, are indicated thus: ‡
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 423)
Requiem Mass on Remembrance Sunday
In England and Wales one Requiem Mass may be celebrated for those who died in the two World Wars. By exception it is celebrated on a Sunday.
Mass Formula for a Requiem Mass
The first Mass of the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed, with the appropriate Collect, Secret and Postcommunion taken from the occasional prayers for the Dead, is used for a deceased Sovereign Pontiff, Cardinal, Bishop or Priest in all Masses of 1st, 2nd or 3rd Class.
The Mass "In die obitus seu depositionis defuncti" is said for the dead who are not priests etc for:
the Funeral Mass,
Masses for the day of death,
Masses after receiving news of a death,
the final burial,
the 3rd, 7th and 30th day, but with proper Collect, Secret and Postcommunion.
If the Mass for the day of death is said after 8 days from the day of death or burial the adverb hodie is omitted in the Collect and Postcommunion .
The Mass "In anniversario defunctorum" is used for anniversaries of deceased persons who are not priests etc.
The Mass "quotidiana", the Daily Mass for the Dead, is used for all deceased persons of whatever order or rank, outside the days mentioned above.
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 390-401)
Mass of an impeded 3rd Class Feast
Where, on a 3rd Class Feast of a Saint a commemoration of another Saint is ordered, the Mass of the latter Saint may be said ad lib with a commemoration of the former. However, should the impeding Feast be of a rank greater than 3rd Class the Mass of the impeded Feast may not be said ad lib.
Mass of a commemorated Saint on a 4th Class Feria
Where on a 4th Class Feria the commemoration of a Saint is ordered, the Mass of the commemorated Saint may be said ad lib instead of the Ferial Mass. Where two commemorations of Saints are ordered the Mass may be of either ad lib, but in this case a commemoration of the other Saint is made.
(Gen. Rub. Missal 302-303)
Resumed Sunday Mass on 4th Class Feria
All the Ferias of Lent and Passiontide, as well as the Ember Days of Advent and September, have a proper Mass. On other Ferias the Mass of the preceding Sunday is said, but without Gloria or Creed.
However the following should be noted:
On Ferias between the Octave Day of the Nativity of OLJC and the Epiphany the Mass of the Octave Day of the Nativity is said, with Gloria and Preface of the Nativity but without Creed or proper Communicantes.
On Ferias between the Epiphany and the Feast of the Holy Family the Mass of the Epiphany is said, with Gloria and Preface of the Epiphany but without Creed or proper Communicantes.
On Ferias between the feast of the Holy Family and the Commemoration of the Baptism of OLJC the Mass of 1st Sunday after the Epiphany is said, in White, with Gloria and Preface of the Epiphany but without Creed or Proper Communicantes.
On Ferias between the Commemoration of the Baptism and 2nd Sunday after Epiphany the Mass of 1st Sunday after Epiphany is said, but in Green, with the Common Preface and without Gloria, Creed or proper Communicantes.
On Ferias between the Ascension and the Vigil of Pentecost, including the Friday immediately prior to the Vigil of Pentecost, the Mass of the Ascension is said, even after the Sunday, with Gloria and Preface of the Ascension but without Creed or proper Communicantes.
Where the preceding Sunday is impeded by a Feast, either perpetually, as in the Feasts of the Holy Family, the Most Holy Trinity or OLJC the King, or accidentally for any particular year, the resumed Mass to be said on any 4th Class Feria is that of the impeded Sunday, except as provided above.
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 299)
Commemorations
Commemorations are either privileged or ordinary.
Privileged commemorations are made in all Masses, and at Lauds and Vespers; ordinary commemorations are made only in Low Masses (and Conventual Masses) and at Lauds
(but not Vespers).
The Privileged commemorations are:
of a Sunday,
of a day of 1st Class,
of a day within the Octave of Christmas,
of the September Ember Days,
of the Ferias of Advent, Lent and Passiontide,
of the Greater Litanies (in Mass, no commemoration made in the Office).
All other commemorations are ordinary.
There are in addition certain Collects (with Secrets and Postcommunions) which are ordered to be said under one conclusion with the Collect, Secret and Postcommunion of the Mass. These added prayers referred to in this Calendar as 'commemorations', though not strictly such, are made in all Masses and are reckoned as only one prayer with the prayers of the Mass. Examples of such added prayers are those for the Pope, the Bishop and the propagation of the Faith. No mention is made of them in the Office.
On days of 1st Class and in High or Sung Masses (non-conventual) only one commemoration, which must be privileged, is admitted.
On Sundays of 2nd Class only one commemoration is admitted, that of a 2nd Class Feast, which however is omitted if a privileged commemoration is to be made.
On other days of 2nd Class, unless occurring on a Sunday, only one commemoration again is admitted, but this may be either privileged or ordinary.
On days of 3rd or 4th Class two commemorations (and not more) are admitted.
On days of 4th Class where one commemoration only or no commemoration is to be made the celebrant may, at a Low Mass, add one Collect (with accompanying Secret and Postcommunion) at choice. This Collect etc. may be chosen from any Votive Mass, or
Prayers for Special Intentions or from Masses or Prayers for the Dead given in the Missal. This Collect etc is said in the last place after any commemoration that is to be said.
If the Collect A cunctis from the Orationes Diversae is chosen the Titular of the church, or any chief Patron or for an Order or Congregation the Founder or Titular may be named.
In computing the number of commemorations any Collect, Secret and Postcommunion that is to be added, under one conclusion, to the collect etc of the Mass being said is not taken into account.
However, in all cases, the Mass of a Sunday excludes the commemoration of a Feast or Mystery of the Lord and vice versa. Hence, where a Feast of the Lord, either perpetually or accidentally for that year, is celebrated on a Sunday no commemoration of the impeded Sunday is made. The term Feast of the Lord includes the Feasts of the Most Holy Trinity and the Holy Family, together with the anniversary of the Dedication of a Cathedral or Church. Likewise the Mass of the BVM or of any Saint excludes the commemoration of the same BVM or Saint.
(Gen. Rub. 106-114, Gen. Rub. of Missal 433-465)
Prayers for the Supreme Pontiff, the Bishop and the Priest
On the day of the coronation of the Supreme Pontiff, on its anniversary and on either the election, consecration or translation of the diocesan Bishop (once as chosen by the Bishop) for the Conventual Mass in the Cathedral is said the proper Votive Mass, as a Votive Mass of 2nd Class. This Mass is permitted on all days of 2nd, 3rd or 4th Class. If the anniversary is perpetually impeded it is permanently moved to the nearest day not so impeded. If it is accidentally impeded by the Nativity of OLJC, Easter Sunday, Whit Sunday, a day in the Sacred Triduum, the Epiphany, the Ascension, the Most Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi, the Sacred Heart, OLJC the King or the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed it is transferred to the nearest day not of 1st Class. If it is otherwise accidentally impeded the Votive Mass is only commemorated for that year. On that day, when the Votive Mass is to be said or commemorated in the Cathedral, in all Churches, or all Churches of the Diocese for the Bishop's anniversary, the Collect, Secret and Postcommunion for the Supreme Pontiff or Bishop is to be added to all Masses (except Requiems) under one conclusion to the Collect etc of the Mass. The day on which this extra Collect etc is to be added for the Universal Church or the Diocese, where it can be ascertained, is indicated in this Calendar.
On the anniversary of his ordination to the Priesthood every Priest may add the Collect etc for himself under one conclusion to the Collect etc of the Mass (except Requiems), provided it is not the Nativity of OLJC etc as listed above. When so impeded the Collect etc is transferred to the nearest day not so impeded.
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 362-364, 449-450)
Feasts proper to a Diocese and a Church
Feasts proper to a Diocese include:
the Feast of the Principal Patron of the Diocese (1st Class),
the Feast of the Secondary Patron of the Diocese (2nd Class),
the anniversary of the day of the Dedication of the Cathedral (1st Class).
However the Feast of the Titular of the Cathedral is no longer, simply by virtue of it being the Titular, observed throughout the Diocese.
Feasts proper to a Church include:
the anniversary of the day of the Dedication of the Church, if consecrated (1st Class),
the Feast of the Titular of the Church, if consecrated or at least solemnly blessed (1st Class).
(Gen. Rub. 40-47)
The Creed on Feasts of Doctors
The Creed is no longer said on Feasts of Doctors of the Church.
(Gen. Rub. of Missal 475-476)
Mass on 5th and 7th days within the Octave of the Nativity of OLJC
Those using a pre-1962 edition of the Roman Missal should note:
In these editions no formula is given for the 5th and 7th days within the octave of Nativity, since these days were formerly observed as the Feasts of S Thomas B M & S Silvester P C respectively. However, in the 1962 Universal Calendar these Feasts were reduced to that given for 6th day within the Octave but with appropriate commemorations. (In England and Wales 5th day is observed as S Thomas with the rank of 1st Class as noted).
Singing of the Antiphon of the BVM after Mass
Where the custom exists of singing the antiphon of the BVM together with the appropriate versicle and response and prayer after Mass the following should be observed:
From 1st Sunday of Advent to the Vigil of the Nativity of OLJC inclusive, Alma Redemptoris Mater together with versicle Angelus Domini and prayer Gratiam tuam is sung.
From the Nativity to the Purification of BVM inclusive, Alma Redemptoris Mater together with versicle Post partum and prayer Deus qui salutis is sung.
From the day after the Purification to the Wednesday in Holy Week inclusive, Ave Regina caelorum is sung.
From Easter Sunday to Whit Saturday inclusive, Regina caeli is sung.
From the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity to the Saturday before the 1st Sunday in Advent inclusive, Salve Regina is sung.
On a Sunday if the Prayer for the Queen is to be sung, it must be sung first and for this and the Antiphon of the BVM the maniple should be removed.
Prayers for Benediction
The following prayers should be said during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament as noted:
At the principal Benediction on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation O Blessed Virgin Mary. However, on 2nd Sunday of the month this is replaced by Hail Mary together with O Merciful God and O Loving Lord Jesus.
On the Friday, Saturday and Sunday following the Feast of Corpus Christi in all Cathedrals, and as far as possible in Parish Churches, the Triduum in honour of the Blessed Sacrament.
On the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart. The form of Consecration to and the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus may also be said.
On the Sunday after the Feast of SS Peter and Paul, or on the Feast itself should it fall on a Sunday, the Dedication of England to S Peter.
On 1st Sunday of October the Dedication of England to the BVM.
On the Feast of OLJC the King the Form of Consecration to and the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
From 1st October to 2nd November inclusive the October Devotions.
In Wales whenever Solemn Benediction is given O Almighty God together with the Invocations that follow.
(Ritus Servandus in Solemni Expositione et Benedictione Sanctissimi Sacramenti 1954)
To appreciate the benefit of an indulgence, one must recognise that every sin, because it is an injustice against God, merits punishment. Moreover, one must understand that the forgiveness of sin is one thing but the removal of punishment is something else. After the fall, for example, Adam was forgiven his sin (cf. Wisdom 10: 1-2) but he still had to suffer the punishment of death. Even though King David's adultery was pardoned, he nonetheless had to endure the death of his child as a penalty for his offence.
Mortal sin and the eternal punishment due to it are removed by a sacramental confession. But just as Adam and David, having been forgiven their mortal sins, underwent temporal punishment (i.e. punishment that lasted for a time), so also, the Church's theologians affirm, according to the ordinary law the sorrow of the penitent does not remove all the temporal punishment. This punishment must be endured either here in this world or in purgatory.
An indulgence, however, is one way that the temporal punishment due to forgiven sin is removed. The Council of Trent pronounced that Christ had given to His Church the power of granting indulgences and that the Church had used this power since the earliest times. Recognising that the use of indulgences is especially salutary for the Christian people as well as approved by the authority of the holy councils, Trent condemned those who either claimed that indulgences are useless or who denied the Church's power to grant them.
Besides maintaining the Church's authority to grant indulgences, Pope Clement VI explained the existence of the Church's treasury. He said that through the death of Christ there was established an infinite treasure by which those who use it become partakers of God's friendship. Christ entrusted this treasure, the pontiff continued, to be dispensed to the faithful through Peter and his successors either for the total or the partial remission of temporal punishment due to forgiven sins (cf. Denzinger 551). Not only do the merits of Christ belong to this treasury but also those of Our Lady and the saints. There can be no fear of any diminution of this treasury not only because Christ's merits are infinite but also because when merits are applied they bring many to justice and this increases the treasury (cf. Denzinger 552).
Transferring the merits from one member to satisfy for the punishments of another strikingly illustrates the doctrine of the communion of saints. As St Paul says, 'And if one part is suffering, all the rest suffer with it; if one part is treated with honour, all the rest find pleasure in it. And you are Christ's body, organs of it depending upon each other' (1 Cor. 12:26-27). 'Because all the faithful, under Christ their head, form one mystical body', Fr A M Herve SJ wrote, 'the merits of Christ and the satisfactions of Christ and the saints are, in a certain sense, the property of the individual members and these members can grant them for the benefit of one another' (cf. 'De Indulgentiis,' Herve, Vol IV, p.69). By granting indulgences, the Church through the Vicar of Our Lord on earth applies the merits of Christ and the saints to the souls in purgatory and to the faithful on earth to satisfy for the punishment their forgiven sins deserve. Those in purgatory are members of the mystical body whose bond is love. Because they cannot help themselves, they depend upon the charity of the faithful on earth to gain indulgences for them. Unlike some remission of temporal punishment from the prayers, fasts and almsgiving of an individual member of the faithful the value of the indulgence is much greater because it is derived from the intervention of the Church Herself.
Three things are necessary for an indulgence: (1) the one granting it must have legitimate authority; (2) there must be a just cause for granting it; (3) the one acquiring the indulgence must be in a state of grace and subject to the one granting the indulgence.
In practice the entire power of granting indulgences belongs to the Sovereign Pontiff. Since he is not the Lord but the administrator and distributor of the Church's treasury, he cannot arbitrarily dispose of it but requires a just cause. Any cause, however, which inclines to the honour of God and the benefit of the Church is a just cause. The weight of the indulgence is not measured by the difficulty in performing the work but by the end intended by the one granting the indulgence. Consequently, a great indulgence is attached to stations of the cross, a work of minor difficulty, because it is considered exceedingly useful for the Church. The subject who is capable of gaining indulgences should have the general intention, which once made is never retracted, of acquiring them.
Indulgences, which remove temporal punishment due to forgiven sin, may be gained by the living for themselves or applied to the souls in purgatory but they cannot be applied to other living persons. Indulgences are called plenary if they remove temporal punishment and partial if they remove only some of it. A plenary indulgence can be acquired only once in the course of a day but a partial indulgence may be acquired more than once a day. To gain an indulgence for oneself one must be baptised, in a state of grace at least at the completion of the prescribed work and subject to the one granting the indulgence. One must also have at least a general intention of gaining them and must perform the works enjoined at the time in the manner prescribed.
"To acquire a plenary indulgence," the 1968 Enchiridion of Indulgences, issued by the Sacred Penitentiary, states, " it is necessary to perform the work to which the indulgence is attached and to fulfil the following three conditions; Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff. It is further required that all attachment to sin, even venial sin, be absent. "If the latter disposition is in any way less than perfect or if the prescribed three conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence will be partial only..."
The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the prescribed work: it is, however, fitting that Communion be received and the prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff be said on the same day the work is performed. "A single sacramental confession suffices for gaining several plenary indulgences; but Communion must be received and prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff must be recited for gaining of each plenary indulgence". "The condition of praying for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff is fully satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary; nevertheless, each person is free to recite any other prayer according to his piety and devotion".
Some works to which are attached plenary indulgences are: a visit to the Blessed Sacrament which lasts for half an hour, the stations of the cross, recitation of five decades of the rosary while contemplating the mysteries, and reading scripture for one half hour.
In the revision of indulgences the measurement of partial indulgences by day and years has been abolished. Pope Paul VI, however, made three general grants for partial indulgences. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who, in the performance of their duties and in bearing the trials of life, raise their mind with humble confidence to God, adding (even if only mentally) some pious invocation. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who in a spirit of faith and mercy give of themselves or of their goods to serve their brothers in need. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who in a spirit of penance voluntarily deprive themselves of what is licit and pleasing to them.
With permission of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter Elmhurst PA USA
Various days on which a Plenary Indulgence may be gained:
On 1st January, if the hymn Veni Creator is publicly recited or sung.
On any Friday in Lent or Passiontide, by reciting the prayer En ego in front of an image of OLJC Crucified after having receiving Holy Communion.
On Holy Thursday and on the feast of Corpus Christi, at the singing of Tantum ergo during the ceremonies.
On Good Friday, by kissing the Cross during the ceremonies.
On Holy Saturday, by joining in the Renewal of Baptismal Promises during the Vigil.
On the feast of the Sacred Heart, if the Act of Reparation is publicly recited.
On the feast of OLJC the King, if the Form of Consecration is publicly recited.
On All Souls' Day, only applicable to the Souls in Purgatory, by visiting a church and there reciting a Pater and Credo.
On the feast of the title of any church, by visiting the church and there reciting a Pater and Credo.
On 2nd of August (Portiuncula), by visiting a church and there reciting a Pater and Credo.
On 31st December, if the Te Deum is publicly recited or sung.
(Enchiridion Indulgentiarum Normae et Concessiones 1968)
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