THE WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH

Traditional Roman Liturgy

Explore the traditional Roman Rite, its calendar, ceremonies, prayers and sacred seasons, with particular reference to the 1962 Roman Missal.

The Traditional Latin Mass

The traditional Roman Mass is commonly called the Traditional Latin Mass or the usus antiquior. This library will explain its structure, prayers, gestures, vestments, liturgical books and spiritual meaning, while clearly identifying the edition and historical period being discussed.

The parts of the Mass

Prayers at the foot of the altar; the Introit and Kyrie; readings and Gospel; the Offertory; the Canon of the Mass; the Consecration; Communion; and the concluding prayers.

The liturgical year

Advent, Christmastide, Septuagesima, Lent, Passiontide, Eastertide and the season after Pentecost, together with the feasts and commemorations of the traditional calendar.

Liturgical books

Roman Missal, Roman Breviary, Rituale Romanum, Pontificale Romanum, Martyrologium Romanum and the traditional ceremonial books.

Important historical context

Liturgical books and calendars have changed over time. Pages here will state which edition is being described and will not present one historical discipline as though it applied identically in every century or place. Current permissions and ecclesiastical regulations concerning celebration of the traditional liturgy should be checked with the competent diocesan authority.

This section is being developed. We will cite the relevant liturgical books and avoid reproducing copyrighted modern editions without permission.