Contents
Introduction xiii
Part I: History 1
1. Phases of Development 3
The beginnings (second and third centuries) 3
Further developments during antiquity 8
The Sacramentaries 12
The Roman rite within the rites of late antiquity 15
The Roman Mass in the Middle Ages 17
Return to Rome 21
The reforms of the Council of Trent 24
Cause and purpose [24]—The Missale Romanum of 1570 [27]—
The question of immutability and enduring force of validity [35]—Later
revised editions of the Missale Romanum until 1962 [38]

2. Terminology 43

3. Organic Development and Continuity 51

Part II: Form 67
4. Gradations of Ritual 69

5. Structure and Components of the Celebration of the Mass 75
The Mass of the Catechumens 75
Opening [75]—Kyrie [83]—Gloria [85]—Oration [87]—Readings
from Scripture [89]—Interlectional chants [90]—Credo [92]
Mass of the Faithful 94
Oblation [94]—Preface [99]—Sanctus [101]—The Canon [102]—
The Communion [107]—The Conclusion [120]

6. The Liturgical Year 127
The Beauty of the Cycle of the Liturgical Year 127
Gradations 128
Preparation and Progression 130
Vigil [130]—Septuagesima, Quadragesima, Passiontide [131]—Octaves
[132]—Ember days [133]—Stational liturgy [135]

7. Direction of Prayer 141
Historical development 141
Eastward prayer orientation 144
Theocentrism and sacrificial character 148
Concentration and discretion 150

8. Sacred Language 153
Latin 153
Origin and character of sacred language [153]—The beginnings of the
Latin liturgical language [156]—Advantages of liturgical Latin [159]
Gregorian chant 178
Formation [178]—Liturgical advantages [182]