Difference between Missals of Pius XII (1957) and John XXIII (1962)

The difference between the missals

of Pius XII in 1957 and of John XXIII in 1962,

and the four layers of the 1962 missal

 

Table of contents

 

1. Introduction
2. Differences between the missals printed about 1957 and the typical edition of 1962

2.1. Juridical nature of the two books

2.2. General rubrics and ranking of liturgical days

2.3. Calendar, vigils, octaves and feasts

2.4. Rite of the Mass, private readings, Confiteor and Last Gospel

2.5. Points already present in the missals of 1957

3. Four layers of the Missale Romanum of 1962

3.1. The traditional foundation prior to Pius XII

3.2. What was actually promulgated under Pius XII and retained in 1962

3.3. What Pius XII ordered to be prepared, but which John XXIII approved and executed

3.4. What belongs juridically or personally to John XXIII

4. Conclusion
5. List of sources

 

 

 

1. Introduction

 

It would be false to present the missal of 1962 as an entirely personal creation of John XXIII. It would likewise be inaccurate to attribute indiscriminately to Pius XII all the measures promulgated in 1960-1962. One must speak with precision of four layers. This is certain.

 

The most exact formula is therefore the following: the traditional Roman Missal in its typical edition of 1962, containing the reforms promulgated under Pius XII and the Code of Rubrics approved and promulgated under John XXIII.

 

Altar missals printed about 1957 are not a pontifical typical edition. Pius XII did not publish a typical edition of the Missale Romanum. This is certain. Those printers’ volumes incorporate above all the Holy Week reform of 1955 and the simplification of the rubrics of 23 March 1955. The typical edition of 1962, for its part, is an official book which in addition incorporates the Codex Rubricarum of 1960. The two sections that follow therefore distinguish, on the one hand, the concrete differences between these two states of the book, and on the other hand the historical and juridical attribution of each layer.

 

2. Differences between the missals printed about 1957 and the typical edition of 1962

 

2.1. Juridical nature of the two books

 

Missals dated about 1957 are commercial or diocesan editions which reproduce the Missale Romanum after the decrees of 1951-1958, notably Dominicae Resurrectionis vigiliam, Maxima redemptionis nostrae mysteria and De rubricis ad simpliciorem formam redigendis. They still retain, at the beginning, the Rubricae generales and the Additiones et variationes inherited from the typical edition of 1920 and from the reform of Saint Pius X. This is certain.

 

The typical edition of 1962 is promulgated under John XXIII. It replaces the former rubrical documents with the new Code of Rubrics. The title becomes Missale Romanum ex decreto sacrosancti Concilii Tridentini restitutum Summorum Pontificum cura recognitum. The insertion of the name of Saint Joseph into the Canon, prescribed on 13 November 1962 and coming into force on 8 December 1962, appears only in copies printed or corrected after that date. This is certain.

 

2.2. General rubrics and ranking of liturgical days

 

In the missals of 1957, the old ranking survives in the main: doubles of various classes, semi-doubles and simples, with the rules of occurrence and concurrence inherited from Pius X and lightened in 1955. Semi-doubles have not yet disappeared.

 

The Code of 1960, applied in the missal of 1962, replaces this system with four classes: first, second, third and fourth class. Semi-doubles are abolished. A new table of precedence of liturgical days is established. The regulation of occurrences, concurrences and commemorations is recast. The ordinary maximum number of orations is reduced still further. This is certain.

 

2.3. Calendar, vigils, octaves and feasts

 

The missals of 1957 already contain the suppression of most vigils and octaves decided in 1955: only the octaves of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost are retained. Several feasts introduced by Pius XII already appear in them, notably the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Queenship of Mary and Saint Joseph the Workman.

 

The calendar of 1962 adds further reductions. Certain feasts pass to the rank of a mere commemoration. Titles are modified: 1 January is no longer entitled Circumcision but Octave of the Nativity. Some feasts are transferred. The vigils still remaining undergo a further reduction. This is certain for the general framework. The detail of each particular feast is not taken up here line by line, for want of having collated page by page a copy of 1957 and the typical edition of 1962.

 

2.4. Rite of the Mass, private readings, Confiteor and Last Gospel

 

In the missals of 1957, the celebrant still reads at the altar, at solemn Mass, the texts sung by the deacon, the subdeacon or the lector, except in the new ceremonies of Holy Week, where that private reading was already omitted. The Confiteor immediately preceding the communion of the faithful still appears in the ordinary rubrics. The psalm Judica me and the Last Gospel are said according to the old rules, except on the days already excepted by the reform of 1955.

 

The missal of 1962, following the Code of 1960, omits at solemn Mass the private reading by the celebrant of the texts sung by the sacred ministers. It suppresses the Confiteor preceding the communion of the faithful. It omits the psalm Judica me and the Last Gospel when certain liturgical ceremonies immediately precede or follow the Mass. It suppresses almost all proper Last Gospels. It modifies certain inclinations and genuflections, notably during the Credo. It regulates anew Ite, missa est and Benedicamus Domino. This is certain.

 

2.5. Points already present in the missals of 1957

 

The restoration of the Paschal Vigil, the new Holy Week, evening Masses, the limitation of the Credo, the possibility of omitting the Dies irae in certain Masses of the dead, the instruction De musica sacra et sacra liturgia of 1958 and the principles of the dialogue Mass are already found in volumes printed after 1956-1958. These elements therefore do not constitute a novelty of 1962. They belong to the legislation of Pius XII. This is certain.

 

The suppression of the word perfidis in the Good Friday oration for the Jews dates from 1959. It is therefore later than most printings of 1957 and earlier than the typical edition of 1962. It belongs to John XXIII.

 

3. Four layers of the Missale Romanum of 1962

 

3.1. The traditional foundation prior to Pius XII

 

The greater part of the text of the Mass of 1962 comes neither from Pius XII nor from John XXIII: prayers at the foot of the altar, Kyrie, Gloria, collects, readings, Credo, offertory, Roman Canon, communion and Last Gospel. This foundation comes from the traditional Missale Romanum, codified by Saint Pius V and modified progressively by his successors.

 

Consequently, to say that 85 per cent of the missal of 1962 comes from Pius XII is not exact if one is speaking of the whole text of the Mass. The major part is much older. The figure of 85 per cent may possibly express a general impression of continuity, but it has not been scientifically verified. This is certain.

 

3.2. What was actually promulgated under Pius XII and retained in 1962

 

This belongs certainly to Pius XII, even if the missal of 1962 maintained it.

 

1. The experimental restoration of the Paschal Vigil by the decree Dominicae Resurrectionis vigiliam of 9 February 1951.
2. The prorogation and optional generalization of the new Paschal Vigil by the decree of 11 January 1952.
3. The authorization and then the extension of evening Masses, notably by the apostolic constitution Christus Dominus of 6 January 1953 and the motu proprio Sacram Communionem of 19 March 1957.
4. The general simplification of the rubrics by the decree De rubricis ad simpliciorem formam redigendis of 23 March 1955, applicable from 1 January 1956.
5. The suppression of most vigils.
6. The suppression of most octaves, only those of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost being retained.
7. The reduction of the number of commemorations and orations, with an ordinary maximum of three.
8. The suppression of the seasonal orations previously prescribed.
9. The limitation of the use of the Credo.
10. The possibility of omitting the Dies irae in certain Masses of the dead.
11. The complete reform of Holy Week promulgated by Maxima redemptionis nostrae mysteria of 16 November 1955 and made obligatory in 1956.
12. The new ceremony of Palm Sunday, considerably abbreviated.
13. The Mass of Holy Thursday celebrated in the evening.
14. The new liturgical function of Good Friday celebrated in the afternoon, with communion of the faithful.
15. The new nocturnal Paschal Vigil, with four prophecies instead of twelve and the renewal of baptismal promises in the vernacular.
16. In the solemn ceremonies of Holy Week, the omission by the celebrant of the texts sung by the deacon, the subdeacon or the lector.
17. Several feasts introduced by Pius XII and retained in the calendar of 1962, notably the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Queenship of Mary and Saint Joseph the Workman.
18. The principles concerning sung Mass, read Mass, the participation of the faithful and the dialogue Mass fixed or regulated by the instruction De musica sacra et sacra liturgia of 3 September 1958.

 

All of this is certainly the legislative work of Pius XII. John XXIII only conserved it, sometimes reorganizing it in the new Code of Rubrics. This is certain.

 

3.3. What Pius XII ordered to be prepared, but which John XXIII approved and executed

 

Pius XII decided to proceed to a general and systematic revision of the rubrics of the Breviary and of the Missal. He officially entrusted this work to the Pontifical Commission for the general reform of the liturgy.

 

John XXIII expressly acknowledges this in Rubricarum instructum:

 

« Idem Decessor Noster, re mature perpensa, statuit generalem ac systematicam rubricarum Breviarii ac Missalis recognitionem aggredi, eamque peculiari illi virorum peritorum Commissioni concredidit. »

 

Translation: « Our same Predecessor, after mature reflection, decided to undertake a general and systematic revision of the rubrics of the Breviary and of the Missal, and he entrusted it to that special Commission of experts. »

 

This is certain: the general undertaking, its orientation and the mission entrusted to the Commission come from Pius XII.

 

But John XXIII continues by declaring that the concrete body of the new rubrics was prepared by the experts, examined by the Commission, and then approved by himself:

 

« Nos Ipsi, motu proprio et certa scientia, probandum decrevimus. »

 

Translation: « We Ourselves, of Our own motion and with certain knowledge, have decided to approve it. »

 

The exact conclusion is therefore the following. Pius XII ordered the systematic revision and entrusted its preparation to the Commission. John XXIII received the work of that Commission, juridically settled its text, approved it and made it obligatory.

 

One may therefore say that the Code of 1960 is historically the completion of a work commanded under Pius XII. One cannot, however, affirm, without a particular document, that Pius XII had already personally approved each of the detailed provisions which appeared in the final text of 1960. This distinction is certain.

 

3.4. What belongs juridically or personally to John XXIII

 

The following measures were promulgated under John XXIII and cannot be presented as laws already promulgated by Pius XII.

 

1. The definitive approval of the new Codex Rubricarum by Rubricarum instructum, 25 July 1960.
2. Its promulgation by the decree Novum rubricarum of 26 July 1960.
3. Its obligatory coming into force on 1 January 1961.
4. The replacement of the old liturgical ranks by four classes: first, second, third and fourth class.
5. The new table of precedence of liturgical days.
6. The new regulation of occurrences, concurrences and commemorations.
7. The suppression or further reduction of certain feasts and vigils.
8. The further reduction of the number of orations and commemorations.
9. The omission, at solemn Mass, of the private reading by the celebrant of the texts sung by the sacred ministers.
10. The suppression of the Confiteor immediately preceding the communion of the faithful in the rubrics of the Missal.
11. The omission of the psalm Judica me and of the Last Gospel when certain liturgical ceremonies immediately precede or follow the Mass.
12. The suppression of almost all proper Last Gospels.
13. The modification of certain inclinations and genuflections, notably during the Credo.
14. The new regulation of Ite, missa est and Benedicamus Domino.
15. The suppression, in 1959, of the word perfidis in the Good Friday prayer for the Jews. This measure, first applied at Rome on Good Friday of 1959, was extended to the universal Church by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites of 5 July 1959.
16. The typical edition of the Missale Romanum published in 1962, incorporating the Code of Rubrics of 1960.
17. The insertion of the name of Saint Joseph into the Roman Canon, prescribed on 13 November 1962 and coming into force on 8 December 1962.

 

This is certain.

 

4. Conclusion

 

It is misleading simply to call this book « the Mass of John XXIII », as if he had created the whole rite.

 

The missal of 1962 contains:

 

1. The immemorial and Tridentine foundation of the Roman Mass, prior to both pontificates.
2. The reforms actually promulgated by Pius XII, especially those of 1951-1958, already present in the missals printed about 1957.
3. The completion of a programme of general revision decided upon and entrusted to a Commission by Pius XII.
4. Particular choices, a juridical approval, a promulgation and certain modifications proper to John XXIII, which distinguish the typical edition of 1962 from the volumes of 1957.

 

One may affirm with certainty that the reform of 1962 does not come entirely from John XXIII and that it constitutes, for an important part, the continuation and completion of the liturgical programme undertaken under Pius XII. This Mass remains the traditional Roman rite, and not the Novus Ordo introduced in 1969.

 

5. List of sources

 

Sacred Congregation of Rites, decree Dominicae Resurrectionis vigiliam, 9 February 1951, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, volume 43, 1951, p. 128-137. Original language: Latin.

 

Sacred Congregation of Rites, decree De facultativa celebratione instauratae vigiliae paschalis ad triennium prorogata, 11 January 1952, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, volume 44, 1952, p. 48 and following. Original language: Latin.

 

Pius XII, apostolic constitution Christus Dominus, 6 January 1953, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, volume 45, 1953, p. 15 and following. Original language: Latin.

 

Sacred Congregation of Rites, decree De rubricis ad simpliciorem formam redigendis, 23 March 1955, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, volume 47, 1955, p. 218-224. Original language: Latin.

 

Sacred Congregation of Rites, decree Maxima redemptionis nostrae mysteria, 16 November 1955, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, volume 47, 1955, p. 838-847. Original language: Latin.

 

Pius XII, motu proprio Sacram Communionem, 19 March 1957, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, volume 49, 1957, p. 177-178. Original language: Latin.

 

Sacred Congregation of Rites, instruction De musica sacra et sacra liturgia, 3 September 1958, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, volume 50, 1958, p. 630-663. Original language: Latin.

 

Sacred Congregation of Rites, decree of 5 July 1959 concerning the suppression of perfidis in the Good Friday oration. Original language: Latin.

 

John XXIII, motu proprio Rubricarum instructum, 25 July 1960, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, volume 52, 1960, p. 593-595. Original language: Latin.

 

Sacred Congregation of Rites, decree Novum rubricarum, 26 July 1960, Acta Apostolicae Sedis, volume 52, 1960, p. 596-729. Original language: Latin.

 

Sacred Congregation of Rites, decree of 13 November 1962 on the insertion of the name of Saint Joseph into the Roman Canon, coming into force on 8 December 1962. Acta Apostolicae Sedis, volume 54, 1962, p. 873. Original language: Latin.

 

Missale Romanum, altar editions incorporating the reforms of 1955-1958, printed about 1957-1958 under Pius XII. These volumes do not constitute a pontifical typical edition.

 

Missale Romanum, typical edition of 1962 under John XXIII.