CDF DECREE: New PREFACES for the Extraordinary Form (TLM) liturgical calendar

Today the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (which absorbed my old office, the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei“) issued a decree making it possible to celebrate saints canonized after 1906 using the traditional Missale RomanumHERE

In another decree they also approved new prefaces.  HERE and explanation HERE

These new (for the TLM) Prefaces are taken from the Novus Ordo Missal, which in turn were mostly from ancient sources.  The standard traditional conclusions are imposed on them.   Also, there are three old texts from French and Belgian sources were were in use before Vatican II.  They can – not must – be used when celebrating Mass with the traditional Missale Romanum, much like even now we can use the so-called Gallican Prefaces (e.g., for Advent).

Again, these can be used.  They are not obligatory.  They add something, rather than taking something away.

I think this is of far less consequence or interest than the addition of possible celebration of more recently canonized saints.

Also, it doesn’t touch the body of the Missal.

Also, it is a good sign that the Extraordinary Form is here to stay.

Of interest among these Prefaces are texts for Angels and for St. John the Baptist.  There are Prefaces for Martyrs and for the Feast of the Dedication of a Church, which is theologically and liturgically important the identity of a parish and those who belong to it.  There are Prefaces for All Saints and Holy Patrons, and for the Most Blessed Sacrament, which might underscore the occasion somewhat better than the Common Preface.  Also there is a preface for Marriage, which goes way back to the most ancient Sacramentaries (e.g., the Gelasianum Vetus).

Both this decree and the decree concerning saints will have an impact on the use of hand missals.

However, depending on the sensibilities of the priest and of the congregation these prefaces can be used.  They are not obligatory.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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5 Comments

  1. ProfKwasniewski says:

    “Both this decree and the decree concerning saints will have an impact on the use of hand missals.”

    I have noticed a number of priests already making use of the Gallican prefaces (esp. the one for Advent); I believe the FSSP clergy have standing permission to use them. These, in any case, are already printed in 1962 hand missals like the Baronius.

    It seems to me that once the dust settles and the supplement for saints is prepared, a nice insert can be printed on onion-skin paper for glueing into the back of a hand missal, just as occurred in the old days with altar missal supplements.

  2. Gregg the Obscure says:

    sounds like the less common aspect of “mutual enrichment” to me

  3. ex seaxe says:

    The phraseology here in English seems confusing (Eventual? Past?)
    ” In addition, it should be noted that the Decree does not cancel any eventual concessions of proper Prefaces granted in the past, …”
    I do not understand Italian, but I suspect the English word ‘eventual’ should simply be deleted.
    “Inoltre, si noti che il decreto non cancella le eventuali concessioni di prefazi propri fatte in passato, …”

    Oh that the Roman church would return to working in Latin .

  4. ex seaxe says:

    I see that these decrees have caused much frothing at the mouth in certain circles – http://www.cittadellaeditrice.com/munera/open-letter-on-the-state-of-liturgical-exception-english-version/
    Not on the grounds that the EF is sacrosanct, but because it suggests that Summorum Pontificum is not a dead letter.

  5. PatriciusOenus says:

    Are there any additions here which have been entirely composed for the purpose of the Missal or are all the texts mined from former texts?

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