The purpose of this blog is to provide an open forum for discussion of the aims of the society; news from the wider Church and details of Masses and events of interest in the diocese. The Latin Mass Society in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough expresses its full filial devotion and loyalty to Holy Mother Church, Pope Francis and Bishop Drainey.



REGULAR TRADITIONAL MASSES IN THE DIOCESE OF MIDDLESBROUGH

12 Noon. Every Sunday Missa Cantata
York Oratory (
Church of St Wilfrid)
Duncombe Place, York. YO1 7EF

8:15am Monday-Friday
9:15am Saturday

Feast Days (as advertised) usually at 6pm.

Church of St Andrew, Fabian Road, Teesville. TS6 9BA

3pm Sunday.

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Peter Chanel
119 Cottingham Road, Hull. HU5 2DH
7.30pm Every Thursday. Low Mass.

VESPERS AND BENEDICTION

4pm. Every Sunday
York Oratory (
Church of St Wilfrid)
Duncombe Place, York. YO1 7EF

Compline and Vespers (as advertised)
(see link to the Rudgate Singers Calendar below)
St Mary's Church, Bishophill Junior. YO1 6EN


02 December 2019

The Liturgical Changes of 1969


The first Sunday of Advent marked the fiftieth anniversary of the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass, and there have been many reports on the internet and elsewhere reporting the anniversary.  However, I have not seen anything from anyone with first hand experience of the changes. 

I remember my experience of the day, and I have to say that for me it certainly was not a major event.  I was a student at the time at Liverpool University, and although I attended Mass every Sunday and often during the week, I was completely unaware that a major to the liturgy was planned.  I think very few people did.  I cannot recall any announcement beforehand, and even if there had been, I doubt whether I would have taken a lot of notice, because there had been so many changes over the preceding years.

On the day, I attended Mass in a parish church close to where I was living.  I recall that two leaflets were handed out in stead of the usual one.  It had been the practice in most churches that cards or booklets were handed out on which were printed the Ordinary of the Mass in its 1965 form (or the latest revision of the 1965 form).  In those days almost everyone carried their own missal, so until the Novus Ordo was introduced, these could be used for the propers, which had not changed - at least not significantly.  On the first Sunday of Advent 1969, a second leaflet was handed out including the new propers.  The only really noticeable difference was the inclusion of an Old Testament reading.

The changes on that day seemed minor compared with those that had been introduced over the preceding five years.  If I recall correctly, these included the use of English, the abolition of the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, the abolition of the Last Gospel, the use of lay people  as readers and much more. 

Looking back, the most notable thing was the complete absence, at least in my case, f any form of explanation of the changes.  For example, it took me about four years to discover that the Sunday readings followed a three yearly cycle; and about a further ten to find out that the weekday Masses followed a different cycle.

2 comments:

Zephyrinus said...

I, too, remember the changes very well.

Just prior to when the changes were enforced
upon us (there had been a total absence of discussion
or explanation), the Parish Priest announced that:
"With effect from The First Sunday of Advent, the new changes
will take place in The Mass".

He then stopped and prepared to leave The Pulpit.
Halfway down the steps, he stopped and returned to The Pulpit.

He added, with great sorrow and a trembling voice:
"Because we have to".

The whole congregation (in those days the Church was
always packed. Standing room, only) was visibly
shocked and stunned.

Since then . . . we all know the results.

Empty Churches. Drastic reductions in Ordinations. Etc, etc.

What a marvellous thing The Changes were.

Anonymous said...

Two very interesting accounts.