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High Mass Question

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cyanheaven
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Posted: Fri May 2nd, 2008 06:47 pm

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I recently watched a High Mass from the 1950's and yesterday i attended an Extraordinary Form of the 1962 Missal. It was a great experience, though I will admit i missed being able to go forward to receive a blessing.

My question is this: During both of these masses the priest having one or two attendants would have his outer garb grabbed as if tending to a train and once while he was praying facing the front his outer garb was raised by a single kneeling attendant. What was the significance of this?

I hope my descriptions are accurate.

Thanks,

Last edited on Fri May 2nd, 2008 06:57 pm by cyanheaven

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David W. Emery
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Posted: Sat May 3rd, 2008 01:24 am

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Exactly as you surmised, Callie: “tending the train.” There may be a deeper meaning, but I am not aware of it.

David

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CajunRick
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Posted: Sat May 3rd, 2008 03:03 pm

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Many of the movements and motions in the "old mass" became ritualized versions of simple methods of assistance. The actions you indicate were simply to help the celebrant avoid tripping on what originally were long, ornate vestments.

Liturgical action was so diverse and "experimental" prior to the Council of Trent that after the council, the mass was ritualized and formalized to the point that no diversity was permitted at all. Many of the motions that originally had meaning and function in the 1600's had lost their meaning by the 1950's but they remained in force. Pope John XXIII began the simplification process, and Pope Paul VI finalized it. Many think the reforms of Paul VI went too far, and the liturgy is in a revisionary state once again.

For example, the priest once wore a vestment called a maniple. It was a handkerchief of sorts fastened to his left arm, and it was quite useful prior to air conditioning. It never had a real liturgical meaning other than to help the priest wipe off his perspiration, although its function was ritualized and esconsed in the "Tridentine mass".

____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine

Rick Luquette
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