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How did the Roman Missal originate?

In the early Christian Church, many of the prayers that were said at Eucharist were memorized and handed down by word of mouth. Eventually the prayers were collected and written down in books known as sacramentaries (book of sacraments). Scripture readings were recorded in other books and the Psalms were written in a book called the Psalter. Throughout the ages, as these manuscripts were passed down, modifications and additions were made. Eventually, all the chants, prayers, instructions and scriptures were organized into one book. It was written in Latin and as the texts contained in it continued to evolve over the next five centuries it became quite large. After the Second Vatican Council, the Mass was translated into many different languages (the vernacular).

Blessing before the Gospel reading
A Walk through the New Mass

When the Gospel is to be read – proclaimed – by a deacon, he first asks the priest for a blessing. The words of the priest’s response to this have changed:

Former: New:
The Lord be with your heart and on your Lips that you may worthily proclaim his Gospel. May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips that you may proclaim his Gospel worthily and well

The phrase ‘worthily and well’ is a translation of the Latin words digne ac competenter. A beautiful request. We are none of us worthy to proclaim the Gospel; none of us could even begin do it as well or as worthily as Jesus could, but this prayer is asking that the deacon be a person who can embody the message of the Gospel, so that it is proclaimed with integrity, and proclaimed well.

Based on notes by Msgr Bruce Harbert on the DVD ‘Become One Body, One Spirit, in Christ’. ©2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

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