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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).

The Washing of Hands
A Walk through the New Mass

From the earliest days the priest has washed his hands after receiving bread and wine from the congregation. As he does so, he prays a short prayer, expressing his desire for interior purification. This prayer is based on the second verse of Psalm 51: ‘…wash me clean of my guilt, purify me from my sin’.

Former: New:
Lord, wash away my iniquity; cleanse me from my sin. Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

The new translation follows the Latin word-order more closely: the Latin starts with Lava me (wash me), and puts Domine (O Lord) later. This change makes the sentence seem less peremptory in addressing God.

 

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