Novus Ordo Missae

This article is about the post-Vatican-II changes to the Mass; for an explanation of the current structure of the Mass, see Mass (liturgy).

The 1970 Roman Missal

The Apostolic Constitution Missale Romanum, promulgating the 1970 Roman Missal, singled out for special mention the following changes:

Related Topics:
Apostolic Constitution - 1970

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• Three new eucharistic prayers (or canons) were added to the single text of the previous Roman rite. However, the only obligatory alteration to the traditional Roman Canon was that the words "Mysterium fidei" were removed from the context of the words of Christ at the consecration. They are now said by the priest as an introduction to the Memorial Acclamation.
• The rites of the Ordo Missae section of the Missal were simplified, with due care to preserve their substance. Elements that had been duplicated over time or were added with little advantage were eliminated. Other elements that had been damaged by accidents of history were restored.
• A much larger portion of the Scriptures would be read to the people. The present three readings and a Responsorial Psalm arranged in a three-year cycle of Sundays is more than four times the previous two readings spread over a single year.

In addition to these three changes, the Apostolic Constitution mentions that the revision considerably modified other sections of the Roman Missal, such as the Proper of Seasons, the Proper of Saints, the Common of Saints, Ritual Masses and Votive Masses, adding that " number has been increased, so that the new forms might better correspond to new needs, and the text of older prayers has been restored on the basis of the ancient sources."

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