3.3 - development of a ritual

what changes to the mass occurred at Vatican II

Vatican II was important in the development of the mass. Led to the changes:

• mass celebrated in the vernacular

• altars were moved from the back wall to the centre to allow the priest to face the parishioners

• altar rail removed

• readings done facing the parishioners - can be said by the lay people

• hymns were sung

time periods involved in the mass

early church —> organic development, reliance on jewish scripture and traditions 0-300

empire age —> institutionalised, formalised + standardised 300-800

middle ages —> clarification and validation of the rituals 800-1600

contemporary —> vatican II, many changes to refine and modernise - make relevant (aggiornamento) 1600+

prayers of the faithful - pre-gospel

in synagogues prayers of petition and intercession were common.

examples of prayers of the faithful included in the Didache

prayers of the faithful - early church

informal prayers for the community

became a common part of the liturgy of the word

1 Timothy 2:1-2 - instructions for worship - urged to prayer for the people and intercession

described by St. Justin Martyr

prayers of the faithful - empire

prayers became more formal and were structured with intentions

towards the end of the age of empires, the prayers faded out of the Roman Rite, but was retained in the Eastern Churches

prayers of the faithful - middle ages

prayers of the faithful faded out of the usual mass

uncommon to see it

prayers of the faithful - contemporary

pre Vatican II - not focused on active participation

after vatican II —> sacrosanctum Concilium reinstated prayers of the faithful to promote participation

creed - pre-gospel

pre-pauline creed - first evidence of a formal hymn or confession creed, talks about worshipping Jesus as God

Paul’s letter to the corinthians shows the earliest known Christian creed, formulated within a few years of Jesus’ death : Christ died for our sins, rose on third day, appeared to the apostles

creed - early church

Pliny the younger = roman governor who questioned Christians on beliefs, established that early Christians worshipped Jesus as God

bound themselves to oaths which were the first affirmation of beliefs.

apostle’s creed introduced and used until the 7th century

creed - empires

council of Nicaea established the nicene creed - 325CE

filioque controversy between groups/ denominations of Christianity occurred later in the empires age - council in spain late 6th century

first council of Constantinople - expanded on the Nicene creed, clarified divinity of the holy spirit

creed - middle ages

council of trent to affirm the filioque clause (and the son)

gave the creed binding authority for all members of the roman catholic church

creed - contemporary

Vatican II, reaffirmed the Nicene creed

allowed modern translations of the creed

standardised english versions of the creed

communion rite - pre-gospel

bread and wine were given in the celebration of Passover - to celebrate the release from slavery.

Genesis 14:18 - king and priest brings bread and wine to Abram and blesses him

communion rite - early church

casual meetings with friends to share bread and wine

last supper - “do this in memory of me”

communion rite - empires

prayers for the priest before communion were introduced

communion rite - middle ages

received eucharist on the tongue, as a way to express reverence for the sacrament - touching consecrated host with not consecrated hands was not reverent

St Ignatius of Antioch, stressed the importance of celebrating eucharist as a united community - believed the bread and wine was the real presence of Jesus

communion rite - contemporary

Vatican II revised Eucharistic prayers

roman missal updates - translation of the mass

factors developing the mass

Constantine legalising Christianity in 313

allowed for more elaborate and formal masses

Jewish roots of Christianity

with most of Jesus’ earliest followers being jewish it lead to a lot of influence from early Jewish traditions and scripture

Persecution of early Christians

meaning they had to do Mass in secret, leading to a simplified and short mass ritual

reasons religions develop beliefs/ teachings/ rituals over time

conflict between groups in a religion

divided beliefs in a religion can force the religion to address the belief

for example, the protestant reformation in 1517 began with a German monk, Martin Luther, posting his theses on a Cathedral door. This led to conflict and discussion within the Catholic Church around the correct interpretations and beliefs. This then led to the Council of Trent in 1545, to address the beliefs. This led to change within the Church, surrounding the teachings, beliefs and rituals in the Church

Societal context/ cultural changes

Many events can happen in the society that prompt the Church to reconsider many beliefs, teachings or rituals. For example in the 20th century, a rapid modernisation in society prompted the Church to consider its relevance and place in society. This led to the second vatican council in 1962. The council aimed to modernise the Church to fit into a current, modern society.

institutionalisation

role of religious leaders

e.g. emperor constantine legalising christianity changed the mass

scholars deep thought = transubstantiation

external events/ threats e.g. war or communism

ritual

the symbols, words, gestures and actions used to express what is important about faith

belief

the foundations of a religion, usually derived from sacred texts

teachings

the way in which religions instruct their followers and respond to issues

practice

a recognised way of doing something religious

key features of the mass

introductory rites = community + preparation

• entrance, greeting, act of penitence, gloria, collect prayer

liturgy of the word = nourishment, dialogue, preparation, response

• readings from scripture and creed, response, homily, prayer of the faithful

liturgy of the eucharist = presence, sacrifice, communion, thanksgiving

• prep of gifts, eucharistic prayer, communion rite

concluding rites = mission, blessing conclusion

• announcements

• priest blessing

• dismissal

• veneration of altar