One of the goals of the revision of the TLM was to clean up the ending of the Mass.
At the end of the TLM, the priest first says, "Go in Peace" in Latin of course. But he's kidding. He turns to the altar and prays the Placeat and then turns again to offer the actual blessing.
But you can't go in peace yet! There's the Last Gospel to be read in a low voice. (BTW) I refuse the low voice here and read it aloud at the TLM! Crucify me!
But in a Low Mass, you can't go in peace yet! There are the Leonine prayers which must be prayed for the conversion of Russia. I also make my special intention for the conversion of the USA and me!
Then you can go in peace, only once the priest has done so.
The Modern Roman Vernacular Mass supposedly cleaned that up, but some haven't heard.
Today, idiosyncratic individual decisions, by the celebrating priest, there are scads of devotions added to the end of the Mass. Maybe its the leonine prayers, or maybe it is the Prayer to Saint Michael or maybe it's a litany of some kind. Some added prayers/devotions are short but others down right long!
None of these are prescribed by the legitimate liturgical authority of the Church. They are prescribed by this that or the other illegitimate liturgical authority, namely a parish priest choosing his popular devotions.
At least in the TLM the addition of various prayers after the Mass were made by ecclesiastical liturgical authorities, such as the Leonine Prayers after the Low Mass. (The UK has a prayer for the sovereign mandated by the proper authority).
Technically, neither in the TLM or the Modern Rite is a recessional hymn prescribed. But by custom, both in the TLM and the Modern Rite a recessional hymn is sung and it is approved to do so by ecclesiastical authorities. But you don't have to sing one if you don't want to sing one.
But how long should the priest stay after having said "Go in Peace" for the various verses of the recessional hymn?
Who is the liturgical authority on that one!?!
4 comments:
What's more concerning is how many of us fail to leave in peace, but remaining in fear, dread and worry. :(
True and some celebrations of the Mass exacerbates these issues.
We could try the closing lines of Ferris Bueller's Day Off: "You're still here? It's over. go home. Go."
Father, I believe the words Ite Missa Est literally mean “it is sent”. My understanding is that the priest is telling the faithful that the sacrifice is sent. Very much as the Jewish high priest would come out of the Holy of Holies and inform the people the sacrifice is complete. We then respond with thanking God. The English translation that the Mass is ended is not a good one and leads to the same confusion you are voicing: Is the Mass over or not? No, the sacrifice is over but the rite continues after the Sacrifice is Sent and the last few parts are to strengthen us for the week ahead; the final blessings and the sublime words of Saint John.
I do appreciate your posts. Lots os sanity in a church that seems bent on confusion.
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