Pray Tell is running a series on the liturgical history of Collegeville. The sub-series “From the Archives” reprints some of the Liturgy Committee meeting minutes from 1963 to 1969. This sub-series is a behind-the-scenes look at liturgy in Collegeville during and immediately after the Second Vatican Council.
The next entry in the Calendar of Events:
Sept. 22
At 7:00 A.M. Missa Hymnificata for the Preps [Prep School Students] in the Assumption Chapel.
7:30 A.M. Missa dialogata for the College in the Church
10:45 A.M. Participated low Mass for the Community and College and guests.
This is the first of such Masses.
Participated Low Mass. Proceeds thus:
- At entrance in English
- Kyrie and all short responses in English.
- Gloria in English by all.
- Epistles read in English by a lector.
- Alleluia verse by Chanter and repeated by all.
- Gospel read by the assisting Deacon. English.
- Creed in English by all.
- English Offertory hymn.
- Offertory Petitions lead by Deacon to which all respond Lord have mercy.
- Sanctus in Latin by all.
- Pater Noster begun by leader in English and all join in.
- Agnus Dei in Latin.
- Domine non sum dignus in Latin.
- Communion hymn in English.
- Recessional hymn in English.
The next record from the Liturgy Committee:
Minutes of the Liturgy Committee
Sept. 23, 1963
Present were Fathers John, Daniel, Godfrey, Michael, Aelred (who will replace Father Godfrey), Gerard, Camillus, Wenceslaus, Leon, Fr. Adam, and Bro. Gerard.
Since Father Camillus anticipated being a bit late for the committee’s meeting, he wrote a memo to Father John in which he stated that very many of the students, as well as himself, felt that the solemnized Low Mass was the best form of participation for our particular congregation. Bro. Gerard said the same opinion held true for the Brothers. From many sides one heard that the solemnized Low Mass should be the form of Mass we should most use at St. John’s.
There were some minor criticisms. Father Camillus thought that the singing at communion was overdone. There should be a certain period of silence for individual thanksgiving on the part of the communicants.
Father John observed that the petitions at the offertory were difficult to understand and perhaps too long. Fr. Adam agreed that the petitions were too complicated, and Fathers Aelred, Camillus, and Fr. Adam were appointed a committee of three to work on the petitions for future solemnized Low Masses. Fr. Adam explained that the difficulty with holding the paper and singing into the microphone at the same time partially explained why the petitions were so difficult to understand.
It was also agreed that a commentator should say an invitatory before the oration and postcommunion, so that the use of a Missal would not be necessary and nonetheless the whole congregation would understand the gist of these prayers. The committee also thought that the community should only make a slight bow at the orations; this would convey our reverence for these prayers and also be an example to be imitated by the students. The committee also agreed that the communion hymn be curtailed, and that the student who reads the Epistle do this from the podium. A further point agreed upon is that the commentator should be as brief as possible in announcing the pages for hymns. The possibility of a hymn board was briefly considered, but no decision on it was reached. Father Godfrey said that the Orate fratres should be answered only by the servers; the committee agreed.
Father John announced that the major point discussed at the last meeting, the Brothers’ participation in conventual Mass, had been considered carefully by Father Abbot and thought possible, but that Father Abbot wanted to wait for the community’s meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at which this and others points would be discussed.
Other questions raised were whether rising could be pushed back to 5:15 so that the second shift of Masses could begin at 7:00, and whether we could be dispensed from public communal recitation of Terce and None in the Abbey church, since recitation of the hours at this time was not liturgical and not in keeping with the mind of St. Benedict. It was also suggested that Father Godfrey inquire whether we could be dispensed from Prime, as well as look into the possibility of further indults.
Father Godfrey took his adieu from the committee, wishing it every blessing and success.
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