Our Parish Prays and Sings

Preparation For The Changes

Look at the book at the right, printed in 1959. At the bottom is the form for the consecration of the wine. Notice that The Mystery of Faith is in parentheses. Heeding the warning (see below) of the Holy Office they did not omit the words, but minimized them. And then look, pro multis is translated as for all.

Holy Office warning, 24 July, 1958: This Supreme Sacred Congregation has learned that in a certain translation of the New Order of Holy Week into the vernacular, the words "mysterium fidei" in the form of the consecration of the chalice are omitted. it is also reported that some priests omit these words in the very celebration of Mass.

Therefore this Supreme Congregation gives warning that it is impious to introduce a change in so sacred a matter and to mutilate or alter editions of liturgical books. (See Canon 1399, paragraph 10)

Bishops therefore, in accordance with the warning of the Holy Office or 14 February, 1958, should see to it that theprescriptions of the sacred canons on divine worship be strictly observed, and they should be closely watchful that no one dare to introduce even the slightest change in the matter and form of the Sacraments.

Patriarchs, Archbishops, and other Hierarchs should zealously care for the faithful protection and the accurate observance of their rite, nor are they to permit or to tolerate any change in the rite. Canon 1, paragraph 1 of the Oriental Code of Canon Law. On June 2, 1957 in the fullness of his Apostolic Authority, Pope Pius XII extended this law to the Universal Church