PROOF
THAT NOVUS
PREFACE
The Sacramentary, the large red
covered book which rests opened on the altar to the left of the priest during
Mass, and from which he reads the various prayers of the Mass, has an appendix
with the text of the Novus Ordo Mass
in Latin. The part of the Mass that used
to be called the Prayer of the Faithful, and is now called the Liturgy of the
Eucharist, is divided into three parts in this appendix, namely Prex Eucharistica (Eucharistic Prayer), Ritus Communionis (Communion Rite), and Ritus Conclusionis (Concluding
Rite). We compare below the texts of the
Novus Ordo first Eucharistic Prayer
(Prex Eucharistica I seu Canon Romanus), Communion Rite and Concluding Rite
with the corresponding parts of the Tridentine Mass as contained in the Missale
Romanum. This is followed by a discussion
of the differences between these two versions of the
Differences Between the Two Versions
Comparison of the Two Communion Rites
Comparison of the Two Concluding Rites
Some of our Christian brethren currently in schism with
Since the English version of the Novus Ordo Mass is readily available in missals and missalettes it does not seem worthwhile to repeat it here. We will, however, present English translations for the parts that have undergone changes, often written in italics, and indicated below by the notation (A), (B), etc.
There are, of course, a number of differences between the Tridentine and Novus Ordo versions of the introductory parts of the Mass, that is the Mass of the Catechumens, now called the Liturgy of the Word, but these have no effect on the validity of the Mass itself, so we will refrain from discussing them.
Te igitur, clementissime Pater, per Jesum Christum Filium Tuum Dominum nostrum supplices rogamus ac petimus ut accepta habeas et benedicas haec dona, haec munera, haec sancta sacrificia illibata in primis, quae tibi offerimus pro Ecclesia tua sancta catholica quam pacificare, custodire, adunare, et regere digneris toto orbe terrarum una cum famulo tuo Papa nostro N. et Antistite nostro N. et omnibus orthodoxis atque catholicae et apostolicae fidei cultoribus.
Memento, Domine, famulorum famularumque tuarum N. et N. et omnium circumstantium, quorum tibi fides cognita est et nota devotio, pro quibus tibi offerimus: vel qui tibi offerunt hoc sacrificium laudis pro se, suisque omnibus: pro redemptione animarum suarum, pro spe salutis et incolumitatis suae: tibique reddunt vota sua aeterno Deo, vivo et vero.
Communicantes, et memoriam venerantes, In primis gloriosae semper Virginis Mariae, Genitricis Dei et Domini nostri Jesu Christi: sed et beati Joseph, eiusdem Virginis Sponsi, et beatorum Apostolorum ac Martyrum tuorum, Petri, Pauli, Andreae, Jacobi, Joannis, Thomae, Jacobi, Philippi, Bartholomaei, Matthaei, Simonis et Thaddaei: Lini, Cleti, Clementis, Xysti, Cornelii, Cypriani, Laurentii, Chrysogoni, Joannis et Pauli, Cosmae et Damiani: et omnium Sanctorum tuorum, quorum meritis, precibusque, concedas ut in omnibus protectionis tuae muniamur auxilio. Per eumdem Christrum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Hanc igitur oblationem servitutis nostrae, sed et cunctae familiae tuae, quaesumus, Domine, ut placatus accipias: diesque nostros in tua pace disponas, atque ab aeterna damnatione nos eripi, et in electorum tuorum jubeas grege numerari. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Quam oblationem tu, Deus, in omnibus, quaesumus, benedictam, adscriptam, ratam, rationabilem, acceptabilemque facere digneris: ut nobis Corpus et Sanguis fiat dilectissimi Filii tui, Domini nostri Jesu Christi.
Qui pridie quam pateretur, accepit panem in sanctas, ac venerabiles manus suas, et elevatis oculis in caelum ad te Deum Patrem suum omnipotentem, tibi gratias agens, benedixit, fregit, deditque discipulis suis, dicens: Accipite, et manducate ex hoc omnes:
Hoc est enim Corpus meum [addition to N.O.: quod pro vobis tradetur (A)].
Simili modo, postquam coenatum est, accipiens et hunc praeclarum Calicem in sanctas, ac venerabiles manus suas: item tibi gratias agens, benedixit, deditque discipulis suis, dicens: Accipite, et bibite ex eo omnes
Hic est enim Calix Sanguinis
mei, novi et aeterni testamenti: mysterium fidei: qui pro vobis et pro multis
effundetur in remissionum peccatorum.
Haec quotiescumque feceritis, in mei memoriam facietis. [Novus Ordo replaces this with: Hoc facite in meam commemorationem.(B)]
[Addition to N.O.: Mysterium fidei. Mortem tuam annunciamus, Domine, et tuam resurrectionem, confitemur, donec venias (C)].
Unde et memores, Domine, nos servi tui, sed et plebs tua sancta, ejusdem Christi Filii tui Domini nostri tam beatae passionis, nec non et ab inferis resurrectionis, sed et in caelos gloriosae ascensionis: offerimus praeclarae majestati tuae de tuis donis, ac datis hostiam puram, hostiam sanctam, hostiam immaculatam, Panem sanctum vitae aeternae, et Calicem salutis perpetuae.
Supra quae propitio ac sereno vultu respicere digneris: et accepta habere, sicuti accepta habere dignatus es munera pueri tui iusti Abel, et sacrificium Patriarchae nostri Abrahae: et quod tibi obtulit summus sacerdos tuus Melchisedech, sanctum sacrificium, immaculatam hostiam.
Supplices te rogamus, omnipotens Deus: jube haec perferri per manus sancti Angeli tui in sublime altare tuum in conspectu divinae majestatis tuae: ut quotquot, ex hac altaris participatione sacrosanctum Filii tui, Corpus et Sanguinem sumpserimus, omni benedictione caelesti et gratia repleamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Memento etiam, Domine, famulorum famularumque tuarum N. et N. qui nos praecesserunt cum signo fidei, et dormiunt in somno pacis.
Ipsis, Domini, et omnibus in Christo quiescentibus, locum refrigerii, lucis et pacis, ut indulgeas, deprecamur. Per eumdrm Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Nobis quoque peccatoribus famulis tuis, de multitudine miserationum tuarum sperantibus, partem aliquam, et societatem donare digneris, cum tuis sanctis Apostolis et Martyribus: cum Joanne, Stephano, Matthia, Barnaba, Ignatio, Alexandro, Marcellino, Petro, Felicitate, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnete, Caecilia, Anastasia, et omnibus Sanctis tuis: intra quorum nos consortium, non aestimator meriti, sed veniae, quaesumus, largitor admitte. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Per quem haec omnia. Domine, semper bona creas, sanctificas, vivificas, benedicis, et praestas nobis.
Per ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso, est tibi Deo Patri omnipotenti, in unitate Spiritus Sancti, omnis honor et Gloria. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. [Concluding doxology].
Oremus [not in N.O. (D)] Praeceptis salutaribus moniti, et divina institutione formati, audemus dicere:
Pater noster, qui es in caelis, Sanctificetur nomen tuum, Adveniat regnum tuum: Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum de nobis hodie; Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem. Sed libera nos a malo. Amen. [Amen is not in N.O.].
[The two following prayers of the Tridentine canon (E)]:
Libera nos, quaesumus, Domine, ab omnibus
Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo.
[were changed in the N.O.to (F)]:
Libera nos, quaesumus, Domine, ab omnibus
[At this pint the N. O. adds (G)] Quia tuum est regnum, et potestas, et gloria in saecula.
[The expressions “Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo.” of the Tridentine was moved to a little later in the N.O. (H)].
[The N.O. moves the prayer “Domine Iesu Christe” from below to here (L)].
[The N.O. continues (I)]:Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo.
[In the N.O the priest adds (J)]: Offerte vobis pacem. [and a sign of peace is exchanged].
[Both the Tridentine and the N. O. continue]
Haec commixtio et consecratio [et consecratio is omitted in N.O. (K)] Corporis et Sanguinis Domini nostri Jesu Christi; fiat accipientibus nobis in vitam aeternam. Amen.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: dona nobis pacem.
Domine Jesu Christe, qui dixisti Apostolis tuis: Pacem relinquo vobis. pacem meam do vobis: ne respicias peccata mea, sed fidem Ecclesiae tuae: eamque secundum voluntatem tuam pacificare et coadunare digneris: Qui vivis et regnas Deus per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
[As mentioned above, the preceding prayer comes earlier in the N.O. (L)].
Domine Jesu Christe, Fili Dei vivi, qui ex voluntate Patris, cooperante Spiritu Sancto, per mortem tuam mundum vivificasti: libera me per hoc sacrosanctum Corpus et Sanguinem tuum ab omnibus iniquitatibus meis, et universis malis: et fac me tuis semper inhaerere mandatis, et a te numquam separari permittas: Qui cum eodem Deo Patre, et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen [The part in italics is omitted in the N.O. (M)].
Perceptio Corporis tui, Domine Jesu Christe, quod ego indignus sumere praesumo, [phrase in italics is omitted in N. O. (N)] non mihi proveniat in judicium et condemnationen: sed pro tua pietate prosit mihi ad tutamentum mentis et corporis, et ad medelam percipiendam: Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen (O).
[The two preceding endings in italics are omitted in the N.O.].
[The short Tridentine expression (P)]: Panem caelestem accipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo.
[Was replaced in the N.O. by (Q)]: Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollis peccata mundi Beati qui ad cenam Agni vocati sunt.
[Both versions then have]: Domine non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea.
[The next Tridentine prayer (R)]: Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam meam in vitam aeternam. Amen.
[is shortened in the N.O. to (S)]:
[The Tridentine prayer that follows is omitted in the N.O. (T)]: Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi? Calicem salutaris accipiam et nomen Domini invocabo. Laudans invocabo Dominum, et ab inimicis meis salvus ero.
[The next prayer of the Tridentine (U)]: Sanguis Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam meam in vitam aeternam, Amen.
[is shortened in the N.O. to (V)]: Sanguis Christi custodiat me in vitam aeternam. Amen.
Quod ore sumpsimus, Domine, pura mente capiamus: et de munere temporali fiat nobis remedium sempiternum.
[The Tridentine Concluding Rite has three parts: 1) the prayer “Corpus tuum, Domine, .......” , 2) the prayer “Placeat tibi, sancta Trinitas, ………” , and 3) the Last Gospel, which do not appear in the N.O. Ritus Conclusionis].
[With these omissions the Tridentine ending is (W)]: Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo. Ite missa est. Deo gratias. Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus. Amen.
[In the Novus Ordo the ending is put in a more logical order (X)]: Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo. Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus. Amen. Ite missa est. Deo gratias.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO CANONS
We provide here translations of the parts of the two rites which differ from each other. When italics are used to indicate changes in the Latin text they are also employed in the English translation. The letters (A), (B), etc., indicate places in the text above where there are changes.
(A) The addition
in the N. O. which is given up for you
is a slightly modified quotation from the Latin Vulgate (Luke
(B) The Tridentine expression As often as you do this, you do it in memory of me is changed in the N.O. to a direct quotation from the Latin Vulgate do this in memory of me (Luke 22:19).
(C) Let us proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. This is a paraphrase, not a translation, of the N. O. Latin choice A.
COMPARISON OF THE TWO COMMUNION RITES
(D) Let us pray
(E)
Deliver us, Oh Lord, from every evil, past, present, and to come, and through the intersession of the
blessed and glorious Virgin Mary, mother of God, together with your blessed
Apostles Peter, Paul, and Andrew, and all the saints, graciously give us peace
in our day, so that aided by the power of your mercy, we may be always free
from sin and secure from every disturbance.
(F) Deliver us, Lord, from every
evil, and grant us peace in our day, so aided by the power of your mercy, we
may be always free from sin and secure from every disturbance as we wait in
joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
(G) For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever.
(H) The peace of the Lord be with you always. And with your spirit.
(I) Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. The peace of the Lord be with you always. And with your spirit.
(J) Let us offer each other a sign of peace.
(K) and consecration
(L) Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us peace and unity in accordance with your will, you who lives and reigns forever and forever. Amen.
(M) Who with the same God the Father, and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns as God, forever and ever. Amen.
(N) which I, although unworthy, presume to receive
(O) Who lives and reigns with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit God, forever and ever. Amen.
(P) I will receive the bread of heaven, and call upon the name of the Lord.
(Q) Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.
(R) May the body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul for eternal life.
(S) May the body of Christ preserve my soul for eternal life.
(T) What shall I return to the Lord for all that he has given to me. I will take up the chalice of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. With praises I will call upon the name of the Lord, and I will be saved from my enemies.
(U) May the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul for eternal life.
(V) May the blood of Christ preserve my soul for eternal life.
COMPARISON OF THE TWO CONCLUDING RITES
(W) The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. The Mass is ended. Thanks be to God. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
(X) The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Mass is ended. Thanks be to God.
Notice that only three of the 24 differences are in the Canon itself. The remaining 21 are in the Communion and Concluding Rites. This completes our proof that the Novus Ordo Mass is indeed valid whether or not it is celebrated in Latin or a vernacular language like English or Spanish.
In providing these English language comparisons we were not sure whether to give literal translations of the Latin, or the forms that appear in our present English language liturgy. This is because in many instances the English is a paraphrase of the Latin, not a literal translation. For example the phrase “et cum spiritu tuo” means literally “and with your spirit”, but the English Mass text employs “and also with you.” In most of our comparisons we provide literal translations since this seems more instructive.
It is interesting to note that the expression famulorum famularumque which appears twice in the Roman Canon is an example of inclusive language. It is paraphrased in the official English Mass by the single word “people.” The 1938 “My Sunday Missal” edited by Fr. Joseph F. Stedman expressed it better: “servants and handmaids.” A literal rendering would be “male servants (or slaves) and female servants (or slaves).”
The Sacramentary used for this comparison was the 2nd edition dated 1985 of the 1975 Roman Missal. The Novus Ordo comparison text in Latin was from Prex Eucharistica I seu Canon Romanus, Ritus Communionis, and Ritus Conclusionis of Appendix IV of this Sacramentary. The Missale Romanum was the edition copyrighted by Benziger Brothers, Inc., in 1942.