Liturgy in Collegeville: From the Archives – Part XXIII

(cf. Pray Tell: Worship, Wit & Wisdom Blog, Oct 13, 2014. https://praytellblog.com/index.php/2014/10/13/liturgy-in-collegeville-from-the-archives-part-xxiii/)

Pray Tell continues its 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 record from the Liturgy Committee:

Minutes of the Liturgy Committee

July 27, 1964

Present were Fathers John, Daniel, Godfrey, Michael, Aelred, Wenceslaus.

A number of observations on concelebration were made and recommendations proposed.

The communion of the concelebrants was discussed at greater length. Because communion is celebration, it should not give the impression of being rushed. After the celebrant and four main concelebrants had communicated, communion only then should be distributed to others. Some thought that it would be more symbolic to use large patens (instead of ciboria) to distribute communion from, and the four main concelebrants should help distribute. In general, the hosts we use at Mass should be larger.

There were a number of remarks on other topics as well. It was reported, for instance, that two Jesuits who attended 8 o’clock Mass on Sunday were “scandalized.” There was neither a homily, nor a reading of the epistle and Gospel in the vernacular.

In regard to communion at our Sunday conventual Mass, it was recommended that ciboria be placed at the three entrances: Father Aelred was put in charge of this for the coming Sunday.

The committee discussed the problem of having so many tabernacles and agreed how much better it would be to have only one, especially since regulations do not permit as many as we have anyway.

Some general recommendations for Archabbot Denis: 1) Office in vernacular; 2) Complete revision of Office and Ritual to be executed by experts; 3) The establishment of a commission of liturgical experts of monks of our congregation and other congregations to help with reforms. Names should also be recommended.