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 record from the Liturgy Committee:
Minutes of the Liturgy Committee
Jan. 3, 1964
Present were Father Abbot, Fathers John, Daniel, Godfrey, Michael, Gerard, Camillus, Wenceslaus, Leon, Finian, Fr. Adam and Bro. Gerard.
The first topic of discussion was the Mass for January 6. Father Finian recommended that in view of the difficulty of rescheduling classes and in anticipation of a small number of student participants, since the majority are not yet sufficiently aware of the meaning of Epiphany, the solemnization of the Mass of January 6 be confined to the community. For next year this Mass could be scheduled on the student calendar.
The Masses for January 5 and 6 were discussed. This was preceded by the more general discussion of whether or not we should have two High Masses and two Low Masses each month plus a High Mass for special occasions. Father Michael proposed that there be one High Mass each month and that the rest be solemnized Low Masses, since this would still average out to about two of each kind each month because of the High Masses on special occasions.
At this point Father Godfrey spoke about the possibility of using syllabic or quasi-syllabic Chant melodies for vernacular texts. Experimentation is necessary to prepare for the English High Mass of the future. St. John’s is particularly qualified for such experimentation. Some examples of this experimentation would be to have the entire congregation sing simple Antiphons, alternating with a choir singing Psalm verses. He also mentioned that the American episcopal liturgical commission, who will meet at Philadelphia on Jan. 8 and 9, will recommend texts for the vernacular parts of the Mass. The bishops will have to approve these texts.
Father Abbot mentioned that it seemed that fewer students were attending the community Mass on Sunday and that Father Walter has expressed the observation that the students at the back of the church were not singing during the solemnized Low Mass. Father Finian thought that the number of students attending Sunday community Mass was about the same, and that those at the back of the church were the type that want to see the Mass celebrated swiftly and not the type that participate. He also called attention to the objective norms involved, namely that vernacular participation allows opportunity for more active participation on the part of the students, and that eventually we hope that they will understand these principles and make them their own. Because of the objective norms involved, Father Michael thought that a nose-count of students who disliked or liked the solemnized Low Mass would be of little value. Fr. Adam said that the clerics almost unanimously preferred the solemnized Low Mass. Father Wenceslaus was of the opinion that the principle of active participation that underlies the solemnized Low Mass will eventually and necessarily be appreciated by the students, just as the new Abbey church overcame initial opposition on the part of some because of the sound liturgical and architectural principles involved in its construction.
The committee recommended solemnized Low Masses for January 5 and 12.
The question of the breviary in the vernacular was raised but discussed only very briefly because of lack of time. Father Abbot expressed the wish that others would go in with us in adopting the vernacular; someone said that Abbot Bede might. The schedule of December 31 was also only very briefly discussed owing to lack of time. It was proposed by some that Father Abbot carry out his intention of having a community discussion on the question of the vernacular Office on January 7.
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