Liturgy in Collegeville: From the Archives – Part XXVII

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

November 27, 1964

Present were Fathers John, Daniel, Michael, Aelred, Gerard, Brice, Wenceslaus, Leon, Mederic.

After opening the meeting with prayer, Fr. John gave a brief report on possible future changes in the rite of concelebration. Apparently, within a few months the number of concelebrants will be increased, their location will necessarily be changed, and the vestment usage may be modified. However, there is little on the matter that is definite.

Number seven of the proposals appended to previous minutes (the reading of the diptychs at community Mass) was discussed; their recommendation for use was unanimously favored by the committee.

Discussion next centered around several minor choral disciplines. It was recommended that some public statement be made to the community regarding the bad effects of monks spilling out of the choir stalls en masse after a service, especially the Sunday community Mass. Almost everyone agreed that the present method of haphazard genuflections upon leaving church leaves much to be desired, but no agreeable alternative was found. The question was delayed for further consideration. No definite conclusions were reached concerning choral culpa.

It was recommended that deacons distribute Communion at the conventual Mass. Some felt, however, that this could be a mere gimmick for the acquisition of “practice” rather than a true fulfillment of a diaconal role. Since there is, besides, no lack of priests, the proposal was unanimously rejected.

Consideration of the question regarding the ringing of the tower bells resulted in the consensus that if we have English ferial Vespers, three bells will be run for five minutes before the service begins. On Sundays, and major feasts five bells will be rung for five minutes before the celebration of Mass and Vespers.