The
Tridentine Mass was the principal form of the
liturgy of the
Roman Catholic Church from approximately 1540-1560 to 1970. The liturgy (and consequential
theology) is known as Tridentine because the
missal (prayer book) revisions were finalized at the
Council of Trent.
The purpose of Tridentine reform was to standardize the liturgy. From the earliest days of
Christianity to the late
Renaissance, liturgies varied from town to town, ethnic region to ethnic region, and even within
monastic orders! A new liturgy provided for a
Mass recognizable throughout the entire Catholic world.
In this liturgy, the priest does not stand at a table-like, free standing
altar, but stands at an altar that is like a ledge, usually set in a
niche (
apse) or against a wall. He faces towards the apse, away from the people, except to move to invite them to prayer or to engage in liturgical dialogue with the congregation.
The liturgy is entirely in Latin (The
Bible readings may be repeated in the
vernacular to be followed by a
sermon in the same common language, but re-readings and sermons are optional. They are considered external to the liturgy. For this reason,
pulpits in churches designed before
Vatican II are frequently located outside of the
sanctuary and
altar rails. (Sometimes pulpits are found projecting into the middle of the
nave, but this may be more for
voice amplification.) The priest dialogues with the people primarily when giving blessings and greetings, such as the following:
NB: in Latin and English respectively, "Sacerdos" is "Priest", "Congregatio" is "Congregation."
Greeting during Mass (Said when the priest turns from the altar to invite the people to prayer:)
Sacerdos:
Dominus vobiscum.
Priest:
The Lord be with you.
Congregatio:
et cum spiritu tuo.
Congregation:
and with your spirit.
Sacerdos:
Oremus.
Priest:
Let us pray.
Blessing at the end of Mass
Sacerdos:
Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus, Pater, Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus. Amen.
Priest:
May Almighty God bless you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.