The Ordo Karolingianus, Part V and Last

This is the final part of the Ordo, taking us up to the Last Gospel and the Dismissal. Unlike other portions of the Rite, here the Mass is more similar to the present form of the Roman Rite, without the "duplication" of parts in the Communion rite such as the separate Domine, non sum dignus for the priest. I think this duplication was not just complexity for complexity's sake and had some theological nuances, but I also think that it could be simplified somewhat without significant damage to the rite, perhaps to the benefit of the faithful.

Admitted, the spectacle of the priest saying silently Domine non sum dignus was an edifying one; but perhaps the audible canon with its self-effacing humility might serve the same purpose. Furthermore, it also allows the priest's Communion to come after the Agnus Dei, thus allowing the larger consecrated Host used during the rite to be shown to the people rather than a smaller one. This seems the logical conclusion of the many regulations encouraging the dispensation of Hosts consecrated at the same mass. I have omitted the Pax, presupposing its earlier placement before the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, but I am by no means satisfied by this inversion.

I am also somewhat unsatisfied with my my suggestion of restricting the Last Gospel to Advent, Christmas, and the Annunciation: perhaps it should be more common. There is always, I suppose, the possibility of reviving the use of multiple Last Gospel texts, as was previously the practice in very limited circumstances. They might change depending on the season of the year, but this might be unduly innovative and unprecedented. The 1964 Missal suppressed it, suggesting it was of the few edits actually intended by the Council, but the beauty of this this pivotal Gospel text nonetheless suggests it should be preserved.

Lastly: regarding communion under both Species. I think that in principle this is a good thing. Certain theological accretions, quite beautiful ones, explained the priest's drinking from the Chalice alone, though these are secondary to the ancient custom of communicating under both Species. However, speaking from a pastoral pespective, the use of Communion under both Species causes a great deal of procedural trouble and comparatively few people consume it, resulting in a multiplicity of lay Communion ministers, not to mention the difficulty of coordinating taking the Cup at the rail. On the other hand, the Lutherans have maintained the practice at their own services, and still kneel: though, however, their theology does not admit the Real Presence as we know it, and thus are far less concerned about spills. I have also suggested shortening slightly the traditional rite's formula of "Corpus Domini..." to the portion which can be said dignifiedly while making the sign of the Cross with the Host.

Well, that's the end of my idea for the Mass: it's been a fun ride. I will keep tinkering with this Ordo and perhaps when I open up a more permanent website, it'll have a home there. Thanks everyone for your intelligent commentary, your suggestions, and your thoughts. I hope in my own small way I've been able to add something to the vast debate which swirls around this controversy.

THE COMMUNION

P. Let us pray. Taught by our Savior’s command, and formed by divine instruction, we dare to say:

Pater Noster

R. Our Father, Who art in heaven: hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us: and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

The Embolism

P. Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evil: graciously grant peace in our days, and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and all the saints, mercifully grant us peace in our days, that, assisted by the power of Thy merciful love, that we may always be free from sin and safe from all distress: as we await the blessed hope of the advent of our Savior Jesus Christ.
R. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever and ever.

P. Lord Jesus Christ, look not upon our sins, but on the faith of Thy Church: and be pleased to grant Her peace and unity in accordance with Thy holy will. To Thee, who lives and reigns, God, forever and ever.
R. Amen.

Then shall the people, all kneeling, all sing aloud these words:

Agnus Dei

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: grant us peace.

Rite of Fraction

As the people sing, the priest shall make his preparation for Communion, saying thus as he divides the Host:

P. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who, by the will of the Father and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, have by Thy death given life to the world, by this Thy most holy Body and Blood deliver me from all my sins and from every evil. Make me always cling to Thy commandments, and never permit me to be parted from Thee. Amen.

Or, he shall say, as he desires:

P. Let not the partaking of Thy Body, O Lord Jesus Christ, turn to my judgment and condemnation; but through Thy goodness, may it be for me a safeguard of mind and body and an effective remedy. Amen.

Then shall the priest say silently, mingling the Precious Blood with a fragment of the holy and venerable body of Christ:

P. May this + mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it.

Now shall the priest turn to the people, and say, showing unto them the Holy Sacrament:

P. Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who takest away the sins of the world.

And then shall all say, striking their breasts thrice:

R. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should come under my roof: but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.
Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should come under my roof: but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.
Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should come under my roof: but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.

And then shall the priest reverently consume the Host, saying thus silently:

+ May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto life everlasting.

And then shall the priest drink the most precious Blood, saying thus silently:

+ May the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto life everlasting.

Then shall the priest come to the Communion rail with the ciborium, saying silently:

P. What return shall I make to the Lord for all the things he has give unto me? I will take the bread of heaven and the chalice of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. I will call upon the Lord and give praise: and I shall be saved from my enemies.

Then the priest shall distribute the Communion, saying each time, + The Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ to each who kneel at the rail. The appointed antiphon or a hymn may be sung as the priest cleanses the sacred vessels, saying this silent prayer:

The Ablutions

P. What we have received with our mouths, O Lord, may we take with pure minds, and from a temporal gift, may it become for us an eternal remedy.

[He also may say thus, either in addition to or in substitution of the preceding prayer:

P. May Thy Body, O Lord, which I have received, and Thy Blood which I have drunk, cleave to my inmost parts, and grant that no stain of sin be found in me: whom these pure and holy Mysteries have renewed.]

[Afterward, he may also say thus, also secretly:

Placeat tibi

P. May the tribute of my service be pleasing to Thee, most Holy Trinity, and grant that the sacrifice which I have offered in the presence of Thy Majesty, may be acceptable to Thee, and through Thy mercy obtain forgiveness for me and all for whom I have offered it.]

THE DISMISSAL

Then shall the priest say, Let us pray, saying the Post-Communion prayer, and then shall he bless the people in these words:

P. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
P. May Almighty God bless + you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
P. (now turning to the people.) Go, the Mass is ended. (or, Let us bless the Lord.)
R. Thanks be to God.

THE LAST GOSPEL

[On the feast of the Annunciation, at Advent and during Christmastide, save at those masses when the beginning of St. John’s Gospel is appointed to be read, the priest shall turn and read these Sentences of Scripture at the northern horn of the altar:

P. In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came as witness to the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not the true Light, but was to bear witness to the Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, (here he shall genuflect) and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
R. Thanks be to God.]

Then shall the priest kiss the altar, and depart, as a hymn or Marian antiphon is sung, unless he should elect to remain and lead some private devotions from the steps of the sanctuary, as is customary.

THE COMPLETION OF THE HOLY MASS
ACCORDING TO THE ORDO KAROLINGIANUS