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Please can you explain to me what pro populo means and also the
difference between a solelm mass and a regular mass. |
| 1. Pro
Populo ‘Pro Populo’ is simply the Latin ‘for the people’. The Code of Canon Law prescribes: ‘ …the parish priest is bound each Sunday and holyday of obligation in his diocese to apply the Mass for the people entrusted to him:’ [Canon 534 §1] The Code of Canon Law, English translation © 1983 The Canon Law Society Trust. 2. Difference between Solemn Mass and ‘a regular Mass’. The distinction between the title: Solemn Mass, and any other Mass is really a hangover from earlier centuries. Since the Second Council of the Vatican and the revision of the liturgy in the succeeding years, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal has been revised 3 times. The most recent revision by the Holy See, with the amendments adopted by the Bishops of England and Wales was published in English translation in April 2005, and has the force of law within that territory. Slight variations may apply in the territory of other bishops’ conferences eg in the USA, France, Ireland etc. Back now in England and Wales, the different forms of the celebration of Mass are set out as being: 1. Mass with a Congregation (with or without a Deacon); 2. Concelebrated Mass; 3. Mass at which only one minister participates. The presumption is that the majority of occasions when Mass is celebrated will be either circumstance 1 or 2. Thus the current version of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) reads: ‘By “Mass with a congregation” is meant a Mass celebrated with the participation of the faithful. It is moreover appropriate, whenever possible, and especially on Sundays and holy days of obligation, that the celebration of the Mass take place with singing and with a suitable number of ministers. It may, however be celebrated without singing and with only one minister.’ [§115] Elsewhere the documents specify what parts of the ceremonial might be included to enhance the celebration and active participation by the faithful and all those taking part. In particular certain parts of the Mass that ‘ought’ to be sung, wherever possible, even on weekdays. ‘Solemnity’ to use the word that appears in the question, can then be modified by the nature of the occasion, whether this is a Mass of the Sunday in some remote smaller rural congregation, or in a well resourced major city church or Cathedral. The ‘solemnity’ might be characterised by the style of vestments, the use of flowers, banners, processions, and the music adopted for the occasion. The numbers of concelebrants, the presence of the bishop, the deacon, or the roles of the other ministers participating in the liturgy of the day, all contribute to the ‘solemnity’ of that celebration of the Mass. The Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales also published: ‘Celebrating the Mass — a pastoral introduction’, and within this on the topic of music in the liturgy it reads: ‘As an art placed at the service of communal prayer, music is part of the liturgical action, drawing people together and transforming them into an assembly of worshippers. For this reasons music is considered integral to worship and serves a ministerial function… Music is integral to every liturgical celebration. Not every liturgy, however is celebrated with the same degree of solemnity. Sundays and Solemnities enjoy pride of place and demand greater preparation. Other celebrations are planned in the light of the community’s needs and resources. [Celebrating the Mass, © 2005 Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. (§80, §85), published by Catholic Truth Society] In the end analysis, there is really no such thing as ‘a regular Mass’ as each celebration will be unique in meeting the needs of a particular celebration event, and utilising the resources available to that congregation to suit the occasion. Each celebration being unique and valuable whether solemn or less solemn. Hope that adequately answers the two questions. You are welcome to seek clarification if any point is not clear. You can also find additional resources on line: www.liturgyoffice.org.uk and www.ssg.org.uk Peter J Harrison |