By Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan

At Home

Americans will probably hear the entire public Mass, except the Canon, in their own tongue by the beginning of Lent, 1966. The new decree extends the present vernacular to all parts from the beginning to the Te Igitur and from the Lord’s prayer till the end, except for a few private priestly prayers like the Munda Cor Meum before the gospel, the Offertory rite (to be much curtailed in the future) and the brief pre-Communion prayers said by the celebrant.

Bishops and priests this week recalled the heady days of November, 1963, when the American hierarchy in Rome voted to adopt as much of the vernacular as the new Constitution (then to be promulgated) permitted. The U. S. bishops were virtually the first body to express itself officially in regard to the new liturgy. They has spoken forcefully and acted in the union with the advanced position of other national leaders during the historic sessions of 1962-63. In commissions, in U.S. meetings and in the Council itself, no one could mistake the American will “to adapt more suitably to the needs of our time those institutions which are subject to change.”

Under the excellent leadership of Archbishop John F. Dearden, chairman of the U.S. Liturgical Commission, special April and November meetings (1964) were arranged, the commission was augmented, a secretariat and budget were established, diocesan commissions and seminary programs were expanded, and a Musical Advisory Board was put to work.

Misunderstandings, however, plagued the vernacular plan. When the much-awaited Missal appeared for the first Sunday in Advent, 1964, it left in Latin such important “presidential” prayers as the Collect, Oblation and Post-Communion. Other nations, even conservative Spain and Italy, had received approval for the vernacular treatment of these three. As the year 1965 began, the vernacular Preface and Embolism (Libera Nos) were granted to many other nations. The U.S. finally went into action in May of 1965 when a poll showed that an overwhelming number of bishops wanted as much vernacular as possible. The present indult is the result of that almost unanimous request.

What delayed the program nearly a year? One basic American difficulty is the size of the U.S. hierarchy (more than 200) and the long tradition of diocesan autonomy. Not since 1884 had the American bishops legislated for themselves as a body. Another was the practical question of publisher’s costs, -- and the more urgent problem of cost for thousands of missals for small parishes. Many other smaller hierarchies acted more decisively because the financial risk was not as high as ours. Among some bishops there was a wish to “freeze” the changes so that some stability could be reached. As it turned out, the November 1964 Missal and the new Supplement may cost more than if the U.S. had opted for everything at the beginning.

The American laity, their priests and bishops, have been patient with the situation, and their nearly full-bodied response to the new English was an important factor in finally going the whole way. In fact, although both the prayers at the foot of the altar, and the Orate Fratres may be cut from the new revised rite, enough bishops wanted them in English to warrant including them in the new indult.

The United States has now regained its conciliar position as fully committed to the renewal. There has been little doubt where the vast majority of our faithful stood. Nor is there much doubt now as to their part in the future revision of the rite of Mass.