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DESIGN & FORMAT PROPOSALS for ECCLESIAL CONSIDERATION for the ENGLISH EDITION of the ORDINARY FORM of the

ROMAN MISSAL

Shawn Tribe www.newliturgicalmovement.org

Disclaimer: This is a draft, non-commercial, academic exercise intended to discuss and make proposals around the production and design of the Roman Missal of the Ordinary Form It is not intended for liturgical use, and may not be put into liturgical use The texts are Copyright 2010, International Commission for English in the Liturgy (ICEL)
Produced by www.newliturgicalmovement.org

he following intends to look at two pages of two sections of Roman Missal, using as its basis the new revised English translation of the Roman Missal which is being put into practice in the English speaking world as of Advent 2011, and for which many printing efforts have been undertaken. The two sections which we shall look at for demonstrative purposes are from the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I) and from the Proprium de Tempore (Proper of Time). The focus of this particular exercise is on the internal textual and artistic layout of the Missal. The design takes its inspiration from the traditional layout of our Latin rite Missals, applied now to the liturgical books of the Ordinary Form of the Roman rite. In that regard, one could say that "continuity" with that Missal tradition is a defining intent of the design, but so too is the pursuit of beauty more generally.. This proposal also has the benefit of seeing a more economic use of the printed page, thereby also requiring less printed pages (which thereby also makes it more green environmentally), and, on a practical liturgical level, would additionally require less page turning on the part of the priest during the course of the celebration of the Mass. What is shown and proposed here in terms of design and layout should be understood as being reflected throughout the entirety of the Missal. I. A Word about the Art

The art used within this is simply demonstrative of the type of art that might work well within this context. I am grateful to the artist Leonard Porter (www.segnatura.com) for permission to use his Crucifixion painting for demonstrative purposes. The other artwork shown is taken from historical editions of the Roman Missal. In addition to the demonstration pages shown, I believe it would also be desirable for each major section (the Order of Mass, the Proper of Saints, etc.) and for major feast days to also employ artwork as a way of both emphasizing these sections and also beautifying the missal. This could be manifest either through full page illustrations, or by illustrations similar to that used in the Proper of Time in this exercise. With regard to full page art plates particularly, but also artwork more generally, I believe an important printing consideration is that these be printed in such a way that sees them consistent and integrated with the rest of the Missal rather than, for example, printed as glossy page inserts distinct from the other pages of the Missal. I would once again point back to our Missal printing and design tradition in this regard noting as well that I have seen this successfully done using both coloured and non-coloured artworks.

Drop Capitals Drop capitals of varying sizes that indicate major or minor breaks are an important aspect of this design, both as a visual queue and also from an ornamental perspective. More ornate drop-capitals could also be used as appropriate (as for example at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayers, or to mark the Entrance Antiphons of the Sundays and Solemnities). However the simplest possible manifestation has been given here. II. Page Borders

Borders for the pages have been included which further contribute to the visual integrity of the printed page. The only place where these would not be found in this design are on pages where there are full page illustrations such as the crucifixion image opposite the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer(s). III. Double Column

The use of the double column is a particularly important aspect of this proposal, making, again, for visible continuity with our Latin rite Missal printing tradition, better utilizing the printed page, requiring less printed pages, and requiring less page turning by the Priest at the altar. As already noted this not only has a certain visual and practical appeal, but further an environmental one. IV. Possible Future Revisions / Additions

Beyond the approved texts and titling, there are other aspects which I think would bear some consideration on the part of the same ecclesiastical bodies/authorities, and in view of the principle of reform/development in continuity within the scope of the present edition of the Roman Missal: i. Continuity and Brevity in Titling The section titling as it presently stands includes such things as, Prayer after Communion, Prayer over the Offerings, Communion Antiphon. While not a significant point, our ecclesiastical authorities may wish to consider reverting back to the terms employed in the 1962 Missale Romanum, both as a point of unity and continuity, and also for reason of brevity and simplicity from a layout perspective. These would be manifest as Post Communion, Offertory, Communion respectively. (The issue of Entrance Antiphon vs. the Introit presents a complexity since the former as found in the modern Roman Missal does not

always align to the latter as found in the Graduale Romanum. This is a deeper issue that is in need of future resolution, but it will be included here nonetheless.) An example of how this might be manifest if the revisions were to be made by the appropriate ecclesial authorities is as follows:

ii.

Inclusion of the Latin Ordo Missae A more significant point is the matter of the accessibility of the ordinary Latin texts of the Missal. While entirely Latin or vernacular editions of the Ordinary form Roman Missal have been printed, and in some instances historically a Latin supplement placed in the back of the vernacular edition of the Missal, it would certainly seem recommendable either to: (a) utilize the double column in the Order of Mass section of the Missal to present the texts and rubrics of the Mass in parallel Latin-English or (b) take advantage of the smaller number of pages required by this proposed formatting to at least include both the English Order of Mass and Latin Ordo Missae within the Missal, preferably in such a way that they are found in the

same general vicinity within the Missal. This could be manifest either by having entirely English on the one page and Latin on the facing page, or it could be manifest as two successive sections, with the entire Order of Mass in English in the one section, followed by the Latin Ordo Missae in the second successive section. This would not only allow for better use of both the Latin and vernacular Missal texts interchangeably within the context of Mass, it would also be simpler and more noble than requiring inserts or additional books on the altar for those communities that wished to make use of some of the Latin texts.

Concluding Remarks Evidently the formatting changes which have been proposed here would ultimately require approval from the appropriate ecclesiastical bodies if they are to be effected by publishers. My hope is that by producing this layout using the new English texts of the Roman Missal -- whatever else may come of the suggestions made in section V -- it may help to realistically show the possibilities, the potentialities and the benefits for possible future or additional printings of the English edition of the Roman Missal. I offer it for what is worth.

Shawn R. Tribe October 2011 www.newliturgicalmovement.org

EXAMPLE 1: EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I (THE ROMAN CANON)


We begin with the decorative page which would face opposite the Te igitur of Eucharistic Prayer I.

(Crucifixion by Leonard Porter, courtesy of Segnatura Fine Arts, all rights reserved. Used with permission for demonstrative purposes.)

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I (THE ROMAN CANON)


84. Then the Priest begins the Eucharistic Prayer. Extending his hands, he says: hands extended, he continues:) and all gathered here, whose faith and devotion are known to you. For them, we offer you this sacrifice of praise or they offer it for themselves and all
who are dear to them: for the redemption of their souls, in hope of health and wellbeing, and paying their homage to you, the eternal God, living and true.

o you, therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord: (He joins his hands and says:) that you accept (He makes the Sign of the Cross once over the bread and chalice together, saying:) and bless these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unblemished sacrifices, (With hands extended, he continues:) which we offer you firstly for your holy catholic Church. Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite and govern her throughout the whole world, together with your servant N. our Pope and N. our Bishop,* and all those who, holding to the truth, hand on the catholic and apostolic faith.
85. Commemoration of the Living.

Lord, your N. R emember,(The Priestservants his and N. joins hands and prays briefly for those for whom he intends to pray. Then, with
* Mention may be made here of the Coadjutor Bishop, or Auxiliary Bishops, as noted in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 149.

86. Within the Action. n communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, and blessed Joseph, her Spouse, your blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, (James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian) and all your Saints; we ask that through their merits and prayers, in all things we may be defended by your protecting help. (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

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Sample Two Page Layouts:

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EXAMPLE 2: THE PROPER OF TIME (PROPRIUM DE TEMPORE)

We begin with the first page of the Proper of Time which illustrates one method of using art to illuminate these pages, as well as gives a consideration for how the successive pages might be arranged.

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PROPER OF TIME ADVENT


FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps. 25(24): 1-3 o you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you I have trusted. Let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me, and let none who hope in you be put to shame. Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. The Creed is said. Prayer Over the Offerings ccept, we pray, O Lord, these offerings we make, gathered from among your gifts to us, and may what you grant us to celebrate devoutly here below, gain for us the prize of eternal redemption. Through Christ our Lord.

T
G

The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is not said. Collect rant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus

Preface I of Advent, p. ### Communion Antiphon Cf. Ps 85(84): 13 he Lord will bestow his bounty, and our earth shall yield its increase.

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Prayer after Communion ay these mysteries, O Lord, in which we have participated, profit us, we pray, for even now, as we walk amid passing things, you teach us by them to love the things of heaven and hold fast to what endures. Through Christ our Lord.

Preface I of Advent, p. ###. Communion Antiphon Cf. Ps 106 (105): 4-5; Is 38: 3 ome, O Lord, visit us in peace, that we may rejoice before you with a blameless heart.

A formula of Solemn Blessing, p. ###, may be used. MONDAY Entrance Antiphon Cf. Jer. 31:10, Is. 35:4 ear the word of the Lord, O nations, declare it to distant lands: Behold, our Savior will come; you need no longer fear.

Prayer after Communion ay these mysteries, O Lord, in which we have participated, profit us, we pray, for even now, as we walk amid passing things, you teach us by them to love the things of heaven and hold fast to what endures. Through Christ our Lord.

H
K

TUESDAY Entrance Antiphon Cf. Zec 14: 5, 7 ehold, the Lord will come, and all his holy ones with him; and on that day there will be a great light.

Collect eep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God,as we await the advent of Christ your Son, so that, when he comes and knocks, he may find us watchful in prayer and exultant in his praise. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Prayer over the Offerings ccept, we pray, O Lord, these offerings we make, gathered from among your gifts to us, and may what you grant us to celebrate devoutly here below gain for us the prize of eternal redemption. Through Christ our Lord.

B
L

Collect ook with favor, Lord God, on our petitions, and in our trials grant us your compassionate help, that, consoled by the presence of your Son, whose coming we now await, we may be tainted no longer by the corruption of former ways. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Sample Two Page Layout:

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