Missa Pro Populo
Encyclopedia
Missa Pro Populo is a term used in liturgical texts and rules of the church. It refers to the requirement of all ordained Pastors to say Mass for the people of their Parish. This is as opposed to a mass said for a particular person, for the benefit of the Celebrant alone, or for the benefit of the dead (see Requiem Mass). This requirement is often linked to the term Parochial Mass, referring to the mass said in the Parochial or Parish Church.
is established to provide the parishioners with the helps of religion, especially with Mass. The parochial Mass is celebrated for their welfare on all Sunday
s and Holy Days of Obligation, even when suppressed. The parish priest is not obliged to say it personally; but if he does not, he must offer his own Mass for that intention. Parishioners now fulfil their duty by assisting at Mass in any church; but formerly they had at least to hear a Mass in the parish church. This obligation fell into disuse owing to the privileges granted to the religious orders; the Council of Trent, treats it only as a counsel; and notwithstanding certain provincial and diocesan regulations of the 16th and 17th centuries, the obligation ceased.
, but it could be, and frequently was, being prescribed by the statutes or custom of the area. It was preceded generally by the blessing
and aspersion
of water on Sundays. Even if the mass was not sung, it was celebrated with additional solemnity, with more than two candles on the altar and at least two servers. What was characteristic of it is the instruction, with its special prayers, the announcements made to the congregation, the publication of banns of marriage
, and finally the familiar sermon
or homily
. These later two features, so common today, were features only made an obligation at the masses of Sundays and Holy-days relatively recently in the long history of the Mass.
or cross-bearer.
Mass for the Parish
The parishParish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
is established to provide the parishioners with the helps of religion, especially with Mass. The parochial Mass is celebrated for their welfare on all Sunday
Sunday
Sunday is the day of the week between Saturday and Monday. For most Christians, Sunday is observed as a day for worship of God and rest, due to the belief that it is Lord's Day, the day of Christ's resurrection....
s and Holy Days of Obligation, even when suppressed. The parish priest is not obliged to say it personally; but if he does not, he must offer his own Mass for that intention. Parishioners now fulfil their duty by assisting at Mass in any church; but formerly they had at least to hear a Mass in the parish church. This obligation fell into disuse owing to the privileges granted to the religious orders; the Council of Trent, treats it only as a counsel; and notwithstanding certain provincial and diocesan regulations of the 16th and 17th centuries, the obligation ceased.
The Parochial Mass pre-Vatican II
The Mass not being strictly conventual, it was not obligatory by common law for it to sung as a Missa CantataMissa Cantata
Missa Cantata is a form of Tridentine Mass defined officially in 1960 as a sung Mass celebrated without sacred ministers, i.e., deacon and subdeacon.Other names in pre-1960 sources:...
, but it could be, and frequently was, being prescribed by the statutes or custom of the area. It was preceded generally by the blessing
Holy Water
Holy Water is the ninth studio album by hard rock band Bad Company, and their third with Brian Howe in place of Paul Rodgers as lead vocalist, released in June 1990. The singles on the album all received moderate radio airplay. These included "Holy Water", "Boys Cry Tough", "Walk Through Fire", and...
and aspersion
Aspersion
Aspersion , in a religious context, is the act of sprinkling with water, especially holy water. Aspersion is a method used in baptism as an alternative to immersion or affusion...
of water on Sundays. Even if the mass was not sung, it was celebrated with additional solemnity, with more than two candles on the altar and at least two servers. What was characteristic of it is the instruction, with its special prayers, the announcements made to the congregation, the publication of banns of marriage
Banns of marriage
The banns of marriage, commonly known simply as the "banns" or "bans" are the public announcement in a Christian parish church of an impending marriage between two specified persons...
, and finally the familiar sermon
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
or homily
Homily
A homily is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture. In Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a homily is usually given during Mass at the end of the Liturgy of the Word...
. These later two features, so common today, were features only made an obligation at the masses of Sundays and Holy-days relatively recently in the long history of the Mass.
The Current Mass
Currently the Parochial Mass, or Missa pro Populo is still a requirement for all ordained Priests. However, because of the inclusion of the Prayer of the Faithful in all masses the requirement is now largely considered to be obsolete, as all masses are offered for the Parish, Church, Nation and the World (as well as any other prayers in the Prayer of the faithful). In terms of solemnity, while it is stipulated in various clerical manuals that Solemn Masses will have six altar candles (seven for a pontifical mass) the number of altar candles lit is highly variable. Generally at least two are used. The number of servers is also relatively variable, as is the inclusion of an optional cruciferCrucifer
A crucifer is, in some Christian churches , a person appointed to carry the church's processional cross, a cross or crucifix with a long staff, during processions at the beginning and end of the service...
or cross-bearer.