November 28, 2014

What was in the news on November 27, 1964?

The ‘new Mass’ is introduced, and the third session of the Second Vatican Council closes

Criterion logo from the 1960sBy Brandon A. Evans

This week, we continue to examine what was going on in the Church and the world 50 years ago as seen through the pages of The Criterion.

Here are some of the items found in the November 27, 1964, issue of The Criterion:

  • ‘New’ Mass liturgy to begin this Sunday: English to be used for the first time
    • “The faithful of the archdiocese—along with millions of Catholics throughout the United States—will inaugurate the ‘new liturgy’ on Sunday, Nov. 29. The most obvious change in the Mass will be the introduction of English in large segments of the prayers and readings. Another ‘first’ in many churches will be the celebration of the Mass ‘facing the people,’ a change recommended, but not mandated, by the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. Several archdiocesan parishes and chapels made this basic change more than one year ago, and have been using the privilege ever since. The innovations in the Mass are the second in a series of liturgical reforms resulting from the council. The first was the use of the vernacular in administering the sacraments, which became effective last Sept. 14. Installation of portable altars is being completed in many churches this week, to be ready for Sunday’s historic revisions in liturgical format.”
  • 4th session due: Solemn ceremonies close council session
    • “VATICAN CITY—With the proclamation of the constitution on the nature of the Church and the decrees on ecumenism and the Eastern Churches, Pope Paul VI solemnly brought the third session of the ecumenical council to a close in the presence of the entire body of the Church’s bishops. During the course of the ceremony, he proclaimed Mary ‘Mother of the Church’ and announced that the council will have its ‘definitive conclusion in the fourth session.’ The date for this session was not announced, and speculation in council circles has ranged all the way from March of next year to sometime during 1966.”
  • 3rd session of council is criticized
  • Eucharistic Congress to open on Nov. 28
  • Official
    • “His Holiness Pope Paul VI has announced in Rome that the Eucharistic Fast has been reduced to one hour. This is official and is effective immediately. … As of Sunday, Nov. 29, the term ‘Holy Spirit’ will be used throughout the Archdiocese of Indianapolis to designate the Third Person of the Trinity.”
  • Back from Council: Archbishop hails new liturgy
  • Peace parley slated on ‘Pacem in Terris’
  • 140 CYO teams poised for basketball whistle
  • Partisanship seen: Dispute article on Pius XII
  • New St. Peter’s School dedicated in Franklin Co.

(Read all of these stories from our November 27, 1964, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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