Meanwhile, Back in Seattle….

          The concelebrated Masses which opened and closed the Third Session were a sign of things to come, for the first changes in the liturgy were right around the corner.  The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy had been promulgated in December, 1963, at the end of the Second Session, but many supposed that it would take years to implement.  (In a sense, of course, it has—at the recent Synod on the Eucharist, the Bishops concluded that we have only just begun to live out the riches of the liturgical revolution!).  But Rome, for once, moved more swiftly than anyone expected, and in the United States, the changes would begin on the First Sunday of Advent, 1964—just a week after the conclusion of the Third Session.

          Many remember the liturgical changes as if they happened overnight.  But in fact, in the Archdiocese of Seattle, there was a good deal of preparation.  Not only was the entire Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy made available to the faithful, but CCD clubs were set up all over the Archdiocese to discuss and prepare for the changes. 

          At the end of August, the priests of the Archdiocese gathered at St. Thomas Seminary for a conference on the changes in the liturgy.  There were presentations on the homily (it “should ‘form’ the Christian and not simply ‘inform’ him”), on the Triduum, on the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, and a variety of related topics.  But most memorably, on September 1, 1964, Msgr. John Doogan presided at the first English Mass on the west coast.  For the first time, the priests prayed together in their own language at Mass, and sang an English communion hymn:  “So may we all one bread, one body be, In this blest Sacrament of Unity.”

          Throughout the fall of 1964, news on the Council competed with such headlines as “Bringing Missal to Mass Will Be Out-moded, Priest Says” and “Midnight Mass in English.”  The Progress ran a regular series entitled “New Horizons in the Liturgy,” which gave a thorough historical background for the changes that were to come, and provided weekly suggestions as well.  (“When you take part in the sacred liturgy, remember that Christ is present and active in all the liturgical celebrations of the Church, sanctifying souls and glorifying God.”  “Be patient with those who find it difficult to adjust to these changes, and help them to acquire a better understanding of the Mass as a ‘community offering.’”)

          The Mass as it was celebrated on that First Sunday of Advent, 1964, was not the vernacular Mass we know today.  It was a hybrid, with many parts still in Latin.  The old prayers at the foot of the altar were said as before, by the priest and servers only, but the people, meanwhile, sang an English hymn.  The Kyrie and Gloria were now in English.  The collect, however, was in Latin, though a translation could be read by a lay commentator.  The readings were now in English, and the homily was followed by the “Common Prayer,” that is, the General Intercessions.  The canon of the Mass was still entirely in Latin, the Our Father in English, the embolism in Latin.  The post-communion prayer was in Latin, but the dismissal was in English.  At the conclusion of Mass, the priest recited the last Gospel, but in a low voice, so as not to interfere with the closing hymn being sung at the same time by the people!

          The following week, the Progress ran a cover story with this headline:  “Consensus is ‘Wonderful’:  Mass Change Draws Favorable Comment.”  There were definitely mixed feelings:  “I personally think it is wonderful,” said a mother of four from Olympia.  “I was never educated in Catholic schools so I haven’t really understood everything about the Latin.  I think English in the Mass will help everybody to know what they are doing.”  A Vancouver man said, “I’m from the old school.  I’m not really in favor of it,” conceding, however, that “it’s wonderful for the new Catholics.”  Another woman said, “I am very anxious to see further changes.  There were not as many changes as I had expected.  I think the Mass should all be in English except the formula for consecration.”

          Some of the grown-ups may not have been ready for the changes; but the children took them in stride.  A sixth grade class from St. Benedict’s in Seattle reacted to the new liturgy with enthusiasm.  Anne:  “It is so beautiful to know what they are talking about.”  Nelson:  “It means to me that it was made to help more people understand what the priest is saying and how much the priest shows his love to God.”  Teresa:  “I like the new Liturgy because now we can talk to God in our own language.  Before some people just said a bunch of words.”  Gerald:  “I think the Mass in English is a good idea because the priest and the people can understand it better.  It makes me feel more holy.”  Richard:  “I think it is a very fine idea  I think they wanted to put the Mass in English so we could understand better.  It all adds up to, I like the new Liturgy.”

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