The Pre-1955 Holy Week Liturgies

Fr. Carlo Braga, Annibale Bugnini’s right-hand man bragged:  that the changes to Holy Saturday were “the head of the battering-ram which pierced the fortress of our hitherto static liturgy.”

In a sense, it was indeed, a battering ram because the  changes made to the pre-1955 Holy Week Liturgies, during the reign of Pope Pius XII,  were the most substantial changes made since 1570, until the radical changes instituted by Vatican II.

In a sense they were the precursor to the Vatican II changes during Pope Paul VI’s reign.

And so, it is no surprise that Traditionalists have longed for the Pre-1955 holy week liturgy, which is fiercely beautiful and long – quite fitting for a vigil.

In fact, some Latin Mass communities  have instituted it at their parishes without the permission of their superiors or the Ecclesia Dei commission.

We now see a glimpse of a future where all traditionalists may eventually use the Pre-1955 Holy Week propers.

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The FSSP is Leading the Way

As reported by  Tridentine Community News, the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, in Littletown Colorado, annnounced that, [otw_shortcode_quote border_style=”bordered”]”The Pontifical Commission Ecclésia Dei has granted several parishes of the FSSP permission to use the pre1955 Holy Week, provided that each parish also secures permission from the FSSP Superior. “[/otw_shortcode_quote]

In fact, the Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Feb 2018 Bulletin says:

[otw_shortcode_quote border_style=”bordered”]”There is a great desire among many of the FSSP to celebrate Holy Week not according to the 1962 Roman Missal, but the 1955 Missal. The greater richness of the rites and ceremonies, the connection with the Breviary, and the overall coherence of the previous Holy Week are, in the opinion of many of the brethren, superior. A petition was made to the Holy See to obtain permission for this, and it was granted a week and a half ago, after a long period of waiting.”[/otw_shortcode_quote]

So, Can Other Traditionalists Use the Pre-1955 Holy Week Liturgies?

The FSSP has established precedent, so it is now possible to request permission from Ecclesia Dei.

Whether or not the commission will allow it to be used more universally in Traditional communities,  is another question.

Check out the resource list below for more details on the pre-1955 Liturgies.

Have you experienced the pre-1955 Holy Week liturgies?

Share your experience in the comments section and/or:

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Resources:

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Pre-1955 Holy Week Resource
Compedium of the 1955 Holy Week Revisions of Pius XII
The Reform of Holy Week in the Years 1951-1956
Open Letter to Confused Catholics