Vatican II: Changes in Mass

[soc_puppet]

See what I did there, ohohoho.

DISCLAIMER: While I was raised Irish-Catholic, I lapsed a good five or so years ago, and my dad, from whom I got pretty much all of my information on pre-Vatican II services, was still a kid when the changes went down. My information is incomplete at best, and quite likely riddled with errors. If you know I got something wrong, or just have more specific information on anything, please correct me!

Here is the Wikipedia link for Vatican II, for more of the policy information and historical stuff.


Vernacular: The change that most people are aware of is the change from holding mass in Latin to holding it in the vernacular (the most common language(s) in the area). However, even before Vatican II, portions of the mass were in the local language(s): definitely the homily, and possibly also the readings. Everything else, though, was in Latin. I'm pretty sure it was to allow a certain sense of universality between individual churches, so individuals could still follow mass if they were in a country where they didn't know the language. It's still possible to do so now, but it's considerably more difficult to recite various prayers along with the rest of the congregation.

Altar and Priest Placement: Prior to Vatican II, the priest faced the altar which faced the back of the church (usually there's a crucifix there). After Vatican II, the entire altar was turned around and the priest faced the congregation. To the best of my knowledge, the idea before was that the priest faced God on behalf of the people, and the idea after was that the priest faced the people on behalf of God. (One of my dad's first thoughts on the priest turning around was that now he couldn't make trouble anymore.)

Alter Servers: Guess what, gals! You can now serve at the altar, too! After Vatican II, the position of Altar Server, formerly Altar Boy, was opened to girls as well.

Communion: AKA the bread and wine. During each Catholic mass, everyone of appropriate age would line up one-at-a-time to accept Communion. They would kneel in front of an altar boy, who would hold a small tray under their chin and place the host (bread*) directly on their tongue. They would then cross themselves and then return to their seats. Only the priest would taste the wine*. Now, Catholics still line up to accept communion (exceptions made for people with mobility problems; they usually sit in the front row to be served directly), and still cross themselves after accepting it, but most choose to take the bread* from the server (not necessarily an altar server) by hand and put it in their own mouths. The entire congregation is now allowed to taste the wine* as well, though not a lot do; the server wipes the rim of the cup with a special cloth after each person has drunk from it.

Hair Covering: Before Vatican II, girls and women were expected to wear something to cover their hair in church, in order to preserve modesty (or something). It could be as simple and small as a doily, or a handkerchief in an emergency, but hats were also allowed. Now women and girls are allowed to go to church bare-headed, and almost all do.

Music: There was somewhat less of it during mass before Vatican II, and considerably less singing along. Often there would be large choirs performing for special holidays (Christmas, Easter), but not so much other than that. The music has also gotten somewhat more "modern" since Vatican II, though rarely to the extent of the sort heard in Sister Act; heck, most of it doesn't even reach Vatican Rag standards.

Confession: The name of the sacrament as I learned it was Reconciliation, but you'll probably encounter it more often (and I've even said it more often) as Confession. Okay, sometimes in movies or on television there are those little booths with doors on either end and a screen to separate the parishioner/confessor from the priest? Those are called confessionals. Great for plot devices; mandatory before Vatican II, but mostly a formality these days. Whenever I went, I spoke with a priest face-to-face.


* Special Note: Catholics believe in a particular process called "Transubstantiation". We/they are taught that when the priest blesses the bread and wine it literally becomes the body and blood of Jesus. It still looks and tastes like ordinary bread and wine (actually, the wafers are kinda dry and hardly taste like anything) but has transcended that substance to become the flesh and blood of Christ. So when I say "bread and wine", I may just be substituting for "body and blood". There's more I could get into here, but I'll save that for a Catholicism 101 post, if anyone wants one of those, or if someone asks.


That's all that I'm aware of. Again, if anyone can expand on this or correct me in anything, I would love your input. Please feel free to link this around :)

Comments

[mysid]

Although the use of female altar servers did become common in some parts of the world post-Vatican II, according to official Vatican policy, it's still strictly forbidden. Altar servers, like priests, are supposed to be male only.

Yet another reason I no longer call myself a Catholic.