Holy Week - '54 & '62

Yesterday, I was watching a video from the ICKSP (Institute of Christ the King Soverign Priest), explaining the Liturgies of Holy Week. It should be noted, that this video explains the Rites of the pre-'55 missal. Normally, most places celebrate the '62 missal. However, in 2018, the FSSP (Fraternal Society of Saint Peter) and ICKSP were allowed to celebrate the '54 missal. Most especially the '54 is used during Holy Week (which is why hymnals, such as the Edmund Campion, have both the '62 and '54 for Holy Week).

First, let me just say, I have been to the Holy Week celebrations before, in the Novus Ordo. I have never been to ones before in the Older Form. Interestingly enough, my Hand Missal, which is published by the SSPX, is only the '62, which is the only form of the mass celebrated by the SSPX.

Palm Sunday

There are several differences between the '62, and '54. First is vestments worn on Palm Sunday. In the '54, Purple Vestments were worn from the procession (where the priest would wear a cope), to the mass (when he would change into a Chasuble). Where as in the '62, he wears a red cope (and the deacon and subdeacon wear red dalmatics and tunicles, respectively), and then purple for the mass (for the priest, deacon, and subdeacon). The order itself also seems to be shorter as well.

Side note, the Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the two other Passion Gospels are read, and the final one will be read on Good Friday.

Holy Thursday

The next differences are found on Holy Thursday. On Holy Thursday, pre '55, the Maundy, coming from the Latin meaning "mandate", or washing of feet, takes place seperately from the mass, where as in the '62, either is allowable. In the Canon of this mass, in both forms, there are several additions made. Next, the Pax or Kiss of Peace, is not made, the reason is that this same symbol was used to betray our Lord on this light, by Judas. Besides this, the use of a wooden clapper, following the Gloria, and used during the Canon, is a noticable change during this day. After this, at the conclusion of mass, in the '55, it should be noted that two hosts are Consecrated, one which will be consumed as usual at mass, and the other which will be put into the chalice. After mass, the host is placed into the chalice, and it is carried in procession after mass, to be used Tommorow. However, in the '62, a Ciborium is used and is carried in procession following mass.

Good Friday

After this is the stripping of the altar, which is identical in both.

Good Friday is significantly different. The '54 begins with readings, where as the '62 begins with the ministers prostrate in prayer, which occours following the readings in the '54 liturgy. Following the prostration in the '62, a prayer is said, and the readings occour. Following this, in both forms, the Passion Gospel is read, and then after this, both have the Great Intercessions, a prayer for the salvation of all. Then in both, the Adoration of the Cross occours. Then the next big difference between both. In the '54 a Communion Service occours, involving the Host from Holy Thursday. In this mass, no one but the priest recieve Communion. But in the '62 the Ciborium from the previous mass is used, and Communion is given to those present.

Easter Vigil

On Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil takes place. In both forms a fire is blessed. However in the '54, a triple candle is used, and lit three distinct times, in the Vestibule, Nave, and Sanctuary. However in the '62, no such candle is used, rather in the '54 from this the deacon will sing the Exultet, and bless the Paschal Candle, with Liturgical Actions taking place during the chant. In the '62, the priest himself blesses the paschal candle, which is carried into the church, where the Exultet will be sung. Then in the '54, the Baptismal Liturgy occours. In the '62, four prophecies take place, and then the baptismal liturgy is done. In the '54, the ministers prostrate during the Litanae Sanctorum, which in the '62, the litany is split into two. The litany also in the '54 takes place after the Baptismal Liturgy. However in both, the last part of the litany is when the altar is dressed, and the ministers change from purple to white. There are some oddities in both, including the absence of the Pax, and the Agnus Dei. 

For those of you who attend the TLM, and who attend for the celebration of Holy Week, you will see one of these. I personally have not attended the Older Forms of the Masses, and I am usually serving the New Form of these (which the new form is very similiar to the '62, especially Holy Thursday's Mass of the Lord's Supper, and Good Friday's service). I do hope to one day attend the older form, or serving at them is possible, whether I may be a laymen or a seminarian (all God-willing where he wants me).

For the rest of this week, as the day goes on, we will be looking at the Post Concilliar (Post Vatican II) services for Holy Week.

Photo Credit: FSSP Rockdale, IL, Facebook Page