The Mass we celebrate today was shaped by twenty centuries of popes who added, moved, and reformed its parts. Which pope gave us the Gloria, the Kyrie, the Agnus Dei — and what does it mean that the Church can change the liturgy at all?
The History of the Catholic Mass: The Popes Who Changed It
This session traces the history of the Catholic Mass through the popes who reshaped it across two millennia. Drawing on the Liber Pontificalis and early liturgical witnesses, Dr. Pitre walks through the ancient popes credited with specific additions — St. Alexander I and the institution narrative, St. Sixtus I and the Sanctus, St. Telesphorus and the Gloria, St. Innocent I moving the Sign of Peace, St. Celestine and the responsorial psalms, and St. Gelasius arranging the Roman Canon — then the great medieval reforms of St. Gregory the Great (the Kyrie, the placement of the Our Father, Gregorian chant), and modern developments through Trent, St. John XXIII, Pope Francis, and Vatican II. The framing question comes from the Catechism (CCC 1205): the liturgy has an "immutable part" that is divinely instituted and parts the Church may adapt. So what may change, what may not, and by whose authority?
Key passages & sources examined: CCC 1205; Pius XII, Mediator Dei no. 58; Liber Pontificalis (Sts. Alexander, Sixtus I, Telesphorus, Celestine, Leo the Great, Gelasius, Sergius I, Gregory III); Innocent I, Letter 25 to Decentius; Gregory the Great, Letters 9.26; Durandus, Rationale 4.35.12; Council of Trent, Session 21 (1 Cor 4:1); Sacrosanctum Concilium 22, 50; St. Paul VI, General Audience (Nov 19, 1969)
What does the history of the Catholic Mass reveal about how it can change? The video shows, for example, that individual parts — the Gloria, Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei — entered the Mass at identifiable moments under specific popes, while its divinely instituted core remained. The distinction between the changeable and unchangeable is the heart of the discussion.
Which popes are credited with the biggest changes? Dr. Pitre highlights Gregory the Great above all, along with the ancient popes named in the Liber Pontificalis and the reforms of Trent and Vatican II.
Can a priest change the Mass on his own authority? The session takes up this question directly through the Council of Trent and Vatican II's teaching on who may regulate the liturgy — watch for the full answer.
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Approximately two years ago, I began subscribing to "Mass Readings Explained". At the time I was the leader of a small group of Catholics in my parish who wanted to start a Faith and Fellowship group. We decided to concentrate in our meeting on the upcoming readings for Sunday's Catholic Mass. My Group loves Dr. Pitre because he brings so much to his presentation of the Sunday Mass readings. We are trying to convince the entire parish to follow Dr. Pitre's weekly review of Sunday's readings. I find that I listen to Dr. Pitre's presentation two or three times before our meeting and it helps me know when to stop and start the presentation so that we can engage in discussion about what we have just learned. Without hesitation, everyone in our small group of 8 would heartily endorse Dr. Pitre's work.
The first CD skimmed and skipped and I was not able to listen to it. I have returned it to you by mail so that you can test it and hear for yourselves the poor quality of the CD.
Hi Paul, we're sorry to hear about the issue with your CD. Please email me (Michael@CatholicProductions.com) a good address and I will send you a replacement.
I'm amazed by these lectures, I learn so many things and I hear so many things Ive never heard before. Love how dr Brant Pitre answers complicated questions at the end of the lectures.
Approximately two years ago, I began subscribing to "Mass Readings Explained". At the time I was the leader of a small group of Catholics in my parish who wanted to start a Faith and Fellowship group. We decided to concentrate in our meeting on the upcoming readings for Sunday's Catholic Mass. My Group loves Dr. Pitre because he brings so much to his presentation of the Sunday Mass readings. We are trying to convince the entire parish to follow Dr. Pitre's weekly review of Sunday's readings. I find that I listen to Dr. Pitre's presentation two or three times before our meeting and it helps me know when to stop and start the presentation so that we can engage in discussion about what we have just learned. Without hesitation, everyone in our small group of 8 would heartily endorse Dr. Pitre's work.
The first CD skimmed and skipped and I was not able to listen to it. I have returned it to you by mail so that you can test it and hear for yourselves the poor quality of the CD.
Hi Paul, we're sorry to hear about the issue with your CD. Please email me (Michael@CatholicProductions.com) a good address and I will send you a replacement.
I'm amazed by these lectures, I learn so many things and I hear so many things Ive never heard before. Love how dr Brant Pitre answers complicated questions at the end of the lectures.
