Manchester University Press
III The mass
Abstract
The mass was the central ceremony of the Church: the consecration of the bread and wine to become the body and blood of Christ. The centrality of the mass was emphasised by its utility: masses could be said for a variety of purposes, ranging from securing good weather to assisting in the release of souls from Purgatory. Attendance, or paying for the celebration of a mass, might also secure an indulgence or other spiritual benefit. The Lay Folks' Mass Book was an early text constructed to give guidance to action during the ceremony, instructing in the choreography and the appropriate prayers to be said by the laity as a counterpoint to the clerical actions. Originally written in French, it was later translated into English, and survives in a number of versions which seem to reflect actual variations in practices during the mass.
Abstract
The mass was the central ceremony of the Church: the consecration of the bread and wine to become the body and blood of Christ. The centrality of the mass was emphasised by its utility: masses could be said for a variety of purposes, ranging from securing good weather to assisting in the release of souls from Purgatory. Attendance, or paying for the celebration of a mass, might also secure an indulgence or other spiritual benefit. The Lay Folks' Mass Book was an early text constructed to give guidance to action during the ceremony, instructing in the choreography and the appropriate prayers to be said by the laity as a counterpoint to the clerical actions. Originally written in French, it was later translated into English, and survives in a number of versions which seem to reflect actual variations in practices during the mass.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Foreword xi
- Preface xiii
- Addenda and corrigenda / Note on the documents xv
- Introduction 1
-
PART ONE: THEORY
- I The Bible 46
- II Disseminating the faith 51
- III The mass 78
- IV Designs for living and dying 92
- V Parish celebrations 150
- VI Private religion 164
- VII Saints, shrines, miracles, and pilgrimage 175
- VIII Security for the living 201
- IX Security for the dead 222
- X Distributions at death: wills 242
- XI Complaint and opposition 259
- Bibliography of printed works cited 281
- Index 294
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- Foreword xi
- Preface xiii
- Addenda and corrigenda / Note on the documents xv
- Introduction 1
-
PART ONE: THEORY
- I The Bible 46
- II Disseminating the faith 51
- III The mass 78
- IV Designs for living and dying 92
- V Parish celebrations 150
- VI Private religion 164
- VII Saints, shrines, miracles, and pilgrimage 175
- VIII Security for the living 201
- IX Security for the dead 222
- X Distributions at death: wills 242
- XI Complaint and opposition 259
- Bibliography of printed works cited 281
- Index 294
