What are propers?

posted in: Mass Info

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Proprium de tempore

For those new to the Traditional Latin Mass, many may have seen people using those little red booklets that are usually found at the entrance of the church. You may have noticed in these red missalettes particular sections will state, “see proper of the day” and wondered, “what and where is the proper of the day?” However while you are trying to work this out, Father is continuing to read in a different language and you feel like you are missing something.

When I first started going to the Latin Mass, I too picked up a red missalette and tried following along but was often stumped where Father was in the Mass and where I got off track. Many of these points where the confusion begins is at the Intriot, or possibly the Epistle or Gospel. The Proprium de tempore or propers, simply meaning the proper time, are the seasons throughout the liturgical year beginning with the first Sunday in Advent and ending with the last Sunday after Pentecost. These propers are not found in the red missalettes, however the Rochester Latin Mass Society (special thanks to Una Voce of Orange County and Maternal Heart FSSP) usually provides a small white printout located near the red missalettes. The handout consists usually of the following, Introit, Collect, Epistle, Gradual and Alleluia or Tract, Gospel, Offertory, Secret, Communion, and Post-Communion. In addition to the Proprium de tempore there is the Proprium Sanctorum, meaning proper of Saints. From New Advent:

The Proprium Sanctorum comprises all the saints’ days with special Offices, from St. Andrew on 30 November. The Offices of the saints, like those de tempore, are composed of lessons, antiphons, responses, hymns, or other liturgical passages special to these saints’ feasts.

Therefore the Proprium Sanctorum are designated for Masses throughout the week and certain feast days during the ecclesiastical year. If you have your own missal, these propers are typically found towards the end of the missal and dated.

The next time you come to a Traditional Latin Mass (Tridentine Mass) and are in need of a missalette please look for the propers handout. If you can’t find any, just ask. Also we usually link the propers to each Mass on the Calendar, just in case you would like to print one for yourself or would like to read the Proprium de tempore or Proprium Sanctorum before Mass.

English-Missal

Proper example

If you are interested in buying your own missal there are many available. Some that I have used personally are The 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal, St. Edmund Campion Missal, and a beautiful guide that overflowing with the riches of the Latin Mass, Treasure and Tradition: The Ultimate Guide to the Latin Mass. There are also missals and guides available for children.
Free PDF of Know your Mass, and The Mass in Slow Motion provided by Corpus Christi Watershed.

daily_missal_prd_img

Campion-Missal

Fr. Z’s Review HERE

Treasure and Tradition

Resources the Rochester Latin Mass Society use are: Una Voce of Orange County, Maternal Heart of Mary, and Usus Antiquior

For any questions or more information, contact us HERE

  1. Marilyn Baker
    |

    Thank you!