THE HISTORY OF ROMAN MISSAL

A LITURGICAL BOOK FOR THE MYSTERY’S CELEBRATION

Abstract

The present reflections aim to enrich the understanding of the Christian experience, emphasizing its foundation in the theology revealed by the Roman Missal. Initially, we will discuss the mandate given by Christ during the Last Supper and the early testimonies, conducting an analysis that begins with Justin Martyr’s The First Apology, traverses the Traditio Apostolica attributed to Hippolytus of Rome, and reaches the libelli, Sacramentaries, Ordines Romani, and Pontificals in the Middle Ages. Moving forward, we will present a historical overview, delineating the fundamental characteristics of the following missals: The Franciscan Missal, the 1474 Missal, the 1570 Missal, the 1962 Missal, and the Roman Missal of 1970. Finally, we will devote attention to the third typical edition of the Roman Missal, approved in 2002 by Pope John Paul II and published in 2002, contextualizing it within the continuum evolutivo of Christian liturgy.