Responses during a Dominic Rite Missa Solitaria

One of our readers recently wrote me asking whether there are any formal rules for the language and rubrics of a “Missa Solitaria,” that is a Mass said privately without the presence of a server or anyone else to make the responses.  An example of three priests saying such a Mass can be seen to the right. Obviously, such a situation makes the priest’s parts addressed to those present, such as Dominus vobiscum, very odd.

With one somewhat indirect exception, I know of no explicit rules about priest’s parts addressed to others when there is no one to make the response. This is not surprising because it was always assumed that there would be at least one server to make the responses. And it was an obligation of the local superior to provide a server for any Dominican in his community who was saying a “Private Mass.” So, at least in theory, Missae Solitariae did not happen. They were even listed among the “faults” in the introduction of the Missal. In the modern period, this kind of provision of servers has lapsed and priests still have to say Mass, at least for the stipend expected by the community. So what to do? 

First, the exception I mentioned is the case of the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, which were traditionally directed to the servers, not the people. Before Vatican II, Dominicans often said Mass in “Roman” parishes, where the servers did not know the Dominican forms. In that case, it was explicitly provided that the priest say the Confiteor in the form used at Prime or Compline, which changes the form from second person to first person and drops the Absolutionem. This, by the way, was also the form used in the Office when said privately, or by nuns in the absence of a priest.  But what about the other responses?

Although there is nothing specific on this, the provision for use of the first-person Confiteor at Prime provides and analogous solution. The analogy is to be found in other rubrics of the Office. When the Office was said privately or by nuns without a priest present to lead, the following changes were made:

    1. Dominus vobisum; Et cum spiritu tuo. was replaced by Domine exaudi orationem meum; et clamor meus ad te veniat.  That also makes sense for Mass because that is already done in the Dominican Mass (quietly) before the Secret Prayer at the Offertory. This would also work for the dialogue before the Gospel (paralleling what is done Matins said privately) and before the Ite (paralleling the practice before the Benedicamus Domino at the other hours of Office).

    2. At the Office said alone, the blessing that ends Compline is changed from the second person form to the first person: Benedictio Dei omnipotentis, Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti descendat super nos et maneat semper.  So I think this formula should be used at Mass as well.

    3. A more difficult problem is presented by the Orate, fratres. This directive is addressed, in the traditional liturgy, to the servers or other ministers at the altar.  They are all absent. And it makes no sense to turn it into a first-person hortatory form. This, however, seems to parallel the case of the Absolutionem. It is theologically bizarre to impart an absolution to one's self, so that part of the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar is logically just dropped.  Since the Orate seems a parallel case, it seems best to just drop the directive entirely. 

    4. Finally, it seems logical to not turn to the empty nave of the church when saying these formula.

So, although not explicit, I think this resolves the remaining rubrical questions that arise during a Missa Solitaria by analogy.

Wonderful Animated Videos on Dominican Lay Brothers

I have the real pleasure to announce to our readers that the cooperator brothers, as we now call what used to be known as our lay brothers, from the Western Dominican and Central American Provinces have produced a wonderful series of animated videos about the lives of four less-well-known lay brothers.

These are Blessed. James of Ulm, the famous stained-glass artist; Bro. Carino of Balsamo, who, before becoming a penitent brother, assassinated St. Peter Martyr; Bro. Balthasar Carayol, a remarkable early-modern French educator, and finally Bro. Marcos de Mena, an adventurous missionary in early Spanish America.

I urge readers to see the whole series of videos here.  They are very suitable for children as well as adults! 

Dominican Rite Mass Ordo Available for 2026

 I am happy to announce that, through the hard work of the staff of Holy Rosary Church in Portland OR, we can now make available a Dominican Rite Mass Ordo for 2026.

 This Ordo, of which a sample page is found to the right, gives not only the feast to be celebrated at Mass on each day of the year, but also vestment color, the rank of the feast, whether there is a Gloria or Creed, any additional collects, and finally page reference for the Mass as found in the 1933, 1939, and 1965 Dominican Rite Missals. In cases where there are more than one collect the Ordo gives their order and which ones have a doxology.

 In addition, this Ordo has special entries for all feasts proper to the Western Dominican Province, the dioceses of that province where there are houses, and of all the local houses of the province. To make the Ordo useful to non-Western Province Dominicans, there is a supplement with the proper feasts of the other three American Provinces.

This Ordo can be ordered here: here. I apologize that this Ordo is a bit late appearing, but it is a new production and so took a bit more time in preparation than expected.

 Those who would prefer a PDF digital version of this Ordo may download it from the left sidebar under Dominican Rite Texts -- Downloadable.  

Book Review: Prayers in Honor of Saint Thomas Aquinas, by Thomas O'Sullivan

13. The method and principles by which the old scholastic doctors cultivated theology are no longer suitable to the demands of our times and to the progress of the sciences. -Proposition condemned by Pope Bl. Pius IX, Syllabus of Errors, 13

    In recent years, there has been a kind of renaissance of Thomistic thought, and with it, devotion to St. Thomas Aquinas, and interest in his many works and thought.  In addition, the devotion of the Angelic Warfare Confraternity, which has sought to promote purity and chastity in our world, and as a defense against the flood of unchaste imagery in our day and age, has become more popular among the young, who seem to bear the sad brunt of much of the social media attacks, and the lack of modesty in fashion.  

    Mr. Thomas O'Sullivan recently compiled a small booklet with various traditional prayers, in English and Latin, for use.  Some have been updated and made more consistent in language or biblical translation used, but to me, all of these seem perfectly suitable for use in our days, even if they might not carry the same indulgences granted before.  

    The Six Sundays in Honor of St. Thomas Aquinas provide good, brief lessons on the various virtues of the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas.  St. Thomas Aquinas, and Thomism in general, sometimes get a sort of "ivory tower" or "intellectual nerd" connotation, but while his thought and teaching are certainly deep and sometimes does require intense study, there is much beauty and accessible material that he has bequeathed us - one only need to see all the various liturgical texts and hymns centered on the Feast of Corpus Christi.  

    The search for wisdom and knowledge is not limited within the walls of Ivy League and exclusive  boarding schools - it is available to all who seek to drink deeply from the Font of Wisdom, which is Christ, whose Heavenly Father hid "these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children." (Matthew 11:26)     

    I find the quality of the texts chosen and the translations to be excellent, with good line art to accompany the reader.  It could serve both the individual reader, and perhaps any young person or student.  May St. Thomas aid us all in our search to follow Christ more closely.  

    This booklet may be purchase through Os Justi or Amazon, or wherever else available.