Last year, we published notice of Mr Nicholas Morlin’s book A Sacristan’s Guide to the Traditional Roman Rite, which covers all of the major things a sacristan needs to know to properly prepare for the celebration of the traditional rite: vessels, veils and vestments, and the use of liturgical colors; other ceremonial items; the altar; the furniture in the sanctuary, with notes for particular ceremonies. There is also a section on the specific events of the whole liturgical year, based on the customs of the Roman Rite before the pre-Conciliar changes (folded chasuables, old Holy Week etc.); the celebration of the other Sacraments, the Divine Office and Benediction. The book is now available in an updated hardcover edition which includes every single Pontifical Ceremony (Vespers, Mass, Consecration of a Church, Imposition of Relics etc.) in its pre-55 version, new illustrations and diagrams, sacristy and sanctuary preparations for functions in the Dominican Rite, and an English translation of the Clementine Instruction for the 40 Hours Devotion.
https://www.lulu.com/en/gb/shop/nicholas-morlin/a-sacristans-guide-to-the-traditional-roman-rite/hardcover/product-y6keq8.html?page=1&pageSize=4
His Excellency Bishop Athanasius Schneider writes: “The worldwide rediscovery of the riches of the traditional Latin liturgy, especially in its older (pre-1955) form, has brought about the need for adequate handbooks. The present guide is intended specifically for sacristans who play a usually unseen but nevertheless vital role in preparing for the ceremonies and ensuring that all is done in accordance with the best principles, customs, and authorities. I warmly commend this text and hope that it will bring further beauty to the liturgy and greater glory to God.”
Our own Dr Peter Kwasniewki provided the foreword for this book, in which he writes, “With plentiful experience of the classical Roman Rite at his disposal, Nicholas Morlin has done us all a service by creating the present guide as to how these liturgical ceremonies should be prepared. I thank him for his effort and express my hope that this work will come in handy at places where the traditional liturgy is the norm as well as those that are yet to experience the solemn beauty of the classical Roman Rite. ... As we see a younger generation stepping forward to embrace their inheritance as Catholics, we can offer up thanks to Almighty God that He who inspired our great liturgical tradition to begin with will not in the end abandon it, but will keep it alive in the hearts of believers, and in their churches. This guide will play its modest part in reversing the amnesia and indifference that have called down wrath upon our sanctuaries, and counts as a step towards that long-overdue restoration of right and worthy worship, by which we give to God that which befits His nature and our needs.”
In the same vein,
the Restore the ’54 website has just recently begun publishing
a daily ordo, which gives all the basic indications for both the Mass and Office, and have also added a useful comparison table of all the changes instituted in the later 1950s. We are sure many of our readers will find this an extremely helpful resource; multa ceciderunt ut altius resurgerent.
