Mysterium fidei (Latin phrase)
Encyclopedia
Mysterium Fidei, a Latin
phrase meaning mystery of faith or mystery of the faith, is a Christian theological term for an article of faith or doctrine which defies man’s ability to grasp fully. Examples such as the Trinity
are mentioned in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1066-1068.
Canon of the Mass
without a clear indication of what mystery it refers to.
In the Tridentine
form of the Canon, it was inserted, within the Words of Institution
, into the formula of consecration of the wine, as follows:
In the Tridentine Mass the people do not hear the phrase "mysterium fidei", because the priest speaks the words of the Canon of the Mass inaudibly.
Since the revision
of the Roman Missal
that was promulgated officially in 1969 and was actually published in 1970, the words "mysterium fidei" have been moved to immediately after the consecration, the showing of the chalice to the congregation and the priest's genuflection. The priest celebrating the Mass
proclaims the words, and the people respond with one of the Memorial Acclamation
s. The same position is assigned to the phrase also in the newer Eucharistic Prayer
s of the Roman Rite
.
Thus, the corresponding text in the Roman Canon or First Eucharistic Prayer is now as follows (here accompanied by the 1973 ICEL
translation, due to be replaced soon with a more literal translation):
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
phrase meaning mystery of faith or mystery of the faith, is a Christian theological term for an article of faith or doctrine which defies man’s ability to grasp fully. Examples such as the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
are mentioned in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1066-1068.
Phrase in Mass of the Roman Rite
The phrase mysterium fidei appears in the Roman RiteRoman Rite
The Roman Rite is the liturgical rite used in the Diocese of Rome in the Catholic Church. It is by far the most widespread of the Latin liturgical rites used within the Western or Latin autonomous particular Church, the particular Church that itself is also called the Latin Rite, and that is one of...
Canon of the Mass
Canon of the Mass
Canon of the Mass is the name given in the Roman Missal, from the first typical edition of Pope Pius V in 1570 to that of Pope John XXIII in 1962, to the part of the Mass of the Roman Rite that begins after the Sanctus with the words Te igitur...
without a clear indication of what mystery it refers to.
In the Tridentine
Tridentine Mass
The Tridentine Mass is the form of the Roman Rite Mass contained in the typical editions of the Roman Missal that were published from 1570 to 1962. It was the most widely celebrated Mass liturgy in the world until the introduction of the Mass of Paul VI in December 1969...
form of the Canon, it was inserted, within the Words of Institution
Words of Institution
The Words of Institution are words echoing those of Jesus himself at his Last Supper that, when consecrating bread and wine, Christian Eucharistic liturgies include in a narrative of that event...
, into the formula of consecration of the wine, as follows:
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In the Tridentine Mass the people do not hear the phrase "mysterium fidei", because the priest speaks the words of the Canon of the Mass inaudibly.
Since the revision
Mass of Paul VI
The Mass of Pope Paul VI is the liturgy of the Catholic Mass of the Roman Rite promulgated by Paul VI in 1969, after the Second Vatican Council...
of the Roman Missal
Roman Missal
The Roman Missal is the liturgical book that contains the texts and rubrics for the celebration of the Mass in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.-Situation before the Council of Trent:...
that was promulgated officially in 1969 and was actually published in 1970, the words "mysterium fidei" have been moved to immediately after the consecration, the showing of the chalice to the congregation and the priest's genuflection. The priest celebrating the Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
proclaims the words, and the people respond with one of the Memorial Acclamation
Memorial Acclamation
In Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and some Anglican and Methodist churches, the Memorial Acclamation is a part of the Eucharistic Prayer. It is sung or recited by the congregation.It is most commonly used after the Words of Institution.- Form of the acclamation :...
s. The same position is assigned to the phrase also in the newer Eucharistic Prayer
Anaphora (liturgy)
The Anaphora is the most solemn part of the Divine liturgy, Mass, or other Christian Communion rite where the offerings of bread and wine are consecrated as the body and blood of Christ. This is the usual name for this part of the Liturgy in Eastern Christianity, but it is more often called the...
s of the Roman Rite
Roman Rite
The Roman Rite is the liturgical rite used in the Diocese of Rome in the Catholic Church. It is by far the most widespread of the Latin liturgical rites used within the Western or Latin autonomous particular Church, the particular Church that itself is also called the Latin Rite, and that is one of...
.
Thus, the corresponding text in the Roman Canon or First Eucharistic Prayer is now as follows (here accompanied by the 1973 ICEL
International Commission on English in the Liturgy
The International Commission on English in the Liturgy is a commission set up by a number of episcopal conferences of English-speaking countries for the purpose of providing English translations of the liturgical books of the Roman Rite, the originals of which are in Latin.Decisions to adopt these...
translation, due to be replaced soon with a more literal translation):
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