Missa Sicca

The Missa Sicca (Latin:, Dry Mass' ) was common in the Middle Ages to the 16th century form of worship that was used in the Roman Catholic Church in particular for church funeral and marriage ceremonies, but also for the health Communion or the death communion.

Form and history

The Missa Sicca was often in the afternoon or on days with double liturgical character kept as a "substitute " when the celebration of Holy Mass was not possible. She was like a commemoration or a short form of the celebration of Mass, where this accounted for the Eucharist ( offertory, conversion and communion). The other components were essentially identical to those of the corresponding Holy Mass, and the variable texts of the Proper were merely recited.

After the Creed and the prayers so the Offertory ( offertory ), the Eucharistic Prayer with the consecration and communion have been omitted. However, the priest could dish out brought, consecrated communion wafers in certain cases. The Host, he could during the celebration of Mass, where appropriate, have also dipped in the blood of the chalice converted to dispense the communion in both kinds. Only after the Council of Trent while the Host was the recipient partly pre- shows.

In some religious orders of the Middle Ages it was prescribed for each priest to join a Missa Sicca after Mass. Even with prolonged absence of ecclesial communities such as on cruises ( Missa Nautica ) or hunting ( Missa Venatoria ) Missae Siccae were maintained in the absence of priests. After a reform by Pope Pius V. However, this form of worship increasingly disappeared from the 16th century, and Cardinal Giovanni Bona sat still in the 17th century decided against them.

The renewed after by the Second Vatican Council liturgy possible today word of God - Celebration, in some places, followed by Communion, are not to be understood as a replica of a Missa Sicca. This also applies to the Celebration of the Passion and death of Christ on Good Friday, which is an independent, very old liturgy form without Prayer, but with Communion celebration.