Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Traditional Ambrosian Rite vs. Tridentine Mass Differences

This past Ascension Thursday I was privileged for the first time to attend the Traditional Ambrosian Rite (according to the 1954 Missal) in Milan, Italy at Santa Maria della Consolazione.  I have written before on the Ambrosian Rite so the following are my take-away of the key differences between the Traditional Ambrosian Rite and the Tridentine Latin Mass (Roman Rite):

  • The chanting was distinct. Those familiar with Gregorian chant would notice that the chanting and Mass responses (e.g. et cum spiritum tuum) was sung in a different manner. Ambrosian Chant has more direct Gallican roots than Gregorian Chant, so it sounds distinct, although it does share this heritage with Mozarabic (Gothic) Chant.
  • The Kyrie is recited much more often. During the Procession to the sanctuary, the servers and priest stopped and the Kyrie was chanted, I believe, 12 times.
  • The thurible used in the Ambrosian Rite has no top cover and is open. Incensing is done in a circular pattern.
  • After the Gloria, the Kyrie is prayed an additional 3 times. 
  • Both the reader and the Deacon are blessed before reading/chanting the Scriptures
  • During the Creed, I noticed that after the priest intoned the "Credo in Unum Deum," the Kyrie was again chanted by the schola before the words of the Creed continued.
  • The washing of the hands occurs not during the Offertory but immediately before the Consecration
  • Immediately after the Consecration, the priest extends his arm in the shape of the Cross. This is called the cruciform posture. However, this is not uniquely Ambrosian since it is also found in the Carmelite, Dominican, Bragan, and Sarum Rites.

Here are some of the images from my attendance at the Ascension Day Mass in this Rite:








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