I just received a copy of the recently reprinted Canon Missae ad usum Episcoporum ac Praelatorum pontificaliter vel non pontificaliter celebrantium, cui accedunt formulae variae e Pontificali Romano depromptae et cantus ad libitum – “Pontifical Canon” for short – done by Nova et Vetera in Germany.
This is the edition appropriate for use by bishops when celebrating Holy Mass with the 1962 Missale Romanum. It was originally promulgated 19 March 1962.
How necessary is a new edition? I found a single antique on Amazon for $1725.
The Canon Missae is used by bishops for the Ordinary of Mass. It was usually a large format book, over-sized, with large print, easy to read and sing from by – ehem – older gents whose eyesight isn’t necessary the best. It would be held for the bishop at the throne or faldstool and later propped up in the center of the altar, e.g., against the doors of the tabernacle.
My first observation to make about this new Canon Missae: it’s not large.
18.3 cm x 26 cm – not any larger than any other book, and actually smaller by far than most altar missals.
Here is an image with a pen for scale.
That said, the materials are good and it is well bound, as one might expect from a German publisher.
The pages are edged with gold and there are good page tabs for turning.
The “official business” page of the original. As you can see it is a reproduction of a book from Ratisbon rather than Rome.
The type face, while not large, is easy on the eyes.
Consider, however, how the smaller format could be hard for His Grace to read and sing with ease.
There are three good quality ribbons to mark pages for His Nibs.
Price €185 or, today $200
So, it could be a useful for book for your community, especially in light of the fact that the older Canons and other books are probably by now showing signs of wear and tear. It is good to have a back up or – in many cases – a lone edition.
But do take the size of the book, and type, into account. Consider that most bishops today don’t know any Latin. The Mass texts in Latin will be unfamiliar. They won’t roll, mostly by memory, trippingly from their episcopal tongues. If they also have to strain to read the type… well….
Thus, the book – a tool for the New Evangelization – will be useful, but less useful than it could have been in a larger format. I hope they will make a larger format. (HINT HINT)
To buy or look around more click
HERE.
I saw this same volume on Ebay for $440. The publisher wants $200.
Order well ahead. It took awhile.
