Preface and Proper Preface

For the Preface, the celebrant turns by his right to face the congregation, parting his hands at the Salutation (“The Lord be with you”). At the response (“And with thy spirit”), the attendants gesture as before, yet without turning toward the celebrant. The celebrant lifts his hands at “Lift up your hearts,” and holds them palm to palm at “Let us give thanks . . .” He turns back to the altar by his left for the Proper Preface, which he chants (or, at Low Mass, speaks or omits).

The Proper Prefaces for the seasons have suffered lack of uniformity, in large part because of the omission of pre-Lent in some lectionaries. In addition, although the traditional Western rite provides the use of the Trinity Proper Prefaces for the Sundays after the Epiphany Octave, the local practice at St. Paul's is to continue to use the Epiphany Proper Prefaces (and white color) during these Sundays, as well as what I believe to be a closer following of the Western Rite than what is seen in TLH regarding the divisions of the lengthy Trinity season. Hence, we use the Trinity Proper Prefaces only until St. John's Tide (beginning June 24th), and then, for St. John's Tide and St. Laurence Tide (August 10th until Michaelmas) to use "through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by His glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore . . ." The Proper Preface for Michaelmas Tide is also used here, viz., "through Jesus Christ, our Lord, through whom the angels praise Thy majesty, the dominions adore, the powers are in awe, and virtues of highest heaven and the blessed seraphim unite in blissful exaltation. With them, we pray Thee, grant that our voices too may blend, evermore praising Thee and saying . . ." These Proper Prefaces are found in the Western rite. For the Annunciation and Visitation, the Proper Preface for Christmas is used.