The Bishop sings the Preface, invoking the power of God and the intercession of the Saints, imploring that the candidate may be worthy to offer sacrifice to God and to govern the people.
Priest: I exorcise you, O creature of water, by God + the Father almighty, by Jesus + Christ, His only-begotten Son, and by the Holy + Spirit the Paraclete, that you become water exorcised for putting to flight all the power of the enemy...
The Ritual contains all official services performed by a priest that are not found in the Missal (Mass) or Breviary (Divine Office). Its 878 pages are traditionally divided into ten major sections: rituale romanum 1952
Just a decade later, the Council (1962-65) would call for ressourcement (return to sources) and aggiornamento (updating). By 1969-70, a new Ordo Baptismi Parvulorum (Rite of Baptism for Children) and a new Ordo Exorcismi would appear—radically simplified, in the vernacular, with much of the traditional “apotropaic” (evil-averting) language removed. The 1952 Rituale thus became the last “classic” edition, used by traditionalist priests and communities ever since.
Each section is preceded by pastoral instructions to guide the priest in the proper execution of the rites. Modern Usage & Context The Bishop sings the Preface, invoking the power
The Bishop anoints the hands of the new priest with the Oil of Catechumens, saying: Biishop: Vouchsafe, O Lord, to consecrate and sanctify these hands by this anointing, and our blessing. That whatsoever they shall bless, be blessed; and whatsoever they shall consecrate, be consecrated and sanctified, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Priest: I adjure you, ancient serpent, by the Judge of the living and the dead, by your Creator and the Creator of the world, by Him who has the power to send you into hell, that you depart quickly from this servant of God, N., who has returned to the bosom of the Church. I adjure you again, not by my weakness, but by the might of the Holy Spirit, that you depart from this image of God, N. Amen. Its 878 pages are traditionally divided into ten
Opening a 1952 Rituale Romanum reveals a world of Catholic devotion and practice that has since become rare. Its contents are divided into titles, covering:
Below is the full text of the major rites in English translation, structured according to the typical 1952 edition.
Priest: What do you ask of the Church of God? Godparents: Baptism. Priest: What does Baptism offer you? Godparents: Eternal life.