Remember, you can check Paschale Solemnitatis on this site, among many on the internet. In 1988, the curia’s diagnosis warranted review of important points. As we’ve discussed earlier, this document presents little novelty, but will likely contain a few surprises for people who are not the most hardcore of liturgy geeks.
5. With these points in mind, the Congregation for Divine Worship, after due consideration, thinks that it is a fitting moment to recall certain elements, doctrinal and pastoral, and various norms which have already been published concerning Holy Week. All those details which are given in the liturgical books concerning Lent, Holy Week, the Easter Triduum and Paschal time retain their full force, unless otherwise stated in this document.
It is the aim of this document that the great mystery of our Redemption be celebrated in the best possible way so that the faithful may participate in it with ever greater spiritual advantage. (Cf. SRC, Decr. Maxima redemptionis nostrae mysteria (16 Nov. 1955) AAS 47 (1955) 838-847)
“Greater spiritual advantage” was the intent behind the Holy Week reforms of Pope Pius XII, and Vatican II also, of course.
A word of note on the many notes in this document: we are operating in the realm of Roman Missal 2 before the new GIRM (2000). I haven’t prepared cross references on those notes–I’d rather focus on the text of this document. This document is rather thoroughly backed up by Church documents from the era 1951-1988.
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