The Mass: A Study of the Roman Liturgy

The Mass: A Study of the Roman Liturgy
By Fr. Adrian Fortescue

First published in 1912, this liturgical-archeological classic by Fr. Adrian Fortescue remains one of the most scholarly and enduring works in English on the Roman Mass. Drawing on his deep knowledge of both the Latin and Eastern rites, Fortescue traces the development of the Mass from the New Testament and Patristic periods through the Apostolic age, skillfully piecing together the fragments of early liturgical history to show how the traditional Roman rite took shape.

His research highlights the organic continuity of the Mass from Our Lord’s institution at the Last Supper to the venerable “Tridentine” form, demonstrating that the Roman Mass is the most ancient and venerable rite in the entire Church.

About This Edition

• Reprint of the 1930 edition (essentially the same as the 1912 printing, with an added preface)
• Hardcover with protective dust jacket
• Sewn signatures for durability
• Acid-free paper for long-lasting use

A timeless resource for priests, seminarians, and laity alike, this study remains essential for anyone seeking to understand the historical and theological foundations of the traditional Roman liturgy.

“. . . the Roman Missal promulgated by St. Pius V. . . [was] never abrogated . . . .”
– Pope Benedict XVI, Summorum Pontificum (2007)