LCMS Worship Institute: S1Ep6. The Latin Mass in the Lutheran Church: 1523-2023 – Stefan Gramenz

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In 1523, Luther penned his Formula Missae, a revision of the medieval Latin mass for use in Lutheran churches. For at least two centuries following, Lutherans continued to celebrate the mass, as well as the daily office, in the Latin language. Lutheran composers, up to and including Bach, composed settings of Latin texts for use in worship alongside chant and polyphonic settings. This session aims to present an historical overview of how Lutherans followed — or didn’t follow — Luther’s Formula Missae, and also to provide an historical rationale for the renewed use of our Latin-language Lutheran heritage today.

Bio:

The Rev. Stefan Gramenz is a native of southern Illinois. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW), Mequon, Wis., in 2014 and received his Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW) in 2018. Following his graduation from seminary in 2018, he was ordained and installed at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Christ the King in Pawling, N.Y. He has been involved with the Lutheran Missal Project since its inception.

This session recording is from the 2024 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music held July 9–12, 2024 in Seward, Neb. For more information on the Institute, please visit https://resources.lcms.org/worship-planning/2024-institute-on-liturgy-preaching-and-church-music-resources .

Morning Prayer Venite from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. Setting by Paul Soulek.

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Worship ministry aims to nurture a culture of confessional faithfulness, artistic excellence and integrity in the presentation, distribution and reception of God’s life-giving gifts in Word and Sacraments. This ministry seeks to develop and deepen an understanding and love for the Lutheran heritage in Christian worship, and promotes the Lutheran Service Book as the core worship resource for the LCMS while also identifying and encouraging the many musical treasures and gifts that the Holy Spirit continues to pour upon the church. For more information: lcms.org/worship/institutes; lcms.org/worship

Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission