APOLOGIA IN THE MASS. — This name designated in the ancient liturgy certain prayers that the priest recited to implore forgiveness for his own sins. They were also called: Confessio, Accusatio, Indulgentia; often: Excusatio ante altare, Confessio sancta peccatorum, Oratio de constientiae reatu ante altare; more often: A. sacerdotis. Beautiful examples are found in the various ancient sacramentaries and missals. They had no fixed place, but were chiefly said at the Introit during the singing of the psalm, and at the Offertory, while the priest awaited the end of the chant. Their composition dates principally from the 9th and 11th centuries. In today’s liturgy the Confiteor at the beginning of the Mass remains as a remnant of these apologiae.
Apologia in the Mass
BIBL.: E. Martène, De antiquis Ecclesiae ritibus, I, cap. 4, art. 11, Antwerp 1773; F. E. Warren, The Liturgy and Ritual of the Celtic Church, Oxford 1881, p. 230; F. Cabrol, s. V. in DACL, I, cols. 2591–2601. Silverio Mattei
Cite this article
“APOLOGIA NELLA MESSA.” Enciclopedia Cattolica, vol. I (1948), p. 991. Azione Romana digital edition, https://azioneromana.com/article/apologia-nella-messa.