Another Victim of the Liturgical "Renewal"
The Ambrosian rite takes its name from St. Ambrose, the legendary fourth century Archbishop of Milan. The rite evolved and developed from that time on. It can be safely assumed the bones of it were composed by St. Ambrose himself (or at least codified and approved by him). Ambrose had succeeded an Arian bishop and so he would have been posed to clean things up, especially in the area of the liturgy.
When the liturgical reform came in the 1960s, the cudgel of revolution was also aimed at the Ambrosian rite. Eventually this venerable missal also fell victim to reform. In 1976 the newly formed Ambrosian Missal was promulgated under the authority of Archbishop Giovanni Colombo of Milan, supported by Pope Paul VI. This put to an end to the speculation and uncertainty of the time, questioning if the rite would perish or continue in a new form. However, the reformed Ambrosian Missal is significantly different from the ancient pre-conciliar edition.
In 1984 the Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, authorized the celebration of the pre-conciliar ancient Ambrosian Missal. His decree was confirmed by his successors. The concession has been confirmed up to this very day, in a spirit of pastoral solicitude and respect for tradition and the immense cultural patrimony of the Archdiocese.
Revival of the Ancient Rite Today
Today, by God's grace, there is a community in Milan that is dedicated to preserving the Ancient Ambrosian rite in its pre-conciliar form. God reward them for their fidelity.
The Ancient Ambrosian rite community, based in Milan, is a stable group of faithful who meet to pray, attend Holy Mass in the "vetus ordo," receive spiritual formation, and keep the Ambrosian tradition alive. Mass is celebrated every Sunday according to this venerable missal at a local church. Mass goers are of every age and background and include the occasional tourist or pilgrim.
The Mass is offered every Sunday morning at a designated location: the church of Santa Maria della Consolazione al Castello, a beautiful neoclassical church located on the Largo Carioli. The church was built in 1836. The interior is in some ways small and cozy, with a golden coffered wooden ceiling depicting the apostles.
The design is a single nave and eight side chapels, decorated by some of the most significant Lombard artists of the seventeenth century. The precious altarpiece in the sanctuary stands, out, a fifteenth century painting depicting the deposition from the cross. this historic work was painted in the typical Lombard-style of that time, a colorful version of the pietà .
Since January 11, 2015, the Ancient Ambrosian rite community has been based here, using the editio typica missal promulgated in 1954 by Cardinal Ildefonso Schuster. The Mass schedule is constant: every Sunday and feast day at 8:15 am (Low Mass) and 9:45 am (High Mass). The church is shared with the Filipino community of Milan.
His mentor, Mons. Angelo Amodeo (1932-2012), was a canon of the Duomo and the doyen of the Rito Ambrosiano. He helped introduce a new generation to the lost pre-conciliar Ambrosian rite when it was on the verge of extinction in the dark days of the 1970s and 1980s and beyond. After his death he was remembered by his friends with this Latin adage: Ambrosiani Ritus Cultor et Amator.
Interest in the classical form of the Ambrosian rite has in recent years gained prominence and prestige. Today many young people who are hungry for more are doing their own research and are finding a refuge in the Ancient Ambrosian usage, connecting with their own history and the spark that nourished their ancestors for centuries. Further, many liturgical scholars in and outside of Italy have taken notice and this is evidenced by online discussions and studies of a scholarly nature.
Uniqueness of Milan and the Ambrosian Rite
Milan is an iconic city of saints. It is only fitting that Providence would deem this land worthy to have its own rite.
There is a tradition the Faith was brought there by the Apostle Barnabas, who traveled extensively (and was originally from Cyprus). And the first recorded bishop, according to legend, was Anathalon, a disciple of Barnabas.
Further, the glorious martyrs Gervasius and Protasius are also buried in Milan, victims of the first persecution of Diocletian. The periodic persecutions ended in 312 when the Edict of Milan was decreed by the Emperor Constantine.
It does not end there.
St. Ambrose of Milan was a fourth century giant. St. Augustine lived in Milan. St. Charles Borromeo was the Archbishop of Milan. Pope Pius XI had been Archbishop of Milan before his election to the See of Peter in 1922. The Blessed Schuster was Archbishop and a guiding light during the dark days of the Second World War. Cardinal Montini was Archbishop of Milan before his election to the throne of Peter in 1963.
The rite itself has several interesting traditions that stand out.
For example, the chant sounds slightly different from Latin chant of the Roman rite. There are additional vestments and liturgical colors that are different. As a rite, it also has its own cycle of readings. Not to mention, as visitors take note, the thurible is swung differently, at times in a circular way, at times upside down.
In addition, weekday Masses during Lent are celebrated in black vestments. Advent and Lent both have six weeks, etc. On Fridays in Lent Mass is not celebrated -- instead the faithful pray the Via Crucis. The Agnus Dei is said or sung only at the Mass for the Dead. The processional cross leads the procession with the crucifix always facing the celebrant while processing.
One of the most poignant moments in the Ambrosian Rite is when the celebrant, after the consecration, holds his arms out wide in the form of Christ on the cross; a common medieval custom in different uses of the Roman rite. He does so from the "Unde et memores" to the first sign of the cross over the Host at "hostiam ☩ puram."
Below are some images of the Mass in Milan. Print images are taken from an Ambrosian Holy Week missal from 1933. And from their assigned chapel, Santa Maria della Consolazione al Castello. God bless and reward this wonderful community of believers. This is not just a celebration. It is history in motion, spirituality on fire, and sacred Tradition at work. Fortes in Fide!
Contact Info
For those interested, copies of the Ambrosian hand missal can be purchased here.
Also, the community can be found on Facebook at this page: Rito Ambrosiano Antico - Milano.
