c. 700–750
Latin
The First Roman Ordo
Ordo Romanus I
Anonymous
A stage-by-stage description of a papal mass in Rome — the procession, the vesting, who carries what, where each official stands.
Western · LiturgyRead elsewhere
701–800
The Eighth Century
2 works
c. 784–791 in its Frankish form
Latin
The Gregorian Sacramentary
Anonymous
The book of prayers said by the celebrant at mass, sent from Rome to Charlemagne and then supplemented to cover what Frankish use required.
Western · LiturgyRead elsewhere
801–900
The Ninth Century
1 work
c. 823
Latin
On the Liturgy
Liber Officialis
Amalarius of Metz · c. 775–850
An allegorical reading of the mass in which each gesture and vestment re-enacts a moment of the passion — the deacon's movements, the folding of the cloth, the silence of the canon.
Western · LiturgyRead elsewhere
1101–1200
The Twelfth Century
1 work
c. 1195–1197
Latin
On the Sacred Mystery of the Altar
De Sacro Altaris Mysterio
Innocent III · 1160/61–1216
A detailed commentary on the mass, its vestments and gestures, written before its author's election and used as an authority long after.
Western · LiturgyRead elsewhere
1501–1600
The Sixteenth Century
3 works
October 1520
Latin
The Babylonian Captivity of the Church
Martin Luther · 1483–1546
A reduction of the seven sacraments to two or three, and an argument that the mass is a promise to be received rather than a sacrifice to be offered.
Lutheran · TreatiseFull text
January 1523
German
The Sixty-Seven Articles
Huldrych Zwingli · 1484–1531
Articles defended before the Zurich council: the gospel needs no confirmation from the church, the mass is not a sacrifice, and Christ alone is the head of believers.
Reformed · ThesesRead elsewhere
1570
Latin
The Roman Missal
Pope Pius V and the Tridentine commission
A single order of mass imposed on the Western church, replacing local uses except those more than two centuries old.
Western · LiturgyRead elsewhere