Deutsche Messe

This article is about the early Lutheran liturgy. For the Schubert work, see Deutsche Messe (Schubert). For the trade fair operator, see Deutsche Messe AG.

Deutsche Messe, or The German Mass, (Deutsche Messe und Ordnung des Gottesdiensts) was published by Martin Luther in 1526. It followed his Latin mass, Formula missae (1523). Both of these masses were meant only as a suggestion made on request and were not expected to be used exactly as they were, but could be altered. The function of the mass, according to Luther, is to make people hear the word.

The German Mass was completely chanted, except for the sermon.

Order of Luther's Deutsche Messe

A Spiritual Song or a Psalm in German

Kyrie eleison (three fold)

Collect (read facing the altar)

Epistle (read facing the people)

A German Hymn (by the whole choir)

Gospel (read facing the people)

Creed sung in German

Sermon (on the Gospel)

Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer

Exhortation to those who will commune

Consecration of the Bread.

Elevation of the Body of Christ

Distribution of the Body of Christ

Sanctus paraphrased in German (or the Hymn "Gott sei Gelobet" or Huss' Hymn "Jesus Christus unser Heiland")

Consecration of the Wine

Distribution of the Blood of Christ

Sanctus or Agnus Dei in German (or the Hymn "Gott sei Gelobet" or Huss' Hymn "Jesus Christus unser Heiland")

Thanksgiving Collect

Aaronic Benediction

External links

• Luther, Martin (1483-1546): Deutsche Messe, 1526 as an original German text
• The German Mass and Order of Divine Service (Hanover Historical Texts Project)
• Luther, Liturgies of, article from Christian Cyclopedia
• Luther’s Liturgical Reforms a comparison of Luther's Latin Mass and his German Mass at the WorshipConcord Project.