Rorate Caeli

Pre-1955 Holy Week resource available in English and Italian for clergy and laymen


We are very pleased to first announce the publication of a new English/Italian website: www.pre1955holyweek.com.

This new site is a comprehensive introductory resource for those interested in the celebration of the pre-1955 Holy Week liturgies. The website features free downloadable booklets, in the vernacular and Latin, with the complete ceremonies for Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. These include running commentaries and historical notes throughout by Blessed Adolph Schuster. There are also Tenebrae booklets and an introductory explanation of Holy Week by Adrian Fortescue from the “Holy Week Book”.

Interested clergy will find everything they need to get started, including a full Cantus Passionis download, audio aid with accompanied notation for the Passiontide Gospel tone particular only to this traditional Holy Week, and the Fortescue ceremonial. There are also links to some articles about the 1955 reform of Holy Week.


The faithful will be deeply nourished by the timeless tradition of the endless riches of the mystery of Holy Week, and their love of Holy Mother Church and her rites will be renewed as they partake of these liturgies.

We would like to extend our thanks to www.pre1955holyweek.com for these resources as well as to their contribution to the preservation and promotion of the traditional Holy Week. Please make a visit to this site and offer your support.

And, while you're there, please considering donating. The holy man who made this site can very much use financial support to continue his work.