The New Roman Missal by Father Lasance Value Guide

The 1937 New Roman Missal by Father Francis Lasance is a cornerstone of pre-Vatican II Catholic history, designed to help the faithful follow the Traditional Latin Mass. This edition is highly collectible due to Lasance's reputation as a prolific translator and its status as a primary devotional tool used before the 1960s liturgical reforms.

What affects the value of The New Roman Missal by Father Lasance?

• The condition of the leather spine and hinges, as frequent use often leads to cracking or detachment.
• The presence and state of the original colored ribbon markers and any gold leaf gilding on the edges.
• Cleanliness of the interior pages, specifically the absence of handwritten notes or water damage.
• The inclusion of any original slipcases or protective covers that preserved the 1937 binding.

How to Identify The New Roman Missal by Father Lasance?

• Check the title page for Father Francis Lasance as the author and the specific 1937 copyright date.
• Verify the presence of parallel Latin and English text columns throughout the Ordinary of the Mass.
• Look for high-quality materials including a genuine leather binding and gold-gilded page edges.
• Confirm the publisher is typically Benziger Brothers, the primary printer for Lasance's works in the United States.

History of The New Roman Missal by Father Lasance

Father Francis Lasance was a prolific Catholic writer and translator in the early 20th century. His 'New Roman Missal' became incredibly popular among English-speaking Catholics, allowing them to follow along with the Latin Mass, which was the standard at the time. This particular edition likely saw widespread use before the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, which led to the introduction of vernacular Masses.