1962 Missale Romanum from Vatican Publishing House

A number of months ago, the Vatican Publishing House produced an altar edition of the 1962 Missale Romanum, and since then it has been their #1 or #2 top selling title. I am happy to report that the Missal is very, very well done. Its quality is on par with the 2003 edition of the Missale Romanum, but the art work is, in my opinion, much more beautiful.

The cover art is simple and is in the Art Deco style.

The image of the Crucifixion at the start of the Canon is also quite nicely done and the colors are vibrant.

The rest of the artwork throughout the Missal is simpler, though very nice, and for the most part seems to be in the Deco style as well.

It is also worth noting that this edition contains the revised text of the Good Friday prayer for the conversion of the Jewish people which was promulgated by the Holy Father,  Benedict XVI, soon after the issuance of his Motu Proprio, Summorum Pontificum. 

I also have a copy of the recently published Benziger (1962 edition) which is quite nice as well. I must say that the binding on the Vatican edition seems better to me, but I do like the lay out of the Benziger edition. Since both editions are about the same price, it really comes down to personal preference if you are trying to decide which one to purchase.

Either way, it is very encouraging that there are now two very good, newly published altar editions of the 1962 Missale Romanum, and that they are selling well (at least the Vatican version is, I have no information on sales of the Benziger edition) even though they are on the expensive side.

Hopefully the new English Sacramentary will be produced with the same care and that the art work will be more inspiring then the current "potato printing" that is found in the current English Sacramentary.