
The Hand Missal History Project

Welcome
This site is home to the Hand Missal History Project, an independent research initiative. We’re dedicated to exploring Catholic history through the untold and forgotten experiences of the laity across the centuries.
The project is still in the early stages. Our ultimate goal is to publish a book which tells the story of vernacular hand missals for the Catholic laity, from their ancient origins to the publication of the Roman Missal of 1969.
Recent posts
A Modern History of Gothic Vestments
An illustrated exploration of Gothic-style vestments in the Roman Catholic Church between 1838 and 1957….
The Epistles & Gospels in English
A comprehensive study of English scripture translations and the custom of reciting the Sunday liturgical…
“Lift up thy voice with strength”
A three-part series of illustrated articles, exploring the history of the use of microphones and…
Forgotten English Rituals
A comprehensive study of the official use of vernacular languages in Catholic ritual books and…