Where to start? Okay. Jerusalem Bible (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1966, cloth, 1966 Cdl. Heenan imprimatur). “The introduction and notes are a direct translation from the French, though revised and brought up to date in some places—account being taken of the decisions and general implications of the Second Vatican Council” (From the Editor’s Foreword). The Book of Jonah was translated by J.R.R. Tolkien.
“What is needed, if we are ever to have a first-class translation of the Old Testament, is a return to the past; to an earlier and more vigorous tradition of English.” Thus from Msgr. Knox as quoted on the inside dust jacket. The Old Testament in English, Volume Two, a New Translation by Ronald Knox (NY: Sheed & Ward, 1950, cloth, 1949 imprimatur).
The now-classic by Father Goffine: Explanation of the Epistles and Gospels for the Sundays, Holydays and Festivals Throughout the Ecclesiastical Year, To Which Are Added The Lives of Many Saints (NY: Fr. Pustet, 1880, embossed hard cover, 12th edition, 1874 imprimatur). My copy has seen better days but still holds together. Comparable to Gueranger but much less comprehensive. This could be the basis for homiletics but also a good brief reflection for the laity. It has ben reprinted/republished in a number of editions, but notably by Sarto House.
Next is an example of some of the really good accessible Catholic teaching tools available in the middle decades of the 20th century: The Catholic Layman’s Guide (St. Paul, MN: 1952 Revised Edition, sc, 1942 imprimatur). In just forty-eight pages the reader gets many basic prayers, a brief catechism, an outline of the Mass, and explanations of other Catholic teaching and precepts.
Ah, hand missals. I have about half a dozen. One I don’t use much is The Fulton J. Sheen Sunday Missal (NY: Hawthorn, 1961, hc, 1961 imprimatur). I don’t care for Sunday missals. I want to be able to use a missal on any day of the year. The arrangement of this one is somewhat clunky and the translations seemingly idiosyncratic. I found this one at a garage sale from the former home of a once-Catholic family—pray for them in your charity. This missal isn’t in the best of shape and there are no ribbons. I keep it with the Goffine to consult sometimes for Sunday readings.
The St. Andrew Missal is a darling of the “pre-55” set. However, there are other editions of it. I found a very nice edition of the 1962 version at an estate sale: Saint Andrew Daily Missal With Vespers for Sundays and Feasts by Dom Gaspar Lefebvre, O.S.B. and the Monks of St. Mary’s Abbey (NY: DDB Publishers, 1962, leather(?), 1962 imprimatur. I like it because of its size and because it has a kyriale. The woodcut illustrations are somewhat modern yet tasteful.
Etc.: If you are looking for the strongest argument for “pre-55,” a must-read is Peter Kwasniewski’s The Once and Future Roman Rite. It is (to date—he is prolific) his magnum opus.
Don’t forget my two books of poetry: