LITURGICAL RITES / WESTERN
The liturgical rites in the West were divided according to the geographical and political organization of the Christian West. Each province had a liturgical rite peculiar to it but they all used the Latin language.Those liturgical rites which they formally established for themselves were: The Roman Liturgical Rite in Italy with its seat in Rome 2. The Carthaginian Liturgical Rite in Northern Africa with its seat in Carthage. We have only a little information about the Carthaginian Liturgical Rite, it being mentioned in the writings of Tertullian, St. Cyprian and St. Augustine - there are no liturgical texts relating to this rite. This rite disappeared due to the political situation and the wars which Northern Africa was subjected to through Vandal and Arab invasions. Nevertheless, we do know that the Carthaginian Liturgical Rite was the first Latin Liturgical Rite, because prior to the 4th century divine worship in Rome was in the Greek language. A new liturgical center appeared in the West in the 4th century in Northern Italy with its seat in Milan, and spread throughout the Alpine mountians. New centers also appeared in Gaul, Spain and Ireland, with new liturgical rites relating particularly to them. These different liturgical rites exercised an influence upon each other, and from the 8th cenutry the Roman Liturgical Rite stated to be predominantly used by the other centers. Later on, after it had taken on its final shape, it dominated them becoming the only liturgical rite used. - from "Introduction to the Liturgical Families and Rites" (Bp. John Yazigi)
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