One rationale I have heard for it is that the reading of the last Gospel was originally a devotional act which the priest was to make in the sacristy after Mass.

But actual discussion with evidence and argument are not easy to find.

It was actually eliminated by Inter Oecumenici 1964.

de Lubac mentions it once in his Notes, so that it would have been proposed to be eliminated explicitly by one Cardinal addressing the Council. But without record of le Cardinal’s reasons.

It was partially removed (from Holy Week) in 1955 missal, but without record of reasons.

It was discussed and its elimination proposed at the Maria-Laach conference (late Liturgical movement) in 1951.

It is mentioned in Jungmann (1950) that "moralists today" (quoting 1930) accept that it is not an integral part of the Mass (unlike the Prayers at the Foot): as Chonak said above.

I looked in English and Irish newspapers of the period, say 1950-1965, for a sense of how the change was "received" -- and find it mentioned quite often in articles about "changes". But rarely with comment, and when with comment, generally in the course of positive comments about participation of the people in the "new" holy week.

Could it be said that it was not missed much? Could it be that saying it inaudibly, which was the normal practice (I believe) meant that all the lament about its loss is rather after-the-fact?

I've heard (this is probably ahistorical) that reading it facing North originally had something to do with proclaiming the Gospel in the direction of paganism. Well, then it should be out loud, or how are the Vikings to hear it over all their clamour? Or (as my son suggested) the priest should nowadays slowly turn through a full circle while reciting it...)

The last Gospel was originally said sotto voce by the priest as he processed to the sacristy after Mass; the Tridentine reforms moved it to the altar for the sake of convenience, but it was still considered part of the priest's private thanksgiving, and therefore outside of the Mass and to be recited sotto voce; reciting the Last Gospel aloud at Low Mass is, I think, part of the Johannine rubrical reform of 1962, but I could be wrong, though I do remember reading about that somewhere.

While I think that it's loss as a prescribed devotion is lamentable; the Mass didn't technically lose anything by its suppression, since it was never part of the Mass to begin with. I do, however, think that priests should resume it as part of their own thanksgiving, since most priests I know go right from the sacristy to the parking lot, making less of a thanksgiving than most of the people. But that is by the way.

the priest should nowadays slowly turn through a full circle while reciting it...)

I love this novel idea! Or maybe we should all just face the Vatican.

I too am curious about the practice/custom of music during the Last Gospel. In Psallite Sapienter: A Musician’s Practical Guide to the 1962 Roman Missal

79 There is no requirement for music of any kind after Mass. However,
it is a venerable custom to play a concluding organ voluntary
(except, obviously, when instrumental music is prohibited); this custom
should be fostered wherever the instrument and the organist are
adequate to the task. It is also possible to sing a suitable chant or hymn,
even in the vernacular, at this point.

80 If the Last Gospel be read aloud, the music should not be commenced
until after the Gospel and its response Deo gratias have
been said; if the Last Gospel be read silently, the music may begin after
the genuflection. Note that the Last Gospel is omitted on several occasions:
a. Whenever the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino, or in
Masses for the Dead followed by Absolution. In these
cases, there is no opportunity for music to be added,
since an official rite follows immediately.
b. On Christmas Day (third Mass) and Palm Sunday (at
the principal Mass), and at the Easter Vigil. Here the
additional music may be commenced after the celebrant
has given the final blessing.

However, this hasn't been my experience. I've heard loud organ instrumental begin immediately after the Ite Missa Est; soft organ music played during the reading of the entire last Gospel and even the Singing of Salve Regina during the reading of the Last Gospel.

The last few solemn TLM's I've played, the priest asked me to begin the voluntary immediately after the ite missa est and play over the last gospel. I thought it seemed odd at the time (having not previously experienced this) but now I know why. He's a rather studied liturgist, regular celebrant of the TLM (well... was, at any rate) and is the MC for our bishop.

For the record, each and every priest can recite the Last Gospel on his way to the Sacristy after Mass, as per many Medieval Uses. Since this is a private devotion, there is no need for any permission of any kind.

For completeness, https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/08/the-prayers-at-foot-of-altar-and-last.html#.YSPLCS1Q27Y

I have been meaning to look through my books but have not had the time.

While I think that it's loss as a prescribed devotion is lamentable; the Mass didn't technically lose anything by its suppression, since it was never part of the Mass to begin with.

It didn't start out as part of the Mass, but by the 20th century it had definitely become part of it. Once proper last Gospels were dropped though (1955?), it ceased to have the integration with the liturgy that it had developed as a place for commemoration of displaced days. At that point, it was probably inevitable that it would be dropped entirely in any further reform and that's what happened.

There isn't. The Novus Ordo ends with "Ite missa est." or one of the other options. Anything that happens after this, be it a hymn, Marian Antiphon, voluntary, Last Gospel, clog dancing, etc., is outside of the Mass.

> Anything that happens after this, be it a hymn, Marian Antiphon, voluntary, Last Gospel, clog dancing, etc., is outside of the Mass.

Send in the Clowns....