Please submit any questions that you might have concerning the Missal and its implementation to Dc. Agnoli. We will post the questions, try to provide answers, and see what others might have to say. |
Should the new Missal be blessed? | The Book of Blessings, no. 1343, indicates that the Sacramentary, the Lectionary, and other liturgical books are counted among those articles used in the Sacred Liturgy which ought to be blessed using the rite provided for that purpose, the Order for the Blessing of Articles for Liturgical Use (nos. 1341-1359). |
How are we to dispose of old copies of the Sacramentary? | Whether or not the Sacramentary has been blessed by an official rite, it is appropriate to treat it with care as it has been admitted into liturgical use. Its disposal should be handled with respect. The Secretariat recommends burying the Sacramentary in an appropriate location on church grounds, or perhaps in a parish cemetery if there is one. Some have even suggested following a custom used in various Eastern Churches whereby liturgical books or Bibles are placed in the coffin of the deceased as a sign of devotion and love for the Liturgy. In lieu of burying old liturgical books, they could be burned, and the ashes placed in the ground in an appropriate location on church grounds. It is advisable to retain a copy of the Sacramentary for parish archives or liturgical libraries. |
Is still permissible for the priest or other minister to construct new invocations for the third form of the penitential act? |
Yes. The July 2011 CDW NewsLetter (p. 27) states: "...the three tropes provided in the Order of Mass, as well as the other sets provided in Appendix VI of the Missal, are only given as examples. The Priest Celebrant or other minister is encouraged to create tropes which could be inspired by the liturgical observance or the scriptures of the day or the particular needs of the local Church." |
How many times do we strike the breast in theConfteor? | The gesture is not new in the third edition of the Missal, but for some reason had fallen into disuse in some places. While the Missal before Vatican II specified three times, the Missal since then has simply said that one strikes their breast. As clarified by the Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship back in 1978, once suffices. |
What are the new rubrics in the Missal regarding the Gloria? | In the Roman Missal, Third Edition, the rubrics call for the Gloria more frequently than before. Nine out of the ten Ritual Masses prescribe the Gloria, the only exception being the Mass for the Institution of Lectors and Acolytes. These Masses are all treated as if they were Feasts, and the Gloria is used for them even when celebrated during Advent or Lent. Thus for example, Masses for Confirmation, Holy Orders, or Marriage would include the Gloria, even when they occur during Advent or Lent. (It should be noted, though, that Ritual Masses are prohibited on Sundays of Advent and Lent.) |
Is "Let us pray" still to be said before the Collect (opening prayer) and the Prayer after Communion? |
Yes. While the invitation is not reprinted each time, it is clearly stated in the Order of Mass (#9 and #139) that the invitation is said, followed by a pause to allow the assembly to pray, and then the prayer is proclaimed. |
What are the options for Penitential Act and how are the Introductory Rites affected by the choice made? When is the Kyrie used? |
The options are summarized in this document. Please also note that on certain days (e.g., Palm Sunday) and when certain rites are celebrated in the context of Mass (e.g., funerals, baptisms, weddings) the introductory rites are changed. Click here for additional comments from the USCCB on the Relationship between the Penitential Act and Kyrie at Mass. There are some interesting (and reare) exceptions to the usual rule that these form a unit. |
Can we still use the Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children? How about the Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary? |
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has decided that the current Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children and the Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary may continue to be used until such a time as they can be retranslated. However, the updated words of institution should be used in the Eucharistic Prayers, and the people's responses and acclamations should be updated to reflect the text of the Roman Missal, Third Edition. In the Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the new text of the Order of Mass should be inserted, and the concluding formulae of the orations should be updated to reflect the newer text. The USCCB has published the Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children in a separate booklet for interim use. |
May invocations other than "Lamb of God" be used? | No. In response to a request from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the USCCB Administrative Committee adopted a change on September 12, 2012 to the U.S. Bishops’ 2007 guidelines on liturgical music, Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship. Number 188 of the document has been altered to remove any further permission for the use of Christological tropes or other adaptations to the text of the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). |
Is the name of Joseph to be inserted into only Eucharistic Prayers II, III, and IV - or also into the other Eucharistic Prayers (Various Needs, Reconciliation, Masses with Children)? |
Only EPs II, III, and IV. The addition is not made to the Eucharistic Prayers for Various Needs, for Reconciliation, or for Masses with Children. Please see these links for details: Decree and Added Texts USCCB website |
Should the greeting ("The Lord be with you.") precede the use of a solemn blessing or prayer over the people? The greeting does not seem to be listed as part of those formulas. |
Yes. Both the Order of Mass (#141) and GIRM (#90 and #167) state that the solemn blessings and prayers over the people are expansions of the usual formula. The greeting is said before any blessing. Therefore, the pattern is: -Priest: "The Lord be with you." -All: "And with your spirit." -Deacon (or priest): "Bow down for the blessing." -The priest then prays, with hands extended, the three-part solemn blessing (the people respond, "Amen" after each invocation) or the prayer over the people (to which the people respond, "Amen") -The priest then blesses the people with this forumula: "And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever," and the people reply: "Amen." -The deacon (pr priest) then dismisses the people using one of the given formulas. |
Does the Proclamation of the Nativity still replace the Penitential Act? |
No. Found in Appendix I of the Missal, the rubrics accompanying the proclamation state that it is either sung or recited at the Liturgy of the Hours or before the beginning of the Mass at Night. It may not replace any part of the Mass itself. Alternatively, a more extended vigil using the Office of Readings may be celebrated before Mass, and the proclamation can be part of that. If this option is chosen, then Mass begins with the Gloria. See GILOH #95. |
Are the Prayers over the People for Lent new? Are they required or optional? |
One of the changes that you will notice with the new Roman Missal is that each day in Lent has a specific Prayer over the People. This custom, found originally in the Gelasian Sacramentary (7th century, disappeared with the Missal of Paul VI but now returns. While these prayers are optional (and interchangeable) on weekdays, they are required (and fixed) on Sundays. |
May the Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation be used during Lent? |
Yes, the Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation may be used during Lent, with either their own proper prefaces or one of the prefaces for Lent. The only exception is when the scrutinies are celebrated; the specific preface called for then must be used. |
How are the Scrutinies celebrated with the new Missal? | In order to celebrate the Scrutinies, you will need 3 books: the Lectionary (Year A) for the readings, the new Missal for the Mass texts (three proper prayers, the preface, and the antiphons) and the RCIA (ritual texts). Click here for more information. |
What translation of the Creed should be used when the Creed is presented to the Elect? |
The new translation of the Creed (Nicene or Apostle's) as found in the Missal should be used, not the version in the RCIA. Click here for more information. |
Are there any changes to the Holy Week liturgies? |
Yes... and the January 2012 issue of LiturgyNotes spells them out for you! Also see the FDLC Region 7 resources on the Roman Missal page. |
What shall we do when celebrating other sacraments or rites, whether as part of Mass or outside of Mass? |
Until we hear otherwise, the USCCB recommends the following: (a) If the text is found in the Missal (ex: new greeting ["And with your spirit"], prefaces, proper prayers, Nuptial blessing, etc.), then the new text from the Missal should be used--whether inside or outside of Mass. (b) If the text is not in the Missal (ex: exchange of vows, blessing of rings), then use the text from the ritual itself. |
How are the Scrutinies celebrated with the new Missal? | In order to celebrate the Scrutinies, you will need 3 books: the Lectionary (Year A) for the readings, the new Missal for the Mass texts (three proper prayers, the preface, and the antiphons) and the RCIA (ritual texts). Click here for more information. |
What translation of the Creed should be used when the Creed is presented to the Elect? |
The new translation of the Creed (Nicene or Apostle's) as found in the Missal should be used, not the version in the RCIA. Click here for more information. |
At the Easter Vigil, paragraph 48 states: "If the anointing of the adults with the Oil of Catechumens (OC) has not taken place beforehand, as part of the immediately preparatory rites, it occurs at this moment" [after the blessing of the water]. Is this new? What if they were anointed during the Catechumenate, as the RCIA states? |
This is a confusing rubric. To begin with, note that the actual Rite of Baptism is not present in the Missal; as part of the Rituale Romanum it is published as a separate book (for us, the RCIA). However, that book does not contain the rite for anointing with OC as part of the Vigil! So what are we to do? 1. Anoint catechumens with OC during the catechumenate as called for in the RCIA. Such anointing can be repeated. 2. The anointing at the Vigil would then be the last of these anointing. This final anointing can be done as part of the rites at the start of the Baptismal Liturgy or, preferably, between the renunciations and the profession of faith. |
I've noticed a change in the rubrics for the nuptial Mass: the penitential act is now omitted and the Gloria is used. When did this happen? |
The Gloria is used even if the wedding takes place in Advent or Lent - just as for Feasts in those seasons (see GIRM 43 & 126). |
May the nuptial blessing be moved? | No. The nuptial blessing at Mass is prayed after the Lord's Prayer - with the omission of the embolism and doxology. The rubric calls for the priest to face the couple - not to move from the altar. This is the only blessing that is moved to this location; all other blessings take place either as the conclusion of the Prayer of the Faithful or after the Prayer After Communion - as specified in the Book of Blessings. |
Anointing of the Sick |
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How is Anointing at Mass to be celebrated using the new Missal? | In the Roman Missal, Third Edition, new translations are provided for the two Solemn Blessings from the Ordo unctionis infirmorum, and the celebrant is referred to the formulary for the Mass for the Sick. The formulary, previously in Appendix VII, continues in force, however, because those texts are located in an approved ritual book (Pastoral Care of the Sick) and so are still permitted for liturgical use in the dioceses of the United States. Click here for more information. |
Funerals |
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What are other parishes in the Davenport Diocese using for Mass settings? |
Click here to find out! |
What should we do with hymnals, old and new? | Many parishes will also replace hymnals and other participation aids (such as hand missals) in light of updated editions corresponding to the new Roman Missal. While the Blessing of Articles for Liturgical Use also mentions hymnals, it might be difficult to appropriately dispose of a large number of copies of such books. After setting aside an appropriate number of copies for archives and libraries, other copies could be stored for use by prayer or study groups in the parish, offered to parishioners for their own private devotional use, or donated to other small communities that could effectively make use of them. Due to copyright agreements, annual hymnals and participation aids should be discarded after their prescribed period of use and cannot be retained for other uses in parishes. |
The new translation of the GIRM refers to any music used for the processions (entrance, gifts, communion) as a "chant." Does that mean that we have to use Gregorian Chant and we can't use hymns any more? |
No; this is just a translation issue. Whenever the Latin word, cantus, is used, it is translated as "chant" - even though it is being used in a more broad sense to refer to any song and not necessarily to "chant" in the technical sense. So, while psalmody and chant are preferred (nothing new there, and maybe using "chant" instead of "song" helps to highlight that), hymnody remains an option. For example, in regards to the entrance “chant,” we have the following options: 1. the antiphon from the Missal or the antiphon with its Psalm from the Graduale Romanum as set to music there or in another setting; 2. the antiphon and Psalm of the Graduale Simplexfor the liturgical time; 3. a chant from another collection of Psalms and antiphons, approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop, including Psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; 4. another liturgical chant that is suited to the sacred action, the day, or the time of year, similarly approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop. Note in #3 that reference is made to metrical versions of the psalms, even though the word “chant” is used at the beginning of that line. This is especially true in #4, which should be read as referring to suitable liturgical song (=hymns), not necessarily to music written as Gregorian (or other) chant. |
Where can I find accompaniments to the ICEL chants? |
The International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) has issued the first of three sets of accompaniments for chants in the new Roman Missal. This first set includes accompaniments for the following texts in the Order of Mass: Kyrie, Gloria,Credo I, Credo III, Sanctus, Memorial Acclamations, and Agnus Dei. There is also an accompaniment for the Lord’s Prayer and Doxology, but not for the well-known setting that will appear in the U.S. edition of the Missal. You may find these accompaniments and download them for free by visiting the ICEL website. |