“When he was about to celebrate with his disciples the Passover meal in which he instituted the sacrifice of his Body and Blood, Christ the Lord gave instructions that a large, furnished upper room should be prepared (Luke 22:12)” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, #1).
“Each priest is bound in conscience to observe carefully the rubrics that are prescribed for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass” (Fourth Diocesan Synod, #116).
“There is no need to resort to arbitrary adaptations, which would only weaken the impact of the liturgy” (Liturgicæ instaurationes, 5 Sept. 1970).PREPARATIONS: [cf. GIRM 117ff., 295ff.]
MANDATORY OPTIONAL FORBIDDEN COMMENTARY Prepatory prayers and thanksgiving are not to be During Lent, there are to be The altar should not be omitted [DS, 115]; the fast is no flowers decorating the impeded by decorations or to be observed [DS, 125; cf. altar. The only excepts are candles. People should have canon 919] laetare Sunday, solemnities a clear view and the priest be and feasts which fall during able to freely move around that season the altar.
At least (1) white cloth is to Only what is required for the be on the altar (GIRM, 117, celebration of the Mass may 304); all linens are to be be placed on the mensa of changed frequently, kept the altar (GIRM 306) clean and fit [DS, 119]
A minimum of (2) lighted candles in candlesticks; (7) (4) or (6) candles may be are to be used at episcopal used for greater feasts Masses (GIRM, 307)
A cross with the figure of Christ crucified is to be on The processional cross with or near the altar (GIRM, the figure of Christ crucified 308) may be placed near the altar.
Missal is to be marked for the Mass to be offered and placed conveniently nearby (GIRM, 118)
The lectionary is to be on the Note: The lectionary is not ambo at the start of Mass the same thing as the Gospel (GIRM, 118) Book.
On the credence table: see appendix 1
Appropriate vestments must be worn by all ministers (including amice / cincture if necessary) (GIRM, 119; RS, 121-128) see appendix 2
Entrance Procession: Incense (thurible and boat) Processional Cross, candles, Book of the Gospels see appendix 3 INTRODUCTORY RITES: [cf. GIRM, 46ff., 120ff., 172ff., 256ff.]
MANDATORY OPTIONAL FORBIDDEN COMMENTARY If no singing, recitation of The reprobated practice by Entrance Antiphon is which priests, deacons, or permitted; it can be adapted the faithful here and there as an introduction to the alter or vary at will the texts Mass of the Day [GIRM, 48] of the sacred liturgy that they are charged to pronounce, must cease [RS, 59] Reverence the altar [GIRM, 48] – profound bow with no The bow is to the altar, not Blessed Sacrament the cross/tabernacle. It is not – genuflection with the Bl. necessary to genuflect and Sacrament present bow.
Kiss the altar [GIRM, 48] Altar & cross may be incensed [GIRM, 49]
Priest, at the chair, makes When making the Sign of the the Sign of the Cross [GIRM, Cross, the priest does not say 50] Amen; but rather allows the people to respond with Amen.
In his own words, the priest It is inappropriate to replace may introduce the Mass or add to the prescribed briefly [GIRM, 50] greeting a secular greeting, e.g. “Good morning” and is not to be done.
Also, it is inappropriate to engage in familiar banter like “thank you” after the “And also with you” response of the people; it is not to be done. PENITENTIAL RITE / GLORIA / OPENING PRAYER: [cf. GIRM, 51-54, 125-127]
MANDATORY OPTIONAL FORBIDDEN COMMENTARY After the introduction of the penitential rite, there is to be a brief pause for silence [GIRM, 51]
One of the forms provided in Either Option A, B, or C The deacon may not In option C: do not speak to the Sacramentary is to be may be used as they are introduce option A. the Father, the Spirit, or used for the general provided in the anyone other than Christ, confession [GIRM, 51] Sacramentary and do not dwell on human failures, but rather proclaim Christ’s mercy and saving qualities. This is not a confession of particular sins.
A sign of the cross is not to The absolution is always be made unless prescribed; it given only by the priest is not to be made at the [GIRM, 51] absolution. Also, during the Confiteor, all strike their breasts once.
The Kyrie is to be done, unless it forms part of the Act of Penitence (i.e., option C) [GIRM, 52]
N.B.: The order of Option A of this The Asperges may replace rite is (1) confession, (2) the Penitential Rite; this absolution, (3) Kyrie practice is recommended on Sundays, especially in Eastertide
When prescribed, the Gloria The Gloria may not be is to be used in the form replaced by any other text given; the Gloria used [GIRM, 53] during Sundays outside of Advent and Lent and on Solemnities and Feasts [GIRM, 53]
Do not modify prayer endings so as to take away There is always only one the people’s response of collect used in a Mass Amen. [GIRM, 54] LITURGY OF THE WORD: READINGS / GOSPEL / HOMILY [cf. GIRM, 55-66, 128-136]
MANDATORY OPTIONAL FORBIDDEN COMMENTARY Any sort of haste that Never use a missalette or hinders recollection must disposable typed sheets to clearly be avoided [GIRM, proclaim readings. 56]
In Mass w/ a congregation, the readings are always to be Lector, deacon or priest may It is unlawful to substitute Never use the lectionary or proclaimed from the ambo do the readings according to other, non-biblical texts for Gospel book as though it [GIRM, 58] their ministerial role; the the readings and responsorial were a common book. priest may do them all in the Psalm [GIRM, 57; R.S., 62] Never set anything on the absence of suitable ministers Word of God. [GIRM, 59]
The phrase: “The First Reading” is not to be said [#89 [Not. 14 (1978)303, No. 5]
After the first reading, one of the following may be sung (or possibly recited) as found in GIRM, 61
Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the responsorial psalm [GIRM, 61] The alleluia or seasonal While reciting the prayer in verse may be sung or recited; preparation for the Gospel, a if not sung, it may be bow to the altar is prescribed omitted [GIRM, 62-63] (not to the tabernacle or the cross). Gospel is reserved to deacon or priest [RS, 63]; the prayer It is not permitted for a The gesture of signing after the Gospel is not to be layperson, even a religious, forehead, lips and breast at omitted (Per evangelica). to proclaim the Gospel the beginning of the Gospel reading in the celebration of is to be retained and Mass, nor in other cases in executed without haste and which the norms do not in a reverent manner. explicitly permit it [RS, 63]
On Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation in Masses with The homily is recommended, The homily is not to be Generally speaking it is a congregation the homily is espec. during Advent, Lent, given by a lay person inadvisable to begin or end the not to be omitted without and Easter homily with a sign of the cross [GIRM, 66; RS, 64], incl. ... the homily is part of the serious reason, after which a seminarians [RS, 66], the liturgy; the people have already brief period of silence is previous norm is abrogated blessed themselves and received appropriately observed [RS, 65] the greeting at the beginning of [GIRM, 66; D.S., 224] Mass. (Notitiæ, v. 9 (1973), p. see appendix 4 178, DOL - 1432: Note R8) CREED / PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL [cf. GIRM, 67-71, 137-139]
MANDATORY OPTIONAL FORBIDDEN COMMENTARY
The Creed is to be sung or At particular celebrations of said by the priest and the a more solemn character the people on Sundays and Creed may be said [GIRM, solemnities [GIRM, 68] 68]
Only the formulæ as given in The form of Creed provided the approved liturgical books and no other must be used may be used; changes or [RS, 69] additions, no matter how slight, are not to be done. [cf. RS, 59]
When said, the Prayer of the It is fitting that, as a rule, in Faithful is directed by the Masses with a congregation priest from the chair [GIRM, Prayers of the Faithful are 71] offered [GIRM, 69] and according to the outline given in GIRM, 70
The intentions are The people may respond to announced from the ambo or the intentions by an another suitable place by the invocation or by praying in deacon, cantor, lector or one silence [GIRM, 71] of the lay faithful [GIRM, 71] OFFERTORY: PROCESSION WITH GIFTS / PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR/ ORATE FRATRES / PRAYER OVER GIFTS [cf. GIRM, 72-77, 139-146]
MANDATORY OPTIONAL FORBIDDEN COMMENTARY It is praiseworthy to have the bread and wine used for Mass presented by the faithful, but not necessary [cf. GIRM, 73-74] The altar is prepared by placing the corporal, purificator, Missal, and chalice on it [GIRM, 73]
All chalices are to be filled The chalice may be The Precious Blood is not A Sign of the Cross is not with wine (mixed with prepared at the credence to be consecrated in prescribed for the water; it water) before the table [GIRM, 73] flagons, bowls, etc. [RS, should not be done. consecration, not after 106] [RS, 106]
The prescribed formulas must be used in the preparation of the altar [GIRM, 75] The priest may incense the gifts and then the cross and altar. The priest himself, then the faithful are incensed by the deacon The lavabo may not be or minister [GIRM, 75] omitted (#52 [Not. 6 (1970) 38-39, No. 27]
The priest washes his The priest is not to omit / hands, saying softly the change or say aloud these prescribed words [GIRM, prayers. 76]
Money or other offerings besides the bread and wine for Mass is to be put away from the altar, not on or near it [GIRM, 73; RS, 70]
Only one prayer is said over the gifts and it ends Only the term referring to N.B.: The faithful are with the short conclusion, the assembly may be ad asked to stand at the “Pray to which the people libbed, the rest of the Brethren...” respond, Amen [GIRM,77] prayer may not. LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST: PREFACE / SANCTUS / EUCHARISTIC PRAYER / OUR FATHER [cf. GIRM, 78-81, 147-153]
MANDATORY OPTIONAL FORBIDDEN COMMENTARY
The Eucharistic Prayer The priest alone must say Follow the rubrics demands that all listen to the whole E.P. [LI, 4; R.S., regarding each of the it with reverence and in 52; #223 (Not. 5 (1969) Eucharistic Prayers: In silence [GIRM, 78]; only 324–5, No. 3)] particular, Eucharistic those in the missal may be Prayer II should not used [RS, 51] regularly be used on Sundays (cf. GIRM, 365b: “suitable for week-days”), and Eucharistic Prayer IV and the Eucharistic Prayers for Children and for Various Needs and occasions are not be used with any preface other There is to be no singing than the one included as or music during the E.P. part of the prayer (cf. [RS, 52; cf. Not. 13 (1977) GIRM, 365d) 94-95, No. 2]
The name of the pontiff and bishop must be mentioned [RS, 56] The Host is not to be broken during the Consecration [RS, 55]
Remember that the doxology of the Eucharistic Prayer is still part of the presidential prayer, and thus should be proclaimed by the presiding priest alone; however the faithful respond with Amen at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer. The priest says the invitation prayer to the Our Father, all the faithful say it with him; the priest alone adds the embolism, which the people conclude with the doxology [GIRM, 81] THE RITE OF PEACE / THE FRACTION ... [cf. GIRM, 82-83, 154-159]
MANDATORY OPTIONAL FORBIDDEN COMMENTARY
The sign of peace is maintained, but given to those nearest in a sober manner; priest remains in sanctuary [RS, 71]
The sign of peace is appropriately only given to those who are nearest and in a sober manner [GIRM, 82]
After the sign of peace and Con-celebrants or the The fraction rite is with all proper reverence, deacons may assist the reserved to the priests and the priest breaks the priest in breaking the deacons [GIRM, 83; RS, Eucharistic Bread and puts Eucharistic Bread [GIRM, 73] a piece of the host into the 83; RS 73] Lay people are not to chalice [GIRM, 83] assist in the Fraction Rite and it is not to be unduly prolonged [RS, 73] The Agnus Dei is sung or recited aloud; it always The Agnus Dei may be ends with dona nobis repeated as many times as pacem [GIRM, 83] necessary [GIRM, 83]
The priest recites the prescribed prayers in preparation to receive Communion; these prayers are said softly [GIRM, 84]
The priest shows the Eucharistic Bread to the The Host may be held The priest may not ad lib faithful, the priest and either over the paten or the the Ecce, Angus Dei. people say the Domine chalice [GIRM, 84] non sum dignus together [GIRM, 84]
The priest must receive Communion from that It is desirable that the Mass [GIRM, 85] faithful receive Hosts consecrated at the Mass in which they participate [GIRM, 85] COMMUNION / CONCLUDING RITES [cf. GIRM, 84-90, 159-170]
MANDATORY OPTIONAL FORBIDDEN COMMENTARY
[cf. GIRM, 87 for options regarding the Communion chant] The priest’s prayer before Communion is to be said softly, hands joined and standing erect (#114 [Not. 14 (1978)537-538, No.13])
The priest receives It is not permitted for the Communion first; the Host priest to wait until after must be consecrated at the faithful have received that Mass [cf. GIRM, 86; Communion for himself to RS, 97-98; DS, 126,§2] receive [RS, 97]
All con-celebrants receive both Species; The faithful can not take “Body/Blood of Christ” is nor hand amongst not said to them [RS, 98] themselves the Host or Chalice, even in a nuptial The Commuion plate Mass; intinction by the should be retained [RS, communicant is not 93] permitted, nor is the use of non-consecrated bread for intinction [RS, 94, 104] Nothing is to be distributed while Communion is being received [RS, 96]
After the distribution of Communion, the priest and people spend some time praying privately [GIRM, 88]
All Precious Blood is to be consumed accord. to the norms, remaining Hosts are either consumed or reserved in the tabernacle [RS, 107] MANDATORY OPTIONAL FORBIDDEN COMMENTARY
After Communion, a psalm, canticle or hymn may be sung [GIRM, 88]
The priest says only one prayer after Communion; the people respond, Amen [GIRM, 89]
If necessary, brief announcements may be made after the Prayer after Communion and before the blessing/dismissal [GIRM, 90a]
If lay people are to give talks, they should do so at this point; the homily is not to be dispensed with and this should not become a regular occurrence [RS, 74]
On certain days and The formula for the final occasions the priest may blessing must be strictly use a more solemn adhered to; do not ask God blessing over the people to “bless us”. Also, do not [GIRM, 90b] bless “in the name of” – that formula of blessing is reserved for objects, not people