Online Edition
– Vol. VIII, No. 7: October 2002
Revised Adaptations to the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani for the Church in the United States
Effective April 25, 2002
The following are adaptations of the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani (IGMR), regulations for celebration of Mass of the revised Roman Missal issued in 2000, approved for use in the Church in the United States. Along with the IGMR, which they modify, the adaptations are in effect. At present the only English translation of the IGMR is a "study translation" prepared by the US Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy, in 2000; however, an amended translation will be introduced at the November 2002 meeting of the USCCB for the bishops’ vote. If it receives a positive vote, the translation will require recognitio by the Holy See. (For further information, contact the BCL Secretariat, 3211 4th St. NE Washington, DC, 20017-1194 – Phone: 202-541-3064.) Bold type in some sections below indicates the changes within the original text.
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POSTURE OF THE FAITHFUL
This adaptation will be inserted at number 43, paragraph 2:
They should sit during the readings before the Gospel reading and during the responsorial psalm, for the homily and the preparation of the gifts, and, if this seems helpful, they may kneel or sit during the period of religious silence after Communion.
This adaptation will be inserted at number 43, paragraph 3:
In the dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason. Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow while the priest is genuflecting after the consecration. The faithful kneel at the Agnus Dei unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.
CANTUS AD INTROITUM:
This adaptation will take the place of the second sentence in number 48:
In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four options for the cantus ad introitum: (1) the antiphon and Psalm from the Roman Missal as set to music by the Roman Gradual or in another musical setting; (2) the seasonal antiphon and Psalm of the Simple Gradual; (3) a song from another collection of psalms and antiphons, approved by the USCCB or the Diocesan Bishop, including psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) a suitable liturgical song chosen in accordance with IGMR, no. 47.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
This adaptation will be inserted at number 61, paragraph 4:
In the dioceses of the United States of America, the following may also be sung in place of the psalm assigned in the Lectionary for Mass: either the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, set either in the manner of the Roman or Simple Gradual, or in another musical setting; or, an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of the psalms and antiphons, including psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the diocesan Bishop. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the Responsorial Psalm.
CANTUS AD COMMUNIONEM
This adaptation will take the place of the first sentence of number 87:
In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four options for the Cantus ad Communionem: (1) the antiphon and Psalm from the Roman Missal as set to music in the Roman Gradual or in another musical setting; (2) the seasonal antiphon and Psalm of the Simple Gradual; (3) a song from another collection of Psalms and antiphons, approved by the USCCB or the diocesan Bishop, including Psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) a suitable liturgical song chosen in accordance with IGMR, no. 86.
THE SIGN OF PEACE
This adaptation will be inserted at number 154, paragraph 2:
The priest may give the sign of peace to the ministers, but always remains within the sanctuary, so as not to disturb the celebration. In the dioceses of the United States of America, for a good reason, on special occasions, (for example in the case of a funeral, a wedding or when civic leaders are present) the priest may offer the sign of peace to a few of the faithful near the sanctuary. [The rest of the paragraph is unaffected by this adaptation.]
DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
This adaptation will take the place of number 160, paragraph 2:
The faithful are not permitted to take up the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice themselves, and still less, hand them on to one another. The norm for reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances should be addressed pastorally, by providing the faithful with proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm.
When receiving Holy Communion standing, the communicant bows his or her head before the sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister. The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand at the discretion of each communicant. When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood.
COMMUNION UNDER BOTH KINDS
This adaptation will take the place of number 283, paragraph 3:
In all that pertains to Communion under both kinds the Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America are to be followed (see nos. 2754).
MATERIALS FOR FIXED ALTARS
This adaptation is inserted as the second sentence of number 301:
In keeping with the Church’s traditional practice and the altar’s symbolism, the table of a fixed altar is to be of stone and indeed of natural stone. In the dioceses of the United States of America, however, wood which is worthy, solid, and well-crafted may be used provided that the altar is structurally immobile.
COLOR OF ALTAR CLOTHS
This adaptation will be inserted at number 304:
Out of reverence for the celebration of the memorial of the Lord and the banquet which gives us His Body and Blood, at least one white cloth should be placed on the altar where this memorial is celebrated. The shape, size, and decoration of the altar cloth should be in keeping with the design of the altar. When, in the dioceses of the United States of America, other cloths are used in addition to the altar cloth, then those cloths may be of other colors possessing Catholic honorific or festive significance according to longstanding local usage, provided that the uppermost cloth covering the mensa (i.e., the altar cloth itself) is always white in color.
MATERIALS FOR SACRED FURNISHINGS
This adaptation will be inserted at number 326:
In the choice of materials for sacred furnishings, besides traditional materials, others are acceptable if by contemporary standards they are considered to be noble, are durable, and are well suited for sacred use. In the dioceses of the United States of America these materials may include wood, stone or metal which are solid and appropriate to the purpose for which they are employed.
MATERIALS FOR SACRED VESSELS
This adaptation will be inserted at number 329:
In the Dioceses of the United States of America, sacred vessels may also be made from other solid materials that, according to the common estimation in each region, are precious, for example, ebony or other hard woods, provided that such materials do not break easily or deteriorate. This applies to all vessels which hold the hosts such as the paten, the ciborium, the pyx, the monstrance, and other things of this kind.
VESTURE FOR LAY MINISTERS
This adaptation will be substituted for number 339:
In the dioceses of the United States of America, acolytes, altar servers, readers, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable vesture or other appropriate and dignified clothing.
COLOR OF SACRED VESTMENTS
This adaptation will be inserted at number 346:
e) Violet, white, or black vestments may be worn at funeral services and at other offices and Masses for the dead in the dioceses of the United States of America;
h) Gold or silver colored vestments may be worn on more solemn occasions in the dioceses of the United States of America.
READINGS FOR MASS
This adaptation will be inserted at number 362:
In addition to the faculties for choosing certain more suitable texts, the adaptations to the Ordo Lectionum Missae as contained in the Lectionary for Mass for use in the Dioceses of the United States of America should be carefully observed.
SPECIAL DAYS OF PRAYER
This adaptation will be inserted at number 373:
Days or periods of prayer for the fruits of the earth, prayer for human rights and equality, prayer for world justice and peace, and penitential observance outside Lent are to be observed in the dioceses of the United States at times designated by the Diocesan Bishop.
In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when the 22nd falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. The Mass "For Peace ad Justice" (no. 21 from "Masses for Various Needs") should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND APPROVAL OF MUSICAL SETTINGS
This adaptation will be inserted at number 393:
Mindful of the important place that singing has in a celebration as a necessary or integral part of the Liturgy, all musical settings of the texts for the people’s responses and acclamations in the Order of Mass and for special rites that occur in the course of the liturgical year must be submitted to the USCCB Secretariat for the Liturgy for review and approval prior to publication.
While the organ is to be accorded pride of place, other wind, stringed, or percussion instruments may be used in liturgical services in the dioceses of the United States of America, according to longstanding local usage, provided they are truly apt for sacred use or can be rendered apt.
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