Liturgical Books Currently in Use

Editor’s note: The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy not only called for the reform and renewal of the Church’s liturgical books, but also allowed for their translation into vernacular languages. While most of the Latin typical editions have been revised by now, bringing them into a “form that both testifies to the stability achieved and is worthy of the mysteries being celebrated” (Vicesimus quintus annus, 20) is an ongoing task being taken up by bishops’ conferences. But keeping track of the current liturgical books is the job for bishops, priests, and those liturgists who assist them. Adoremus is grateful to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship for providing this up-to-date list of liturgical books for the dioceses in the U.S.

Liturgical Books Currently in Use

The dates in italics refer to the current Latin editiones typicæ or to the years of the most recent emendations of the books, but do not necessarily reflect dates of more recent reprintings. There are a few books that could have been included but are not listed, especially those from the early years of the liturgical reform that have been subsumed into later books. Years in parenthesis refer to earlier U.S. editions, and the years in bold refer to the current U.S. English edition. Information on Spanish-language books appears further below.

For the Eucharist

Roman Missal (including General Instruction & Calendar) 2008 (1974; 1985) 2011
Excerpts from the Roman Missal (“Book of the Chair”) 2018
Lectionary for Mass 1981 (1970) 1998/2002
Lectionary for Mass Supplement 2017
Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1987 (1992) 2012
Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest (1988; 2007) 2012
Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children 2002 (1985) 2011
Lectionary for Masses with Children 1993

Principal books of music for the Eucharist

Graduale Simplex (simpler Gregorian chants of Mass parts and propers) 1975
Ordo cantus Missae (Gregorian chants of Mass parts and propers, cross-referenced to the pre-Conciliar Graduale Romanum) 1988
Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ 1989 (1971) 1998
Graduale Romanum (Gregorian chants of Mass parts and propers) 1974
Liber Cantualis (assorted Gregorian chants) 1983
Ordo Missae in Cantu (Gregorian chants for the Order of Mass) 2012

(Note that the final three items were published by Solesmes Abbey. Other publications contain various excerpts of these books in different forms.)

For the other sacraments and sacramentals

As of February 2025, four English ritual books approved by the USCCB are awaiting confirmation from the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments—an excerpt of rites for use by the laity in ministry to the sick, the Order of Blessing of an Abbot or an Abbess, the Order of Consecration of Virgins, and the Order of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. New English translations are also in process for the following: the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition, the Lectionary for Mass, and the Institution of Lectors, Acolytes, and Catechists.

Roman Pontifical (1978) 2012
- Ordination of a Bishop, of Priests, and of Deacons 1989 (1978; 2003; 2012) 2021
- Order of Confirmation 2003 (1978; 2012) 2015
- Order of the Blessing of Oils and the Consecration of Chrism 1971 (1985; 2012) 2019
- Order of the Dedication of a Church and an Altar 1977 (1989) 2018
- Order of Blessing of Abbots and Abbesses 2010 (1978) 2012
- Order of the Consecration of Virgins 1970 (1978) 2012
- Institution of Lectors and Acolytes 1972 (1978) 2012
- Institution of Catechists 2021
Roman Ritual
- Order of Baptism of Children 2003 (1970) 2020
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults 1972 (1974; 1988) 2024
- Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside Mass 1974 (1976) 2024
Order of Celebrating Matrimony 2008 (1970) 2016
Order of Penance 1974 (1975; 2010) 2023
Order of the Anointing of the Sick and of their Pastoral Care 1972 (1974; 1983) 2026
Book of Blessings 1994; 1989
Order of Christian Funerals 1969 (1971) 1989
Order of Religious Profession 1970; (1989) 2025
Exorcisms and Related Supplications 2005; 2017

Other liturgical books

Roman Martyrology 2004
Ceremonial of Bishops 2008; 1989
Order of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1981; 1987
Liturgy of the Hours 2000; 1975/1976
The Abbey Psalms and Canticles 2020
Ordo cantus Officii (chants for the Office) 2015
Liber Hymnarius (hymns, invitatories, and responsories for the Office) 1983
Antiphonale Romanum I (Lauds of Sundays, Solemnities, and Feasts) 2020
Antiphonale Romanum II (Vespers of Sundays, Solemnities, and Feasts) 2009

(Note that the final three items were published by Solesmes Abbey.)

Conference-approved texts containing excerpts of ritual books

Order for the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist 1993
Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers (1988; 2007) 2020
Blessing on the Fifteenth Birthday (bilingual) 2008
Blessing of a Child in the Womb (bilingual) 2012

(In addition, assorted fascicles with rites for lay ministry to the sick and dying have also been published.)

Ritual books in Spanish

Seven Spanish-language liturgical books and two fascicles have been confirmed for liturgical use in the United States. In addition, two books in Spanish are pending: the Bendicional and Liturgia de las Horas: Textos propios y adaptaciones para las diócesis de los Estados Unidos de América are awaiting confirmation by the Holy See.

Misal Romano (includes the Rito para la bendición de los óleos y la consagración del Crisma) 2008; 2018
Celebraciones dominicales en ausencia de presbítero (bilingual) 2007
Ritual para el Bautismo de los niños 2003; 2009
Ritual de la Iniciación cristiana de adultos 1972 (1993) 2024
Ritual del Matrimonio 2008; 2010
Ritual de la Unción de los enfermos y de su atención pastoral 1972; 2026
Ritual de exequias cristianas 1969; 2002
Bendición al cumplir quince años (bilingual) 2008
Bendición de una criatura en el vientre materno (bilingual) 2012

For other rites that do not have a confirmed U.S. Spanish edition—for example, the Leccionario, rituals for Penance, Ordination, etc.—any Spanish translation lawfully approved by another Conference of Bishops may be used. Ritual books from Mexico tend to be the most popular in this country, and many of them are available through Liturgical Press or from the Mexican publishing house Buena Prensa.

Excerpted from the April 2022 Newsletter of the Committee on Divine Worship, updated January 2025.