Adaptations of the Institutio
Generalis Missalis
Romani,
editio typica tertia
for the Dioceses of the United States of America
Approved by the
United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops
November 14, 2001
All paragraph numbers refer to the Institutio Generalis
Missalis Romani, editio typica tertia.
Posture of the Faithful
This adaptation
will be inserted at number 43, paragraph 2:
They should, however, sit while the readings before the Gospel
and the responsorial Psalm are proclaimed and for the homily and while the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory is taking
place; and, as circumstances allow, they may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed.
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 when the priest genuflects after the consecration. The faithful kneel
after the Agnus Dei unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.
Entrance Chant
This adaptation will take the place of the third sentence in
paragraph 48:
In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four
options for the Entrance Chant: (1) the antiphon from the Roman Missal or the Psalm from the Roman Gradual as set to music
there 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 Conference of Bishops or the diocesan bishop, including psalms arranged in responsorial
or metrical forms; (4) a suitable liturgical song similarly approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop.
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, as found either in the Roman Gradual, 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.
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.]
Communion Chant
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 Communion Chant: (1) the antiphon from the Roman Missal and Psalm from the Roman Gradual as set to music there
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 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop, including psalms
arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) a suitable liturgical song chosen in accordance with no.86 above.
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, 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. 27-54).
Materials for Fixed Altars
This adaptation
will take the place of the first two sentences 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 Christian 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 are suitable for sacred use and 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 inserted at 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) Besides 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:
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 observances outside Lent are to be observed
in the dioceses of the United States of America at times to be 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 and Justice" (no. 22 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:
Bearing in mind the important place which singing has in celebration,
as a necessary and 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. CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP
AND
THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENTS
__________________________________
Committee on the Liturgy
United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194
