General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM 2003)

[This page contains the Table of Contents of the GIRM, which links into the text at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site.]

See also the 2003 GIRM in PDF format.

General Instruction
of the Roman Missal

Including Adaptations
for the Dioceses of the United States of America

General Instruction of the Roman Missal

 

 

 Concordat cum originali:

 Msgr. James Patrick Moroney

 Executive Director, Secretariat for the Liturgy

 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

 

The English translation of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Third Typical Edition) 2002, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

 

 This text is confirmed for use in the Dioceses of the United States of America. Persons from other nations should consult the local Episcopal Conference regarding the appropriate text for their nation.

 

 

 Contents

 

Foreword to This Edition

Decree of Confirmation

Decree of Publication

 

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal

 

Preamble

A Witness to Unchanged Faith

A Witness to Unbroken Tradition

Accommodation to New Conditions

 

Chapter 1

 The Importance and Dignity of the Eucharistic Celebration

 

Chapter II

 The Structure of the Mass, Its Elements and Its Parts

 

I.  The General Structure of the Mass

 

II.  The Different Elements of the Mass

 

Reading and Explaining the Word of God

 

The Prayers and Other Parts Pertaining to the Priest

 

The Other Formulas in the Celebration

 

The Vocal Expression of the Different Texts

 

The Importance of Singing

 

Movements and Posture

 

Silence

 

III.        The Individual Parts of the Mass

 

A.  The Introductory Rites

 

The Entrance

 

Greeting of the Altar and of the People Gathered Together

 

The Act of Penitence

 

The Kyrie Eleison

 

The Gloria

 

The Collect

 

B.  The Liturgy of the Word

 

Silence

 

The Biblical Readings

 

The Responsorial Psalm

 

The Homily

 

The Profession of Faith

 

The Prayer of the Faithful

 

C.  The Liturgy of the Eucharist

 

The Preparation of the Gifts

 

The Prayer over the Offerings

 

The Eucharistic Prayer

 

The Communion Rite

 

The Lord's Prayer

 

The Rite of Peace

 

The Fraction

 

Communion

 

D.  The Concluding Rites

 

 

Chapter III

 The Duties and Ministries in the Mass

 

I.  The Duties of Those in Holy Orders

 

II.  The Duties of the People of God

 

III.        Particular Ministries

 

The Ministry of the Instituted Acolyte and Lector

 

Other Ministries

 

IV.        The Distribution of Duties and the Preparation of the Celebration

 

Chapter IV

 The Different Forms of Celebrating Mass

I.  Mass with a Congregation

 

The Articles to Be Prepared

A.   Mass Without a Deacon

 

The Introductory Rites

 

The Liturgy of the Word

 

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

 

The Concluding Rites

 

B.  Mass with a Deacon

 

The Introductory Rites

 

The Liturgy of the Word

 

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

 

The Concluding Rites

 

C.  The Duties of the Acolyte

 

The Introductory Rites

 The Liturgy of the Eucharist

D.   The Duties of the Lector

 

Introductory Rites

 The Liturgy of the Word

II.  Concelebrated Mass

 

The Introductory Rites

 

The Liturgy of the Word

 

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

 

The Manner of Speaking the Eucharistic Prayer

 

Eucharistic Prayer I, that is, The Roman Canon

 

Eucharistic Prayer II

 

Eucharistic Prayer III

 

Eucharistic Prayer IV

 

The Communion Rite

 

The Concluding Rites

 

III.        Mass at Which Only One Minister Participates

 

The Introductory Rites

 

The Liturgy of the Word

 

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

 

The Concluding Rites

 

IV.        Some General Norms for All Forms of Mass

 

Veneration of the Altar and the Book of the Gospels

 

Genuflections and Bows

 

Incensation

 

The Purification

 

Communion under Both Kinds

Chapter V

 The Arrangement and Furnishing of Churches for the Celebration of the Eucharist

 

I.  General Principles

 

II.  Arrangement of the Sanctuary for the Sacred Synaxis (Eucharistic Assembly)

 

The Altar and Its Appointments

 

The Ambo

 

The Chair for the Priest Celebrant and Other Seats

 

III.        The Arrangement of the Church

 

The Places for the Faithful

 

The Place for the Choir and the Musical Instruments

 

The Place for the Reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist

 

Sacred Images

Chapter VI

 The Requisites for the Celebration of Mass

 

I.  The Bread and Wine for Celebrating the Eucharist

 

II.  Sacred Furnishings in Genera

III.         Sacred Vessels

IV.         Sacred Vestments

V.   Other Things Intended for Church Use

Chapter VII

 The Choice of the Mass and Its Parts

 

1.  The Choice of Mass

2.   The Choice of Mass Texts

 The Readings

 

The Orations

 

The Eucharistic Prayer

 

The Chants

Chapter VIII

 Masses and Prayers for Various Circumstances and Masses for the Dead

I.  Masses and Prayers for Various Circumstances and Masses for the Dead

II.   Masses for the Dead

Chapter IX

 Adaptations Within the Competence of Bishops and Bishops' Conferences

 

Index to This Edition

 

 

 


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