Revised Adaptations to the
Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
for the Church in the United States
Effective
April 25, 2002
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.
