The new General Instruction of the Roman Missal: Part 2

This is the second article in a series by Bishop Kevin Manning,
published in the November 2003 issue of Catholic Outlook.

IN the October issue of Catholic Outlook I wrote about the new General Instruction of the Roman Missal. When the final text of the English translation of the new General Instruction becomes available, I recommend it as essential reading and study.

In the meantime, I make mention of some of the ritual changes, sacred things and the Australian adaptations that will be found in the General Instruction. These are not to be implemented, of course, until the English translation and the Holy See has approved the Australian adaptations.

Entrance Procession

For the Entrance Procession of the Mass the General Instruction says that the deacon, or, in his absence, the reader or lector may carry the Book of the Gospels.

The past practice of carrying the Lectionary or book with all the Scripture Readings for the Mass will be discontinued because in history, and tradition, it is the Book of the Gospels that has special significance of directly representing Jesus, the Word, Who is reverenced in the power of His Gospel.

When the Procession reaches the Sanctuary, a sign of the presence of Jesus Christ in His sacrificial self-offering to the Father, the priest(s) and deacon reverence the Altar with a kiss.

When the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the Tabernacle is present in, or very near, the Sanctuary, the participants in the Procession first genuflect towards Our Lord in the Tabernacle. If the Tabernacle is not situated in, or near, the Sanctuary it is proper, instead, to bow profoundly before the Altar before reverencing it with a kiss.

The priest celebrant then goes to the Presidential Chair to begin the Introductory Rites of Mass with a Sign of the Cross and a simple greeting.

The new General Instruction urges the use of silence at certain times throughout the Mass. One of these moments is after the Penitential Rite when the priest calls the people to prayer - "Let us pray" - at the "Collect" or Opening Prayer. Silence is something Australians are not accustomed to so we need to give serious consideration to introducing such opportunities.

Processional Cross

One of the sacred things described in the General Instruction is the Altar Cross.

When the previous General Instruction spoke of an Altar Cross or a Processional Cross there was less specificity than there is in the new General Instruction. The new General Instruction always speaks of "a Cross with the figure of Christ crucified upon it". Such a crucifix is positioned on, or near , the Altar and either the Processional Cross or Altar Cross should be visible at all times.

We will have no problem in this respect in the new St Patrick's Cathedral for the giant Crucifix on the back wall will dominate all celebrations.

Liturgy of the Word

The new General Instruction incorporates several articles from the recently revised Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass. Among these is the Church's insistence that the order of the Readings for Mass, i.e., the designated texts or prescribed options for the day, be retained. Non-Biblical texts must never be substituted for the Word of God. Except for the reading of the Passion, the Readings are not to be divided into parts. And only the best readers in the parish should read.

The congregation sits during the First Readings and the Psalm, and stands, as we have done, for the Gospel and its Acclamation. It is fitting to observe a prayerful silence after the first Scripture Reading(s) and after the Homily so that the Word of God may be "taken into the heart by the fostering of the Holy Spirit".

Preparation of the Gifts

When the Gifts have been brought forward in procession and prepared at the Altar, the priest addresses the faithful saying: "Pray my brothers and sisters that our sacrifice ." The people respond: "May the Lord accept ."

The practice up until now has been to stand after these two exchanges. The new General Instruction calls for the congregation to stand at the priest's invitation. It is interesting to note that nowhere else in the Mass do the celebrant and the people engage in a kind of dialogue of prayer from a sitting position.

The new practice of standing for this dialogue between the priest and the people can be seen to better express the act of participation of the people in the offering of the gift.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The posture during the Eucharistic Prayer will be kneeling from the end of the "Sanctus" or "Holy, Holy, Holy" through to the proclamation of the Great Amen. The norm of kneeling during this very central part of the Mass, and again after the " Agnus Dei" or "Lamb of God ", is another example of one of the special adaptations for the Dioceses of Australia.

The people's posture of kneeling reflects what the Holy See calls a "laudable practice" and is to be retained. This is a decision of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference for Australia and some churches will need to be adapted to make provision for this.

No longer are people to sit or stand during the Eucharistic Prayer once the new General Instruction comes into force. (To be continued.)

Now have your say at NCP DISCUSSIONS 

or wait to read the Third Article, which will be posted on Monday 24.05.04