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New Roman Missal

The Catholic Church in the English-speaking world is in the process of implementing a revised English translation of the Mass (Roman Missal) and a new General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). The new translation, which has been developed over a number of years in consultation with experts around the world, is a closer translation to the original Latin text. The new translation began to be used for Mass on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011.

What does this mean? There are some minor changes in some of the responses said by the people during the Mass, and more changes to the words spoken by the priest.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) is our "how-to" guide for the celebration of the Mass. The GIRM sets out the posture and gestures for the priest and people during the different parts of the Mass (such as kneeling or standing), the times for silence, and local adaptations that have been approved for Canada by the Vatican. Archbishop Smith has addressed some of these changes in a Letter to Faithful.

More Resources

  • Details, reflections, ordering information at the Canadian Bishops' site www.romanmissal.ca .
  • Rules for reprinting from the new music resource Celebrate in Song
    Check them here

Video

Beyond Words: The General Instruction of the Roman Missal

In this four-part teaching series, Father Bill Burke, Director of the National Liturgy Office of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, helps us to understand the revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal.