A Commentary on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal

2008 Catholic Press Association Award Winner! The 2002 Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani(IGMR) comes at an important moment in the history of Roman Catholicism. The Church has come through the dramatic reforms of Vatican II and more than a generation has engaged in the contemporary liturgical practices. New churches have been built and texts and songs written that reflect the post 'Vatican II approach to liturgy. In view of these many changes there are yet concerns about what norms best articulate the liturgical Vision embedded in the documents of Vatican II and what directives are most appropriate for shaping the full, active, and conscious participation of the faithful. This commentary by members of the Catholic Academy of Liturgy is attentive to these concerns. While maintaining a balanced view of the reVisions, the authors provide thoughtful analysis of the theological, pastoral, and ecclesial implications of the 2002 IGMR. Several prefatory chapters reflecting on the overall significance of the current Instruction are followed by a concise and meaningful chapter-by-chapter commentary. In addition to the full text of the Instruction in Latin and English, readers will find a varied and rich commentary by top liturgical scholars. No single author's viewpoint dominates, and yet the authors offer a consistent, readable text for everyone interested in the current state of liturgy in the Catholic Church.

Table of Contents:
Contents

Foreword by the Most Reverend Donald W. Trautman    vii
Introduction    ix
Abbreviations and Acronyms    xiii

Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani and the Class of Liturgical Documents to Which It Belongs    1
     Nathan D. Mitchell and John F. Baldovin
Liturgy and Ecclesiastical Law    28
     R. Kevin Seasoltz
Theological and Pastoral Reflections    46
     David N. Power and Catherine Vincie
Preamble    73
     Margaret Mary Kelleher

Chapter I: Importance and Dignity of the Eucharistic Celebration    99
     Keith F. Pecklers
Chapter II: The Structure of the Mass, Its Elements and Its Parts    113
     Edward Foley
Chapter III: The Duties and Ministries in the Mass    199
     Bruce T. Morrill and Susan K. Roll
Chapter IV.I: The Different Forms of Celebrating Mass    224
     Martin Connell and Sharon McMillan
Chapter IV.II: Concelebrated Mass    279
     Gilbert Ostdiek and Andrew Ciferni
Chapter IV.III: Mass at Which Only One Minister Participates    310
     Mary Schaefer and Joanne M. Pierce 
Chapter IV.IV: Some General Norms for All Forms of Mass    325
     Mary Schaefer and Joanne M. Pierce
Chapter V: The Arrangement and Furnishings of Churches for the Celebration of the Eucharist    351
     Mark E. Wedig and Richard S. Vosko
Chapter VI: Requisites for the Celebration of Mass    383
     Richard E. McCarron and Anne C. McGuire
Chapter VII: The Choice of the Mass and Its Parts    405
     Joyce Ann Zimmerman
Chapter VIII: Masses and Prayers for Various Circumstances and Masses for the Dead    423
     Joanne M. Pierce and Richard Rutherford
Chapter IX: Adaptations Within the Competence of Bishops and Bishops’ Conferences    447
     Mark Francis and Gary Neville

List of Contributors    468
Index    471

About the Author :
Edward Foley, Capuchin, the Duns Scotus Professor of Spirituality and Professor of Liturgy and Music at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago Nathan D. Mitchell, PhD, is Associate Director for Research at the Center for Pastoral Liturgy, University of Notre Dame. Six times a year, he writes "The Amen Corner" for Worship. In 1998, the North American Academy of Liturgy presented him with its Berakah Award. Other books by Mitchell that have been published by The Liturgical Press include Cult and Controversy, Mission and Ministry, and Rule of Prayer, Rule of Faith. He also contributed to The Collegeville Pastoral Dictionary of Biblical Theology.

Review :
This valuable book is the most complete commentary available and will probably not be superseded for years. It should be read and studied by every priest, seminarian, liturgist, liturgy committee, and anyone else interested in celebrating the Eucharist properly.Catholic Books Review [T]he commentary is outstanding.Emmanuel This book is a major systematic liturgical and theological commentary on the text itself of the General Instruction. It significantly raises the awareness of the reader and worshippers in general to this underrated yet central liturgical text. Further it brings out the complexity inherent in the GIRM, while the various appraisals given provide avenues for further development and refinement. The Catholic liturgists and theologians of the North American Academy of Liturgy have provided bishops with a key text in their Episcopal duty 'to foster the spirit of the sacred liturgy' (GIRM 387).The Australasian Catholic Record The commentary brings to light the current norms for Eucharistic celebrations. All those interested and involved in liturgy will one day own this resource. It successfully demonstrates that the GIRM is more than rubrics. In fact, it lays out a theology for worship-worship that is intended to transform hearts and make us more in the likeness of God.Pastoral Liturgy This is a reference book that contemporary and future generations will need in order to understand the General Instruction as well as its implementation. It is a landmark achievement by some of the best Catholic liturgical minds of our day.Pastoral Music [T]his durable, convenient volume should be in every rectory; it would also serve well as a textbook in every seminary. Don't leave home without it.Parish Liturgy