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Grim
GIRM
On
Holy Thursday this year Pope John Paul II approved the revised General
Instruction of the Roman Missal. The present revision is intended to
replace the 1975 (second) edition. The new edition calls for several changes
in the celebration of the liturgy that seem to reassert the elevated place
of the ordained in the church hierarchy. A summary of the changes can be
found at the National Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website: http://www.nccbuscc
.org/liturgy/current /revmissalisromanien.htm. Some of the revisions include
the following:
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The Gospel
book is the only book that will be allowed to be carried in the opening
procession. The lectionary will no longer be allowed to be carried in opening
procession.
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Readings
will no longer be allowed to be read in parts, with the exception of the
Passion.
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The presiding
priest will no longer be allowed to exchange the sign of peace with anyone
outside the sanctuary.
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Lay communion
ministers will no longer be allowed to assist in breaking the bread and
pouring the cup for communion. Nor will they be allowed to divide the consecrated
bread into the bowls to be used for distribution.
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Lay communion
ministers will no longer be allowed to approach the altar until after the
priest has received his communion.
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Lay communion
ministers will no longer be allowed to purify the communion vessels after
communion.
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Any lay
ministers who serve in roles other than as members of the assembly will
be required to be vested in albs.
There
is some question about the current status of the document. As of this writing
(early August) it has not yet been officially promulgated. However, the
approved Latin text does appear on the NCCB website. It must be
“published” by the Apostolic See in order to become universal law. Even
when it is promulgated, the new document does not necessarily abrogate
previously approved and confirmed particular national and diocesan law
beyond or even contrary to that universal law, such as the United States’
Appendix to the GIRM and This Holy and Living Sacrifice.
In
other words, it is clear that the new GIRM is not yet binding on the church
in the United States. It is unclear when it will take effect. And it is
unclear if it will undo current legislation.
ML
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