The Roman Missal

Last week’s we talked about the Lectionary, and the previous week we talked about the Book of Gospels. This Sunday, let us look at the Roman Missal. From the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): “The Roman Missal is the book containing the prescribed prayers, chants, and instructions for the celebration of Mass in the Roman Catholic Church. Published first in Latin under the title Missale Romanum, the text is then translated and, once approved by a recognitio by the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, is published in modern languages for use in local churches throughout the world.” Basically, this is liturgical book used by the priest at Mass. It is distinct from the Lectionary and Book of Gospels. “The first book bearing the name Missale Romanum appeared in 1474, perhaps not coincidentally in the same century as the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg (1440). But it was not until after the Council of Trent that Pope Pius V, in 1570, promulgated an edition of the Missale Romanum that was to be in obligatory use throughout the Latin Church (except in cases where another rite had been in place for at least 200 years). This marked the first official attempt at uniformity in the celebration of the Mass in the history of the Church.”

Yes, we have old books: Bible, Lectionary, Book of Gospels, Roman Missal. We are an old Church, the original Church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

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