About Liturgical Documents
NLC ARTICLES
An overview of key liturgical documents that shape Catholic worship, offering insights into their significance and application.
OTHER RESOURCES
Journal Articles
The Missal of Paul VI is constantly changing and evolving, including changes relating to evening Masses and the eucharistic fast, the use of the vernacular, simplifications of the rubrics, and a document on music and dialogue in Mass. Now, after 50 years, it may be good to consider the next phase of Missal reform, possibly including revision of the introductory rites, historical remnants, priest's private prayers, revision of rubrics, addition of new texts, and the dismissal.
To ascertain the canonical weight of a liturgy document, it is necessary to consider whether the document is theological or juridical in nature, to identify the author of the document and the intended audience, and to determine whether or not the document is juridically binding. When preparing to celebrate liturgy it is important to consult the official documents of the Church which provide the ritual structures and theological principles of liturgical celebration; however, all these documents do not carry the same degree of canonical weight and must be considered in light of their varying levels of juridical authority.
The Sacrosanctum Concilium (SC) was the first major document of Vatican II and seeks to increasingly invigorate Christian life, adapt institutions subject to change, foster Christian unity and ecclesial openness to all strata of humanity. The SC contains seven chapters, which are: Te General Principles for the Reform and the Promotion of the Sacred Liturgy, The Most Sacred Mystery of the Eucharist, The Other Sacraments and Sacramentals, The Divine Office, The Liturgical Year, Sacred Music, and Sacred Art and Sacred Furnishings.
The Magnum Principium has rebalanced authority and responsibility for the process of translating liturgical texts, and promotes a healthy decentralisation, giving much greater power to local bishops’ conferences and severely curtailed the possible interventions of the Holy See.
