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Liturgical Documents

Liturgical Documents

Liturgical documents help us understand the way we are to celebrate. They guide us though the various options, explain our movements and gestures, and provide a model for us to strive toward. Above all they help us give glory and praise to our Lord God.

Our liturgical documents come from several Episcopal sources. They first come from Rome, where the ideal liturgy is defined. They are then reissued in the language of the people by each conference of bishops (for us it is the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB), then each diocese may further refine elements of these documents.

Liturgical documents are published various styles and have a hierarchy of application. General Instruction; Instructions; Policies, Directives, and Norms; Commentaries, Guidelines; Handbooks; and general information statements in the form of bulletin inserts.

General Instruction

The General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM) 3rd typical edition.

Instructions

Further instructions are sometimes issued to clarify a General Instruction. It does not create additional instructions but, explains how the General Instruction is to be understood and interpreted. The most recent instruction on the GIRM was issued in May 2004: Redemptionis Sacramentum - Instruction on the Eucharist (RS).

Liturgical Policies, Directives, and Norms

Directive for the Implementation of the GIRM (Diocese)
Norms for the
Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion (USCCB)

Sing to the Lord, Music in Divine Worship (USCCB)
Directives on the
Order of Christian Funerals (Diocese)

Commentaries - Commentaries give insight into the decisions and options chosen for a document.

Commentary on the Directive for the Implementation of the GIRM for the Diocese of Columbus

 The Diocesan Liturgical Calendar

Each year the Office publishes a Liturgical Calendar for the Diocese that list important calendar dates.

Liturgical Guidelines (en español)

Liturgical Ministry Handbooks

The Assembly 
Parish Lectors 
Ushers & Greeters for the Parish
Parish Servers 
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Bulletin Inserts (en español)

The Worshiping Assembly at Mass (La Asamblea De Culto en la Misa)
Ministries and
Roles at Mass (Ministerios Y Funciones en la Misa)
Postures and Gestures at Mass (Posturas Y Gestos Corporales en la Misa)
Hearing the Word of God at Mass (Escuchar la Palabra de Dios)
The
Eucharistic Prayer (La Plegaria Eucarística)
The Reception of
Holy Communion at Mass (La Recepción de la Santa Comunión en la Misa)

Cry-rooms vs Quieting-space
A brief history of the
Baptismal Font 
A brief history of the
Tabernacle

Send you questions or comments to the Office of Liturgy email address.