Full Guidelines (PDF)

Appendix II: Guidelines for the Publication of Participation Aids

In fulfillment of its responsibility to oversee the publication of the liturgical books and in order to foster the active participation of all the faithful in liturgical celebrations, the Committee on Divine Worship first issued guidelines for the publication of participation aids in May 1975. They were revised in 1998, 2009, and now again in 2025. These guidelines will be used by the Secretariat in granting approval for the publication of participation aids.

Introduction

The Committee on Divine Worship has been charged with the responsibility of overseeing the publication of vernacular translations of the Roman Rite liturgical books, which describe and guide the reformed rites developed in the years since the Second Vatican Council. Likewise, the Committee has sought ways to foster the effective implementation of this reform in the fulfillment of its responsibility to regulate pastoral-liturgical action in the dioceses of the United States of America comprising the USCCB.

In the light of this responsibility these guidelines have been developed for publishers of popular participation materials. The purpose is not to suppress initiative on the part of publishers, but to encourage the publication of effective participation aids that respect the integrity of the liturgical rites and foster the "full, conscious and active participation which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy" (SC, no. 14).

Secretariat of Divine Worship

Before copyrights will be released by USCCB, CCD, or ICEL for participation aids, the approval of the Secretariat is required. The Secretariat acts on behalf of the Committee in assuring conformity with these guidelines.

Publishers of participation aids must submit a copy of the manuscript from a forthcoming edition of their publication to the Secretariat for its review and approval. Subsequent printings of the same text will require review and possibly a new ecclesiastical approval if there have been any substantive changes to the official texts (cf. PSP, no. 39).

A subscription to each participation aid should be sent to the Secretariat.

Participation Aids for Mass

Order of Mass

Questions of format in presenting the Order of Mass may differ with different publications. However, an effort should always be made to accurately present the prayers, responses, acclamations, and musical selections in such a way as to foster the participation of the entire assembly.

  • Publishers may use only those liturgical books which have been approved by the USCCB and confirmed by the Apostolic See for use in dioceses of the United States of America.
     
  • For liturgical books that have no vernacular language edition approved by the USCCB, any edition that has been approved for liturgical use by an episcopal conference that has competence to approve liturgical books in that language and has been confirmed by the Apostolic See may be used.
     
  • While it is not necessary for participation aids to include presidential prayers or biblical readings, when such texts are printed, all legitimate options must be included.
     
  • Any commentary should be clearly set apart from the liturgical texts and rubrics by size and typeface.
     
  • The terminology given in the liturgical books is to be followed. Note that the word "presider" is not to be used as it is not used in the RM.
     
  • Indications of postures should be based upon the norms contained in the GIRM, nos. 42-43.

The Introductory Rites

Entrance Chant
Antiphons, if printed, must be shown with sense lines or include virgules (slashes).

Greeting
All three greetings must be printed, and no selection may be made. In Spanish all applicable seasonal options must also be included.

Rite for the Blessing and Sprinkling of Water
If the prayer of blessing is printed, all options must be given (A, B and C during Easter Time, or A and B for the rest of the year). If the people's part is printed, it is sufficient to print one of the antiphons with musical notation or another appropriate song.

Penitential Act
All three forms of the Penitential Act must be printed (A, B and C). For Rite C, the three responses (Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.) may be printed without the variable tropes since the RM provides so many examples.

Kyrie
When the Kyrie is printed, both English and Greek forms should be provided, as in the RM.

Gloria
The typical text is to be printed in the approved sense line format. A rubric may be added to indicate the days on which the Gloria is used.

Collect Prayer
If the Collect is to be included, it must be printed in full, in the typical sense line format. If two options are given for the Collect, both must be included.

  • A rubric should be included which indicates that the people respond "Amen" to the prayer. However, if the prayer is printed, the simple "Amen" is sufficient.

The Liturgy of the Word

First Reading, Second Reading, Gospel
By means of the word of God proclaimed at Mass, the Holy Spirit "makes what we hear outwardly have its effect inwardly" (LFM, Introduction, no. 9). This, however, can only take place when the readings are proclaimed in "[a] speaking style on the part of the readers that is audible, clear, and intelligent" (LFM, Introduction, no. 14), and when sufficient amplification is provided (LFM, Introduction, no. 34). It is clearly preferable that the word of God be clearly heard by all who participate in the liturgy, for "[i]n the hearing of God’s word the Church is built up and grows" (LFM, Introduction, no. 7).

  • While it is not a requirement, some participation aids include the texts of readings and presidential prayers.
     
  • The official Liturgical Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America, published each year by the Committee, is to be used in choosing the readings for each day.
     
  • Scripture readings in English must come from the LFM approved for use in the dioceses of the United States of America. Scripture readings in other languages must come from a lectionary that has been approved for liturgical use by another episcopal conference and confirmed by the Apostolic See.
     
  • When several options exist for the readings (i.e., Christmas, the Vigil of Pentecost, etc.), no preference may be indicated unless such a preference is printed in the LFM. When more than two options are given for a reading, only one reading must be printed in full. All other optional readings should be listed by their biblical references and tituli.
     
  • Feasts and Solemnities that have proper readings and/or prayers for a Vigil Mass are to be indicated.
     
  • Optional shorter and longer forms of readings must be printed in the order given in the LFM. The shorter form of the reading may be bracketed within the longer form.
     
  • When the sense lines of the LFM are not observed, the line breaks of the approved liturgical Bible must be followed. If the text is not presented with sense lines, then virgules must be used to indicate the line breaks.

Responsorial Psalm
The Responsorial Psalm is to be printed, preferably with musical notation for the response. In addition, a seasonal antiphon may be provided (cf. LFM, no. 173).

  • While it is sufficient to print only the refrain of the Responsorial Psalm, the verses may also be printed. If there is more than one option for the refrain, (e.g., Alleluia in the Easter season), both options must be printed.
     
  • When there are various options in the LFM (e.g., in the Commons where Responsorial Psalms are grouped together rather than related to a specific First Reading), a selection may be made of at least one Responsorial Psalm, but there must be an indication that there are other options.
     
  • The sense lines of the approved text as it appears in the LFM or The Abbey Psalms and Canticles are to be followed.

Sequence
On the days when the Sequence is provided in the LFM, it should be included in the same way other Lectionary texts are included, along with a rubric indicating whether the Sequence is prescribed or optional, as indicated in the LFM.

Acclamation before the Gospel
The Alleluia or Verse before the Gospel is to be printed, preferably with musical notation for the response.

  • This acclamation belongs to the Gospel and is not a response to the preceding readings. This differentiation should be clearly indicated by the format.
     
  • The musical settings for this acclamation should be varied for the sake of the local community. The variety of options for Lenten Acclamations found in the LFM, no. 223, should not be neglected.

Profession of Faith
The typical text of the Nicene Creed is to be printed in the approved sense line format. In addition to the Nicene Creed, the typical text of the Apostles’ Creed may be printed as well; if it is printed, it too is to be printed in the approved sense line format and a rubric should be added to indicate that it may be used instead of the Nicene Creed, "especially during Lent and Easter Time" (RM, Order of Mass, no. 19).

Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful)
In the interest of encouraging the local composition of the intercessions of the Universal Prayer, none of the parts of this prayer (introduction, intercessions, concluding prayer) may be printed, even as examples. At least the most common of the responses ("Lord, hear our prayer") should be printed; others may be indicated, and it is appropriate to give musical notation for these.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Offertory Chant
It is fitting that the Offertory Procession, Presentation of the Gifts and Preparation of the Altar be accompanied by an Antiphon or other suitable music as at the Entrance and Communion (Cf. GIRM, no 74; RM, Order of Mass, no. 21).

Presentation of the Gifts and Preparation of the Altar
The prayers to be said inaudibly by the priest should not be printed.

Prayer over the Offerings
If the Prayer over the Offerings is to be included, all options (if provided) must be printed in full, in the typical sense line format. A rubric should be included which indicates that the people respond "Amen" to the prayer. However, if the prayer is printed, the simple "Amen" is sufficient.

Eucharistic Prayer
No preference should be indicated among the four principal Eucharistic Prayers. If one is printed, all must be included. The Prefaces of Eucharistic Prayers II and IV must appear as parts of the respective prayers.

  • It should be clear from the typographical arrangement that the Preface is an integral part of the Eucharistic Prayer, whether or not the texts are printed.
     
  • If the Prefaces are given, no selection may be made among the Prefaces for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter; and any strictly proper Preface or Prefaces (e.g., for a specific Sunday or feast day) must be included, unless the publication only covers a shorter span of time. In Ordinary Time, it is sufficient to give three Sunday and three weekday Prefaces; the selections should be varied. The possibility of other options should be clearly indicated.
     
  • The Sanctus, the acclamation of the Mystery of Faith, and Amen are to be printed with musical notation. No preference should be indicated among the acclamations of the Mystery of Faith. In Spanish, the proper introductions must be included as well. No other acclamations within the Eucharistic Prayers may be printed.
     
  • The Eucharistic Prayers for Masses of Reconciliation may be printed in place after the four principal Eucharistic Prayers. If one of these texts is printed, however, both must be given. The Prefaces must appear as parts of the respective prayers.
     
  • Likewise, the Eucharistic Prayers for Use in Masses for Various Needs may be printed in place after the four principal Eucharistic Prayers and after the Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation, if they are also provided. If one Eucharistic Prayer for Use in Masses for Various Needs is printed, all four must be provided along with their proper Prefaces.
     
  • A rubric is to be included indicating that on some occasions the priest may use the authorized Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation or the Eucharistic Prayers for Use in Masses for Various Needs.

The Communion Rite

  • The introduction to the Lord's Prayer and the prayer itself should be printed. It is appropriate to give musical notation for the prayer and the doxology which follows the embolism.
     
  • The prayers said inaudibly by the priest are not to be printed.
     
  • It should be clear from the typographical arrangement that the Agnus Dei accompanies the breaking of the bread. It may be repeated until the breaking of the bread is finished. Musical settings for the Agnus Dei should be provided.
     
  • Antiphons, if printed, must be shown with sense lines or include virgules.
     
  • The period after communion should not be designated "thanksgiving," nor should thanksgiving or litany prayers be included. It may be noted, however, that a "psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may also be sung by the entire congregation" (GIRM, no. 88).

Prayer after Communion
If the Prayer after Communion is to be included, all options (if provided) must be printed in full, in the typical sense line format. A rubric should be included which indicates that the people respond "Amen" to the prayer. However, if the prayer is printed, the simple "Amen" is sufficient.

The Concluding Rites

  • The simple form of the blessing may be printed, as in the RM.
     
  • The Solemn Blessing or Prayer over the People may be printed according to the selection made in the RM for the principal seasons. There should be an indication that other texts may be chosen.
     
  • No preference among the optional texts for the Solemn Blessing or Prayer over the People may be made, but there should be an indication for days when those options are noted in the RM.
     
  • In all cases the responses of the people should be indicated.
     
  • No preference should be indicated among the options for the dismissal. The Easter dismissals may be omitted for resources that will be used outside Easter, the Easter Octave, and Pentecost.

Other Mass Texts and Particular Celebrations

For the celebration of the feasts of Saints, the name and title of the Saint as found in the RM is to be used. For a given day, only those Saints listed on that day in that year's Liturgical Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America, published by the Secretariat, may be included. It is not permitted to include celebrations that are not inscribed on the General Roman Calendar or on the Proper Calendar for the Dioceses of the United States of America.

If Votive Masses, Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, etc., are printed, the RM is to be followed, with the usual indication of options. If a Ritual Mass is printed, one set of texts may be selected, with the usual indication of options. The appropriate ritual books are to be followed for rites that take place within Mass (e.g., The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, Book of Blessings, etc.).

Care should be taken to follow the RM regarding the special rites (e.g., the blessing of candles on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the blessing and distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday, etc.) and rubrics (e.g., the requirement to genuflect at the words “and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man” of the Nicene Creed on Christmas and the Annunciation) which mark particular liturgical celebrations.

Guidelines for Receiving Communion

The following Guidelines for Receiving Communion must be included in a prominent place in all participation aids for the Order of Mass and presented in the same typeface and size used for the responses of the assembly:

For Catholics
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

For Other Christians
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us "that they may all be one" (Jn 17:21).

Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the Diocesan Bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).

For Those Not Receiving Communion
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

For Non-Christians
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.

© 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Normas para la Recepción de la Eucaristía

The following Normas para la Recepción de la Eucaristía must be included in a prominent place in all participation aids for the Order of Mass in Spanish and presented in the same typeface and size used for the responses of the assembly:

Para católicos
Los católicos participamos plenamente en la celebración de la Eucaristía cuando recibimos la sagrada Comunión. Se nos anima a recibirla frecuentemente y con devoción. Para estar debidamente preparados para recibir la Eucaristía, los fieles no deben haber cometido pecado grave y deben haber ayunado por una hora antes de comulgar. Quien haya cometido pecado grave desde su última confesión no debe recibir el Cuerpo y la Sangre del Señor sin antes haberse confesado con un sacerdote, excepto en situaciones extremas cuando no hay oportunidad de confesarse. En tal caso, los fieles deben estar conscientes de la obligación de hacer un Acto de Contrición perfecta con la intención de confesarse lo más pronto posible (Derecho Canónico, artículo 916). Se anima a los fieles a recibir el Sacramento de la Penitencia con frecuencia.

Para los cristianos no católicos
Damos la bienvenida a todos los cristianos, coma a nuestros hermanos y hermanas, a esta celebración de la Eucaristía. Rogamos para que nuestro bautismo común y el Espíritu Santo nos unan unos a otros en esta Eucaristía y que comiencen a disiparse las lamentables divisiones que nos separan. Siguiendo la oración del Señor "que todos sean uno" (Juan 17, 21), rogamos para que estas divisiones sean aminoradas y finalmente desaparezcan.

Los católicos creemos que la celebración Eucarística es una señal de unidad en la fe, la vida y el culto. A los miembros de iglesias con las cuales no estamos plenamente unidos, por lo general no se les invita a comulgar. Para compartir la Eucaristía en situaciones excepcionales, con cristianos no católicos, se necesita obtener el permiso del obispo diocesano según las provisiones del artículo 844 § 4 del Derecho Canónico. Les instamos a los miembros de las iglesias Ortodoxas, de la Iglesia Asiria de Oriente, y de la Iglesia Nacional Católica Polaca, a que respeten las normas de sus propias iglesias. Según la norma Católica Romana, el Derecho Canónico no prohíbe la recepción de la Comunión por Cristianos de estas iglesias (Código Canónico, artículo 844 § 3).

Para las personas que no comulgan
A todos las que no comulgan, les invitamos a expresar en su corazón el deseo de unidad con Jesucristo y con los demás.

Para los que no son cristianos
Damos la bienvenida a todos los que no comparten nuestra fe en Jesucristo. Aun cuando no podemos invitarles a la sagrada Comunión, pedimos sus oraciones por la paz y la unidad de la familia humana.

© 1996, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Pastoral Note on the Passion Narratives

The following statement is to be printed before the text of the Passion narrative on Good Friday. The proclamation of the Lord’s Passion is not to be misused to promote anti-Jewish sentiment.

The passion narratives are proclaimed in full so that all see vividly the love of Christ for each person. In light of this, the crimes during the Passion of Christ cannot be attributed, in either preaching or catechesis, indiscriminately to all Jews of that time, nor to Jews today. The Jewish people should not be referred to as though rejected or cursed, as if this view followed from Scripture. The Church ever keeps in mind that Jesus, his mother Mary, and the apostles all were Jewish. As the Church has always held, Christ freely suffered his passion and death because of the sins of all, that all might be saved.

Las narraciones de la pasión se proclaman en su totalidad para que todos vean vívidamente el amor de Cristo por cada persona. A la luz de esto, los crímenes durante la Pasión de Cristo no pueden atribuirse, ni en la predicación ni en la catequesis, indiscriminadamente a todos los judíos de ese tiempo, ni a los judíos de hoy. El pueblo judío no debe ser referido como si fuera reprobado de Dios o maldito, como si este punto de vista se dedujera de las Sagradas Escrituras. La Iglesia siempre tiene en mente que Jesús, su madre María y los apóstoles eran todos judíos. Como la Iglesia siempre ha sostenido, Cristo sufrió libremente su pasión y muerte a causa de los pecados de todos, para que todos pudieran ser salvados.

Liturgies outside Mass

Penance

Sacramental celebrations of the reconciliation of several penitents with individual confession and absolution must be taken from chapters II and IV, and Appendix II of the Order of Penance. Settings for such celebrations require the approval of the Secretariat prior to their publication in a participation aid.

Non-sacramental penitential celebrations should follow the structure of a Liturgy of the Word, as in the Order of Penance. It should be clearly indicated that such celebrations are not to be used in place of the Sacrament of Penance.

Eucharistic Adoration

The most recent edition of HCWEMOM must be followed in any directions or rubrics.

  • An introductory note should state that, since eucharistic exposition may not be held merely to give the eucharistic blessing, benediction must always be preceded by a suitable period for reading of the word of God, song, prayers, and sufficient time for silent prayer (cf. HCWEMOM, no. 89).
     
  • A hymn or other Eucharistic song should be given to accompany exposition. If an English translation of the O salutaris Hostia is given, that translation from HCWEMOM, no. 93, must be provided.
     
  • During the period of adoration, readings from Scripture should be indicated together with appropriate prayers and songs.
     
  • A hymn or other Eucharistic song should be given to immediately precede benediction. If an English translation of the Tantum ergo Sacramentum is given, that translation from HCWEMOM no. 97 must be provided. A rubric should mention the prayer of the minister and the eucharistic Blessing. If the prayer of the minister is printed, there should be the usual indication of the options contained in HCWEMOM.
     
  • After benediction but before reposition, the Divine Praises should be given according to the translation at HCWEMOM, no. 99.
     
  • A song or acclamation may be printed for use during reposition.

Other Liturgical Celebrations

  • If provision is made for Sunday celebrations in the absence of a priest, the ritual book Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest is to be followed, with the usual indication of options.
     
  • If any texts of the Liturgy of the Hours are printed, both Lauds and Vespers (Morning and Evening Prayer) should be included. A selection of hymnody and psalmody for the various hours may be made, but always with an indication that other texts may be chosen. The headings given in the Ordinary of the Liturgy of the Hours are to be followed.
     
  • Prayer services that follow the pattern of the Liturgy of the Hours, but are not taken from it, should not use the proper titles and headings of the official offices. Other titles such as "Prayer for the Morning," "Morning Praise," or similar should be used in place of "Lauds" or "Morning Prayer."
     
  • If other celebrations (e.g., prayer services with special themes, prayers not taken from an approved ritual edition, etc.) are added, both typographical arrangement and explicit rubrics should indicate that these are not official texts or rites, such as adding the statement: Not for Liturgical Use.
     
  • An originally composed prayer setting should not be printed if a similar approved rite already exists (e.g., Order of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Proclamation of the Birth of Christ, etc.). When such rites are printed, the approved text is to be preferred, with the usual provision for options.
     
  • Devotional or personal prayers may be printed in participation aids. They should not be placed in a way that interrupts the liturgical rite. When a prayer exists in several versions, preference should be given to the versions printed in the Manual of Indulgences and Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, revised and updated edition.

Participation Aids in Other Languages

By decree of the body of bishops of the United States (April 2, 1964), languages other than English may be used in the celebration of the liturgy in translations approved by other episcopal conferences and confirmed by the Apostolic See (cf. LA, no. 18). The above guidelines apply equally to the publication of participation aids in other languages for use in dioceses of the United States of America. Publishers should consult the Secretariat concerning various approved liturgical translations in other languages.

  • Spanish ritual texts that have been approved by the USCCB and confirmed by the Apostolic See for use in dioceses of the United States must be used.
     
  • For ritual texts that do not have a U.S. Spanish ritual edition, any Spanish language edition is allowed that has the approval for use by another episcopal conference and the confirmation of the Apostolic See.
     
  • Bilingual and multilingual participation aids should follow the same guidance as single language participation aids and include all texts and options for the sake of fostering the participation of the faithful.