D. Devotional and Other Non-Liturgical Publications
Publications such as monthly prayer or devotional booklets that include liturgical materials are distinct from Ritual Editions used by the ministers of the liturgy and from participation aids that are for use solely in liturgical celebrations. The Secretariat will determine whether a publication qualifies as a devotional publication. Devotional publications may not be marketed to churches for use as a pew resource.
The distinguishing mark between a participation aid and a devotional publication is its intended use. The participation aid contains liturgical texts for the active participation of the faithful in the liturgy. The devotional publication is intended for private prayer and reflection but may include liturgical texts or Scripture. In cases of ambiguity, it is better to err on the side of following the requirements for the participation aid. Publishers may ask the Secretariat if their publication qualifies as a devotional publication.
If an approved rite for an occasion or blessing exists, it must be provided. Newly composed texts or original prayer settings are not to be presented as liturgical rites, nor may they substitute in place of an approved rite.
Devotional publications may include scriptural and liturgical texts. Devotional publications (unlike ritual editions, other liturgical publications, and participation aids) need not include all options for prayers and readings but must indicate that other options exist. They may include Scripture readings alone or ritual texts alone.
The Secretariat will review published devotional publications to ensure conformity of the relevant portions to the liturgical text. Publishers should expect at least four weeks for review.
The Secretariat’s role is to ensure conformity to official liturgical texts and to relevant liturgical norms, not to act as a proofreader. Publishers should submit texts they believe to be free of textual errors. Texts with significant flaws will be returned without a thorough review and must be corrected before a complete review will be done. The time for review will reset upon resubmission.
In addition to the authentication of liturgical texts by the Secretariat, the articles, commentary, and/or devotional prayers that are placed alongside the liturgical texts are to be reviewed by the competent ecclesiastical authority. Devotional or personal prayers may be printed in participation aids alongside liturgical prayers, provided they have the requisite permission (imprimatur) from the local Ordinary (cf. CIC, can. 826 §3).
An imprimatur is required for books of prayers, materials intended for catechetical purposes, and writings that will be exhibited, sold or distributed in churches or oratories. The imprimatur is recommended for other books dealing with religion or morals (cf. CIC, can. 826 §3; can. 827).
Advertising may appear on the back cover of devotional publications, but not on the same pages as liturgical texts. Publishers may advertise their own publications but not items from other vendors. It is permitted to include advertising flyers in the packaging with the publication.
Related Documents and Resources
A list of "related documents and resources" (e.g., Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, Built of Living Stones, Sing to the Lord, Prayers to Protect Us, Book of Mary,etc.) under the supervision of the Committee is available from the Secretariat. The listing will be updated as new resources are developed.
"Related Documents and Resources" refers to a subcategory of texts that have been produced by the USCCB and are under the supervision of the Committee on Divine Worship (e.g., Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, Prayers to Protect Us, etc.). An updated list of documents in this subcategory is available from the Secretariat. Texts in this subcategory that are not copyrighted by ICEL do not require a concordat cum originali but they do require a license from the USCCB and authentication for copyright permission from the Secretariat.
The Secretariat will identify which resources, if any, should be governed by an exclusive license. In such cases, the Secretariat will issue an RFP to publishers and will choose the licensee(s) from the publishers submitting proposals.
Publishers are permitted to request a license for any document or resource, but the Secretariat reserves the right to limit the number of publishers or publications. All requesting publishers will be offered the same terms. Licenses will include the usual provisions regarding the review of proofs.
Non-Liturgical Publications That Quote Liturgical Texts
This subcategory refers to texts that quote portions of liturgical texts. These texts are not complete ritual texts, not intended for liturgical use, nor are they able to be used liturgically. Examples include, but are not limited to catechetical materials, academic books, devotional materials, etc. The Secretariat reviews these publications as they include texts for which the permission of the Secretariat is required by the copyright holder prior to granting a license.
An imprimatur is required for books of prayers, materials intended for catechetical purposes, and writings that will be exhibited, sold or distributed in churches or oratories. The imprimatur is recommended for other books dealing with religion or morals (cf. CIC, can. 826 §3; can. 827).
The Secretariat reviews these materials strictly for the purposes of granting permission to the copyright holders to license use of these liturgical texts. ICEL or USCCB copyrighted texts should be highlighted to ease and expedite the Secretariat’s review. The Secretariat’s review is limited to correcting any improper use of the text (cf. LA, no. 117) and is in no way to be considered ecclesiastical approval for the work as a whole. Texts in this subcategory should not include any mention of the review or approval of the Secretariat along with their copyright notices.
