B. Other Liturgical Publications: Approved Liturgical Books for Use in Other Contexts
Approved liturgical books which are not primarily or directly intended for the use of the celebrant and ministers during the actual celebration or for use in other contexts such as when liturgical rites are led by the laity are addressed in this category. This includes missals intended for use by the laity for prayer and participation at Mass, study editions useful for academic purposes and for preparation for rites, and publications that provide complete ritual texts for use by the laity, such as taking Holy Communion to the sick, but that are not ritual editions.
Publications offered to the public as editions containing an entire rite are expected to follow these guidelines. Though these editions are not intended to be used for the celebration of a rite, the fact they contain the entire text makes it possible to be used in place of a ritual edition if circumstances necessitate it.
Publishers are to provide the Secretariat with complete information concerning such projected publications. This should include a definitive outline of the contents and the name of the Ordinary of the place where the work is to be published and who will be granting the imprimatur.
Any publisher wishing to publish books in this category must make its request to the Secretariat. The publisher must demonstrate the ability to meet the requirements for publishing such an edition. All approved publishers will be offered the same terms regarding royalties and publication.
The complete manuscript should be submitted electronically in PDF format to the Secretariat, which will communicate any corrections, observations, and the like. Publishers should allow six to eight weeks for review of proofs.
Publications that contain an entire rite will require the concordat cum originali just as a ritual edition. When the liturgical texts, upon examination, have been found to be in conformity with the typical edition, the Secretariat will inform the publisher. See Appendix I: Editorial Requirements for Granting the Concordat cum originali, regarding requirements of format and other details of published liturgical books.
Publications that do not contain an entire rite do not require the concordat cum originali. However, these publications must still be examined by the Secretariat to authenticate conformity to the official text and for copyright permissions. When the liturgical texts, upon examination, have been found to be in conformity with the typical edition, the Secretariat will inform the publisher. The acknowledgment page of such publications shall include a mention of the authentication; the copyright page shall state:
Published after authentication by the Secretariat of Divine Worship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Since the publication of these editions must not jeopardize the introduction or use of Ritual Editions of a particular liturgical book, after consultation with the concerned publishers, dates of publication and distribution will be set by the Committee. In general, such editions are published after the ritual editions. Additional restrictions may be placed on the format, materials, or appearance of these editions so as to limit their use in place of ritual editions.
Copies of the final publication are to be sent to the Secretariat for its records. The quantity and format will be stipulated by the Secretariat upon granting approval.
