Participation aids promote and facilitate the participation of the lay faithful in the liturgy by providing the necessary texts and music to fulfill their active role in the celebration. Publications such as hymnals and annual or quarterly participation aids are included in this third category of texts. Because of the impact such materials have upon liturgical celebrations, publishers of participation aids are asked to observe the following guidelines. In addition, publishers of participation aids are to observe the requirements noted in Appendix II: Guidelines for the Publication of Participation Aids.
New liturgical texts, including future revisions of existing liturgical texts, will be supplied by the Committee to all interested publishers of participation aids in such a way and time so as to facilitate the introduction and use of the Ritual Edition of the text.
At times the Committee will provide not only the approved liturgical texts but also a suggested format for popular publications. The latter may include such elements as subheadings, running directions or commentary, suggested introductory material, indications of needed supplementary material such as song texts, etc. However, it is most desirable that such supplementary material be prepared by editors and publishers themselves.
The arrangement or selection of liturgical texts must not result in the suppression of alternatives and options for the congregation (or for the celebrant and other ministers, as applicable). The publisher does not have the authority to make unilateral selection of liturgical texts among the options available for participation aids. When a difficulty arises, namely, when the number of options is large, the final determination of the minimal options to be included will be made by the Secretariat, which should be consulted beforehand.
When Mass settings are provided within participation aids, especially if the aid is to be used over an extended period or by various groups, more than one should be provided.
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.
Publishers of popular publications are asked to submit to the Secretariat completed manuscripts of all new publications in an electronic format, together with the name of the ecclesiastical authority from which permission to publish will be sought, allowing at least four weeks for review. These proofs or manuscripts are in addition to those required by copyright holders whose requirements must also be met by publishers.
The Secretariat will return the manuscripts or proofs to the publishers with a report of (a) corrections to be made because of errors in the texts and/or rites, and (b) indications of corrections needed because of inadequacies, unsatisfactory commentary, or the like. After submission of final corrected proofs, the Secretariat will send written notice of the authentication of texts. This authentication should be forwarded to the copyright holder(s) of texts and finally to the appropriate ecclesiastical authority.
For serial publications (e.g., those published yearly or quarterly) publishers must submit manuscripts or proofs electronically as outlined above. Subsequent printings of the same text will require review, and possibly new ecclesiastical approval if there have been substantive changes to the official texts (cf. PSP, no. 39; CIC, can. 829). The publisher should note all changes or additions they have made to the text and allow sufficient time for review by Secretariat staff.
Publishers are reminded of the need for copyright permission for the publication of participation aids. This refers not only to the English and Spanish translations of the various texts but also to all musical compositions and settings.
Publishers are required to obtain the imprimatur from the local Ordinary for their works to be used by the faithful in public or private prayer.
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.
Digital production platforms and subscriptions must have a license for use of copyrighted texts, and their products must undergo review by the Secretariat. This can take place by a prototype copy that shows all content as it will appear. Digital platforms must follow all requirements for participation aids, and licensing and royalty fees should be reviewed annually and adjusted based on subscription numbers.
Advertising may not appear on the outside covers of participation aids, nor 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.
One-time use participation aids may include only the options that will be used for that celebration. The Secretariat does not review one-time use worship aids. More than one-time use worship aids require copyright permission. All pertinent copyright laws must be observed.
ICEL does not require royalties on texts that are one-time use or more than one-time use, "provided that (a) the publication is produced by the particular congregation or institution rather than by a publishing firm and (b) the publication is not sold" (ICEL, Publication Policies, pg. 17).
