Introduction
I – General
Principles
II – The
Eucharist
III – Other
Sacraments and Sacramentals
IV – Divine
Office
V – The
Liturgical Year
VI – Sacred
Music
VII – Sacred
Art
SC reflects on
the nature and laws of the Liturgy, on its place in pastoral life. It aims
at rendering the participation of the faithful more authentic by
actualizing a living liturgy, one in faith but diverse in the expression
of that faith.
The constitution on liturgy promoted more
active communal participation in the Mass as the central act of Roman
Catholic public worship. Among the initial steps undertaken in the liturgy
included the replacement of Latin, the ancient language of the service, by
vernacular languages.
The Council has
authorized the use of the vernacular, or mother tongue, not only for parts
of the Mass but also for the administration of every sacrament and
sacramental. It has directed national councils of bishops to establish
liturgical commissions whose task is to produce suitable translations of
liturgical texts, and to promote knowledge and love of the sacred liturgy.
Liturgy is at
the center of Christian life and worship. It is through the active sharing
in these sacred rites that the faithful, the People of God, "will
drink deeply from the source of divine life. They will become the leaven
of Christ, the salt of the earth. They will bear witness to that divine
life; the will be instrumental in passing it on to others."
The liturgical
books are being revised and the rites simplified. The first book to
appear, following the Council's decree, is known as the Ordo Missae.
Issued in January 1971, this book sets forth the rite which is to be
followed, in keeping with the changes introduced by the Council and by the
Liturgical Commission.
The Altar:
The sacrifice of
the Mass:
Celebrant does
not say privately those parts which are sung by the choir.
The prayer
before the preface is to be said or sung aloud.
The prayer
"Through him, and with him . . . ") is to be said or sung in a
loud voice.
The "Our
Father" is said or sung in the vernacular by the people together with
the priest.
The words when
giving Holy Communion have been shortened to "Corpus Christ" --
"The Body of Christ;" the person communicating says
"Amen"
The Epistle may
be read by a lector or by one of the servers; the Gospel must be
proclaimed by the celebrant or by a deacon.
On Sundays and
Holy Days, the Gospel is to be followed by a homily.
This homily may
be based upon some other text of the Mass, taking account of the feast or
mystery which is being celebrated.
After the Creed
follows the "prayer of the faithful."
The Eucharistic
Fast is one hour to be reckoned from the time when Holy Communion is to be
received, and not from the time Mass starts.
Those who
receive Communion in the Mass of the Easter Vigil, or at the Midnight mass
of Christmas, may also receive Communion on the following morning
The Sacraments
and Sacramentals:
The vernacular
may be used throughout the rites of Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, the
Anointing of the Sick, and Matrimony; and in the distribution of Holy
Communion; in conferring Holy Orders, in funeral ceremonies, and in all
blessings.
Catechumenate to
be revived.
To be revised:
baptism, confirmation, penance, anointing of the sick, matrimony.
Blessings may
now be give by any priest. Exceptions: blessing of Stations of the Cross,
blessing of church bell, foundation stone of a church; new church or
public oratory, or of a new cemetery.
Concelebration
of Mass and reception of Holy Communion in both species:
The Divine
Office:
The Liturgical
Year:
Sacred Music –
worship becomes more noble when it is carried out with solemn singing,
especially when the celebrant, ministers and people take an active part.
Sacred Art
–should have dignity and beauty, because they serve as symbols and signs
of the supernatural world. Number if statues and pictures should be
moderate, with true sense of proportion observed.
