Is the GIRM just a guideline?

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I was wondering if anyone knows if the General Instructions of the Roman Missal is just a suggested guideline that dioceses follow or is it an instruction that dioceses must follow and are enforced by local bishops? Specifically, we have a new priest at church who has moved the weekly announcements from the end of mass during the Concluding Rites (as stated in the order of mass in the GIRM) to between the Prayer of the Faithful and Preparation of Gifts. It’s awkward to be celebrating Mass and praying and then having to sit and listen to something like “Free flu shots in the cafeteria…” then going back to the Mass and preparing the gifts. Also, he skips over the the Creed sometimes (maybe accident) and often skips over the prayer that goes “May the lord accept the sacrifice at your hands…” Does the fact that he neglects those prayers make the mass invalid?
 
The GIRM contains rules not just guidelines 😉 There are however some variants of the GIRM for different areas. A search on the internet will turn up the US, UK and Australian adaptations of the GIRM.

In Sunday Mass the Creed is always said, but for Daily Mass, more often than not it is omitted. Sometimes however old priest also do forget certain parts, and that would be forgivable as well.

Announcements and/or any extra-liturgical prayers, novenas etc are to occur after the Post Communion (Prayer after Communion).
 
couchpotato said:
I was wondering if anyone knows if the General Instructions of the Roman Missal is just a suggested guideline that dioceses follow or is it an instruction that dioceses must follow and are enforced by local bishops? Specifically, we have a new priest at church who has moved the weekly announcements from the end of mass during the Concluding Rites (as stated in the order of mass in the GIRM) to between the Prayer of the Faithful and Preparation of Gifts. It’s awkward to be celebrating Mass and praying and then having to sit and listen to something like “Free flu shots in the cafeteria…” then going back to the Mass and preparing the gifts. Also, he skips over the the Creed sometimes (maybe accident) and often skips over the prayer that goes “May the lord accept the sacrifice at your hands…” Does the fact that he neglects those prayers make the mass invalid?
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He must follow the Bishops directives. The GIRM is not a “book” of suggestions. Speak to him, have a small group speak with him, then if necessary go to the Bishop. Stop it now, don’t let it go, hoping others will speak with him.
 
Were it suggestions, the title would be abbreviated “GSRM” - These are Instructions, not Suggestions 🙂
 
The “I” stands for “instruction”; it is not law. Variations within limits of propriety are permissable.

Matthew
 
drafdog said:
The “I” stands for “instruction”; it is not law. Variations within limits of propriety are permissable.

Matthew
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It specifies how things are to be done and it specifies what options are available where it allow for options, and exactly what those options are, and exactly who has the authority to make the decision.
 
Br.Rich_SFO said:
It specifies how things are to be done and it specifies what options are available where it allow for options, and exactly what those options are, and exactly who has the authority to make the decision.
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And it also specifies that the Bishop has the authority to establish the norms accordingly.

The GIRM is a guide, but it is a guide for Bishops to use and not just ignore. However, its not absolute law as some in this forum would like to believe.

Jim
 
drafdog said:
The “I” stands for “instruction”; it is not law. Variations within limits of propriety are permissable.

Matthew
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Maybe this priest moved the announcements forward because people were running out the door right after Communion and not sticking around to hear them???

Sorry: convert here, grousing about occasionally appalling etiquette in Catholic churches.
 
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