Waiting on the new mass texts

[peregrinus_sg]

The missal is seldom printed in one book; the editions used in celebration would be too heavy to hold otherwise, or printed too small to read from 4-5 feet.

The “typical” set:
The Sacramentary
The Pontifical
The Lectionary (which includes gospels in many editions)
The Book of the Gospels*
The Book of Blessings**

• The Book of the Gospels is needed only if the lectionary doesn’t include them, but is properly used even when the lectionary does contain the gospels. The use of just the lectionary is an accommodation for a single unassisted celebrant.
  ** Some parts of the book of blessings are used in the mass.

That’s not the usual division of liturgical books in the Roman Rite. There are 4 main “books”, each coming in many separate volumes, especially since Vatican II’s liturgical renewal.

(1) The Roman Missal

The Roman Missal (containing orations, antiphons and prayers)
Lectionary
Book of the Gospels
Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Roman Gradual
The Simple Gradual

(2) The Roman Ritual

Rite of Baptism for Children
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (including the Rite of Reception of Baptized Christians into Full Communion)
Rite of Penance
Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass
Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum
Rite of Marriage
Order of Christian Funerals
Book of Blessings
Rite of Religious Profession
Exorcism

(3) The Roman Pontifical

Rites of Ordination of a Bishop, of Priests and of Deacons
Rite of Confirmation
Rite of Consecration to Virginity
Rite of Blessing of the Holy Oils
Rite of Blessing of an Abbot or Abess
Order of Dedication of a Church and an Altar
Rite of Institution of a Lector and an Acolyte

(4) The Divine Office

In addition, there are the Roman Martyrology and the Ceremonial of Bishops.