What are all those ribbons for in the Missal?

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What are all those ribbons for in the Missal ?

Yes, I’m new at this.

I hope to buy a Missal soon. I don’t have one so this is why I don’t know the answer to my question.
Right now we just use the Ecclesia Day booklet ‘missal’ - the 68-page booklet.
 
To mark your place or places, obviously.

Frequently on a weekday, you might get Common of a Martyr except for the following… In which case you’d need a marker both for the Common and what was Proper to that day.

I have yet to see anybody’s missal, breviary, or prayer book that has enough ribbons. I y ou in variably need a couple of holy cards, miscellaneous old enveloped, and a finger as well.
 
There’s a comment in this thread that has pretty good advice on how to use the ribbons.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=173502

Myself, I keep a ribbon at the ordinary of the mass, which I move as I go, and another ribbon at the prayers that I say before and after communion. There’s another section of prayers that I say before and after mass as well. I don’t bother marking the proper of the day. Our priest re-reads the epistle and Gospel in English at the homily anyway, and in a different translation at that, so it’s not worth the bother trying to keep up.

However, since I don’t mess with the Propers, I’m not much different than you are when you use a booklet missal.
 
bpbasilphx said:
To mark your place or places, obviously.

Frequently on a weekday, you might get Common of a Martyr except for the following… In which case you’d need a marker both for the Common and what was Proper to that day.

I have yet to see anybody’s missal, breviary, or prayer book that has enough ribbons. I y ou in variably need a couple of holy cards, miscellaneous old enveloped, and a finger as well.
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ROFL, ain’t that the truth! I’m just glad my ribbon markers are so long that I can use the ends as a marker, just fold it back up into the place I need marked. We need MORE ribbons! Twice the number would be nice. 😉
 
It is very easy to make more ribbons! Most missals have a gap between the cover and the spine of the book, into which you can insert a long, narrow piece of cardboard, leather or plastic. Cut it just narrow enough to fit, so it doesn’t slip. Then make some holes at one end, about 1/4" from the top (a small hole punch will work, or an awl). Then buy some narrow ribbon at a fabric store. Cut as many pieces as you have holes in your strip, but twice as long. Then double each one over, stick the loops through the holes, then thread the two ends through the loops. You will then have twice as many ribbons as holes, hanging from the holes. Then insert the strip into your book and, happy marking! For the creative among you, use whatever suits your fancy (thin strips of leather, flat gold ribbon, braided yarn, little tassels, etc.)
 
Of course if you use ribbons you miss the fun of having all the holy cards fall out fequently. This leaves you to scramble under the pews to retrieve them and then try to remember where they go. It also amuses those around you. 😃
 
MoniHmsc said:
What are all those ribbons for in the Missal ?

Yes, I’m new at this.

I hope to buy a Missal soon. I don’t have one so this is why I don’t know the answer to my question.
Right now we just use the Ecclesia Day booklet ‘missal’ - the 68-page booklet.
Click to expand...
…you will use them all and then stuff in holy cards for extras…I have found putting in a card pocket at the back is useful for spare cards…sticking in a favourite pray uses up the endflaps quickly…to avoid an explosion of cards and things if I drop the missal…i use a thick elastic band to keep it all neat…or you can get a book cover as an alternative.

The missal is divided into sections which is where the ribbons come in handy…to stop them fraying paint a bit of clear nail lacquer on the ends or trim the ends into a chevron shape.

I think the idea at my church is whoever dies with most things stuffed into their missal (WINS). Cards are usually collected free as when you go to funerals for church members the family often have these to distribute as a plea to remember so and so in your prayers. Also at special things like ordinations, professions of faith and jubilees for the religious…🙂
 
You know, I never use my ribbons. I prefer Holy Cards. Of course, it’s important what kind of Holy Cards you use. Paper ones are best, preferably a bit used and beat up, as there’s a little friction there; new cards tend to be too “slickery” and haven’t yet acquired the slight curve needed to stay obediently in the missal.

Plastic laminated Holy Cards are the absolute worst!
 
Joe_Kelley said:
Of course if you use ribbons you miss the fun of having all the holy cards fall out fequently. This leaves you to scramble under the pews to retrieve them and then try to remember where they go. It also amuses those around you. 😃
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This is so true!!👍
 
Melanie01 said:
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The missal is divided into sections which is where the ribbons come in handy…to stop them fraying paint a bit of clear nail lacquer on the ends or trim the ends into a chevron shape.

…🙂
Click to expand...
You can also singe the ends with a lighter to keep them from fraying. That’s what I did. 🙂
 
I think the ribbons are there to No. 1. Try your patience, No. 2. Keep your attention. No. 3. Make people think you know what your doing. No. 4. Confuse the guy/girl next to you who is peeking and trying to follow you when you don’t know what your doing. No. 5. Something to play with and pretend you the priest. No. 6. To actually follow the prayers of the Mass of the day and be in communion with the Priest acting in the person of Christ as he celebrates the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offering each of our prayers along with his to the Father through Jesus Christ.👍 I hope I got it right. 👍
 
[object Selection]:):DI know! I never have enough ribbon markers in either my missal or breviary.I end up using paper clips to mark the various places I need for a particular Mass or Office.I use the 4 volume LOTH right now,but am eagerly awaiting the Baronius Press Roman Breviary’s release!d
 
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