What is the rubrics?

[Elzee]

What is the ‘rubrics’? Is this the same as the GIRM? Also what is the relationship between the GIRM and Canon Law? I see these terms on this forum a lot and want to get them straight in my head what they are and their relationship to each other. Thank you!

 

[FrRobSST]

The GIRM is the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. In some traditions, this type of General Instruction is also known as General Rubrics.

Properly defined, Rubrics are those words and sentences printed in service books that give instruction on the conduct of the service. The name Rubric comes from the latin word for Red, because historically, rubrics were always printed in red ink.

In most leaflet missalettes, rubrics are in smaller, italic type while spoken parts in a slightly larger, regular type.

If you are curious just to see what they look like, ask your parish priest to see a copy of the Sacramentary. The red ‘stage directions’ as they are sometimes called are the rubrics.

Rob+

 

[Elzee]

Thank you.

What is the relation between the rubrics and Canon Law?

 

[awalt]

Are these Rubrics books in the shape of a cube, each comprised of a series of 9 smaller squares of different colors? I have heard of the Rubrics Cube…

 

[jimmytoes]

awalt:

Are these Rubrics books in the shape of a cube, each comprised of a series of 9 smaller squares of different colors? I have heard of the Rubrics Cube…

 

[jimmytoes]

Elzee:

Thank you. What is the relation between the rubrics and Canon Law?

Ok, I’ll try this:
Canon Law is the laws of the Church, spelled out as clearly as appropriate to the situation. Canons are similar to rubrics in that they are instructions for the clergy and laiety(sp?) but they are much broader in scope.
Sometimes a rubric will have a coresponding Canon, but the rubric will say how things should be done, while the canon will say why and the punishment for disobedience - (if appropriate).

I got no research here, just my understanding.