Further Adaptations to the Order of Mass Approved by USCCB

The Amendments to the Mass Liturgy changes debated and voted on have been released by the USCCB.

In the course of the 2006 plenary meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Los Angeles, California, the Latin Church members of the USCCB approved eight proposed adaptations (see BCL Newsletter, May, 2006), as well as amendments calling for two further adaptations. The first concerns the eventual inclusion of additional proper formulae in the Eucharistic Prayers. The second accepted amendment calls for the inclusion of proper forms of the Act of Penitence for the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.

But as you can see from the introductory paragraph, these Amendments do not include all changes to the Mass that will probably take effect in two years. What they debated and voted on were "Amendments to the Changes." The "Changes" have not been released.

Gerald at The Cafeteria is Closed Blog has laid out the "Amendments to the Changes" nicely for you.Here.

Formation and Catechesis on the New Roman Missal

During the course of the meetings of the USCCB and its Committee on the Liturgy, the vital subject of formation of clergy, other liturgical ministers, and the liturgical assembly were widely discussed. While confirmation and publication of the various segments of the Roman Missal are still distant, initial plans for this vital catechesis have begun.

Over the next several months the secretariat will begin an active and exploratory dialogue with the English speaking conferences of Bishops, the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, and academic and publishing bodies concerning possible avenues to be pursued in the development of an effective program of
formation for the implementation of the new Roman Missal. Suggestions from our readers on this matter are most welcome, and should be addressed to bcl@usccb.org.

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24 June 2006 Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia has a nice historical summary of the entire process, from Vatican II, to date in his diocesan newspaper The Catholic Standard and Times.