The Roman Missal

Since the issuance of the Missale Romanum in 2002, ICEL has been engaged in facilitating the preparation of an English translation for its Conferences of Bishops. The process calls for each section to be sent to the Conferences for study and comment (Green Book) and after the comments are incorporated into the texts re-issued for Canonical vote (Gray Book). The Commission has completed this process and a list of sections issued is available here .

Since the last Gray Books of liturgical texts have been issued to the Conferences, the Secretariat has been working on a manuscript with all the texts and music in place as in the Latin edition. This has been termed the Gray Book of the Missal or GBOM. This has been made available to the Conferences to assist in planning for publication of the Missal and ancillary texts once approved.

Music for the Roman Missal

The Commission, while working on a new translation of the Roman Missal, assembled a small group of expert musicians to prepare musical settings of the English texts of the chants of the 2002 Missale.  The Music Committee has worked closely with the translators.

The Commission approved settings for those parts of the Order of Mass that received recognitio from the Holy See in June 2008, and in accord with Cardinal Arinze's expressed wish that the publication of these texts "facilitate the devising of musical settings". The Commission is making these settings available here on this website. It is important to note that the texts and music available on this site are for study rather than immediate liturgical use as definitive versions will not be available until the Bishops' Conferences have determined a date for the implementation of the Missal.

An Introduction to the music is also available and explains the approach adopted in the chants.

Catechetical Resources for Roman Missal 

In anticipation of the new Missal, ICEL has commissioned a catechetical resource entitled "Become One Body, One Spirit in Christ". This will be an interactive DVD that explores the depth and richness of the text and music for the Roman Missal as well as a general catechesis on the Mass. The resource centers on five essays and uses video, texts, graphics, and music to help the user enrich their understanding and deepen their appreciation of the Eucharist. It is eminently for individual or group use, private study or public catechesis.

Because the resource quotes extensively from the texts of the Missal its completion awaits final approval from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. It is anticipated that the resource will be made available within a month of the reception of the recognitio.

A website has been developed where promotional material for the resource is available.

Production and distribution details within the individual Conferences are still being worked out. In the meantime, if you would like to receive detailed information as it becomes available, please send a message to the ICEL Secretariat.