What exactly is the General Instruction of the Roman Missal?
All liturgical books have an introduction which helps those who are responsible for implementing the liturgy to understand why and how the liturgy is to be celebrated. These introductions include a theology of the liturgical celebration (why we do what we do), as well as rubrics or directions on how to celebrate the liturgy. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal is the introductory material to the Roman Missal, more specifically, the Sacramentary. The Sacramentary is the official liturgical book used by the priest in the celebration of the Mass and contains all of the prayers the priest uses e.g., opening prayer, prayer over the gifts, Eucharistic prayer, concluding prayer, as well as the General Instruction. Thus, the new General Instruction of the Roman Missal contains all of the directions for the celebration of Mass, including the changes that will occur in the very near future. Recently, it was translated from Latin into English and confirmed by Rome; and therefore, we, in t
