No… it isn’t a clarification of Novus Ordo rubrics. Nor is it a copy of the 1962 Missale Romanum.
From CNA:
Manual for proper celebration of the Mass officially presented to the Pope
Vatican City, Oct 21, 2009 / 01:38 pm (CNA).- Cardinal Antonio Canizares, Prefect of the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, today officially presented Pope Benedict XVI with the “Compendium eucharisticum,” aimed at helping priests to properly celebrate Mass.
The compendium, which was officially published on October 19, is a collection of study materials, prayers and meditations related to the celebration of the Eucharist. According to Cardinal Canizares, it is “a response to the desire of the Holy Father and the request made by the bishops during the 2005 Synod on the Eucharist.”
According to the daily edition of L’Osservatore Romano, the document “puts together texts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, prayers, theological explanations of the Roman Missal’s Eucharistic prayers and everything that may be useful for the correct understanding, celebration and adoration of the Sacrament on the altar.”
L’Osservatore Romano also explained that the Pope’s desire is that the compendium will help both priests and laity in “believing, celebrating and increasingly living out the Eucharistic Mystery.” The Holy Father also hopes that it will stimulate “every faithful person to make of their own lives a spiritual worship,” the paper added.
The compendium has been published in Italian by the Vatican’s publishing house and will soon be available in other languages, including English.
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I had my toddler at Mass and as we were going up to the rail she stretched both her arms out toward Father and said, “Jesus… Jesus!” She clung to me as we knelt and watched with rapt attention as I received on the tongue. Sometimes I hear another “Jesus…” She’s teaching me faith in the Real Presence at a year and a half. Something about this must be working.
You really need another manual on the Mass? The sacrificial Event that you were ultimately conceived and placed on this earth for? huff! You guys. You consecrated men. It’s literally under your nose.
The manual sounds absolutely great and I very much look forward to reading it. I really do hope it helps.
There. A vent with a positive twist.
Vindication for Tornielli?
Thanks for the push, Agnes. I’ll have your challenge in my grateful heart at Mass tonight. Thanks too for sharing your daughter’s charism of good example.
Here’s the book.
I wonder how one would go about getting this into the hands of priests. I know many priests who really need this book, yet I think they would be just a little ticked off at being given it, never mind by a layman. Any ideas folks?
Interesting that its target readership is priests. After reading Sacramentem Caritatis, I was under the impression this compendium was more geared toward the laity.
Rich,
Unfortunately, it seems that many of our priests take liberties with the Mass that diminish the laity’s faith. Subtle things that priests do, with the intention of getting people to pay attention or be “pastoral” can actually alter what it is we are supposed to believe.
If you have a priest that at least shows due reverence to the Mass and the Eucharist, then (albeit slowly) the people will follow.
Thanks for covering this, Fr. Z. I’m keen to see its contents, though I’m lacking in the orders department. ;)
I would specifically like to have access to the “explanations of the Eucharistic Prayers of the Roman Missal” (Sac. Car. 93) for my book on the priest’s prayers at Mass. This Compendium is in Italian now… can’t wait until the English edition is available!
Let’s pray this gets into the hands of seminarians and those who form seminarians.
As to the present ordained priests; it’s a poker game, as far as I’m concerned. Some will “fold ’em” some will “hold ’em” (in the words of Kenny Rogers)…in other words, don’t hold your breath. Once ordained, priests will do what they will do, regardless of what the Pope says. Sorry to say it, but I did.
What a Pope we have!Truly gracious, total gift. As a former Anglican and now Catholic priest I am totally in awe at his wonderful generosity to my former brethren ( I am sorry to say that I would not have been so) and now this, a reminder to all priests not only of what we should be, but what we should do. The Mass changes everything. I have never celebrated anyting other that the N.O. but celebrated with love and desire, saying the black, doing the red, brings about miracles.What a Pope we have been given!
Is this merely a book prepared under the guidance of the CDWDS or is it an official instruction that forms part of the body of liturgical norms, directives and manuals promulgated by the Church?
Also, I find it strange that, in this day and age, the Compendium was published on October 19, presented to the Pope today, and yet there is no mention of it in the Vatican website.
If it is an ecclesiastical document, shouldn’t it be made avaliable online at the Vatican website, as other documents prepared by the Congregations of the Roman Curia are?
It is a wonderful gift, but good luck with those who don’t do the red and read the black!
There are so many times, on this blog, I desire to write something intelligent. However, so often, all that I can say is “WOW!”
FrCharles said, “Thanks for the push, Agnes. I’ll have your challenge in my grateful heart at Mass tonight. Thanks too for sharing your daughter’s charism of good example.”
(except when she’s pulling exorcist moves in the back stairwell… believe me, it’s not at all pretty, but I think the moments of “Jesus!” are worth it)
I’m just wondering, by the by, how many parish priests have time to read this tome? And if only those interested read it, isn’t it just preaching to the choir (though I’m sure good priests will absolutely relish it)?
For a liberal pastor… maybe you could buy it for a Christmas gift and just say you liked the cover. :-)
Nazareth priest touched on a very good point – get it into the hands of seminarians and those who form them. That’s where our hopes rest!
Let’s pray this gets into the hands of seminarians and those who form seminarians.
Yes. I don’t mean to be pessimistic, but this new resource will be a dead letter for most priests in the U.S.
I don’t want to be ‘judgemental’ but it seems to me that there is a lot of pride among certain priests, in that they think, just because they have been to seminary, they need learn nothing more, they need no more books or guidance – they know it all, or at least know as much as they think they need to know. It’s awfully arrogant and closed minded, but it’s just the whiff of an impression I get, which makes me wonder would a priest read this book if I gave it to him. I’d like to give it to several priests anyway, just not sure of how I’d do it. A young layman giving his priest a book could be just a little condescending.
What is needed, and/or would be nice, is a unified Ordo. Something that gets rid of the confusion. That would be a good starting block