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Three years after approval by the U.S. Catholic bishops, updates to the ritual texts for distributing holy Communion outside of Mass and for Eucharistic adoration are set to take effect. The revised version of "Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery outside Mass" will be implemented on December 1, 2024, coinciding with the First Sunday of Advent.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved these texts at their November 2021 General Assembly in Baltimore. Following this, the USCCB’s Secretariat for Divine Worship reviewed them, and the Vatican confirmed their liturgical use in the United States on March 7, 2023.
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the USCCB and head of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, issued a decree on January 25 setting forth the timeline for implementing these texts.
Ritual editions have been published by several organizations including Catholic Book Publishing Co., Liturgical Press, Liturgy Training Publications, Magnificat, and Midwest Theological Forum. These editions went on sale August 1 with optional use permitted from September 14.
Father David R. Price from the USCCB’s Secretariat of Divine Worship clarified that “the main thing to keep in mind” is that “this is a new translation of the ritual book that was given in Latin in the 1970s — so it’s a new translation; it’s not a new ritual book per se.” He emphasized that existing practices regarding holy Communion distribution outside Mass remain unchanged.
Father Price noted potential confusion due to this being a translation from older texts while more recent instructions like those found in "Redemptionis Sacramentum" still apply.
The USCCB's Committee on Divine Worship stated that "the goal of the adaptations is to harmonize the book with existing customs for Eucharistic Adoration." This includes formalizing practices such as wearing specific liturgical garments during adoration and singing traditional hymns.
Additionally, clarifying instructions were added regarding praying the Liturgy of the Hours during adoration. Father Price explained that there is now clear guidance on concluding prayers before Benediction.
“This new translation...should hopefully be a way for people to continue to grow and deepen in their faith," said Father Price. He highlighted its role in fostering unity within "the universal church."
Gina Christian reports for OSV News and can be followed on X @GinaJesseReina.
