Introduction
Know the Words, Know the Meaning, Know the Mystery
The English text of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal, the ritual book containing the prayers and instructions for the celebration of the Mass, has been approved by the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has determined that the first use of the revised text of the Roman Missal will be on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011.
The implementation of this new edition of the Roman Missalprovides a life-giving opportunity for Latin-rite Catholics in the English speaking world to reinvigorate and recommit ourselves to participating with Christ in the celebration of his paschal mystery in the liturgical life of the Church.
Know the Words, Know the Meaning, Know the Mystery is a series of thirty-two (32) concise and engaging articles on various topics pertaining to the revised Roman Missal, as well as to the liturgical life of the Church in general, prepared as a catechetical tool for parish use.
On the web site you will find a calendar of suggested monthly topics. If this calendar is followed, the articles will be considered simultaneously by the faithful throughout the Archdiocese. Using the same calendar, these topics will also appear on the official website of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (www.archphila.org), as well as within the pages of The Catholic Standard and Times.
These articles will provide a significant opportunity for a deeper understanding of the liturgical life of the Church. Our welcoming of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal allows all God’s people to enter more fully into the sacrifice of Jesus to the Father, through the working of the Holy Spirit, which is our highest calling as members of His Body, the Church.
These articles are designed to be used in parishes, schools and institutions within the Church. Specifically, they may be used by:
- Pastors, parochial vicars, other priests and deacons
- Parish Services Directors, Pastoral Associates, Adult Faith Formation Coordinators, Youth Ministers
- Directors of Religious Education and catechists
- Presidents, principals, school ministers, teachers on both the secondary and elementary level
- Catholic college administrators, Newman chaplains, campus ministers and those associated with them in leadership roles
- Superiors of Religious Communities, Directors of Assisted Living facilities and Nursing Homes;
- Parish Pastoral Councils, Music Directors, Parish liturgical musicians and Parish Liturgy Committees
Ideally, pastoral leaders would use these articles for the benefit of anyone who would come under their pastoral care. We offer the following concrete suggestions as a starting point for you to adapt these articles to the needs of your community.
