Many of you are probably in the throes of implementing
the music norms listed in the General Instructions of the Roman Missal
2002. You know about the proscription of music during the spoken parts
of the presidential prayers.
No doubt, you are experimenting on how the musicians are to receive
communion now that the communion processional begins when the presider
communicates the host and cup to himself.
In my campaign with GIRM in this diocese, I’ve used three books/pamphlets
and an article that are valuable in this latest campaign to make the
Missal understandable.
I offer this annotated bibliography to you, should you want to delve
a little more deeply in the “how’s come” of the
GIRM.Smolarski, Dennis C., SJ. The General Instruction of the Roman
Missa, 1969–2002: A Commentary. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical
Press, 2003
This highly respected liturgist–mathematician–computer
scientist has constructed a commentary of seventy-six pages that is
clear and pastoral. On page 70, he summarizes the changes in terse
and informative instructions. That in itself is worth the price of
$7.95.Turner, Paul. A Guide to the General Instruction of the Roman
Missal. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2003.
A kind of 'cliff notes' approach, which cites the appropriate GIRM
number for the norm that the author is explaining. This guidebook
is perfect for the majority of us who are unable to quote norm number
and page number. Fr. Turner has facilitated our search for inquiries
on the many, many facets of the GIRM. His preface to the book begins
with a simple description of the Last Supper: “When the disciples
took their places at table with Jesus on the night before he died,
the room was ready. So were they.”
After a few sentences developing the awesome mystery of that supper,
he continues: “Eating and drinking his Body and Blood, we enter
the mystery of death and resurrection. Because of the greatness of
this mystery, we make sure the room is ready. We also make ourselves
ready.” Fr. Turner does it in twenty-eight pages.McMahon, J.
Michael. Singing Our Worship: A Pastoral Musician’s Guide to
the General Instruction of the Roman Missal 2002. Silver Spring, MD:
NPM Publications, 2003.
The president NPM fills thirty-two pages with some of the most lucid
writing on the GIRM that has appeared in the past year and a half.
Especially noteworthy is his capability of creating a smooth flow
in his analysis and explanation of the changes.Irwin, Kevin W. “Overview
of GIRM.” Liturgical Ministry 11 (summer 2003). Collegeville,
MN: Liturgical Press.
This world-class liturgist-professor gives much food for thought in
his exploration of the GIRM. His piece is also the most hopeful and
encouraging essay I’ve read. Back copies are available from
Liturgical Press.
I had the pleasure of hearing Kevin Irwin make a presentation on the
GIRM using this piece. He was the keynoter at a study day on the GIRM
sponsored by the Georgetown Liturgy Center this past winter.
I was so taken on how adroitly he moved around the norms, which could
be seen as negative. He has the capability of contrasting those points
with more positive ones.After six weeks of diocesan catechesis, which
was preceded by several months of preparation, I just hope that the
instructions take root.
I hope even more, that in all of this stuff, that still “God
is glorified in all things.”
