Introduction

Found below are various norms and policies related to the liturgy, whether from the Holy See, the USCCB, or the Committee on Divine Worship.

From the Holy See

From the USCCB

From the Committee on Divine Worship

Other Policies

Changing Approved Liturgical Text

Canon 846 of the Code of Canon Law states: "The liturgical books approved by the competent authority are to be faithfully observed in the celebration of the sacraments; therefore no one on personal authority may add, remove or change anything in them."

Number 22 of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy states: "Regulation of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church, that is, on the Apostolic See and, as laws may determine, on the bishop.  In virtue of power conceded by the law, the regulation of the liturgy within certain defined limits belongs also to various kinds of competent territorial bodies of bishops legitimately established.  Therefore, absolutely no other person, not even a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority."

Therefore, no one may change any approved and confirmed liturgical text. This includes, but is not limited to the "Lectionary for Mass" and the "Sacramentary."

Policy on Electronic Copyrights

Liturgical texts
Publication of liturgical texts on CD-ROM and diskette media will be approved on an ad hoc basis by the Committee itself. A basis for consideration of such materials will be the requirement of a minimum of two steps before a file can be opened into a word processing program. In addition, no instruction may be provided on how to copy the file. With the exception of publication permission for single daily collects from the Roman Missal, no permission will be given for the publication of liturgical texts on the Internet at this time.

Documentary materials
Publication of liturgical texts on CD-ROM and diskette media will be approved by the Secretariat on a case by case basis, following Conference procedures for the release of copyrighted materials. No permissions will be given for the publication of documentary materials on the Internet at this time.

Formational materials
Publication of formational materials on CD-ROM and diskette media will be approved by the Secretariat on a case by case basis, following Conference procedures for the release of copyrighted materials. No permissions will be given for the publication of formational materials on the Internet at this time.