missals

A missal is a liturgical book used by the celebrant during the Mass in various Christian rites. Its primary function is to provide the texts, rubrics, and prayers required to perform the celebration, including the prayers of the priest, the readings, and the proper prayers for feast days and seasons. In most Catholic uses, the missal complements other liturgical books such as the lectionary (which contains the biblical readings) and the calendar.

Contents and structure typically include the Order of Mass, an assortment of prayers for the priest’s actions (for example, the Eucharistic prayers and the Canon in some traditions), collects for specific feast days, and the propers—texts that vary with the liturgical calendar such as the Introit, Gradual, Offertory, and Communion. The readings from Scripture are usually drawn from a separate lectionary, though some editions present them together. Rubrics guide the sequence and manner of celebration. In many rites, the missal may also include the calendar, saints’ days, and instructions for concelebration or reconciliation.

Variants and editions include the Roman Missal, the official liturgical book of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. The Latin Missale Romanum has undergone revisions, notably after the Second Vatican Council, which produced a new form of the Mass and corresponding translations in vernacular languages. A traditional Latin Mass edition, often dated to 1962, is used by some communities under different juridical provisions. Anglican and other Christian traditions have their own missals, and historical missals such as the Sarum Missal reflect earlier medieval practices.

Missals remain central to liturgical practice, governing the ritual text and flow of Mass for clergy and, in many cases, for the laity through accompanying missals or pamphlets.