The obligation of the rubrics

In the rubrics of the Missal the Church has laid down a series of minute rules for the celebration of Mass. Their number and minuteness show her solicitude concerning the proper performance of this divine sacrifice. Those which have reference to the Mass itself are in general preceptive and bind under pain of sin. Grave sin, then, is committed by violating the rubrics of the Mass in serious matters; venial sin is committed by their violation in smaller matters. If a notable or important portion of the rite is omitted, or if notable additions are made to it by private authority, or any considerable change be made in it, there is a serious violation of the law. The rubrics which ordain that certain portions of the Mass be said in a loud or low or middle tone of voice only bind under venial sin, and so, if their observance would cause annoyance to other priests who are saying Mass, they cease to bind. Similarly, if through infirmity a priest is unable to observe some smaller rubrics, it is not the mind of the Church that he should be obliged to abstain from celebrating the holy mysteries.

It is a probable opinion that those rubrics in the Missal which have reference to what should be done out of Mass are only directive, not strictly preceptive so as to bind under pain of sin.

The general rule is that the Mass must agree with the office which the calendar prescribes to be said. However, by the decree S.R.C., December 7, 1895, when Mass is said in a church or public oratory which is not one’s own, which uses a different calendar, and celebrates a feast of double or higher rite, the Mass must always agree with the calendar of the church or public oratory, and not with the office of the celebrant.

403. Questions. - QUESTION 1. Are all the Rubrics of the Mass preceptive?

Reply 1. According to the common opinion ¹, all the Rubrics which are observed within the Mass are preceptive, since they concern so sacred a matter. They bind, however, under grave or light sin according to the gravity or lightness of the matter, as will be said below. - St. Lig., no. 399. Reply 2. The Rubrics which are observed outside the Mass, that is, before or after the sacred rite, are commonly regarded as merely directive ², as, for example, the prayers for preparation or thanksgiving; for other prayers can be recited. There is controversy, however, concerning the prayers which according to the Rubric are to be recited while the vestments are put on; but it must be held with the common opinion, says St. Lig., no. 410, that their omission is venially culpable. Others, however, maintain with Suarez that this omission is free from every fault.

¹ It scarcely appears in fact why the Author calls this opinion common and adduces St. Alphonsus in its support. St. Alphonsus, as we have observed elsewhere, writes (bk. 6, no. 399) that there are four opinions of the Doctors concerning this question. The first says that all the rubrics are directive, and for this he adduces two authors. The second teaches that all the rubrics are preceptive, and for this he adduces eight. The third holds that some are preceptive and others, even those pertaining to the Mass, are directive, and for this he cites nine Authors. Finally, the fourth holds that those which are observed within the Mass are preceptive, while those which are observed outside it are directive, and for this he adduces three. Now, by joining the Authors of the second and fourth opinions, we have eleven; and by joining the Authors of the first and third, we likewise have eleven. How, then, is that called the common opinion which, taken according to all its parts, has only three patrons, but, taken according to its individual parts, has no more than its contrary?

They also derive this from the decree of St. Pius V: Mandating and strictly commanding each and all... by virtue of holy obedience, that, all other methods and rites from other Missals... being henceforth entirely omitted,... they chant and read Mass according to the rite, manner, and norm which is now delivered by Us through this Missal; nor in the celebration of Mass are they to presume to add or recite other ceremonies or prayers than those which are contained in this Missal. Now, 1. it is manifest that by these words merely the use of one Roman Missal is prescribed. 2. In the Missal, however, there are also things which are to be done or said outside the Mass; and nevertheless the Author, with St. Alphonsus, maintains that these rubrics are merely directive. 3. Indeed, St. Alphonsus (bk. 6, no. 412) judges it probable that it is not forbidden to add one collect for some cause or devotion, although the decree seems to prohibit every addition. Let us therefore conclude that Pius V certainly prescribes that the things contained in the Roman Missal be observed, but as they are proposed in the Missal, namely, either as commanding or as merely directing; while additions are forbidden, not those which are taken from the same Roman Missal, but those which are taken from other Missals, as the words and context of St. Pius most clearly suggest.

² The VV. object here (p. 933, no. 103) that St. Alphonsus (Exam. Ordin., no. 112) judged only some of them to be directive according to the opinion of the Doctors; whence it must be concluded that others are therefore regarded as preceptive.

Reply. In order that rubrics of this kind may truly be regarded as preceptive, it must be certain that they are so, because merely probable precepts have no power to bind, as St. Alphonsus teaches as certain.

VI. QUESTION III. Is it a mortal sin to neglect the rubrics in celebrating Mass? ANSWER. The affirmative opinion is common, unless smallness of matter excuse. Since by a grave precept from the Supreme Pontiffs, and especially from St. Pius V, the observance of them is commanded. There is a twofold kind of rubrics. Some are called preceptive, others directive. Preceptive are called those which command that celebration be made in a sacred place, on an altar, in sacred vessels and vestments, in the prescribed matter and form, with fasting going before, and many others. Directive are called those which according to the common sense of theologians do not oblige under mortal sin, as to pray before and after Mass, the number of collects, and many other things of that kind.