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I. MASSES
AND PRAYERS FOR VARIOUS NEEDS AND OCCASIONS
326.
For well - disposed Christians the liturgy of the sacraments and sacramentals
causes almost every event in human life to be made holy by divine grace that
flows from the paschal mystery.95 The eucharist, in turn, is the
sacrament of sacraments. Accordingly, the Missal provides formularies for
Masses and prayers that may be used in the various circumstances of Christian
life, for the needs of the whole world, and for the needs of the Church, both
local and universal.
327.
In view of the broad options for choosing the readings and prayers, the Masses
for various needs and occasions should be used sparingly, that is, when the
occasion requires.
328.
In all the Masses for various needs and occasions, unless otherwise indicated,
the weekday readings and the chants between them may be used, if they are
suited to the celebration.
329.
The Masses for various needs and occasions are of three types:
a. the
ritual Masses, which are related to the celebration of certain sacraments or
sacramentals;
b. the Masses
for various needs and occasions, which are used either as circumstances arise
or at fixed times;
c. the
votive Masses of the mysteries of the Lord or in honor of Mary or a particular
saint or of all the saints, which are options provided in favor of the
faithful's devotion.
330.
Ritual Masses are prohibited on the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and the Easter
season, on solemnities, on days within the octave of Easter, on All Souls, on
Ash Wednesday, and during Holy Week. In addition, the norms in the ritual books
or in the Masses themselves also apply.
331.
From the selection of Masses for various needs and occasions, the competent
authority may choose Masses for those special days of prayer that the
conferences of bishops may decree during the course of the year.
332.
In cases of serious need or pastoral advantage, at the direction of the local
Ordinary or with his permission, an appropriate Mass maybe celebrated on any
day except solemnities, the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and the Easter season,
days within the octave of Easter, on All Souls, Ash Wednesday, and during Holy
Week.
333.
On obligatory memorials, on the weekdays of Advent until 16 December, of the
Christmas season after 2 January, and of the Easter season after the octave of
Easter, Masses for various needs and occasions are per se forbidden. But if
some real need or pastoral advantage requires, at the discretion of the rector
of the church or the priest celebrant, the Masses corresponding to such need or
advantage may be used in a celebration with a congregation.
334.
On weekdays in Ordinary Time when there is an optional memorial or the office
is of that weekday, any Mass or prayer for various needs and occasions is
permitted, but ritual Masses are excluded.
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