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1.
The celebration of Mass, the action of Christ and the people of God arrayed
hierarchically, is for the universal and the local Church as well as for each
person the center of the whole Christian life.1 In the Mass we have the
high point of the work that in Christ God accomplishes to sanctify us and the
high point of the worship that in adoring God through Christ, his Son, we offer
to the Father.2 During the cycle of the year, moreover, the mysteries
of redemption are recalled in the Mass in such a way that they are somehow made
present.3 All other liturgical rites and all the works of the Christian
life are linked with the eucharistic celebration, flow from it, and have it as
their end.4
2.
Therefore, it is of the greatest importance that the celebration of the Mass, the
Lord's Supper, be so arranged that the ministers and the faithful who take
their own proper part in it may more fully receive its good effects.5
This is the reason why Christ the Lord instituted the eucharistic sacrifice of
his body and blood and entrusted it to the Church, his beloved Bride, as the
memorial of his passion and resurrection.6
3.
This purpose will best be accomplished if, after due regard for the nature and
circumstances of each assembly, the celebration is planned in such a way that
it brings about in the faithful a participation in body and spirit that is
conscious, active, full, and motivated by faith, hope, and charity. The Church
desires this kind of participation, the nature of the celebration demands it,
and for the Christian people it is a right and duty they have by reason of
their baptism.7
4.
The presence and active participation of the people bring out more plainly the
ecclesial nature of the celebration.8 But even when their participation
is not possible, the eucharistic celebration still retains its effectiveness
and worth because it is the action of Christ and the Church,9 in which
the priest always acts on behalf of the people's salvation.
5.
The celebration of the eucharist, like the entire liturgy, involves the use of
outward signs that foster, strengthen, and express faith.10 There must
be the utmost care therefore to choose and to make wise use of those forms and
elements provided by the Church which, in view of the circumstances of the
people and the place, will best foster active and full participation and serve
the spiritual well - being of the faithful.
6.
The purpose of this Instruction is to give the general guidelines for planning
the eucharistic celebration properly and to set forth the rules for arranging
the individual forms of celebration.11 In accord with the Constitution
on the Liturgy, each conference of bishops has the power to lay down norms for
its own territory that are suited to the traditions and character of peoples,
regions, and various communities12
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