General Instruction of the Roman Missal (3rd)

General Instruction of the Roman Missal
(2005 U.S. adaptation)

Congregation for Divine Worship

The Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani (IGRM) is the principle collection of liturgical norms applying to the Mass. The IGRM or its translation is printed in the front of the Missale Romanum (the official Roman Missal) and the approved vernacular translations of the Missal. Together with the rubrics (red-lettered instructions) interspersed throughout the liturgical texts of the Missal, they guide the priest in the lawful celebration of the Eucharist. In English the IGRM is called the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM).

The Latin Institutio Generalis, from which this translation was made, was promulgated in March 2002 as part of the 3rd typical edition of the Missale Romanum, a major revision of the missal. The Missale's previous two editions were published in 1969 and 1975.

This General Instruction of the Roman Missal was adapted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for the US, and confirmed by the Holy See on March 17, 2003. It was promulgated by Bishop Wilton Gregory, then President of the USCCB, on March 19th, 2003, as "effective immediately."   While the translation and approval of the 3rd typical edition of the Missale Romanum for use in the English speaking countries was ongoing, the GIRM was separately promulgated by the USCCB for use in the United States.

This text is no longer available, however, on the USSCB website, having been replaced with the now current and approved text, which can be found here:

General Instruction of the Roman Missal