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Guidelines for Cathedral Liturgy
The Diocesan Office of Liturgy assists the Diocesan Bishop as well as parishes and their leadership in the liturgical and spiritual formation of the people.
Through various offerings, the Office desires to make the God who we cannot see, visible, in communal prayer, private devotion and the fullest celebrations of the sacraments.
The Office works regularly in conjunction with various diocesan offices, organizations, agencies as needs demand.

I. Significance of the Cathedral Church
The Cathedral Church should be a model for the other churches of the diocese in its conformity to the directives laid down in liturgical documents and books with regard to the arrangement and adornment of churches. (no. 46 Ceremonial of Bishops) For the diocesan Bishop, the chief steward of the mysteries of God in the particular Church entrusted to his care, is the moderator, promoter, and guardian of the whole of its liturgical life. In celebrations at which the Bishop presides, and especially in the
celebration of the Eucharist led by the Bishop himself with the presbyterate, the deacons, and the people taking part, the mystery of the Church is revealed. For this reason, the solemn celebration of Masses of this sort must be an example for the entire diocese.
Since the Cathedral is the mother church of the diocese and the Bishop’s church, liturgies in the Cathedral should be planned and celebrated according to the liturgical laws of the Church in a manner that is uplifting and deeply respectful of the sacred mysteries.

II. Liturgical law
Liturgical law is found in the praenotanda of liturgical books, the rites within the liturgical books and Canon Law. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal and the rubrics and rituals are strongly adhered to when liturgies are celebrated in the Cathedral.

Some important canons are as follows:
Can. 835 §1: The bishops in the first place exercise the sanctifying function; they are the high priests, the principal dispensers of the mysteries of God, and the directors, promoters, and guardians of the entire liturgical life in the church entrusted to them.
Can. 838 §1: The direction of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church which resides in the Apostolic See and, according to the norm of law, the diocesan bishop.

III. Guidelines for use of Cathedral for celebrations with the Bishop
1. Liturgical laws will be followed at all celebrations in the Cathedral.
2. Liturgical celebrations involving the Bishop must be scheduled through the Diocesan Liturgy Office, which will coordinate with the Bishop and the Cathedral to make sure the date and time are available.
3. The Office will work with you from the beginning on the planning and design of your celebration.
4. The Office is able to address any questions you may have about use of candles, flowers, furniture, etc., in the Cathedral.
5. The Office will provide you with a list of appropriate readings and musical selections for your event.
6. The Office will work with you on securing musicians and cantors.
7. Solemnities and the Seasons of Advent, Lent, and Easter have very specific liturgical laws. See guideline #1. The Office will advise you of these if you are planning your event for one of these seasons.
8. Cathedral Altar Servers and/or diocesan seminarians should be used. The Office will help you arrange for this. These servers are accustomed to working with the Bishop.
9. The Mass, Rite or Ceremony will begin on time.
10. Special Ceremonies such as KC officer installations, Boy Scout awards, etc., should be e-mailed or sent on CD to the Office three weeks prior to the event for proper formatting in readable style for the Bishop.
11. The Office does not deal with receptions in the Cathedral Center for your event.

IV. Special Masses, Rites or Ceremonies with the Bishop
1. Special Masses with the Bishop present as celebrant or in attendance will be scheduled through the Diocesan Liturgy Office (601-960-8475).

A. These Masses include: Ordinations, World Marriage Day Mass,
Consecrated Life Mass, Masses for the Knights and Ladies of the Holy
Sepulchre, Masses for Knights of Columbus, Youth Convention and any
other diocesan celebration at which the bishop will be present in the
Cathedral or in a non-Church setting such as a hotel.

2. Rites or Ceremonies at which the Bishop is present as celebrant or in attendance will be scheduled through the Diocesan Liturgy Office. (601-960-8475)
A. These would include: Diocesan Rite of Election; KC Installation of
Officers, Memorial Ceremony, etc.; Boy Scout awards; and any other rite
or ceremony at which the bishop will be present in the Cathedral or in a
non-Church setting such as a hotel.

V. Vestments
If you would like to borrow the diocesan concelebration vestments for a special Mass in your parish, i.e., priest’s anniversary, please contact the Diocesan Liturgy Office for assistance.
Diocesan Liturgy Office Contact: Ms. Mary Woodward, MC, 601-960-8475,
.