GUIDELINES REGARDING CELEBRATION

OF THE EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF MASS

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings

Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, (MPSP) article 5.2 notwithstanding, celebrating

the Extraordinary Form on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation in parishes of the

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings as a regular Mass of obligation is not allowed at this

time. [Parishioners in these instances may be drawn away from celebrating at the

regular Mass for Sunday or Holy Day].

Indiscriminate mixing of elements of the Novus Ordo and elements of the Extraordinary

Form is now allowed. Norms for each form are to be observed correctly [N.B.

Instruction on the Application of the Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum, #24].

MPSP, article 5.3 notwithstanding, celebration of ritual Masses (funerals, weddings,

etc.) in the Extraordinary Form is not allowed at this time in the Diocese of Great FallsBillings. A priest must contact the Bishop in advance to ask for any exception to this

policy and demonstrate pastoral consideration by not imposing the Extraordinary Form

on a parish in these instances.

Altar Servers for the Extraordinary Form must be properly trained.

N.B.: It is important to remember that the Extraordinary Form generally does not enable

full, active participation by the assembly which was called for by Vatican II. While the

Extraordinary Form holds a definite place in the liturgical tradition of the Church, it does

not meet the spiritual needs of the large portion of Church membership today.

Promulgated by Bishop Michael Warfel

August 9, 2011