Parishes frequently prepare worship aids for confirmations, funerals, Holy Week, multilingual celebrations, and other special occasions. In response, the USCCB’s Committee on Divine Worship has recently issued revised Guidelines for the Publication of Liturgical Books, including updated directions concerning participation aids which become effective as of November 29, 2026.
Parishes preparing a worship aid for a single celebration ordinarily do not need to submit it to the USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship. However, these aids must still reproduce the approved liturgical texts accurately, use the proper translations, and observe copyright requirements.
By contrast, additional review or licensing may be required for worship aids intended for repeated use, including recurring printed booklets and digital resources. Parishes developing these materials should contact the archdiocesan Office of Liturgy before publishing or distributing them. The same caution applies to newly composed musical settings of the Order of Mass, the people’s responses and acclamations, Responsorial Psalms, and certain special rites. These settings require ecclesiastical approval even when they are intended only for use in one parish or will not be commercially published. Approved liturgical texts may not be altered to fit the music.
Parishioners genuinely appreciate access to worship aids, especially on special occasions such as weddings, funerals, and the first celebration of sacraments. As parishes develop these resources, pastors, composers, musicians, and other parish staff are encouraged to contact the Office of Liturgy with any questions on the reproduction of approved liturgical texts for parish use.