22. Whether it is permitted to say the preface in the vernacular language, since the dialogue before and the Sanctus after the preface can certainly be said in the language of the people?

Resp.: By a recent concession (27 aprilis 1965) of the Apostolic See, according to n. 58 of the Instruction, the competent territorial ecclesiastical authority can permit the use of the vernacular language in prefaces, using a translation confirmed by the « Consilium ».

1.When must a certain Preface be considered « proper » ?

Resp.: The difficulty arises especially from the possibility of using Eucharistic Prayer IV, which has a fixed preface, and thus it has been established that it is not permissible to use it when the Mass has a proper preface (no. 322 d). When, however, besides feasts, we also consider seasons, even lengthy ones, in which the preface of the season is said, the question arises in what sense the preface must be understood as « proper ».

The preface is considered « proper » in the strict sense in Masses which are celebrated on the feast day itself or within its octave. In the Proper of the season, the corresponding preface is used but this is not considered strictly proper, and during it eucharistic prayer IV and eucharistic prayer II may be used with their own preface.

In votive Masses, however, the preface corresponding to the Mass or the proper preface of one of the eucharistic prayers may be selected.

The raising and joining of the hands

12. Some celebrants have the custom of raising their hands, then joining them, during the dialogue which comes before the Preface, and at the beginning of the final blessing. Others do not use gestures of this kind. What should be done?

Resp.

As generally happens, it is a matter of a habit which comes from the rubrics of the former Missal. The indications of the OM, however, should be observed, which in the two described cases are clear:

a) with regard to the Preface dialogue, n. 27 (MR 392) says precisely:

b) With regard to the blessing at the end of Mass, the new OM says only (n. 142): The priest blesses the people, saying ... while the rubrics of the former Order, after the dismissal Ite Missa est, indicated a gesture for the blessing which took on five components over time: With eyes raised, extending, raising, and joining his hands, and bowing his head to the Cross, he says: May almighty God bless you ... and turning to the people ... he continues: the Father ... But now a simple gesture is required, as indicated by the corresponding rubric, namely he makes the sign of the cross over the people while he says the words the Father, and the Son ...