The Roman Rite of the Mass has two forms Ordinary and Extraordinary and is one of over 20 rites in the Church. View the chart below to see all the rites, which is a witness to the beauty and richness of the Universal Church.

When did the Ordinary and Extraordinary forms begin? The Ordinary Form of the Mass is celebrated according to the Missale Romanum of 1969 and was promulgated by Pope Paul VI. The Extraordinary Form of the Mass is celebrated according to the Missale Romanum of 1570. While this Missal was codified at the Council of Trent, it was in use at least since the time of St. Gregory the Great. It is used today according to the 1962 edition, promulgated by Blessed Pope John XXIII during the Second Vatican Council.

"The liturgical traditions or rites presently in use in the Church are the Latin . . . and the Byzantine, Alexandrian or Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite and Chaldean rites. In 'faithful obedience to tradition, the sacred Council declares that Holy Mother Church holds all lawfully recognized rites to be of equal right and dignity, and that she wishes to preserve them in the future and to foster them in every way.'"[i] The Latin Tradition (Rome) comes from the Liturgy of Saint Peter. The Antioch Tradition (Antioch, Constantinople, Armenia) use the Liturgy of Saint James which was modified by St. Basil and St. John Chrysostom. The Alexandria Tradition (Alexandria) comes from the Liturgy of Saint Mark a disciple of Saint Peter. All of the Liturgies have their roots in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church and there are many similarities in the order, words and actions of the liturgies. No other liturgy other that those within the Catholic Church that can trace their liturgies back to either the apostles or disciples of the apostles

Why should we preserve our Rite (The Roman Rite)? (GIRM 397) The Roman Rite constitutes a notable and precious part of the liturgical treasure and patrimony of the Catholic Church; its riches are conducive to the good of the universal Church, so that their loss would gravely harm her. This Rite has in the course of the centuries not only preserved the liturgical usages that arose in the city of Rome, but has also in a deep, organic, and harmonious way integrated into itself certain other usages derived from the customs and culture of different peoples and of various particular Churches whether of the West or the East, so acquiring a certain supra-regional character. As to our own times, the identity and unitary expression of this Rite is found in the typical editions of the liturgical books promulgated by authority of the Supreme Pontiff, and in the liturgical books corresponding to them approved for their territories by the Conferences of Bishops and endowed with the recognition of the Apostolic See.

Who has the right to make adaptations to the General Instruction and in the Order of Mass? What changes are they permitted to make? (GIRM 390) It is for the Conferences of Bishops to formulate the adaptations indicated in this General Instruction and in the Order of Mass and, once their decisions have been accorded the recognitio of the Apostolic See, to introduce them into the Missal itself. They are such as these:
– the gestures and bodily posture of the faithful (cf. no. 43);
– the gestures of veneration toward the altar and the Book of the Gospels (cf. no. 273);
– the texts of the chants at the Entrance, at the Presentation of the Gifts, and at Communion
(cf. nos. 48, 74, 87);
– the readings from Sacred Scripture to be used in special circumstances (cf. no. 362);
– the form of the gesture of peace (cf. no. 82);
– the manner of receiving Holy Communion (cf. nos. 160, 283);
– the materials for the altar and sacred furnishings, especially the sacred vessels, and also the
materials, form, and color of the liturgical vestments (cf. nos. 301, 326, 329, 339, 342-346).
It shall be permissible for Directories or pastoral Instructions that the Conferences of Bishops
judge useful to be included, with the prior recognitio of the Apostolic See, in the Roman Missal at an
appropriate place.
 
We all have a part in the Mass, how should we carry that out? (GIRM 91) All, therefore, whether ordained ministers or lay Christian faithful, in fulfilling their function or their duty, should carry out solely but totally that which pertains to them.

What is the result if we all carry out our role well? (GIRM 352) The pastoral effectiveness of a celebration will be greatly increased if the texts of the readings, the prayers, and the liturgical chants correspond as aptly as possible to the needs, the preparation, and the culture of the participants. This will be achieved by appropriate use of the many possibilities of choice described below. Hence in arranging the celebration of Mass, the Priest should be attentive rather to the common spiritual good of the People of God than to his own inclinations. He should also remember that choices of this kind are to be made in harmony with those who exercise some part in the celebration, including the faithful, as regards the parts that more directly pertain to them. Since, indeed, many possibilities are provided for choosing the different parts of the Mass, it is necessary for the Deacon, the readers, the psalmist, the cantor, the commentator, and the choir to know properly before the celebration the texts that concern each and that are to be used, and it is necessary that nothing be in any sense improvised. For harmonious ordering and carrying out of the rites will greatly help in disposing the faithful for participation in the Eucharist.

[i] Catechism of the Catholic Church; 1203