The new Canadian English-language version of the third typical edition of the Roman Missal was launched at the CCCB Plenary on Monday evening, 17 October 2011. The President of the CCCB, Bishop Pierre Morissette, presented a copy of the new Missal to Archbishop Pedro López Quintana, Apostolic Nuncio to Canada.

Shipment of the Missal to Canadian parishes began today, 18 October 2011.

Your Excellency,

This is a wonderful moment in the life of our Conference – the launching of the English-language version of the third typical edition of the Roman Missal. In a few moments, I will present you with the second copy that was printed. The first copy is receiving a special binding, and will be given to the Holy Father during an audience this November when he receives the Presidency of our Conference.

This one book represents many days (and nights!) of work. It is a shared editorial enterprise, involving the Bishops across Canada and their diocesan offices; the English Sector Commission for Liturgy and the Sacraments; and the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. All that was synchronized and assisted by the staff of the National Liturgy Office of our Conference. Its director Father Bill Burke has also spent weeks outside his office, helping to lead workshops in the English Sector dioceses of our country. Thus our Liturgy Office has been involved not only in the editorial preparations, but also assisting Bishops, their clergy and diocesan staff in preparing to implement the Missal.

This book has also involved many days (and nights!) of dedicated work by the staff of our Publications Service. It included proofreading; layout and design; negotiations with printers and binders; copyright permissions; selecting paper, ribbons, tabs and cover materials; and coordinating suppliers. All that was synchronized by our Publications Director, Dr. Glenn Byer. Among the principal suppliers are the Gagliano family who own St Joseph Communications, in Concord, Ontario, and its printing press in Ottawa. As well, there are Multi Reliure bindery in Shawinigan, and Papillon Ribbon in Montreal. Our Publications Office too is preparing materials to help implement the Missal.

We wish to congratulate, and thank, each supplier and the departments of our Conference for their cooperation with our Executive Committee and the General Secretary in ensuring the final product was delivered a month ahead of schedule.

All of us are proud of the new Missal that our Conference has published for the Church in Canada. Its excellence and quality make it truly worthy to be the only version of the English-language Missal that the Holy See and the Bishops of Canada have approved for use in our country.

Your Excellency, with great pleasure and pride, on behalf of our Conference, I present you with this copy of the new Canadian English-language edition of our Roman Missal.

+ Pierre Morissette
Bishop of Saint-Jérôme
President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops