What does missal mean?
A missal is a book containing the order of service and prescribed texts for the Mass. Its name comes from the Latin missalis, meaning “of or relating to the Mass,” and it is especially associated with Roman Catholic worship. A missal may contain the priest's readings, prayers, responses, and other material required for celebrating the Mass, with specific editions differing according to the liturgical calendar and the local church's approved text. Historically, illuminated missals were valuable works of manuscript art as well as practical religious objects, and many surviving examples date from the Middle Ages. Today, printed missals remain used in Catholic churches, especially for the principal liturgical celebrations, while their distinctive role in the service is less familiar to many people. The word therefore refers specifically to a sacred service book, not to a general book about religious services.
nounA book containing the order of service and liturgical texts for the Mass, especially the Roman Catholic Mass.
- A book containing the order of service and liturgical texts for the Mass, especially the Roman Catholic Mass.
"The priest opened the missal and began the Mass."
"The monastery preserved a beautifully illuminated medieval missal."
"During the service, the congregation followed the responses in the missal."
The plural is used when referring to multiple liturgical books or different editions of the work.
"The collection includes missals from several medieval churches."
A missal does not contain the Mass itself; it contains the text and order of the Mass.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does missal come from?
The English word entered use in the late Middle English period, borrowed through ecclesiastical Latin from missalis, “pertaining to the Mass.” The Latin missalis was formed from missa, the term for the Eucharistic service. Latin missa is ultimately connected with mittere, “to send,” and also underlies related forms such as mission and missionary.
Related word forms
How missal is actually used
The term is principally associated with Roman Catholic worship, though it has also been used for books containing the order of services in other Christian traditions. In ordinary use, it usually refers to the Roman missal rather than a separate missal for a particular occasion.
Easily confused with missal
A missal is a liturgical book used in the Mass, whereas a missile is a weapon that is propelled through the air.