Opening Prayer or Collect

136. The Opening Prayer is the first of "the presidential prayers" which is given by the priest (IG 30). Everyone present listens with attention, there should be no other prayer or liturgical song, and the organ or other instruments should not be played (IG 32). After the invitation Let us Pray all pray in silence. [The English translations of the GIRM 32 and IG 54 seem to have omitted part of the sentence emphasising this: "et omnes una cum sacerdote parumper silent, ut conscii fiant se in conspectu Dei stare, et vota sua in animo possint nuncupare".]

137. The Opening Prayer should always end with "for ever and ever" (or "per omnia saecula saeculorum") to which the response is "Amen". The 1975 GIRM 11 (DOL 1401) had:

It is also up to the priest in the exercise of his office of presiding over the assembly to pronounce the instructions and words of introduction and conclusion that are provided in the rites themselves. By their very nature these introductions do not need to be expressed verbatim in the form in which they are given in the Missal; at least in certain cases it will be advisable to adapt them somewhat to the concrete situation of the community. (Footnote: See SCDW, Circular letter on the Eucharistic prayers, 27 April 1973, no. 14 [DOL 248 no. 1988].)

139. This has been replaced by IG 31:

It is also up to the priest in the exercise of his office of presiding over the assembly to pronounce the instructions that are provided in the rites themselves. Where it is indicated in the rubrics, the celebrant is permitted to adapt to some extent these remarks ...

140. So the provision for the celebrant to change the words of introduction and conclusion has been removed.

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