A missal is a liturgical book containing instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the liturgical year. Versions differ across liturgical tradition, period, and purpose, with some missals intended to enable a priest to celebrate Mass publicly and others for private and lay use. The texts of the most common Eucharistic liturgy in the world, the Catholic Church's Mass of Paul VI of the Roman Rite, are contained in the 1970 edition of the Roman Missal.
The Missal, a 1902 portrait by John William Waterhouse
A page from the Sherbrooke Missal, one of the earliest surviving missals written in English
Seven missals from various liturgical families and denominations
The Anglican Missal sitting on an altar desk in an Anglican parish church
A liturgical book, or service book, is a book published by the authority of a church body that contains the text and directions for the liturgy of its official religious services.
Manuscript of the Introit of the Mass (Florence, Italy).
Excerpt from the missal, a liturgical book, of the Sint-Pieters abbey (Ghent), manufactured in the 13th century. Manuscript preserved in the Ghent University Library.
Early 16th century choirbook with Josquin's Missa de Beata Virgine (Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, MS Cappella Sistina 45, folios 1v–2r.).
A decorative 14th century Missal of English origin, F. 1r. Sherbrooke Missal
