| 21 January, 1981
Preamble
Chapter I: General Principles for
the Liturgical Celebration
1. Certain Preliminaries
2. Liturgical Celebration of the Word of God
3. The Word of God in the Life of the People of the Covenant
First Part: The Word of God in the Celebration of
Mass
Chapter II: The Celebration of the
Liturgy of the Word at Mass
1. The Elements of the Liturgy of the Word and Their Rites
2. Aids to the Proper Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word
Chapter III: Offices and
Ministries in the Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word within Mass
1. The Function of the President at the Liturgy of the Word
2. The Role of the Faithful in the Liturgy of the Word
3. Ministries in the Liturgy of the Word
Second Part: The Structure of the Order of
Readings for Mass
Chapter IV: The General
Arrangement of Readings for Mass
1. The Pastoral Purpose of the Order of Readings for Mass
2. The Principles of Composition of the Order of Readings for
Mass
3. Principles to Be Followed in the Use of the Order of Reading
Chapter V: Description of the
Order of Readings
1. Advent
2. The Christmas Season
3. Lent
4. The Sacred Triduum and the Easter Season
5. "Ordinary Time"
Chapter VI: Adaptations,
Translations and Format of the Order of Readings
1. Adaptations and Translations
2. The Format of Individual Readings
Endnotes
Preamble
Chapter I: General Principles for
the Liturgical Celebration
1. Certain Preliminaries
a) The Importance of the Word of God in Liturgical Celebration
1. The Second Vatican Council,1 the magisterium of the
Popes,2 and various documents promulgated after the Council
by the organisms of the Holy See3 have already had many
excellent things to say about the importance of the word of God and
about reestablishing the use of Sacred Scripture in every celebration
of the Liturgy. The Introduction to the 1969 edition of the Order of
Readings for Mass has clearly stated and briefly explained some of the
more important principles.4 On the occasion of this new
edition of the Order of Readings for Mass, requests have come from
many quarters for a more detailed exposition of the same principles.
Hence, this expanded and more suitable arrangement of the Introduction
first gives a general statement on the essential bond between the word
of God and the liturgical celebration,5 then deals in
greater detail with the word of God in the celebration of Mass, and
finally explains the precise structure of the Order of Readings for
Mass.
b) Terms Used to Refer to the Word of God
2. For the sake of clear and precise language on this topic, a
definition of terms might well be expected as a prerequisite.
Nevertheless this Introduction will simply use the same terms employed
in conciliar and postconciliar documents. Furthermore it will use
"Sacred Scripture" and "word of God" interchangeably throughout when
referring to the books written under the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit, thus avoiding any confusion of language or meaning.6
c) The Significance of the Word of God in the Liturgy
3. The many riches contained in the one word of God are admirably
brought out in the different kinds of liturgical celebration and in
the different gatherings of the faithful who take part in those
celebrations. This takes place as the unfolding mystery of Christ is
recalled during the course of the liturgical year, as the Church's
sacraments and sacramentals are celebrated, or as the faithful respond
individually to the Holy Spirit working within them.7 For
then the liturgical celebration, founded primarily on the word of God
and sustained by it, becomes a new event and enriches the word itself
with new meaning and power. Thus in the Liturgy the Church faithfully
adheres to the way Christ himself read and explained the Sacred
Scriptures, beginning with the "today" of his coming forward in the
synagogue and urging all to search the Scriptures.8
2. Liturgical Celebration of the Word of God
a) The Proper Character of the Word of God in the Liturgical
Celebration
4. In the celebration of the Liturgy the word of God is not
announced in only one way9 nor does it always stir the
hearts of the hearers with the same efficacy. Always, however, Christ
is present in his word,10 as he carries out the mystery of
salvation, sanctifies humanity and offers the Father perfect worship.11
Moreover, the word of God unceasingly calls to mind and extends the
economy of salvation, which achieves its fullest expression in the
Liturgy. The liturgical celebration becomes therefore the continuing,
complete, and effective presentation of God's word. The word of God
constantly proclaimed in the Liturgy is always, then, a living and
effective word12 through the power of the Holy Spirit. It
expresses the Father's love that never fails in its effectiveness
toward us.
b) The Word of God in the Economy of Salvation
5. When in celebrating the Liturgy the Church proclaims both the
Old and New Testament, it is proclaiming one and the same mystery of
Christ. The New Testament lies hidden in the Old; the Old Testament
comes fully to light in the New.13 Christ himself is the
center and fullness of the whole of Scripture, just as he is of all
liturgical celebration.14 Thus the Scriptures are the
living waters from which all who seek life and salvation must drink.
The more profound our understanding of the celebration of the liturgy,
the higher our appreciation of the importance of God's word. Whatever
we say of the one, we can in turn say of the other, because each
recalls the mystery of Christ and each in its own way causes the
mystery to be carried forward.
c) The Word of God in the Liturgical Participation of the Faithful
6. In celebrating the Liturgy the Church faithfully echoes the
"Amen" that Christ, the mediator between God and men and women,
uttered once for all as he shed his blood to seal God's new covenant
in the Holy Spirit.15 When God communicates his word, he
expects a response, one, that is, of listening and adoring "in Spirit
and in truth" (Jn 4:23). The Holy Spirit makes that response
effective, so that what is heard in the celebration of the Liturgy may
be carried out in a way of life: "Be doers of the word and not hearers
only" (Jas 1:22). The liturgical celebration and the participation of
the faithful receive outward expression in actions, gestures, and
words. These derive their full meaning not simply from their origin in
human experience but from the word of God and the economy of
salvation, to which they refer. Accordingly, the participation of the
faithful in the Liturgy increases to the degree that, as they listen
to the word of God proclaimed in the Liturgy, they strive harder to
commit themselves to the Word of God incarnate in Christ. Thus, they
endeavor to conform their way of life to what they celebrate in the
Liturgy, and then in turn to bring to the celebration of the Liturgy
all that they do in life.16
3. The Word of God in the Life of the People of the Covenant
a) The Word of God in the Life of the Church
7. In the hearing of God's word the Church is built up and grows,
and in the signs of the liturgical celebration God's wonderful, past
works in the history of salvation are presented anew as mysterious
realities. God in turn makes use of the congregation of the faithful
that celebrates the Liturgy in order that his word may speed on and be
glorified and that his name be exalted among the nations.17
Whenever, therefore, the Church, gathered by the Holy Spirit for
liturgical celebration,18 announces and proclaims the word
of God, she is aware of being a new people in whom the covenant made
in the past is perfected and fulfilled. Baptism and confirmation in
the Spirit have made all Christ's faithful into messengers of God's
word because of the grace of hearing they have received. They must
therefore be the bearers of the same word in the Church and in the
world, at least by the witness of their lives. The word of God
proclaimed in the celebration of God's mysteries does not only address
present conditions but looks back to past events and forward to what
is yet to come. Thus God's word shows us what we should hope for with
such a longing that in this changing world our hearts will be set on
the place where our true joys lie.19
b) The Church's Explanation of the Word of God
8. By Christ's own will there is a marvelous diversity of members
in the new people of God and each has different duties and
responsibilities with respect to the word of God. Accordingly, the
faithful listen to God's word and meditate on it, but only those who
have the office of teaching by virtue of sacred ordination or who have
been entrusted with exercising that ministry expound the word of God.
This is how in doctrine, life, and worship the Church keeps alive and
passes on to every generation all that she is, all that she believes.
Thus with the passage of the centuries, the Church is ever to advance
toward the fullness of divine truth until God's word is wholly
accomplished in it.20
c) The Connection Between the Word of God Proclaimed and the
Working of the Holy Spirit
9. The working of the Holy Spirit is needed if the word of God is
to make what we hear outwardly have its effect inwardly. Because of
the Holy Spirit's inspiration and support, the word of God becomes the
foundation of the liturgical celebration and the rule and support of
all our life. The working of the Holy Spirit precedes, accompanies,
and brings to completion the whole celebration of the Liturgy. But the
Spirit also brings home21 to each person individually
everything that in the proclamation of the word of God is spoken for
the good of the whole gathering of the faithful. In strengthening the
unity of all, the Holy Spirit at the same time fosters a diversity of
gifts and furthers their multiform operation.
d) The Essential Bond Between the Word of God and the Mystery of
the Eucharist
10. The Church has honored the word of God and the Eucharistic
mystery with the same reverence, although not with the same worship,
and has always and everywhere insisted upon and sanctioned such honor.
Moved by the example of its Founder, the Church has never ceased to
celebrate his paschal mystery by coming together to read "what
referred to him in all the Scriptures" (Lk 24:27) and to carry out the
work of salvation through the celebration of the memorial of the Lord
and through the sacraments. "The preaching of the word is necessary
for the ministry of the sacraments, for these are sacraments of faith,
which is born and nourished from the word."22 The Church is
nourished spiritually at the twofold table of God's word and of the
Eucharist:23 from the one it grows in wisdom and from the
other in holiness. In the word of God the divine covenant is
announced; in the Eucharist the new and everlasting covenant is
renewed. On the one hand the history of salvation is brought to mind
by means of human sounds; on the other it is made manifest in the
sacramental signs of the Liturgy. It can never be forgotten,
therefore, that the divine word read and proclaimed by the Church in
the Liturgy has as its one purpose the sacrifice of the New Covenant
and the banquet of grace, that is, the Eucharist. The celebration of
Mass in which the word is heard and the Eucharist is offered and
received forms but one single act of divine worship.24 That
act offers the sacrifice of praise to God and makes available to God's
creatures the fullness of redemption.
First Part: The Word of God in the Celebration of Mass
Chapter II: The Celebration of
the Liturgy of the Word at Mass
1. The Elements of the Liturgy of the Word and Their Rites
11. "Readings from Sacred Scripture and the chants between the
readings form the main part of the liturgy of the word. The homily,
the profession of faith, and the universal prayer or prayer of the
faithful carry it forward and conclude it."25
a) The
Biblical Readings
12. In the celebration of Mass the biblical readings with their
accompanying chants from the Sacred Scriptures may not be omitted,
shortened, or, worse still, replaced by nonbiblical readings.26
For it is out of the word of God handed down in writing that even now
"God speaks to his people"27 and it is from the continued
use of Sacred Scripture that the people of God, docile to the Holy
Spirit under the light of faith, is enabled to bear witness to Christ
before the world by its manner of life.
13. The reading of the Gospel is the high point of the liturgy of
the word. For this the other readings, in their established sequence
from the Old to the New Testament, prepare the assembly.
14. A speaking style on the part of the readers that is audible,
clear, and intelligent is the first means of transmitting the word of
God properly to the congregation. The readings, taken from the
approved editions,28 may be sung in a way suited to
different languages. This singing, however, must serve to bring out
the sense of the words, not obscure them. On occasions when the
readings are in Latin, the manner given in the Ordo cantus Missae
is to be maintained.29
15. There may be concise introductions before the readings,
especially the first. The style proper to such comments must be
respected, that is, they must be simple, faithful to the text, brief,
well prepared, and properly varied to suit the text they introduce.30
16. In a Mass with the people the readings are always to be
proclaimed at the ambo.31
17. Of all the rites connected with the liturgy of the word, the
reverence due to the Gospel reading must receive special attention.32
Where there is an Evangeliary or Book of Gospels that has been carried
in by the deacon or reader during the entry procession,33
it is most fitting that the deacon or a priest, when there is no
deacon, take the book from the altar34 and carry it to the
ambo. He is preceded by servers with candles and incense or other
symbols of reverence that may be customary. As the faithful stand and
acclaim the Lord, they show honor to the Book of Gospels. The deacon
who is to read the Gospel, bowing in front of the one presiding, asks
and receives the blessing. When no deacon is present, the priest,
bowing before the altar, prays inaudibly, Almighty God, cleanse my
heart...35
At the ambo the one who proclaims the Gospel greets the people, who
are standing, and announces the reading as he makes the sign of the
cross on forehead, mouth, and breast. If incense is used, he next
incenses the book, then reads the Gospel. When finished, he kisses the
book, saying the appointed words inaudibly.
Even if the Gospel itself is not sung, it is appropriate for the
greeting The Lord be with you, and A reading from the holy
Gospel according to ..., and at the end The Gospel of the Lord
to be sung, in order that the congregation may also sing its
acclamations. This is a way both of bringing out the importance of the
Gospel reading and of stirring up the faith of those who hear it.
18. At the conclusion of the other readings, The word of the
Lord may be sung, even by someone other than the reader; all
respond with the acclamation. In this way the assembled congregation
pays reverence to the word of God it has listened to in faith and
gratitude.
b) The Responsorial Psalm
19. The responsorial psalm, also called the gradual, has great
liturgical and pastoral significance because it is an "integral part
of the liturgy of the word."36 Accordingly, the faithful
must be continually instructed on the way to perceive the word of God
speaking in the psalms and to turn these psalms into the prayer of the
Church. This, of course, "will be achieved more readily if a deeper
understanding of the psalms, according to the meaning with which they
are sung in the sacred Liturgy, is more diligently promoted among the
clergy and communicated to all the faithful by means of appropriate
catechesis."37
Brief remarks about the choice of the psalm and response as well as
their correspondence to the readings may be helpful.
20. As a rule the responsorial psalm should be sung. There are two
established ways of singing the psalm after the first reading:
responsorially and directly. In responsorial singing, which, as far as
possible, is to be given preference, the psalmist, or cantor of the
psalm, sings the psalm verse and the whole congregation joins in by
singing the response. In direct singing of the psalm there is no
intervening response by the community; either the psalmist, or cantor
of the psalm, sings the psalm alone as the community listens or else
all sing it together.
21. The singing of the psalm, or even of the response alone, is a
great help toward understanding and meditating on the psalm's
spiritual meaning.
To foster the congregation's singing, every means available in each
individual culture is to be employed. In particular, use is to be made
of all the relevant options provided in the Order of Readings for Mass38
regarding responses corresponding to the different liturgical seasons.
22. When not sung, the psalm after the reading is to be recited in
a manner conducive to meditation on the word of God.39 The
responsorial psalm is sung or recited by the psalmist or cantor at the
ambo.40
c) The Acclamation Before the Reading of the Gospel
23. The Alleluia or, as the liturgical season requires, the verse
before the Gospel is also a "rite or act standing by itself."41
It serves as the greeting of welcome of the assembled faithful to the
Lord who is about to speak to them and as an expression of their faith
through song. The Alleluia or the verse before the Gospel must be
sung, and during it all stand. It is not to be sung only by the cantor
who intones it or by the choir, but by the whole of the people
together.42
d) The Homily
24. Through the course of the liturgical year the homily sets forth
the mysteries of faith and the standards of the Christian life on the
basis of the sacred text. Beginning with the Constitution on the
Liturgy, the homily as part of the liturgy of the word43
has been repeatedly and strongly recommended and in some cases it is
obligatory. As a rule it is to be given by the one presiding.44
The purpose of the homily at Mass is that the spoken word of God and
the liturgy of the Eucharist may together become "a proclamation of
God's wonderful works in the history of salvation, the mystery of
Christ."45 Through the readings and homily Christ's paschal
mystery is proclaimed; through the sacrifice of the Mass it becomes
present.46 Moreover Christ himself is always present and
active in the preaching of his Church.47
Whether the homily explains the text of the Sacred Scriptures
proclaimed in the readings or some other text of the Liturgy,48
it must always lead the community of the faithful to celebrate the
Eucharist actively, "so that they may hold fast in their lives to what
they have grasped by faith."49 From this living
explanation, the word of God proclaimed in the readings and the
Church's celebration of the day's Liturgy will have greater impact.
But this demands that the homily be truly the fruit of meditation,
carefully prepared, neither too long nor too short, and suited to all
those present, even children and the uneducated.50
At a concelebration, the celebrant or one of the concelebrants as a
rule gives the homily.51
25. On the prescribed days, that is, Sundays and holydays of
obligation, there must be a homily in all Masses celebrated with a
congregation, even Masses on the preceding evening; the homily may not
be omitted without a serious reason.52 There is also to be
a homily in Masses with children and with special groups.53
A homily is strongly recommended on the weekdays of Advent, Lent, and
the Easter season for the sake of the faithful who regularly take part
in the celebration of Mass; also on other feasts and occasions when a
large congregation is present.54
26. The priest celebrant gives the homily, standing either at the
chair or at the ambo.55
27. Any necessary announcements are to be kept completely separate
from the homily; they must take place following the prayer after
Communion.56
e) Silence
28. The liturgy of the word must be celebrated in a way that
fosters meditation; clearly, any sort of haste that hinders
recollection must be avoided. The dialogue between God and his people
taking place through the Holy Spirit demands short intervals of
silence, suited to the assembled congregation, as an opportunity to
take the word of God to heart and to prepare a response to it in
prayer.
Proper times for silence during the liturgy of the word are, for
example, before this liturgy begins, after the first and the second
reading, after the homily.57
f) The Profession of Faith
29. The symbol, creed or profession of faith, said when the rubrics
require, has as its purpose in the celebration of Mass that the
assembled congregation may respond and give assent to the word of God
heard in the readings and through the homily, and that before
beginning to celebrate in the Eucharist the mystery of faith it may
call to mind the rule of faith in a formulary approved by the Church.58
g) The Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful
30. In the light of God's word and in a sense in response to it,
the congregation of the faithful prays in the universal prayer as a
rule for the needs of the universal Church and the local community,
for the salvation of the world and those oppressed by any burden, and
for special categories of people.
The celebrant introduces the prayer; a deacon, another minister, or
some of the faithful may propose intentions that are short and phrased
with a measure of freedom. In these petitions "the people, exercising
its priestly function, makes intercession for all men and women,"59
with the result that, as the liturgy of the word has its full effects
in the faithful, they are better prepared to proceed to the liturgy of
the Eucharist.
31. For the prayer of the faithful the celebrant presides at the
chair and the intentions are announced at the ambo.60 The
assembled congregation takes part in the prayer of the faithful while
standing and by saying or singing a common response after each
intention or by silent prayer.61
2. Aids to the Proper Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word
a) The Place for the Proclamation of the Word of God
32. There must be a place in the church that is somewhat elevated,
fixed, and of a suitable design and nobility. It should reflect the
dignity of God's word and be a clear reminder to the people that in
the Mass the table of God's word and of Christ's body is placed before
them.62 The place for the readings must also truly help the
people's listening and attention during the liturgy of the word. Great
pains must therefore be taken, in keeping with the design of each
church, over the harmonious and close relationship of the ambo with
the altar.
33. Either permanently or at least on occasions of greater
solemnity, the ambo should be decorated simply and in keeping with its
design.
Since the ambo is the place from which the word of God is
proclaimed by the ministers, it must of its nature be reserved for the
readings, the responsorial psalm, and the Easter Proclamation (the
Exsultet). The ambo may rightly be used for the homily and the
prayer of the faithful, however, because of their close connection
with the entire liturgy of the word. It is better for the commentator,
cantor, or director of singing, for example, not to use the ambo.63
34. In order that the ambo may properly serve its liturgical
purpose, it is to be rather large, since on occasion several ministers
must use it at the same time. Provision must also be made for the
readers to have enough light to read the text and, as required, to
have modern sound equipment enabling the faithful to hear them without
difficulty.
b) The Books for Proclamation of the Word of God in the Liturgy
35. Along with the ministers, the actions, the allocated places,
and other elements, the books containing the readings of the word of
God remind the hearers of the presence of God speaking to his people.
Since in liturgical celebrations the books too serve as signs and
symbols of the higher realities, care must be taken to ensure that
they truly are worthy, dignified and beautiful.64
36. The proclamation of the Gospel always stands as the high point
of the liturgy of the word. Thus the liturgical tradition of both West
and East has consistently made a certain distinction between the books
for the readings. The Book of Gospels was always fabricated and
decorated with the utmost care and shown greater respect than any of
the other books of readings. In our times also, then, it is very
desirable that cathedrals and at least the larger, more populous
parishes and the churches with a larger attendance possess a
beautifully designed Book of Gospels, separate from any other book of
readings. For good reason it is the Book of Gospels that is presented
to a deacon at his ordination and that at an ordination to the
episcopate is laid upon the head of the bishop-elect and held there.65
37. Because of the dignity of the word of God, the books of
readings used in the celebration are not to be replaced by other
pastoral aids, for example, by leaflets printed for the preparation of
the readings by the faithful or for their personal meditation.
Chapter III: Offices and
Ministries in the Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word within Mass
1. The Function of the President at the Liturgy of the Word
38. The one presiding at the liturgy of the word communicates the
spiritual nourishment it contains to those present, especially in the
homily. Even if he too is a listener to the word of God proclaimed by
others, the duty of proclaiming it has been entrusted above all to
him. Personally or through others he sees to it that the word of God
is properly proclaimed. He then as a rule reserves to himself the
tasks of composing comments to help the people listen more attentively
and of preaching a homily that fosters in them a richer understanding
of the word of God.
39. The first requirement for one who is to preside over the
celebration is a thorough knowledge of the structure of the Order of
Readings, so that he will know how to work a fruitful effect in the
hearts of the faithful. Through study and prayer he must also develop
a full understanding of the coordination and connection of the various
texts in the liturgy of the word, so that the Order of Readings will
become the source of a sound understanding of the mystery of Christ
and his saving work.
40. The one presiding is to make ready use of the various options
provided in the Lectionary regarding readings, responses, responsorial
psalms, and Gospel acclamations;66 but he is to do so in
harmony67 with all concerned and after listening to the
opinions of the faithful in what concerns them.68
41. The one presiding exercises his proper office and the ministry
of the word of God also as he preaches the homily.69 In
this way he leads his brothers and sisters to an affective knowledge
of Scripture. He opens their minds to thanksgiving for the wonderful
works of God. He strengthens the faith of those present in the word
that in the celebration becomes sacrament through the Holy Spirit.
Finally, he prepares them for a fruitful reception of Communion and
invites them to take upon themselves the demands of the Christian
life.
42. The president is responsible for preparing the faithful for the
liturgy of the word on occasion by means of introductions before the
readings.70 These comments can help the assembled
congregation toward a better hearing of the word of God, because they
stir up an attitude of faith and good will. He may also carry out this
responsibility through others, a deacon, for example, or a
commentator.71
43. As he directs the prayer of the faithful and through their
introduction and conclusion connects them, if possible, with the day's
readings and the homily, the president leads the faithful toward the
liturgy of the Eucharist.72
2. The Role of the Faithful in the Liturgy of the Word
44. Christ's word gathers the people of God as one and increases
and sustains them. "This applies above all to the liturgy of the word
in the celebration of Mass, where there are inseparably united the
proclamation of the death of the Lord, the response of the people
listening, and the very offering through which Christ has confirmed
the New Covenant in his Blood, and in which the people share by their
intentions and by reception of the sacrament."73 For "not
only when things are read 'that were written for our instruction' (Rom
15:4), but also when the Church prays or sings or acts, the faith of
those taking part is nourished and their minds are raised to God, so
that they may offer him rightful worship and receive his grace more
abundantly."74
45. In the liturgy of the word, the congregation of Christ's
faithful even today receives from God the word of his covenant through
the faith that comes by hearing, and must respond to that word in
faith, so that they may become more and more truly the people of the
New Covenant. The people of God have a spiritual right to receive
abundantly from the treasury of God's word. Its riches are presented
to them through use of the Order of Readings, the homily, and pastoral
efforts. For their part, the faithful at the celebration of Mass are
to listen to the word of God with an inward and outward reverence that
will bring them continuous growth in the spiritual life and draw them
more deeply into the mystery which is celebrated.75
46. As a help toward celebrating the memorial of the Lord with
eager devotion, the faithful should be keenly aware of the one
presence of Christ in both the word of God - it is he himself "who
speaks when the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church" - and "above
all under the Eucharistic species."76
47. To be received and integrated into the life of Christ's
faithful, the word of God demands a living faith.77 Hearing
the word of God unceasingly proclaimed arouses that faith.
The Sacred Scriptures, above all in their liturgical proclamation,
are the source of life and strength. As the Apostle Paul attests, the
Gospel is the saving power of God for everyone who believes.78
Love of the Scriptures is therefore a force reinvigorating and
renewing the entire people of God.79 All the faithful
without exception must therefore always be ready to listen gladly to
God's word.80 When this word is proclaimed in the Church
and put into living practice, it enlightens the faithful through the
working of the Holy Spirit and draws them into the entire mystery of
the Lord as a reality to be lived.81 The word of God
reverently received moves the heart and its desires toward conversion
and toward a life resplendent with both individual and community
faith,82 since God's word is the food of Christian life and
the source of the prayer of the whole Church.83
48. The intimate connection between the liturgy of the word and the
liturgy of the Eucharist in the Mass should prompt the faithful to be
present right from the beginning of the celebration.84 to
take part attentively, and to prepare themselves in so far as possible
to hear the word, especially by learning beforehand more about Sacred
Scripture. That same connection should also awaken in them a desire
for a liturgical understanding of the texts read and a readiness to
respond through singing.85
When they hear the word of God and reflect deeply on it, Christ's
faithful are enabled to respond to it actively with full faith, hope,
and charity through prayer and self-giving, and not only during Mass
but in their entire Christian life.
3. Ministries in the Liturgy of the Word
49. Liturgical tradition assigns responsibility for the biblical
readings in the celebration of Mass to ministers: to readers and the
deacon. But when there is no deacon or no other priest present, the
priest celebrant is to read the Gospel86 and, when there is
no reader present, all the readings.87
50. It pertains to the deacon in the liturgy of the word at Mass to
proclaim the Gospel, sometimes to give the homily, as occasion
suggests, and to propose to the people the intentions of the prayer of
the faithful.88
51. "The reader has his own proper function in the Eucharistic
celebration and should exercise this even though ministers of a higher
rank may be present."89 The ministry of reader, conferred
through a liturgical rite, must be held in respect. When there are
instituted readers available, they are to carry out their office at
least on Sundays and festive days, especially at the principal Mass of
the day. These readers may also be given responsibility for assisting
in the arrangement of the liturgy of the word, and, to the extent
necessary, of seeing to the preparation of others of the faithful who
may be appointed on a given occasion to read at Mass.90
52. The liturgical assembly truly requires readers, even those not
instituted. Proper measures must therefore be taken to ensure that
there are certain suitable laypeople who have been trained to carry
out this ministry.91 Whenever there is more than one
reading, it is better to assign the readings to different readers, if
available.
53. In Masses without a deacon, the function of announcing the
intentions for the prayer of the faithful is to be assigned to the
cantor, particularly when they are to be sung, to a reader, or to
someone else.92
54. During the celebration of Mass with a congregation a second
priest, a deacon, and an instituted reader must wear the distinctive
vestment of their office when they go up to the ambo to read the word
of God. Those who carry out the ministry of reader just for the
occasion or even regularly but without institution may go to the ambo
in ordinary attire, but this should be in keeping with the customs of
the different regions.
55. "It is necessary that those who exercise the ministry of
reader, even if they have not received institution, be truly suited
and carefully prepared, so that the faithful may develop a warm and
living love for Sacred Scripture from listening to the sacred
readings."93 Their preparation must above all be spiritual,
but what may be called a technical preparation is also needed. The
spiritual preparation presupposes at least a biblical and liturgical
formation. The purpose of their biblical formation is to give readers
the ability to understand the readings in context and to perceive by
the light of faith the central point of the revealed message. The
liturgical formation ought to equip the readers to have some grasp of
the meaning and structure of the liturgy of the word and of the
significance of its connection with the liturgy of the Eucharist. The
technical preparation should make the readers more skilled in the art
of reading publicly, either with the power of their own voice or with
the help of sound equipment.
56. The psalmist, or cantor of the psalm, is responsible for
singing, responsorially or directly, the chants between the readings -
the psalm or other biblical canticle, the gradual and Alleluia, or
other chant. The psalmist may, as occasion requires, intone the
Alleluia and verse.94 For carrying out the function of
psalmist it is advantageous to have in each ecclesial community
laypeople with the ability to sing and read with correct diction. The
points made about the formation of readers apply to cantors as well.
57. The commentator also fulfills a genuine liturgical ministry,
which consists in presenting to the congregation of the faithful, from
a suitable place, relevant explanations and comments that are clear,
of marked sobriety, meticulously prepared, and as a rule written out
and approved beforehand by the celebrant.95
Second Part: The structure of the Order of Readings for Mass
Chapter IV: The General
Arrangement of Readings for Mass
1. The Pastoral Purpose of the Order of Readings for Mass
58. On the basis of the intention of the Second Vatican Council,
the Order of Readings provided by the Lectionary of the Roman Missal
has been composed above all for a pastoral purpose. To achieve this
aim, not only the principles underlying this new Order of Readings but
also the lists of texts that it provides have been discussed and
revised over and over again, with the cooperation of a great many
experts in exegetical, liturgical, catechetical, and pastoral studies
from all parts of the world. The Order of Readings is the fruit of
this combined effort.
The prolonged use of this Order of Readings to proclaim and explain
Sacred Scripture in the Eucharistic celebration will, it is hoped,
prove to be an effective step toward achieving the objective stated
repeatedly by the Second Vatican Council.96
59. The decision on revising the Lectionary for Mass was to draw up
and edit a single, rich, and full Order of Readings that would be in
complete accord with the intent and prescriptions of the Second
Vatican Council.97 At the same time, however, the Order was
meant to be of a kind that would meet the requirements and usages of
particular Churches and celebrating congregations. For this reason,
those responsible for the revision took pains to safeguard the
liturgical tradition of the Roman Rite, but valued highly the merits
of all the systems of selecting, arranging, and using the biblical
readings in other liturgical families and in certain particular
Churches. The revisers made use of those elements that experience has
confirmed, but with an effort to avoid certain shortcomings found in
the preceding form of the tradition.
60. The present Order of Readings for Mass, then, is an arrangement
of biblical readings that provides the faithful with a knowledge of
the whole of God's word, in a pattern suited to the purpose.
Throughout the liturgical year, but above all during the seasons of
Easter, Lent, and Advent, the choice and sequence of readings are
aimed at giving Christ's faithful an ever-deepening perception of the
faith they profess and of the history of salvation.98
Accordingly, the Order of Readings corresponds to the requirements and
interests of the Christian people.
61. The celebration of the Liturgy is not in itself simply a form
of catechesis, but it does contain an element of teaching. The
Lectionary of the Roman Missal brings this out99 and
therefore deserves to be regarded as a pedagogical resource aiding
catechesis.
This is so because the Order of Readings for Mass aptly presents
from Sacred Scripture the principal deeds and words belonging to the
history of salvation. As its many phases and events are recalled in
the liturgy of the word, it will become clear to the faithful that the
history of salvation is continued here and now in the representation
of Christ's paschal mystery celebrated through the Eucharist.
62. The pastoral advantage of having in the Roman Rite a single
Order of Readings for the Lectionary is obvious on other grounds. All
the faithful, particularly those who for various reasons do not always
take part in Mass with the same assembly, will everywhere be able to
hear the same readings on any given day or in any liturgical season
and to meditate on the application of these readings to their own
concrete circumstances. This is the case even in places that have no
priest and where a deacon or someone else deputed by the bishop
conducts a celebration of the word of God.100
63. Pastors may wish to respond specifically from the word of God
to the concerns of their own congregations. Although they must be
mindful that they are above all to be heralds of the entire mystery of
Christ and of the Gospel, they may rightfully use the options provided
in the Order of Readings for Mass. This applies particularly to the
celebration of a ritual or votive Mass, a Mass in honor of the Saints,
or one of the Masses for various needs and occasions. With due regard
for the general norms, special faculties are granted concerning the
readings in Masses celebrated for particular groups.101
2. The Principles of Composition of the Order of Readings for
Mass
64. To achieve the purpose of the Order of Readings for Mass, the
parts have been selected and arranged in such a way as to take into
account the sequence of the liturgical seasons and the hermeneutical
principles whose understanding and definition has been facilitated by
modern biblical research.
It was judged helpful to state here the principles guiding the
composition of the Order of Readings for Mass.
a) The Choice of Texts
65. The course of readings in the Proper of Seasons is arranged as
follows. Sundays and festive days present the more important biblical
passages. In this way the more significant parts of God's revealed
word can be read to the assembled faithful within an appropriate
period of time. Weekdays present a second series of texts from Sacred
Scripture and in a sense these complement the message of salvation
explained on festive days. But neither series in these main parts of
the Order of Readings
—
the series for Sundays and festive days and that for weekdays
—
is dependent on the other. The Order of Readings for Sundays and
festive days extends over three years; for weekdays, over two. Thus
each runs its course independently of the other.
The sequence of readings in other parts of the Order of Readings is
governed by its own rules. This applies to the series of readings for
celebrations of the Saints, ritual Masses, Masses for various needs
and occasions, votive Masses, or Masses for the dead.
b) The Arrangement of the Readings for Sundays and Festive Days
66. The following are features proper to the readings for Sundays
and festive days:
1. Each Mass has three readings: the first from the Old
Testament, the second from an Apostle (that is, either from a Letter
or from the Book of Revelation, depending on the season), and the
third from the Gospels. This arrangement brings out the unity of the
Old and New Testaments and of the history of salvation, in which
Christ is the central figure, commemorated in his paschal mystery.
2. A more varied and richer reading of Sacred Scripture on
Sundays and festive days results from the three-year cycle provided
for these days, in that the same texts are read only every fourth
year.102
3. The principles governing the Order of Readings for Sundays and
festive days are called the principles of "harmony" and of "semicontinuous
reading." One or the other applies according to the different
seasons of the year and the distinctive character of the particular
liturgical season.
67. The best instance of harmony between the Old and New Testament
readings occurs when it is one that Scripture itself suggests. This is
the case when the doctrine and events recounted in texts of the New
Testament bear a more or less explicit relationship to the doctrine
and events of the Old Testament. The present Order of Readings selects
Old Testament texts mainly because of their correlation with New
Testament texts read in the same Mass, and particularly with the
Gospel text.
Harmony of another kind exists between texts of the readings for
each Mass during Advent, Lent, and Easter, the seasons that have a
distinctive importance or character.
In contrast, the Sundays in Ordinary Time do not have a distinctive
character. Thus the text of both the apostolic and Gospel readings are
arranged in order of semicontinuous reading, whereas the Old Testament
reading is harmonized with the Gospel.
68. The decision was made not to extend to Sundays the arrangement
suited to the liturgical seasons mentioned, that is, not to have an
organic harmony of themes devised with a view to facilitating
homiletic instruction. Such an arrangement would be in conflict with
the genuine conception of liturgical celebration, which is always the
celebration of the mystery of Christ and which by its own tradition
makes use of the word of God not only at the prompting of logical or
extrinsic concerns but spurred by the desire to proclaim the Gospel
and to lead those who believe to the fullness of truth.
c) The Arrangement of the Readings for Weekdays
69. The weekday readings have been arranged in the following way.
1. Each Mass has two readings: the first is from the Old
Testament or from an Apostle (that is, either from a Letter or from
the Book of Revelation), and during the Easter season from the Acts
of the Apostles; the second, from the Gospels.
2. The yearly cycle for Lent has its own principles of
arrangement, which take into account the baptismal and penitential
character of this season.
3. The cycle for the weekdays of Advent, the Christmas season,
and the Easter season is also yearly and the readings thus remain
the same each year.
4. For the thirty-four weeks of Ordinary Time, the weekday Gospel
readings are arranged in a single cycle, repeated each year. But the
first reading is arranged in a two-year cycle and is thus read every
other year. Year I is used during odd-numbered years; Year II,
during even-numbered years. Like the Order for Sundays and festive
days, then, the weekday Order of Readings is governed by similar
application of the principles of harmony and of semicontinuous
reading, especially in the case of seasons with their own
distinctive character.
d) The Readings for Celebrations of the Saints
70. Two series of readings are provided for celebrations of the
Saints.
1. The Proper of Saints provides the first series, for
solemnities, feasts, or memorials and particularly when there are
proper texts for one or other such celebration. Sometimes in the
Proper, however, there is a reference to the most appropriate among
the texts in the Commons as the one to be given preference.
2. The Commons of Saints provide the second, more extensive group
of readings. There are, first, appropriate texts for the different
classes of Saints (martyrs, pastors, virgins, etc.), then numerous
texts that deal with holiness in general. These may be freely chosen
whenever the Commons are indicated as the source for the choice of
readings.
71. As to their sequence, all the texts in this part of the Order
of Readings appear in the order in which they are to be read at Mass.
Thus the Old Testament texts are first, then the texts from the
Apostles, followed by the psalms and verses between the readings, and
finally the texts from the Gospels. The rationale of this arrangement
is that, unless otherwise noted, the celebrant may choose at will from
such texts, in view of the pastoral needs of the congregation taking
part in the celebration.
e) Readings for Ritual Masses, Masses for Various Needs and
Occasions, Votive Masses, and Masses for the Dead
72. For ritual Masses, Masses for various needs and occasions,
votive Masses, and Masses for the dead, the texts for the readings are
arranged as just described, that is, numerous texts are grouped
together in the order of their use, as in the Commons of Saints.
f) The Main Criteria Applied in Choosing and Arranging the Readings
73. In addition to the guiding principles already given for the
arrangement of readings in the individual parts of the Order of
Readings, others of a more general nature follow.
1) The Reservation of Some Books to Particular Liturgical
Seasons
74. In this Order of Readings, some biblical books are set aside
for particular liturgical seasons on the basis both of the intrinsic
importance of subject matter and of liturgical tradition. For example,
the Western (Ambrosian and Hispanic) and Eastern tradition of reading
the Acts of the Apostles during the Easter season is maintained. This
usage results in a clear presentation of how the Church's entire life
derives its beginning from the paschal mystery. The tradition of both
West and East is also retained, namely the reading of the Gospel of
John in the latter weeks of Lent and in the Easter season. Tradition
assigns the reading of Isaiah, especially the first part, to Advent.
Some texts of this book, however, are read during the Christmas
season, to which the First Letter of John is also assigned.
2) The Length of the Texts
75. A middle way is followed in regard to the length of
texts. A distinction has been made between narratives, which require
reading a fairly long passage but which usually hold the attention of
the faithful, and texts that should not be lengthy because of the
profundity of their doctrine.
In the case of certain rather lengthy texts, longer and shorter
versions are provided to suit different situations. The editing of the
shorter version has been carried out with great caution.
3) Difficult Texts
76. In readings for Sundays and solemnities, texts that present
real difficulties are avoided for pastoral reasons. The difficulties
may be objective, in that the texts themselves raise profound
literary, critical, or exegetical problems; or the difficulties may
lie, at least to a certain extent, in the ability of the faithful to
understand the texts. But there could be no justification for
concealing from the faithful the spiritual riches of certain texts on
the grounds of difficulty if the problem arises from the inadequacy
either of the religious education that every Christian should have or
of the biblical formation that every pastor of souls should have.
Often a difficult reading is clarified by its correlation with another
in the same Mass.
4) The Omission of Certain Verses
77. The omission of verses in readings from Scripture has at times
been the tradition of many liturgies, including the Roman liturgy.
Admittedly such omissions may not be made lightly, for fear of
distorting the meaning of the text or the intent and style of
Scripture. Yet on pastoral grounds it was decided to continue the
traditional practice in the present Order of Readings, but at the same
time to ensure that the essential meaning of the text remained intact.
One reason for the decision is that otherwise some texts would have
been unduly long. It would also have been necessary to omit completely
certain readings of high spiritual value for the faithful because
those readings include some verse that is pastorally less useful or
that involves truly difficult questions.
3. Principles to Be Followed in the Use of the Order of Readings
a) The Freedom of Choice Regarding Some Texts
78. The Order of Readings sometimes leaves it to the celebrant to
choose between alternative texts or to choose one from the several
listed together for the same reading. The option seldom exists on
Sundays, solemnities, or feasts, in order not to obscure the character
proper to the particular liturgical season or needlessly interrupt the
semicontinuous reading of some biblical book. On the other hand, the
option is given readily in celebrations of the Saints, in ritual
Masses, Masses for various needs and occasions, votive Masses, and
Masses for the dead.
These options, together with those indicated in the General
Instruction of the Roman Missal and the Ordo cantus Missae,103
have a pastoral purpose. In arranging the liturgy of the word, then,
the priest should "consider the general spiritual good of the
congregation rather than his personal outlook. He should be mindful
that the choice of texts is to be made in harmony with the ministers
and others who have a role in the celebration and should listen to the
opinions of the faithful in what concerns them more directly."104
1) The Two Readings before the Gospel
79. In Masses to which three readings are assigned, all three are
to be used. If, however, for pastoral reasons the Conference of
Bishops has given permission for two readings only to be used,105
the choice between the two first readings is to be made in such a way
as to safeguard the Church's intent to instruct the faithful more
completely in the mystery of salvation. Thus, unless the contrary is
indicated in the text of the Lectionary, the reading to be chosen as
the first reading is the one that is more closely in harmony with the
Gospel, or, in accord with the intent just mentioned, the one that is
more helpful toward a coherent catechesis over an extended period, or
that preserves the semicontinuous reading of some biblical book.106
2) The Longer and Shorter Forms of Texts
80. A pastoral criterion must also guide the choice between the
longer and shorter forms of the same text. The main consideration must
be the capacity of the hearers to listen profitably either to the
longer or to the shorter reading; or to listen to a more complete text
that will be explained through the homily.
3) When Two Texts Are Provided
81. When a choice is allowed between alternative texts, whether
they are fixed or optional, the first consideration must be the best
interest of those taking part. It may be a matter of using the easier
texts or the one more relevant to the assembled congregation or, as
pastoral advantage may suggest, of repeating or replacing a text that
is assigned as proper to one celebration and optional to another. The
issue may arise when it is feared that some text will create
difficulties for a particular congregation or when the same text would
have to be repeated within a few days, as on a Sunday and on a day
during the week following.
4) The Weekday Readings
82. The arrangement of weekday readings provides texts for every
day of the week throughout the year. In most cases, therefore, these
readings are to be used on their assigned days, unless a solemnity, a
feast, or else a memorial with proper readings occurs.107
In using the Order of Readings for weekdays attention must be paid
to whether one reading or another from the same biblical book will
have to be omitted because of some celebration occurring during the
week. With the arrangement of readings for the entire week in mind,
the priest in that case arranges to omit the less significant passages
or combines them in the most appropriate manner with other readings,
if they contribute to an integral view of a particular theme.
5) The Celebrations of the Saints
83. When they exist, proper readings are given for celebrations of
the Saints, that is, biblical passages about the Saint or the mystery
that the Mass is celebrating. Even in the case of a memorial these
readings must take the place of the weekday readings for the same day.
This Order of Readings makes explicit note of every case of proper
readings on a memorial.
In some cases there are accommodated readings, those, namely, that
bring out some particular aspect of a Saint's spiritual life or work.
Use of such readings does not seem binding, except for compelling
pastoral reasons. For the most part references are given to readings
in the Commons in order to facilitate choice. But these are merely
suggestions: in place of an accommodated reading or the particular
reading proposed from a Common, any other reading from the Commons
referred to may be selected.
The first concern of a priest celebrating with a congregation is
the spiritual benefit of the faithful and he will be careful not to
impose his personal preference on them. Above all he will make sure
not to omit too often or without sufficient cause the readings
assigned for each day in the weekday Lectionary: the Church's desire
is that a more lavish table of the word of God be spread before the
faithful.108
There are also common readings, that is, those placed in the
Commons either for some determined class of Saints (martyrs, virgins,
pastors) or for the Saints in general. Because in these cases several
texts are listed for the same reading, it will be up to the priest to
choose the one best suited to those listening. In all celebrations of
Saints the readings may be taken not only from the Commons to which
the references are given in each case, but also from the Common of Men
and Women Saints, whenever there is special reason for doing so.
84. For celebrations of the Saints the following should be
observed:
1. On solemnities and feasts the readings must be those that are
given in the Proper or in the Commons. For solemnities and feasts of
the General Roman Calendar proper readings are always assigned.
2. On solemnities inscribed in particular calendars, three
readings are to be assigned, unless the Conference of Bishops has
decreed that there are to be only two readings.109 The
first reading is from the Old Testament (but during the Easter
season, from the Acts of the Apostles or the Book of Revelation);
the second, from an Apostle; the third, from the Gospels.
3. On feasts and memorials, which have only two readings, the
first reading can be chosen from either the Old Testament or from an
Apostle; the second is from the Gospels. Following the Church's
traditional practice, however, the first reading during the Easter
season is to be taken from an Apostle, the second, as far as
possible, from the Gospel of John.
6) Other Parts of the Order of Readings
85. In the Order of Readings for ritual Masses the references given
are to the texts already published for the individual rites. This
obviously does not include the texts belonging to celebrations that
must not be integrated with Mass.110
86. The Order of Readings for Masses for various needs and
occasions, votive Masses, and Masses for the dead provides many texts
that can be of assistance in adapting such celebrations to the
situation, circumstances, and concerns of the particular groups taking
part.111
87. In ritual Masses, Masses for various needs and occasions,
votive Masses, and Masses for the dead, since many texts are given for
the same reading, the choice of readings follows the criteria already
indicated for the choice of readings from the Common of Saints.
88. On a day when some ritual Mass is not permitted and when the
norms in the individual rite allow the choice of one reading from
those provided for ritual Masses, the general spiritual welfare of the
participants must be considered.112
b) The Responsorial Psalm and the acclamation Before the Gospel
Reading
89. Among the chants between the readings, the psalm which follows
the first reading is of great importance. As a rule the psalm to be
used is the one assigned to the reading. But in the case of readings
for the Common of Saints, ritual Masses, Masses for various needs and
occasions, votive Masses, and Masses for the dead the choice is left
up to the priest celebrating. He will base his choice on the principle
of the pastoral benefit of those present.
But to make it easier for the people to join in the response to the
psalm, the Order of Readings lists certain other texts of psalms and
responses that have been chosen according to the various seasons or
classes of Saints. Whenever the psalm is sung, these texts may replace
the text corresponding to the reading.113
90. The chant between the second reading and the Gospel is either
specified in each Mass and correlated with the Gospel or else it is
left as a choice to be made from those in the series given for a
liturgical season or one of the Commons.
91. During Lent one of the acclamations from those given in the
Order of Readings may be used, depending on the occasion.114
This acclamation precedes and follows the verse before the Gospel.
Chapter V: Description of the
Order of Readings
92. It seems useful to provide here a brief description of the
Order of Readings, at least for the principal celebrations and the
different seasons of the liturgical year. With these in mind, readings
were selected on the basis of the rules already stated. This
description is meant to assist pastors of souls to understand the
structure of the Order of Readings, so that their use of it will
become more perceptive and the Order of Readings a source of good for
Christ's faithful.
1. Advent
a) The Sundays
93. Each Gospel reading has a distinctive theme: the Lord's coming
at the end of time (First Sunday of Advent), John the Baptist (Second
and Third Sunday), and the events that prepared immediately for the
Lord's birth (Fourth Sunday).
The Old Testament readings are prophecies about the Messiah and the
Messianic age, especially from the Book of Isaiah.
The readings from an Apostle contain exhortations and
proclamations, in keeping with the different themes of Advent.
b) The Weekdays
94. There are two series of readings: one to be used from the
beginning of Advent until 16 December; the other from 17 to 24
December.
In the first part of Advent there are readings from the Book of
Isaiah, distributed in accord with the sequence of the book itself and
including the more important texts that are also read on the Sundays.
For the choice of the weekday Gospel the first reading has been taken
into consideration.
On Thursday of the second week the readings from the Gospel
concerning John the Baptist begin. The first reading is either a
continuation of Isaiah or a text chosen in view of the Gospel.
In the last week before Christmas the events that immediately
prepared for the Lord's birth are presented from the Gospel of Matthew
(chapter 1) and Luke (chapter 1). The texts in the first reading,
chosen in view of the Gospel reading, are from different Old Testament
books and include important Messianic prophecies.
2. The Christmas Season
a) The Solemnities, Feasts, and Sundays
95. For the vigil and the three Masses of Christmas both the
prophetic readings and the others have been chosen from the Roman
tradition.
The Gospel on the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas, Feast of
the Holy Family, is about Jesus' childhood and the other readings are
about the virtues of family life.
On the Octave Day of Christmas, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, the Mother of God, the readings are about the Virgin Mother of
God and the giving of the holy Name of Jesus.
On the second Sunday after Christmas, the readings are about the
mystery of the Incarnation.
On the Epiphany of the Lord, the Old Testament reading and the
Gospel continue the Roman tradition; the text for the reading from the
Letters of the Apostles is about the calling of the nations to
salvation.
On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the texts chosen are about
this mystery.
b) The Weekdays
96. From 29 December on, there is a continuous reading of the whole
of the First Letter of John, which actually begins earlier, on 27
December, the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, and on 28 December,
the Feast of the Holy Innocents. The Gospels relate manifestations of
the Lord: events of Jesus' childhood from the Gospel of Luke (29-30
December); passages from the first chapter of the Gospel of John (31
December-5 January); other manifestations of the Lord from the four
Gospels (7-12 January).
3. Lent
a) The Sundays
97. The Gospel readings are arranged as follows:
The first and second Sundays maintain the accounts of the
Temptation and Transfiguration of the Lord, with readings, however,
from all three Synoptics.
On the next three Sundays, the Gospels about the Samaritan woman,
the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus have been restored in
Year A. Because these Gospels are of major importance in regard to
Christian initiation, they may also be read in Year B and Year C,
especially in places where there are catechumens.
Other texts, however, are provided for Year B and Year C: for Year
B, a text from John about Christ's coming glorification through his
Cross and Resurrection, and for Year C, a text from Luke about
conversion.
On Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion the texts for the procession
are selections from the Synoptic Gospels concerning the Lord's solemn
entry into Jerusalem. For the Mass the reading is the account of the
Lord's Passion.
The Old Testament readings are about the history of salvation,
which is one of the themes proper to the catechesis of Lent. The
series of texts for each Year presents the main elements of salvation
history from its beginning until the promise of the New Covenant.
The readings from the Letters of the Apostles have been selected to
fit the Gospel and the Old Testament readings and, to the extent
possible, to provide a connection between them.
b) The Weekdays
98. The readings from the Gospels and the Old Testament were
selected because they are related to each other. They treat various
themes of the Lenten catechesis that are suited to the spiritual
significance of this season. Beginning with Monday of the Fourth Week
of Lent, there is a semicontinuous reading of the Gospel of John, made
up of texts that correspond more closely to the themes proper to Lent.
Because the readings about the Samaritan woman, the man born blind,
and the raising of Lazarus are now assigned to Sundays, but only for
Year A (in Year B and Year C they are optional), provision has been
made for their use on weekdays. Thus at the beginning of the Third,
Fourth, and Fifth Weeks of Lent optional Masses with these texts for
the Gospel have been inserted and may be used in place of the readings
of the day on any weekday of the respective week.
In the first days of Holy Week the readings are about the mystery
of Christ's passion. For the Chrism Mass the readings bring out both
Christ's Messianic mission and its continuation in the Church by means
of the sacraments.
4. The Sacred Triduum and the Easter Season
a) The Sacred Easter Triduum
99. On Holy Thursday at the evening Mass the remembrance of the
meal preceding the Exodus casts its own special light because of the
Christ's example in washing the feet of his disciples and Paul's
account of the institution of the Christian Passover in the Eucharist.
On Good Friday the liturgical service has as its center John's
narrative of the Passion of him who was proclaimed in Isaiah as the
Servant of the Lord and who became the one High Priest by offering
himself to the Father.
At the Vigil on the holy night of Easter there are seven Old
Testament readings which recall the wonderful works of God in the
history of salvation. There are two New Testament readings, the
announcement of the Resurrection according to one of the Synoptic
Gospels and a reading from St. Paul on Christian baptism as the
sacrament of Christ's Resurrection.
The Gospel reading for the Mass on Easter day is from John on the
finding of the empty tomb. There is also, however, the option to use
the Gospel texts from the Easter Vigil or, when there is an evening
Mass on Easter Sunday, to use the account in Luke of the Lord's
appearance to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. The first reading
is from the Acts of the Apostles, which throughout the Easter season
replaces the Old Testament reading. The reading from the Apostle Paul
concerns the living out of the paschal mystery in the Church.
b) The Sundays
100. The Gospel readings for the first three Sundays recount the
appearances of the risen Christ. The readings about the Good Shepherd
are assigned to the Fourth Sunday. On the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh
Sundays, there are excerpts from the Lord's discourse and prayer at
the end of the Last Supper.
The first reading is from the Acts of the Apostles, in a three-year
cycle of parallel and progressive selections: material is presented on
the life of the early Church, its witness, and its growth.
For the reading from the Apostles, the First Letter of Peter is in
Year A, the First Letter of John in Year B, the Book of Revelation in
Year C. These are the texts that seem to fit in especially well with
the spirit of joyous faith and sure hope proper to this season.
c) The Weekdays
101. As on the Sundays, the first reading is a semicontinuous
reading from the Acts of the Apostles. The Gospel readings during the
Easter octave are accounts of the Lord's appearances. After that there
is a sernicontinuous reading of the Gospel of John, but with texts
that have a paschal character, in order to complete the reading from
John during Lent. This paschal reading is made up in large part of the
Lord's discourse and prayer at the end of the Last Supper.
d) The Solemnities of the Ascension and of Pentecost
102. For the first reading the Solemnity of the Ascension retains
the account of the Ascension according to the Acts of the Apostles.
This text is complemented by the second reading from the Apostle on
Christ in exaltation at the right hand of the Father. For the Gospel
reading, each of the three Years has its own text in accord with the
differences in the Synoptic Gospels.
In the evening Mass celebrated on the Vigil of Pentecost four Old
Testament texts are provided; any one of them may be used, in order to
bring out the many aspects of Pentecost. The reading from the Apostles
shows the actual working of the Holy Spirit in the Church. The Gospel
reading recalls the promise of the Spirit made by Christ before his
own glorification.
For the Mass on Pentecost day itself, in accord with received
usage, the account in the Acts of the Apostles of the great occurrence
on Pentecost day is taken as the first reading. The texts from the
Apostle Paul bring out the effect of the action of the Spirit in the
life of the Church. The Gospel reading is a remembrance of Jesus
bestowing his Spirit on the disciples on the evening of Easter day;
other optional texts describe the action of the Spirit on the
disciples and on the Church.
5. "Ordinary Time"
a) The Arrangement and Choice of Texts
103. Ordinary Time begins on the Monday after the Sunday following
6 January; it lasts until the Tuesday before Lent inclusive. It begins
again on the Monday after Pentecost Sunday and finishes before evening
prayer I of the first Sunday of Advent.
The Order of Readings provides readings for thirty-four Sundays and
the weeks following them. In some years, however, there are only
thirty-three weeks of Ordinary Time. Further, some Sundays either
belong to another season (the Sunday on which the Feast of the Baptism
of the Lord falls and Pentecost Sunday) or else are impeded by a
solemnity that coincides with Sunday (e.g. The Most Holy Trinity or
Christ the King).
104. For the correct arrangement in the use of the readings for
Ordinary Time, the following are to be respected.
1. The Sunday on which the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord falls
replaces the first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Therefore the readings
of the First Week of Ordinary Time begin on the Monday after the
Sunday following 6 January. When the Feast of the Baptism of the
Lord is celebrated on Monday because the Epiphany has been
celebrated on the Sunday, the readings of the First Week begin on
Tuesday.
2. The Sunday following the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is
the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time. The remaining Sundays are
numbered consecutively up to the Sunday preceding the beginning of
Lent. The readings for the week in which Ash Wednesday falls are
interrupted after the Tuesday readings.
3. For the resumption of the readings of Ordinary Time after
Pentecost Sunday:
—
when there are thirty-four Sundays in Ordinary Time, the
week to be used is the one that immediately follows the last week
used before Lent;115
—
when there are thirty-three Sundays in Ordinary Time, the
first week that would have been used after Pentecost is omitted,
in order to reserve for the end of the year the eschatological
texts that are assigned to the last two weeks.116
b) The Sunday Readings
1) The Gospel Readings
105. On the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time the Gospel continues to
center on the manifestation of the Lord, which is celebrated on the
Solemnity of the Epiphany, through the traditional passage about the
wedding feast at Cana and two other passages from the Gospel of John.
Beginning with the Third Sunday, there is a semicontinuous reading
of the Synoptic Gospels. This reading is arranged in such a way that
as the Lord's life and preaching unfold the doctrine proper to each of
these Gospels is presented.
This distribution also provides a certain coordination between the
meaning of each Gospel and the progress of the liturgical year. Thus
after Epiphany the readings are on the beginning of the Lord's
preaching and they fit in well with Christ's baptism and the first
events in which he manifests himself. The liturgical year leads quite
naturally to a conclusion in the eschatological theme proper to the
last Sundays, since the chapters of the Synoptics that precede the
account of the Passion treat this eschatological theme rather
extensively.
After the Sixteenth Sunday in Year B, five readings are
incorporated from John chapter 6 (the discourse on the bread of life).
This is the natural place for these readings because the
multiplication of the loaves from the Gospel of John takes the place
of the same account in Mark. In the semicontinuous reading of Luke for
Year C, the introduction of this Gospel has been prefixed to the first
text (that is, on the Third Sunday). This passage expresses the
author's intention very beautifully and there seemed to be no better
place for it.
2) The Old Testament Readings
106. These readings have been chosen to correspond to the Gospel
passages in order to avoid an excessive diversity between the readings
of different Masses and above all to bring out the unity between the
Old and the New Testament. The connection between the readings of the
same Mass is shown by a precise choice of the headings prefixed to the
individual readings.
To the degree possible, the readings were chosen in such a way that
they would be short and easy to grasp. But care has been taken to
ensure that many Old Testament texts of major significance would be
read on Sundays. Such readings are distributed not according to a
logical order but on the basis of what the Gospel reading requires.
Still, the treasury of the word of God will be opened up in such a way
that nearly all the principal pages of the Old Testament will become
familiar to those taking part in the Mass on Sundays.
3) The Readings from the Apostles
107. There is a semicontinuous reading of the Letters of Paul and
James (the Letters of Peter and John being read during the Easter and
Christmas seasons).
Because it is quite long and deals with such diverse issues, the
First Letter to the Corinthians has been spread over the three years
of the cycle at the beginning of Ordinary Time. It also was thought
best to divide the Letter to the Hebrews into two parts; the first
part is read in Year B and the second in Year C.
Only readings that are short and readily grasped by the people have
been chosen.
Table II at the end of this Introduction117 indicates
the distribution of Letters of the Apostles over the three-year cycle
of the Sundays of Ordinary Time.
c) The Readings for Solemnities of the Lord During Ordinary Time
108. On the solemnities of Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi, and the
Sacred Heart, the texts chosen correspond to the principal themes of
these celebrations. The readings of the Thirty-Fourth and last Sunday
of Ordinary Time celebrate Christ the universal King. He was
prefigured by David and proclaimed as king amid the humiliations of
his Passion and Cross; he reigns in the Church and will come again at
the end of time.
d) The Weekday Readings
109. The Gospels are so arranged that Mark is read first
(First to Ninth Week), then Matthew (Tenth to Twenty-First Week), then
Luke (Twenty-Second to Thirty-Fourth Week). Mark chapters 1-12 are
read in their entirety, with the exception only of the two passages of
Mark chapter 6 that are read on weekdays in other seasons. From
Matthew and Luke the readings comprise all the material not contained
in Mark. All the passages that either are distinctively presented in
each Gospel or are needed for a proper understanding of its
progression are read two or three times. Jesus' eschatological
discourse as contained in its entirety in Luke is read at the end of
the liturgical year.
110. The First Reading is taken in periods of several weeks
at a time first from one then from the other Testament; the number of
weeks depends on the length of the biblical books read.
Rather large sections are read from the New Testament books in
order to give the substance, as it were, of each of the Letters.
From the Old Testament there is room only for select passages that,
as far as possible, bring out the character of the individual books.
The historical texts have been chosen in such a way as to provide an
overall view of the history of salvation before the Incarnation of the
Lord. But lengthy narratives could hardly be presented; sometimes
verses have been selected that make for a reading of moderate length.
In addition, the religious significance of the historical events is
sometimes brought out by means of certain texts from the wisdom books
that are placed as prologues or conclusions to a series of historical
readings.
Nearly all the Old Testament books have found a place in the Order
of Readings for weekdays in the Proper of Seasons. The only omissions
are the shortest of the prophetic books (Obadiah and Zephaniah) and a
poetic book (the Song of Songs). Of those narratives of edification
requiring a lengthy reading if they are to be understood, Tobit and
Ruth are included, but the others (Esther and Judith) are omitted.
Texts from these latter two books are assigned, however, to Sundays
and weekdays at other times of the year.
Table III at the end of this Introduction118 lists the
way the books of the Old and the New Testament are distributed over
the weekdays in Ordinary Time in the course of two years.
At the end of the liturgical year the readings are from the books
that correspond to the eschatological character of this period, Daniel
and the Book of Revelation.
Chapter VI: Adaptations,
Translations and Format of the Order of Readings
1. Adaptations and Translations
111. In the liturgical assembly the word of God must always be read
either from the Latin texts prepared by the Holy See or from
vernacular translations approved for liturgical use by the Conferences
of Bishops, according to existing norms.119
112. The Lectionary for Mass must be translated integrally in all
its parts, including the Introduction. If the Conference of Bishops
has judged it necessary and useful to add certain adaptations, these
are to be incorporated after their confirmation by the Holy See.120
113. The size of the Lectionary will necessitate editions in more
than one volume; no particular division of the volumes is prescribed.
But each volume is to contain the explanatory texts on the structure
and purpose of the section it contains.
The ancient custom is recommended of having separate books, one for
the Gospels and a second for the other readings for the Old and New
Testament.
It may also be useful to publish separately a Sunday lectionary
(which could also contain selected excerpts from the sanctoral cycle),
and a weekday lectionary. A practical basis for dividing the Sunday
lectionary is the three-year cycle, so that all the readings for each
year are presented in sequence.
But there is freedom to adopt other arrangements that may be
devised and seem to have pastoral advantages.
114. The texts for the chants are always to be adjoined to the
readings, but separate books containing the chants alone are
permitted. It is recommended that the texts be printed with divisions
into stanzas.
115. Whenever a text consists of different parts, the typography
must make this structure of the text clear. It is likewise recommended
that even non-poetic texts be printed with division into sense lines
to assist the proclamation of the readings.
116. Where there are longer and shorter forms of a text, they are
to be printed separately, so that each can be read with ease. But if
such a separation does not seem feasible, a way is to be found to
ensure that each text can be proclaimed without mistakes.
117. In vernacular editions the texts are not to be printed without
headings prefixed. If it seems advisable, an introductory note on the
general meaning of the passage may be added to the heading. This note
is to carry some distinctive symbol or is to be set in different type
to show clearly that it is an optional text.121
118. It would be useful for every volume to have an index of the
passages of the Bible, modeled on the biblical index of the present
volume.122 This will provide ready access to texts of the
lectionaries for Mass that may be needed or helpful for specific
occasions.
2. The Format of Individual Readings
For each reading the present volume carries the textual reference,
the headings, and the incipit.
a) The Biblical References
119. The text reference (that is, to chapter and verses) is always
given according to the Neo-Vulgate edition for the psalms.123
But a second reference according to the original text (Hebrew,
Aramaic, or Greek) has been added wherever there is a discrepancy.
Depending on the decrees of the competent Authorities for the
individual languages, vernacular versions may retain the enumeration
corresponding to the version of the Bible approved for liturgical use
by the same Authorities. Exact references to chapter and verses,
however, must always appear and may be given in the text or in the
margin.
120. These references provide liturgical books with the basis of
the "announcement" of the text that must be read in the celebration,
but which is not printed in this volume. This "announcement" of the
text will observe the following norms, but they may be altered by
decree of the competent authorities on the basis of what is customary
and useful for different places and languages.
121. The formula to be used is always: "A reading from the
Book of. . ." "A reading from the Letter of . . . " or "A
reading from the holy Gospel according to . . . " and not: "The
beginning of. . . " (unless this seems advisable in particular
instances) nor: "The continuation of. . . ."
122. The traditionally accepted titles for books are to be retained
with the following exceptions.
1. Where there are two books with the same name, the title is to
be: The first Book, The second Book (for example, of Kings, of
Maccabees) or The first Letter, The second Letter.
2. The title more common in current usage is to be accepted for
the following books:
—1
and 2 Samuel instead of 1 and 2 Kings;
—1
and 2 Kings instead of 3 and 4 Kings;
—1
and 2 Chronicles instead of 1 and 2 Paralipomenon;
—the
Books of Ezra and Nehemiah instead of 1 and 2 Ezra.
3. The distinguishing titles for the wisdom books are: Book of
Job, Book of Proverbs, Book of Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Book of
Wisdom, and Book of Sirach.
4. For all the books that are included among the prophets in the
Neo-Vulgate, the formula is to be: "A reading from the Book of the
prophet Isaiah, or of the prophet Jeremiah or of the prophet Baruch"
and: "A reading from the Book of the prophet Ezekiel, of the prophet
Daniel, of the prophet Hosea, of the prophet Malachi," even in the
case of books not regarded by some as being in actual fact
prophetic.
5. The title is to be Book of Lamentations and Letter to the
Hebrews, with no mention of Jeremiah or Paul.
b) The Heading
123. There is a heading prefixed to each text, chosen
carefully (usually from the words of the text itself) in order to
point out the main theme of the reading and, when necessary, to make
the connection between the readings of the same Mass clear.
c) The "Incipit"
124. In this Order of Readings the first element of the incipit
is the customary introductory phrase: "At that time," "In those days,"
"Brothers and Sisters," "Beloved," "Dearly Beloved," "Dearest Brothers
and Sisters," or "Thus says the Lord," "Thus says the Lord God." These
words are not given when the text itself provides sufficient
indication of the time or the persons involved or where such phrases
would not fit in with the very nature of the text. For the individual
languages, such phrases may be changed or omitted by decree of the
competent Authorities.
After the first words of the incipit the Order of Readings gives
the proper beginning of the reading, with some words deleted or
supplied for intelligibility, inasmuch as the text is separated from
its context. When the text for a reading is made up of non-consecutive
verses and this has required changes in wording, these are
appropriately indicated.
d) The Final Acclamation
125. In order to facilitate the congregation's acclamation, the
words for the reader The word of the Lord, or similar words
suited to local custom, are to be printed at the end of the reading
for use by the reader.
ENDNOTES
1. Cf. especially Second Vatican Council,
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, nn.
7, 24, 33, 35, 48, 51, 52, 56; Dogmatic Constitution on Divine
Revelation, Dei Verbum, nn. 1, 21, 25, 26; Decree on the
Missionary Activity of the Church, Ad gentes, n. 6; Second
Vatican Council, Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests,
Presbyterorum Ordinis, n. 18.
2. Among the spoken or written statements of the
Supreme Pontiffs, see especially: Paul VI, Motu Proprio, Ministeria
quaedam, 15 August 1972, n. V: Acta Apostolicae Sedis [
AAS ] 64 (1972) 532; Apostolic Exhortation, Marialis cultus,
2 February 1974, n. 12: AAS 66 (1974) 125-126; Apostolic
Exhortation, Evangelii nuntiandi, 8 December 1975, n. 28:
AAS 68 (1976) 24-25, n. 43: ibid. pp. 33-34, n. 47:
ibid. pp. 36-37; John Paul II, Apostolic Constitution,
Scripturarum thesaurus, 25 April 1979 in Nova Vulgata Bibliorum
Sacrorum editione, Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis 1979, pp. V-VIII;
Apostolic Exhortation, Catechesi tradendae, 16 October 1979, nn.
23, 27, 48: AAS 71 (1979) 1296-1297, 1298-1299, 1316; Letter,
Dominicae Cenae, 24 February 1980, n. 10: AAS 72 (1980)
134-137.
3. Cf. Sacred Congregation of Rites, Instruction
Eucharisticum Mysterium, 25 May 1967, n. 10: AAS 59 (1967)
547-548; Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship, Instruction
Liturgicae instaurationes, 5 September 1970, n. 2: AAS 62
(1970) 695-696; Sacred Congregation for the Clergy, Directorum
catechesticum generale, 11 April 1971: AAS 64 (1972)
106-107; n. 25: ibid., p. 114; Sacred Congregation for Divine
Worship, Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani , nn. 9, 11, 24,
33, 60, 62, 316, 320; Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education,
Instruction on liturgical formation in seminaries, In
Ecclesiasticam futurorum sacerdotum, 3 June 1979, nn. 11, 52;
ibid., Appendix, n. 15; Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and
Divine Worship, Instruction Inaestimabile Donum, 3 April 1980,
nn. 1, 2, 3; AAS 72 (1980) 333-334.
4. Cf. Missale Romanum ex Decreto Sacrosancti
Oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II instauratum auctoritate Pauli VI
promulgatum, Ordo lectionum Missae (Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis,
1969), pp. IX-XII ( Praenotanda ); Decree of promulgation:
AAS 61 (1969) 548-549.
5. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, nn. 35, 56; Paul VI,
Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii nuntiandi, 8 December 1975, nn
28, 47: AAS 68 (1976) 24-25, 36-37; Letter, Dominicae Cenae,
24 February 1980, nn. 10, 11, 12: AAS 72 (1980) 134-146.
6. For example, the terms "word of God," "Sacred
Scripture," "Old" and "New Testament," "Reading (readings) of the word
of God," "Reading (readings) from Sacred Scripture," "Celebration
(Celebrations) of the word of God," etc.
7. Thus one and the same text may be read or used
for various reasons on various occasions and celebrations of the
Church's liturgical year. This is to be recalled in the homily, in
pastoral exegesis, and in catechesis. The indexes of this volume will
show, for example, that Romans chapter 6 or Romans chapter 8 is used
in various seasons of the liturgical year and in various celebrations
of the sacraments and sacramentals.
8. Cf. Lk 4:6-2 1; 24:25-35, 44-49.
9. Thus, for example, in the celebration of Mass,
there is proclamation, reading, etc. (cf. Institutio Generalis
Missalis Romani , nn. 21, 23, 95, 131, 146, 234, 235). There are
also other celebrations of the word of God in the Pontificale
Romanum, the Rituale Romanum, and the Liturgia Horarum,
as restored by decree of the Second Vatican Council.
10. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, nn. 7, 33; Mk 16:19-20;
Mt 28:20; St. Augustine, Sermo 85, 1: "The Gospel is the mouth
of Christ. He is seated in heaven yet does not cease to speak on
earth": PL 38, 520; cf, also In Io. Ev. tract. XXX, 1: PL 35,
1632; CCL 36, 289; Pontificale Romano Germanicum: "The
Gospel is read, in which Christ speaks by his own mouth to the people
... the Gospel resounds in the church as though Christ himself were
speaking to the people" (see C. Vogel & R. Elze, edd., Le
Pontifical romano-germanique du dixième siècle. Le Texte I,
Città
del Vaticano, 1963, XCIV, 18, p. 334); or "At the approach of Christ,
that is, the Gospel, we put aside our staffs, because we have no need
of human assistance" ( ibid. XCIV, 23, p. 335).
11. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 7.
12. Cf. Heb 4:12.
13. Cf. St. Augustine, Quaestionum in
Heptateuchum liber 2, 73: PL 34, 623; CCL 33, 106; Second
Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei
Verbum, n. 16.
14. Cf. St. Jerome: "If, as St. Paul says (I Cor
1:24), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, anyone who is
ignorant of the Scriptures is ignorant of the power of God and his
wisdom. For ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ" (Commentarii
in Isaiam prophetam, Prologus: PL 24, 17A; CCL 73, 1);
Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation,
Dei Verbum, n. 25.
15. Cf. 2 Cor 1:20-22.
16. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 10.
17. Cf. 2 Thes 3: 1.
18. Cf. Collectae, Pro Sancta Ecclesia, in
Missale Romanum ex Decreto Sacrosancti Oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II
instauratum auctoritate Pauli VI promulgatum (Typis Polyglottis
Vaticanis, 1975), pp. 786, 787, 790: St. Cyprian, De oratione
dominica 23: PL 4, 553; CSEL 3/2, 285; CCL 3A, 105;
St. Augustine, Sermo 71, 20, 33: PL 38, 463f.
19. Cf. Collecta, Dominica XXI "per annum,"
in Missale Romanum, p. 360.
20. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic
Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, n. 8.
21. Cf. Jn 14:15-17, 25-26-16:15.
22. Second Vatican Council, Decree on the Ministry
and Life of Priests, Presbyterorum Ordinis, n. 4.
23. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 51; Decree on the
Ministry and Life of Priests, Presbyterorum Ordinis, n. 18;
also Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, n.
21; Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church, Ad gentes,
n. 6. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, n. 8.
24. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 56.
25. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani , n.
33.
26. Cf. Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship,
Instruction, Liturgicae instaurationes, 5 September 1970, n. 2:
AAS 62 (1970) 695-696; John Paul II Letter, Dominicae Cenae,
24 February 1980, n. 10: AAS 72 (1980) 134-137; Sacred
Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship, Instruction,
Inaestimabile Donum, 3 April 1980, n. 1: AAS 72 (1980) 333.
27. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 33.
28. Cf. below, n. 111 of this Introduction.
29. Cf. Missale Romanum ex Decreto Sacrosancti
Oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II instauratum auctoritate Pauli VI
promulgatum, Ordo cantus Missae, editio typica 1972,
Praenotanda , nn. 4, 6, 10.
30. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
, n. 11.
31. Cf. ibid., n. 272; and nn. 32-34 of this
Introduction.
32. Cf. ibid., nn. 35, 95.
33. Cf. ibid., nn. 82-84.
34. Cf. ibid., nn. 94, 131.
35. Cf. Ordo Missae cum populo, 11, in:
Missale Romanum ex Decreto Sacrosancti Oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II
instauratum auctoritate Pauli VI promulgatum (Typis Polyglottis
Vaticanis, 1975), p. 388.
36. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani , n.
36.
37. Paul VI, Apostolic Constitution, Laudis
canticum in Liturgia Horarum ex Decreto Sacrosancti Oecumenici
Concilii Vaticani II instaurata auctoritate Pauli VI promulgata (Typis
Polyglottis Vaticanis 1971); cf. also Second Vatican Council,
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, nn.
24, 90; Sacred Congregation of Rites, Instruction, Musicam sacram,
5 March 1967, n. 39: AAS 59 (1967) 311; Liturgia Horarum,
Instituto Generalis, nn. 23, 109; Sacred Congregation for
Catholic Education, Ratio fundamentalis, n. 53.
38. Cf. below, nn. 89-90 of this Introduction.
39. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
, no. 18, 38.
40. Cf. ibid., n. 272; and below, nn. 32ff of
this Introduction.
41. Cf. ibid., n. 39.
42. Cf. ibid., no. 37-39; Missale Romanum ex
Decreto Sacrosancti Oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II instauratum
auctoritate Pauli VI promulgatum, Ordo cantus Missae, Praenotanda
, no. 7-9; Graduale Romanum, 1974, Praenotanda , n. 7;
Graduale simplex, editio typica altera 1975, Praenotanda , n.
16.
43. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 52; Sacred
Congregation of Rites, Instruction, Inter Oecumenici, 26
September 1964, n. 54: AAS 56 (1964) 890.
44. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
, n. 42.
45. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 35, 2.
46. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 6 and 47.
47. Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical, Mysterium Fidei,
3 September 1965, n. 36: AAS 57 (1965) 753; Second Vatican
Council, Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church Ad gentes,
n. 9; Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii nuntiandi, n.
43: AAS 69 (1976) 33-34.
48. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, 35, 2; Institutio
Generalis Missalis Romani, n. 41.
49. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 10.
50. Cf. John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation,
Catechesi tradendae, 16 October 1979, n. 48: AAS 71 (1979)
1316.
51. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
, n. 165.
52. Cf. ibid., n. 42; and also Sacred
Congregation of Rites, Instruction, Eucharisticum Mysterium, 25
May 1967, n. 28: AAS 59 (1967) 556-557.
53. Cf. Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship,
Instruction, Actio pastoralis, 15 May 1969, n. 6g: AAS
61 (1969) 809; Directorium de Missis cum pueris, 1 November
1973, n. 48: AAS 66 (1974) 44.
54. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
, nn. 42, 338; Rituale Romanum ex Decreto Sacrosancti
Oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II instauratum, auctoritate Pauli VI
promulgatum, Ordo celebrandi Matrimonium (Typis Polyglottis
Vaticanis, 1969), no. 22, 42, 57; Ordo Exsequiarum (Typis
Polyglottis Vaticanis, 1969), on. 41, 64.
55. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
, n. 97.
56. Cf. ibid., n. 139.
57. Cf. ibid., n. 23.
58. Cf. ibid., n. 43.
59. Cf. ibid., n. 45.
60. Cf. ibid., n. 99.
61. Cf. ibid., n. 47.
62. Cf. above, note 23 of this Introduction.
63. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani,
n. 272.
64. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 122.
65. Cf. Pontificale Romanum ex Decreto
Sacrosancti Oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II instauratum auctoritate
Pauli VI promulgatum, De Ordinatione Diaconi, Presbyteri et
Episcopi (Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis 1968), p. 28, n. 24; p. 68,
n. 21; p. 85, n. 24; p. 70, n. 25; p. 100, n. 25.
66. Cf. below, no. 78-91 of this Introduction.
67. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
, no. 318-320, 324-325.
68. Cf. ibid., n. 313.
69. Cf. ibid., n. 42; Sacred Congregation for
the Sacraments and Divine Worship, Instruction, Inaestimabile Donum,
n. 3: AAS 72 (1980) 334.
70. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
, n. 11.
71. Cf. ibid., n. 68.
72. Cf. ibid., nn. 33, 47.
73. Second Vatican Council, Decree on the Ministry
and Life of Priests, Presbyterorum Ordinis, n. 4.
74. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 33.
75. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
, n. 9.
76. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 7.
77. Cf. ibid., n. 9.
78. Cf. Rom 1: 16.
79. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic
Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, n. 21.
80. Quoted ibid.
81. Cf. Jn 14:15-26; 15:26-16:4, 5-15.
82. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Decree on the
Missionary Activity of the Church, Ad gentes, no. 6 and 15; and
also Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum, n.
26.
83. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 24; and also Sacred
Congregation for the Clergy, Directorium Catecheticum Generale,
11 April 1971, n. 25: AAS 64 (1972) 114.
84. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 56; see also Sacred
Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship, Instruction,
Inaestimabile Donum, 3 April 1980, n. 1: AAS 72 (1980)
333-334.
85. Cf. Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, nn. 24 and 35.
86. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
, n, 34.
87. Cf. ibid., n. 96.
88. Cf. ibid., nn. 47, 61, 132; Sacred
Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship, Instruction,
Inaestimabile Donum, 3 April 1980, n. 3: AAS 72 (1980) 334.
89. Cf. Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani
, n. 66.
90. Cf. Paul VI, Motu Proprio, Ministeria quaedum,
15 August 1972, n. V: AAS 64 (1972) 532.
91. Cf. Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and
Divine Worship, Instruction, Inaestimabile Donum, nn. 2 and 18:
AAS 72 (1980) 334; cf. also Sacred Congregation for Divine
Worship, Directorium de Missis cum pueris, 1 November 1973, nn.
22, 24, 27: AAS< |