Book of the Gospels vs. Lectionary?

[tunemiester]

My cousin a very pious newly ordained Deacon [2yrs this May] has told me his parish “Liturgy Committee” is kicking around the idea, that the book of the Gospels should be put on the book shelf and only the Lectionary used. Ready for the reason - using the Gospel book puts too much importance on them while the Lectionary languishes!
Is it me or is this NONSENSE !! He’s looked in the GIRM but said he could not find anything to hang his hat on. I found some things in Vat 2 Dei Verbum and the CCC. Is there any other place I should be looking at to help my cuz?

 

[DallasCatholic]

“The third edition of the Roman Missal with the revised 2002 GIRM has attempted to clarify and update the rubrics and instructions related to the Mass based on liturgical books issued since 1975 and the experience of over 30 years of using the 1969 Order of Mass and the original GIRM. With regard to the use of the Lectionary and the Book of the Gospels, the 2002 GIRM has tried to clarify the original intent of the 1969 GIRM by specifically noting that it is the Book of the Gospels (and not the Lectionary) that is to be carried in the entrance procession. If a special Book of the Gospels is not available, then it is not necessary to carry any sort of “substitute” book. Carrying the cross,flanked by candles is appropriate for any entrance procession.”

I got the above quote from this source:
arch.pvt.k12.ia.us/Worship/PDFs/GIRM-LectionaryGospelBk.pdf

hth.

 

[Servulus]

Another thing that may help your cousin is to remind him that a Liturgy Committee, like a Parish Council or Parish Finance Committee, is a consultative or advisory body, not a legislative one. In other words, such a committee can make suggestions or recommendations, but cannot set policy. That is left to the competent authority in the parish - the Pastor.

Hope that helps.

 

[John_Lilburne]

… He’s looked in the GIRM but said he could not find anything to hang his hat on. …

The 2002 GIRM mentions “book of the Gospels” 24 times.

The following may be helpful for the discussion, from the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :

“44. Among gestures included are also actions and processions: of the priest going with the deacon and ministers to the altar; of the deacon carrying the Evangeliary or Book of the Gospels to the ambo before the proclamation of the Gospel; of the faithful presenting the gifts and coming forward to receive Communion. It is appropriate that actions and processions of this sort be carried out with decorum while the chants proper to them occur, in keeping with the norms prescribed for each.”

1. The reading of the Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy itself teaches that great reverence is to be shown to it by setting it off from the other readings with special marks of honor: whether the minister appointed to proclaim it prepares himself by a blessing or prayer; or the faithful, standing as they listen to it being read, through their acclamations acknowledge and confess Christ present and speaking to them; or the very marks of reverence are given to the Book of the Gospels.

“*The Articles to Be Prepared *
117. The altar is to be covered with at least one white cloth… … On the altar itself may be placed the Book of the Gospels, distinct from the book of other readings, unless it is carried in the Entrance Procession.”

“122. … It is a praiseworthy practice that the Book of the Gospels be placed upon the altar.”

“172. Carrying the Book of the Gospels slightly elevated, the deacon precedes the priest as he approaches the altar or else walks at the priest’s side.
173. When he reaches the altar, if he is carrying the Book of the Gospels, he omits the sign of reverence and goes up to the altar. It is particularly appropriate that he should place the Book of the Gospels on the altar, after which, together with the priest, he venerates the altar with a kiss.”

“349. In a special way, care must be taken that the liturgical books, particularly the Book of the Gospels and the Lectionary, which are intended for the proclamation of the word of God and hence enjoy special veneration, really serve in a liturgical action as signs and symbols of heavenly realities and hence are truly worthy, dignified, and beautiful.”

 

[puzzleannie]

My cousin a very pious newly ordained Deacon [2yrs this May] has told me his parish “Liturgy Committee” is kicking around the idea, that the book of the Gospels should be put on the book shelf and only the Lectionary used. Ready for the reason - using the Gospel book puts too much importance on them while the Lectionary languishes!
Is it me or is this NONSENSE !! He’s looked in the GIRM but said he could not find anything to hang his hat on. I found some things in Vat 2 Dei Verbum and the CCC. Is there any other place I should be looking at to help my cuz?

the book of the Gospels is used to proclaim the Gospels, the lectionary is used to proclaim the other readings, so in what way is it “languishing”? If we need another council to ban liturgy committees can we do it quickly? Ever try carrying the lectionary in both hands over your head in the procession vs. the much lighter book of the Gospels? try that a few weeks, they will change their minds.

 

[MusicMan]

It is clear that the GIRM intends for the Gospel Book to hold a place of reverence in the Mass. Although the GIRM does not require it to be included in the entrance procession (it does seem to strongly recommend it), it is clear that if the Gospel Book is not processed, the Lectionary is not to be processed in its place. Indeed nothing is to be processed in place of the Gospel Book if it is not used.

This is kind of a tough situation, because the Lectionary used to be allowed to be processed in by the reader. It is an example of something that the laity used to be able to do being taken away from them. This doesn’t always go over so well with Liturgy Committees and Pastoral Councils.

 

[Trelow]

I would vote for a lot more being taken out of the hands of the laity…

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

My cousin a very pious newly ordained Deacon [2yrs this May] has told me his parish “Liturgy Committee” is kicking around the idea, that the book of the Gospels should be put on the book shelf and only the Lectionary used. Ready for the reason - using the Gospel book puts too much importance on them while the Lectionary languishes!
Is it me or is this NONSENSE !! He’s looked in the GIRM but said he could not find anything to hang his hat on. I found some things in Vat 2 Dei Verbum and the CCC. Is there any other place I should be looking at to help my cuz?

Well the Book of the Gospels is the only book processed in.

It is the only Book set on the altar during the Liturgy of the word.

It is the only Book to be incensed. (I think)

We only stand for the reading of the Gospel, never the other readings.

Something tells me that we should give the Book of the Gospels more importance

 

[lak611]

I have been to Masses where there were no books carried in the procession. The lectionary was already on the ambo at the beginning of Mass. Then priest walked to the ambo before the Gospel without carrying any book and read the gospel from the lectionary.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I have been to Masses where there were no books carried in the procession. The lectionary was already on the ambo at the beginning of Mass. Then priest walked to the ambo before the Gospel without carrying any book and read the gospel from the lectionary.

And that is the way it should be if there is no Book of the Gospels.

 

[kell0618]

I have been to Masses where there were no books carried in the procession. The lectionary was already on the ambo at the beginning of Mass. Then priest walked to the ambo before the Gospel without carrying any book and read the gospel from the lectionary.

This is the way it is done in our Parish.

 

[Titus]

And that is the way it should be if there is no Book of the Gospels.

Can I confirm that there should never be a Lectionary carried, with a GIRM quote, so I can show our PP and sacristan. I thought this, but they said I was wrong.

Sorry for sidetracking…

 

[Servulus]

Can I confirm that there should never be a Lectionary carried, with a GIRM quote, so I can show our PP and sacristan. I thought this, but they said I was wrong.

Here you go . . .

“120 Once the people have gathered, the priest and ministers, clad in their vestments, go to the altar in this order:
a) the thurifer with the lighted censer, if incense or a censer is desired;
b) the ministers who carry lighted candles, and between them an acolyte or other minister with the cross;
c) acolytes and other ministers;
d) a reader, who may carry the Book of the Gospels elevated slightly. **The Lectionary is never carried in procession; **
e) the priest who is to celebrate the Mass.
If incense is used, the priest puts some in the censer before the procession begins and blesses it with the sign of the cross in silence.”

(Emphasis added)

Hope that helps.