Can we shorten the Psalms at Easter Vigil?

[Gertabelle]

We are only doing four readings, and the choir director told us we would only be doing the first verse of each of the Psalms. “With all these readings, we’d be here forever if we sang every verse of every Psalm.”

The response to the Epistle (Alleluia, Psalm 118) is being replaced with the Celtic Alleluia with one verse that sort of corresponds with the first verse of the actual responsorial Psalm.

I sat there shocked and really upset. I asked the choir director about this during rehearsal. This is our last rehearsal – we sing on Good Friday and Easter Vigil – and the only one where we’ve sung through the Psalms, so I couldn’t ask her privately. “This is what we’re doing. It’s been decided.”

Is it permissable to shorten the Psalms for Easter Vigil? How can I find out?

I’m such a whimp, I sat there and cried through the next 45 minutes of rehearsal. I am extremely sensitive to music ministers and even priests messing with the mass. I left the Church and stayed away for some 14 years after spending years in a parish where “anything goes” during mass – drama and convenience being the driving force.

Help? If this licit, I’ll smile and sing my heart out. If not, I’ll pray for guidance.

Gertie

 

[John_Lilburne]

The rubrics for the Easter Vigil include: “23. … In place of the Responsorial Psalm a period of sacred silence may be observed, in which case the pause after Let us pray is omitted.”

Another rubric has:

“20. In this Vigil, the mother of all Vigils, nine readings are provided, namely seven from the Old Testament and two from the New (the Epistle and Gospel), all of which should be read whenever this can be done, so that the character of the Vigil, which demands an extended period of time, may be preserved.
21. Nevertheless, where more serious pastoral circumstances demand it, the number of readings from the Old Testament may be reduced, always bearing in mind that the reading of the Word of God is a fundamental part of this Easter Vigil. At least three readings should be read from the Old Testament, both from the Law and from the Prophets, and their respective Responsorial Psalms should be sung. Never, moreover, should the reading of chapter 14 of Exodus with its canticle be omitted.”

So it seems that only one psalm is required, the others can be replaced with silence.

From the Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass:
“12. In the celebration of Mass the biblical readings with their accompanying scriptural chants may not be omitted, shortened, or, worse still, replaced by nonbiblical readings.”

So I don’t think it is permitted to have just one verse of the psalm, that it is shortening it.

(Reference: Roman Missal, English translation according to the third typical edition, approved for use in the dioceses of Australia, England and Wales, and Scotland, published by Catholic Truth Society, in 2010, ISBN 9781860827303, page 397).

 

[Anna_Claire]

I’m with you on this Gertabelle. I believe it is permitted. However, this is our most important night of the liturgical year…a wonderful night if done the way it should be. Yes, it can be a very long night especially if there are multiple baptisms but why cant we be excited about that?!! I know of a few parishes who don’t cut out anything and will pause at a specific point in the liturgy to allow for people to leave if need be, some fresh air or bathroom breaks. My pastor is a minimalist… Does only what is required.

 

[Gertabelle]

The rubrics for the Easter Vigil include: “23. … In place of the Responsorial Psalm a period of sacred silence may be observed, in which case the pause after Let us pray is omitted.”

Another rubric has:

“20. In this Vigil, the mother of all Vigils, nine readings are provided, namely seven from the Old Testament and two from the New (the Epistle and Gospel), all of which should be read whenever this can be done, so that the character of the Vigil, which demands an extended period of time, may be preserved.
21. Nevertheless, where more serious pastoral circumstances demand it, the number of readings from the Old Testament may be reduced, always bearing in mind that the reading of the Word of God is a fundamental part of this Easter Vigil. At least three readings should be read from the Old Testament, both from the Law and from the Prophets, and their respective Responsorial Psalms should be sung. Never, moreover, should the reading of chapter 14 of Exodus with its canticle be omitted.”

So it seems that only one psalm is required, the others can be replaced with silence.

From the Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass:
“12. In the celebration of Mass the biblical readings with their accompanying scriptural chants may not be omitted, shortened, or, worse still, replaced by nonbiblical readings.”

So I don’t think it is permitted to have just one verse of the psalm, that it is shortening it.

(Reference: Roman Missal, English translation according to the third typical edition, approved for use in the dioceses of Australia, England and Wales, and Scotland, published by Catholic Truth Society, in 2010, ISBN 9781860827303, page 397).

Well, this sort of puts my mind at ease… but that part about using fewer readings and their respective Responsorial Psalms makes me think we’re out of line. And as you point out, better to sit in silence than to shorten the word of God.

Thanks for helping me out with this. I didn’t even know which document to look for!

God bless you.

Gertie