Confusion in the Procession

[CantorRick]

According to the 2003 G.I.R.M., in the section on Celebrations of the Eucharest Without a Deacon, the Reader (Lector) is to carry the Book of Gospels in the Procession. A parish priest I know has indicated this has been changed so ONLY the Deacon carries the book in procession. Can anyone cite an authority (revision) to the G.I.R.M. with this admonishment?

 

[gelsbern]

First off I am surprised that there is a procession at all since it’s is NOT a Mass and the procession should be reserved for a Mass so as to avoid confusion.

However if there is a procession and it is it is a Sunday Celebration with a deacon, the Deacon is to be the one carrying the Book of the Gospels. A lector can do it if a deacon isn’t there, but as of this date, I am unaware of any authorized laity led Sunday celebrations.

The church’s structure is not like a millitary chain of command where, if the captain isn’t around a the lieutanant does the captain’s job and the seargeant does the lietenants job. The priest IS NOT THERE, so the deacon continues with his roles as specified by the instructions Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a priest.

In any event as current as the USCCB website can be the only thing I can find in regards to what you are looking for however it does state “when no deacon is present”…

usccb.org/liturgy/girm/lit3.shtml

in the section entitled Functions of a Lector

In the procession to the altar, when no deacon is present, the lector, wearing the appropriate vesture, (2) may carry the Book of the Gospels elevated slightly. In that case, the lector walks in front of the priest, otherwise with the other ministers (194).

 

[CantorRick]

Thanks Greg,
I was in fact referring to a Mass so the procession is germain. You and I have referred to the same source document, G.I.R.M.2003, and have arrived at the same conclusion.

Does anyone else know of an amendment to the General Instruction specifically prohibiting the reader/lector from carrying the Book of Gospels in the Entrance Rite for the Mass???

 

[gelsbern]

Well now that we have that clarified there is the document Redemptionis Sacramentum

usccb.org/liturgy/documents/instructioneng.shtml

In it it states in Chapter VII Item #153

1. Furthermore, it is never licit for laypersons to assume the role or the vesture of a Priest or a Deacon or other clothing similar to such vesture.

It could be your priest is being too scrupulous about this, as the role of a deacon at Mass is to carry the book of the Gospels. But the previous GIRM still stands, Redemptionis Sacramentum is supposed to be a clarification of those rules. So it is possible your priest is misinterpreting them, but the way he is misinterpreting them can in no way be considered an abuse.

On a side note, if there is a processional cross used in the procession, the Book of the Gospels can be pre-placed in the sanctuary or the deacon can carry it in an indiscrete manner to the sanctuary. If the proecessional cross is not used, then the deacon walks ahead of the priest with the Book of the Gospels held high.