Dramatic Palm Sunday readings OK?

[Mickey_Jackson]

Tomorrow my parish, like every parish in the US on Palm Sunday, will replace the Gospel with a “dramatic reading” of the Passion. The deacon will play the role of the narrator, the priest the role of Jesus, and various participants from the congregation the other roles.

I’m not very well informed on this, but it seems like yet another instance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass being turned into entertainment. What is the Church’s official position on dramatic Passion readings for Palm Sunday? Has Rome spoken on this issue? Is there any Traditional precedent for this practice?

Pax vobis!

 

[AJV]

Tomorrow my parish, like every parish in the US on Palm Sunday, will replace the Gospel with a “dramatic reading” of the Passion. The deacon will play the role of the narrator, the priest the role of Jesus, and various participants from the congregation the other roles.

I’m not very well informed on this, but it seems like yet another instance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass being turned into entertainment. What is the Church’s official position on dramatic Passion readings for Palm Sunday? Has Rome spoken on this issue? Is there any Traditional precedent for this practice?

Pax vobis!

This reading of the Passion by multiple people is licit. The difference between this and the Traditional liturgy is that traditionally it is sung by priest and multiple deacons *. The OF/NO rubrics allow for lay readers, while reserving the part of Christ to the priest.

• I think that traditionally, the liturgical choir might have been able to chime in with some of the Synagoga ** parts but I’ll have to look at the rubrics and decrees again - I’m not sure. I do remember that polyphonic parts were written for this - I was just listening to Victoria’s yesterday.

** non-narrator, non-Christ parts

 

[AJV]

Tomorrow my parish, like every parish in the US on Palm Sunday, will replace the Gospel with a “dramatic reading” of the Passion. The deacon will play the role of the narrator, the priest the role of Jesus, and various participants from the congregation the other roles.

I’m not very well informed on this, but it seems like yet another instance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass being turned into entertainment. What is the Church’s official position on dramatic Passion readings for Palm Sunday? Has Rome spoken on this issue? Is there any Traditional precedent for this practice?

Pax vobis!

This reading of the Passion by multiple people is licit. The difference between this and the Traditional liturgy is that traditionally it is sung by priest and multiple deacons *. The OF/NO rubrics allow for lay readers, while reserving the part of Christ to the priest.

• I think that traditionally, the liturgical choir might have been able to chime in with some of the Synagoga ** parts but I’ll have to look at the rubrics and decrees again - I’m not sure. I do remember that polyphonic parts were written for this - I was just listening to Victoria’s yesterday.

** non-narrator, non-Christ parts

 

[Cat]

Call me an ol’ stick-in-the-mud, but I really don’t find the reading of the Passion of Our Lord “entertaining” even if it is read by multiple people.

Even if one of those people was my favorite actor (sigh), I still wouldn’t find this passage of Scripture “entertaining.”

 

[ProVobis]

I guess I always had a problem shouting “Give us Barabbas” so I would say I don’t think the drama is appropriate.

 

[Corki]

I guess I always had a problem shouting “Give us Barabbas” so I would say I don’t think the drama is appropriate.

I was listening to a radio show about this the other day. The priest was saying that when we all say “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” it is supposed to be uncomfortable and remind us that it is OUR sins that are responsible.

 

[LilyM]

I guess I always had a problem shouting “Give us Barabbas” so I would say I don’t think the drama is appropriate.

The point of doing so is to remind us that each of us, with our individual sins, contributed just as much to Christ’s death as those who were there shouting ‘Give us Barabbas’ or ‘Crucify Him’ :crying:

 

[Phemie]

The point of doing so is to remind us that each of us, with our individual sins, contributed just as much to Christ’s death as those who were there shouting ‘Give us Barabbas’ or ‘Crucify Him’ :crying:

I only wish the assembly wasn’t required to take part but the ‘group’ responses were done by one reader. I never carry a missal and I find it obtrusive to have to follow along with the Passion when I would rather be listening. For that reason if I had my druthers the Passion would be read straight through.

 

[brotherhrolf]

We have the dramatic Palm Sunday readings and on Good Friday we chant John. A priest takes the part of Jesus, there are two cantors to chant the other parts, and the choir chants the people “Give us Barabas, not this one!” And then only male choristers concerning Jesus’ robe. “We shouldn’t tear it. Let’s throw dice to see who gets it.”

 

[ProVobis]

I was listening to a radio show about this the other day. The priest was saying that when we all say “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” it is supposed to be uncomfortable and remind us that it is OUR sins that are responsible.

I see what you’re saying but how far do we want to go with this? The Philipinos actually drive nails into their wrists to remind them of their sins. Is this ok?