Easter Vigil - 2 OT readings?!

[J1Priest]

Hello, Happy Easter!

Today at the Easter Vigil at my home parish, the Mass only had 2 readings from the Old Testament, and I was wondering if this is allowed?
because when I called out to the Pastor that the Weekly Missal they have (Heritage 2008) said that the 7 readings have to be said unless something extraordinary happened, in which case 3 would be said.

He said that somewhere else it says that two are allowed.

The Mass was about 2 hours and there was Baptism and Confirmation, so maybe less readings could have been made, but still the book said at least 3.

Thank you,
God bless,
Juan J.

 

[chewchoo]

we had only 4 OT readings at our mass.
and… as i was going up to communion the woman in front of me was actually talking to the priest about it. right as she received communion!. i’ve never seen such a thing!!

 

[IrishAm]

I would appreciate some clarification as well. Our very traditional (with a small “t”) parish had only four of the seven OT readings. (We had 20 elect/candidates leading up to 2 1/2 hours for the Vigil. And no complaints – it was truly glorious!!)

 

[IrishAm]

we had only 4 OT readings at our mass.
and… as i was going up to communion the woman in front of me was actually talking to the priest about it. right as she received communion!. i’ve never seen such a thing!!

Did she think 4 was too many or not enough?

 

[chewchoo]

Did she think 4 was too many or not enough?

can’t be sure, once i noticed that a conversation was going on i only heard the priest say, it’s okay and i’ll talk to you more about this later

 

[J1Priest]

Yeah, during Communion is not the time to ask that. Lol.

But hum, apparently because of Baptisms and Confirmation the readings are done shorter, but 2 seems WAY too little to me, especially since the Genesis reading was the short form, which is very short indeed.

Btw, this parish is not traditional at all, I still have to find a way to call out the many mini-abuses that go on…

Pax Christi.

 

[chewchoo]

Yeah, during Communion is not the time to ask that. Lol.

But hum, apparently because of Baptisms and Confirmation the readings are done shorter, but 2 seems WAY too little to me, especially since the Genesis reading was the short form, which is very short indeed.

Btw, this parish is not traditional at all, I still have to find a way to call out the many mini-abuses that go on…

Pax Christi.

our genesis was the long reading.

i’m looking here in my magnificat…
it says “if circumstances demand in individual cases, the number of prescribed readings may be reduced. 3 from OT should be read before the epistle and gospel, altho when necessary, 2 maybe read. exodus should never be omitted”

 

[IrishAm]

We had Genesis 1:1-2:2; Exodus 14:15-15:1; Isaiah 55:1-11; and Ezekiel 36:16-28. (Long forms all.)

 

[chewchoo]

We had Genesis 1:1-2:2; Exodus 14:15-15:1; Isaiah 55:1-11; and Ezekiel 36:16-28. (Long forms all.)

yep, same here.

 

[peregrinus_WA]

I have been to OF Masses where anywhere from 4 to all readings were done. Normally it was about a 3 hour Mass.

My parish did the OF Mass tonight and it was about the same length.

 

[Rabbititus]

We had five readings - all the long versions.

Six people were baptized into the church - it was a glorious and uplifting mass.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

We had five readings - all the long versions.

Six people were baptized into the church - it was a glorious and uplifting mass.

We had four baptisms, two professions of faith, and two completing their sacraments.

With that we had all seven readings and they were all the long versions.

 

[J1Priest]

all my life (I’m from Colombia, moved here in 2000) I’ve been to Masses with the 7 readings, as far as I can recall.

Now that I am really into Catholicism (cradle Catholic, though) and the Mass, I get a Mass with 2 OT readings amongst other things which disturb my inner peace… lol

The Heritage hymnal/missal they have there cited some “EV” documents, so I’d like to see in what documents does it say that two can be said, and if Baptism and Confirmation are valid reasons for keepin it so short.

 

[AngelRose81]

According to my Missal there must be at least 2 OT readings

 

[Tonks40]

We had Genesis 1:1-2:2; Exodus 14:15-15:1; Isaiah 55:1-11; and Ezekiel 36:16-28. (Long forms all.)

Ditto.

 

[majuscule]

We had no Baptisms or Confirmations. We did all 7 readings. Long versions of the ones with that option. Everyone got to participate at our small church.

 

[Phemie]

all my life (I’m from Colombia, moved here in 2000) I’ve been to Masses with the 7 readings, as far as I can recall.

Now that I am really into Catholicism (cradle Catholic, though) and the Mass, I get a Mass with 2 OT readings amongst other things which disturb my inner peace… lol

The Heritage hymnal/missal they have there cited some “EV” documents, so I’d like to see in what documents does it say that two can be said, and if Baptism and Confirmation are valid reasons for keepin it so short.

PASCHALE SOLEMNITATIS says this:

1. The readings from Sacred Scripture constitute the second part of the Vigil. They give the account of the outstanding deeds of the history of salvation, which the faithful are helped to meditate calmly upon by the singing of the responsorial psalm, by a silent pause, and by the celebrant’s prayer.

The restored order for the Vigil has seven readings from the Old Testament, chosen from the law and the prophets, which are everywhere in use according to the most ancient tradition of East and West; and two readings from the New Testament, namely, from the apostles and from the gospel. Thus, the Church, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets,” explains Christ’s paschal mystery. [90] Consequently, wherever this is possible, all the readings should be read in order so that the character of the Easter Vigil, which demands that it be somewhat prolonged, be respected at all costs.

Where, however, pastoral conditions require that the number of readings be reduced, there should be at least three readings from the Old Testament, taken from the law and the prophets; and the reading from Exodus (ch. 14) with its canticle, must never be omitted. [91]

 

[THurifer2]

If there are No baptisms any two OT readings suffice.

If there are baptisms OT #2 and #4 MUST be read.

With that in Mind i am not certain those are the two readings required but thats what I recall. so I await corrections on the matter.

 

[twf]

We did all seven at my parish. I had no idea you could do fewer. I have never seen a vigil without all seven OT readings.

 

[Jennifer_G]

We had Genesis 1:1-2:2; Exodus 14:15-15:1; Isaiah 55:1-11; and Ezekiel 36:16-28. (Long forms all.)

Same here, too. Our parish has a thing for long versions of readings.

We did all seven at my parish. I had no idea you could do fewer. I have never seen a vigil without all seven OT readings.

That sounds about right. I think there was a responsatory psalm response that wasn’t in the Magnificat for one psalm. (Maybe they forgot to put it in? )