Funeral readings

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sr.christinaosf

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Is it permissible to use another reading (from Isaiah) not listed among the suggestions for funerals at a funeral Mass?
Thank you.
 
That’s something to discuss with the priest who will preside at the Mass. I know that when my mother died, the priest (a friend) told me to use any readings I would find comforting. I don’t know if that was strictly kosher.
 
Your Country’s Bishops conference has selected funeral readings approved for your country. Your parish should give you all of the possible options.
 
I am looking at the lectionary section “Masses for the Dead”. There are 7 choices from the Old Testament for the First Reading; 4 choices from the New Testament for the First Reading during the Easter Season; 15 choices from the New Testament for a Second Reading (if any); and, 19 choices from the Gospels.

If anybody finds the selection unsatisfactory, I think they ought to be reminded that the liturgy is not about them. Just my two cents.

P.S. I see that they are listed here: Masses for the Dead.
 
General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

“385.
In the arranging and choosing of the variable parts of the Mass for the Dead, especially the Funeral Mass (for example, orations, readings, and the Universal Prayer), pastoral considerations bearing upon the deceased, the family, and those attending should be kept in mind.

Moreover, pastors should take into special account those who are present at a liturgical celebration or who hear the Gospel on the occasion of the funeral and who may be non-Catholics or Catholics who never or hardly ever participate in the Eucharist or who seem even to have lost the faith. For Priests are ministers of Christ’s Gospel for all.”

Instruction Actio pastoralis (On Masses with special groups) of 15 May 1969:

“2. It is right to include the following among those special groups for whose benefit the eucharist may be celebrated: ….

f. gatherings in the home on the occasion of a wake or other special religious occasion.”

“6. … e. In the liturgy of the word, depending on the actual situation, texts may be chosen that are more suited to the particular celebration, provided they are chosen from the texts of an approved lectionary.”

Directory for Masses with Children (22 October 1973):

“19. … Wherever the bishop permits, in addition to the adaptations already provided in the Order of the Mass, one or other of the particular adaptations described later in the Directory may be employed in a Mass celebrated with adults in which children also participate.”

“43. If all the readings assigned to the day seem to be unsuited to the capacity of the children, it is permissible to choose readings or a reading either from the Lectionary of the Roman Missal or directly from the Bible, but taking into account the liturgical seasons.”

So I think other options are permitted in some situations.

[1969 Instruction quoted from pages 673 and 674 of the book “Documents on the Liturgy 1963-1979” (c) 1982 International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. Directory of 1973 quoted from pages 680 and 686 of the book “Documents on the Liturgy 1963-1979” (c) 1982 International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. Excerpts from the English translation of the Roman Missal (c) 2010 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.]
 
The 2010 General Instruction of the Roman Missal also has:
“358. … In Masses for special groups, the Priest shall be allowed to choose texts more particularly suited to the particular celebration, provided they are taken from the texts of an approved Lectionary.”
 
I don’t think GIRM # 358 applies in the case of a Funeral Mass. Number 359 does: “In addition, in the Lectionary a special selection of texts from Sacred Scripture is given for Ritual Masses into which certain Sacraments or Sacramentals are incorporated, or for Masses that are celebrated for certain needs. Sets of readings of this kind have been so prescribed so that through a more apt hearing of the Word of God the faithful may be led to a fuller understanding of the mystery in which they are participating, and may be educated to a more ardent love of the Word of God. Therefore, the texts proclaimed in the celebration are to be chosen keeping in mind both an appropriate pastoral reason and the options allowed in this matter.”
 
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