J
JohnLilburne
Guest
In 2019 Pope Francis issued a Motu Proprio Aperuit illis. It has the title “Instituting the Sunday of the Word of God”. It includes: “3. Consequently, I hereby declare that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the word of God.” Also in n. 3:
“The various communities will find their own ways to mark this Sunday with a certain solemnity. It is important, however, that in the Eucharistic celebration the sacred text be enthroned, in order to focus the attention of the assembly on the normative value of God’s word.”
I think this calls for something different to another Sunday Mass. Here are my suggestions on how to do the enthronement.
Method A – Like for a bible at a funeral. Carry the bible in the entrance procession, as in Order of Christian Funerals:
“134. If in this rite a symbol of the Christian life is to be placed on the coffin, it is carried in the procession and is placed on the coffin by a family member, friend, or the minister at the conclusion of the procession.”
When carrying the bible do not bow or genuflect, instead do a bow of the head before entering the sanctuary. Instead of placing it on a coffin, place it on a stand or table at the front and center of the sanctuary. Leave it there for the whole Mass, unless it is used for a ceremony of instituting lectors or a blessing of readers (as described in the USA’s Book of Blessings, n. 1829.)
Method B – Like for a synod. Ceremonial of Bishops, n. 1174 has: “After the gospel reading, the open Book of the Gospels is placed on a suitable stand in the center of the sanctuary (chancel).” This is from the chapter with the title “Plenary or Provincial Council and Diocesan Synod.” If the Gospel is read from a Lectionary, then place that book open on the stand.
Method C – After the Creed. In many places people will be used to sitting down after the Gospel is read. I think it would be better if they were standing for the enthronement. A way to achieve this would be to have the enthronement after the Creed and before the Prayer of the Faithful.
Any comments? Other ideas? Which of the above ways do people think would work best?
[Excerpt from the English translation of Order of Christian Funerals © 1985, International Commission for English in the Liturgy Corporation. Excerpt from the English translation of Ceremonial of Bishops © 1989, ICEL. All rights reserved.]
“The various communities will find their own ways to mark this Sunday with a certain solemnity. It is important, however, that in the Eucharistic celebration the sacred text be enthroned, in order to focus the attention of the assembly on the normative value of God’s word.”
I think this calls for something different to another Sunday Mass. Here are my suggestions on how to do the enthronement.
Method A – Like for a bible at a funeral. Carry the bible in the entrance procession, as in Order of Christian Funerals:
“134. If in this rite a symbol of the Christian life is to be placed on the coffin, it is carried in the procession and is placed on the coffin by a family member, friend, or the minister at the conclusion of the procession.”
When carrying the bible do not bow or genuflect, instead do a bow of the head before entering the sanctuary. Instead of placing it on a coffin, place it on a stand or table at the front and center of the sanctuary. Leave it there for the whole Mass, unless it is used for a ceremony of instituting lectors or a blessing of readers (as described in the USA’s Book of Blessings, n. 1829.)
Method B – Like for a synod. Ceremonial of Bishops, n. 1174 has: “After the gospel reading, the open Book of the Gospels is placed on a suitable stand in the center of the sanctuary (chancel).” This is from the chapter with the title “Plenary or Provincial Council and Diocesan Synod.” If the Gospel is read from a Lectionary, then place that book open on the stand.
Method C – After the Creed. In many places people will be used to sitting down after the Gospel is read. I think it would be better if they were standing for the enthronement. A way to achieve this would be to have the enthronement after the Creed and before the Prayer of the Faithful.
Any comments? Other ideas? Which of the above ways do people think would work best?
[Excerpt from the English translation of Order of Christian Funerals © 1985, International Commission for English in the Liturgy Corporation. Excerpt from the English translation of Ceremonial of Bishops © 1989, ICEL. All rights reserved.]