Lector reads Poem Before Gospel

[Togonon]

The lectors in our parish have started reading poems immediately after the second reading and prior to the Gospel. Is this proper?

Thanks for any help!

 

[FrDavid96]

The lectors in our parish have started reading poems immediately after the second reading and prior to the Gospel. Is this proper?

Thanks for any help!

Most likely, yes. The last few Sundays, there is an optional “Sequence” which is provided by the Church to be done before the Gospel. Although I don’t know exactly what was read, from where I sit, it sounds like that’s what you’re describing. The sequence is not only permitted, it’s strongly recommended.

It’s possible that what you experienced was not proper, but it is much more likely (almost a given) that what you heard was the legitimate and proper Sequence.

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“64. The Sequence, which is optional except on Easter Sunday and on Pentecost Day, is sung before the Alleluia.”

From Lectionary Volume 1 Study Edition, Collins Liturgical Australia, 1983, ISBN 0 00 599764-X, page 586, Pentecost Sunday, Day Mass:

"SEQUENCE
The sequence may be said or sung.

Holy Spirit, Lord of light,

Thou, of all consolers best,
​

From the clear celestial height

Thou, the soul’s delightful guest,​

Thy pure beaming radiance give.

Does refreshing peace bestow; …"​

From the Introduction of Ordo cantus Missae, of 24 June 1974 (From Documents on the Liturgy 1963-1979, Liturgical Press, Minnesota, 1982, ISBN 0-8146-1281-4, page 1346):

“8. When there is a sequence, it is sung in alternation either by the cantors with choir or by the two parts of the choir;”

 

[johns58w]

The lectors in our parish have started reading poems immediately after the second reading and prior to the Gospel. Is this proper?

Thanks for any help!

I never experienced the poems after second reading. If it was today (Corpus Christi) the Lauda Sion was recited as the norm for this solemnity.

John Lilburne’s post I read on General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) would explain more on this.

 

[plato3]

All those present recited the sequence for Corpus Christi at our Mass.

 

[OraLabora]

I have sung all of the sequences in Latin this year at my church.

On Easter Sunday, I sang “Victimae Paschali Laudes” as a duet (alternating verses) with one of the altos in our choir. Then on Pentecost, I sang “Veni Sancte Spiritus” as a solo. Today, I sang the ending part of “Lauda Sion Salvatorem.” The beginning up until “Ecce Panis Angelorum” has been made optional in the Lectionary, so I only actually sang the last four verses. “Ecce Panis Angelorum” - “Bone Pastor”.

They are very moving pieces, both musically and textually.

Hat’s off to you! Lauda Sion’s last 4 verses are exceptionally beautiful to sing. At our abbey we sing them ever first Friday of the month at Benediction. Our schola has chanted them too from time to time.

Today was not Corpus Christi at the abbey, it was the 10th Sunday in O.T. Corpus Christi was celebrated on its proper day, last Thursday. As the monks have no work obligations in the secular world, the feast is not transferred. Alas I missed it as I was stuck in the garage with a broken-down car. I supposed I could have attended a parish instead… but admit I have a problem with the appalling music and liturgy in our local parishes.

 

[jmcrae]

Most likely, yes. The last few Sundays, there is an optional “Sequence” which is provided by the Church to be done before the Gospel. Although I don’t know exactly what was read, from where I sit, it sounds like that’s what you’re describing. The sequence is not only permitted, it’s strongly recommended.

It’s possible that what you experienced was not proper, but it is much more likely (almost a given) that what you heard was the legitimate and proper Sequence.

At our parish, they are typically sung, rather than recited.

 

[baltobetsy]

I was the cantor at our Saturday evening Mass for Corpus Christi. The music director forgot to include the Sequence in the schedule, so five minutes before Mass, when the deacon asked me if we’re doing the long form or the short form, I was caught by surprise! I opted for the short form, set it to a four-line Anglican chant tone that I know by memory, and did it on the fly. It turned out fine. Whew!

Betsy

 

[Togonon]

Thank you all so much for the replies. I was getting so distracted at mass wondering if the lector was just simply saying a poem in the middle of the readings. Thanks again!

 

[choy]

i thought it was to be omitted if not sung?

i was surprised our priest omitted it. but when we had dinner after mass (dinner with the PREP teachers) he revealed he had some throat problems and cannot sing. i know he’s not the type to short-cut masses and would include everything thats dubbed optional. but he had a good reason