May I read the part of Jesus at Mass this Sunday?

[mroeckell]

I am a lector at my local parish. During Lent, we read the Gospel as more or a dramatic reading, that is, we have a narrator (typically the Deacon) and two laypeople, one reads the part of Jesus and one who reads a speaker part.

Is this permissible? I have been asked to read the Jesus part one Sunday.

Thanks!

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Ordinarily only a deacon, priest or bishop is allowed to proclaim the Gospel at Mass.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee On Divine Worship reminds us that : “The proclamation of the Gospel is reserved to the deacon, if he is present, or to a priest.” (II The Proclamation of the Gospel at Mass, #8. See: usccb.org/liturgy/innews/042000.shtml)

An exception is made during Holy Week when the laity may join in the reading of the passion. But the Church stipulates that a priest, who ministers in the person of Christ, must read the words attributed to Him.

So your parish should not be dramatizing the Gospel on the Sundays of Lent—period. There is no official Church documentation to support such practice.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.