Odd Mass Today

[Dauphin]

Hi,

This morning’s mass was done in a way I’ve never seen before, and I just want to make sure that there’s nothing irregular about it.

The mass began with a Gospel reading from the back of the cathedral, just below the choir loft (the priest had a clip-on microphone). After the reading, the procession continued to the sanctuary. For the Gospel reading during the liturgy of the word, there were three readers: the priest and two laypeople (a man and a woman). They did a ‘reenactment’ of Luke 22:14 to 23:49 (just reading, no moving). The man narrated, the priest took the voice of Jesus Christ, and the woman took the voice of Peter. The choir also took the voice of ‘the crowd’ at times.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I was under the impression that Gospel readings were only to be done during the liturgy of the word, and only in the sanctuary. I also believed that the priest was the only one who could read from the Gospels. Am I wrong? Is this particular type of mass acceptable on Palm Sunday?

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Hi,

This morning’s mass was done in a way I’ve never seen before, and I just want to make sure that there’s nothing irregular about it.

The mass began with a Gospel reading from the back of the cathedral, just below the choir loft (the priest had a clip-on microphone). After the reading, the procession continued to the sanctuary. For the Gospel reading during the liturgy of the word, there were three readers: the priest and two laypeople (a man and a woman). They did a ‘reenactment’ of Luke 22:14 to 23:49 (just reading, no moving). The man narrated, the priest took the voice of Jesus Christ, and the woman took the voice of Peter. The choir also took the voice of ‘the crowd’ at times.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I was under the impression that Gospel readings were only to be done during the liturgy of the word, and only in the sanctuary. I also believed that the priest was the only one who could read from the Gospels. Am I wrong? Is this particular type of mass acceptable on palm Sunday?

Today, the first Gospel you heard is read at the blessing of the palms. Then once the palms are blessed the following readings with the Gospel of the Passion is read, usually with three people as you mentioned.

Nothing unusual about this.

Jim

 

[Dauphin]

I’m glad! Thanks!

 

[LindaJM]

Hello,

My church does the same thing with the priest, the woman and the man all reading the gospel of the Lord’s Passion, no movement, just reading. We have always done the reading of the Passion this way on Palm Sunday. All of the readings are done in the sanctuary though, none from the back of the church. The priest also invites us to join in a procession holding our blessed palms just after he blesses them. Families with children are especially encouraged to participate. They process up the center, down and around the church holding their palms up. We have also always done this as well. It was a beautiful service this morning

 

[brotherhrolf]

We go to a public plaza about a block away from the cathedral. The gospel is read; the palms are blessed. Bishop, priests, and congregation are lead by the crucifer and choir (w/ handbells) singing “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” in procession to the cathedral. Everyone enters the cathedral to thunderous organ and brass until all are in their pews.

The Passion is read on Palm Sunday but is sung on Good Friday.

 

[davy39]

Our church did the same thing this morning. But rest easy, all you traditionalists, we had the priest, a deacon, and a male reader to read the passion. The people read the part of the crowd.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi,

This morning’s mass was done in a way I’ve never seen before, and I just want to make sure that there’s nothing irregular about it.

The mass began with a Gospel reading from the back of the cathedral, just below the choir loft (the priest had a clip-on microphone). After the reading, the procession continued to the sanctuary. For the Gospel reading during the liturgy of the word, there were three readers: the priest and two laypeople (a man and a woman). ?

number one, today is Palm Sunday, and the liturgy begins with the blessing of the palms, outside the Church or at the entrance, and the gospel of Jesus entering Jerusalem in triumph is read. Then the priest processes in, sprinkling the people, and the palms they are holding, in the asperges, usually with a sprig or leafy branch (our priest really gets carried away, like sitting in the first 5 rows at Sea World). Previous poster is correct, it is good to have the people join in the procession, especially the children, carrying palms (or in some countries willow branches or other available greenery according to climate and season). If you read the gospel carefully you will see why children should participate. A suitable hymn may be sung during the procession.

The actual gospel of the Sunday for Mass is the Passion, according to the cycle, this year is C, so it is from Luke. The readers did NOT do a re-enactment, the proclaimed the gospel, they used the actual words from the Gospel, and this is the one time–proclamation of the Passion of the Lord-- it is permitted to be proclaimed in this way, with a narrator, speaker, priest saying words of Christ, and congregation as the Chorus.

It may be done this way on Good Friday when the Passion from John’s Gospel is read (but does not have to be).

Anything else, like a concurrent thread, which involves changing the words of the gospel, using modern language etc., acting out a play based on the gospel rather than the actual words of the evangelist, is an abuse. Also the words of Christ must be read by a priest or deacon. If women lectors are allowed in your country, a woman may read any of the other parts, narrator or speaker. Also they must use the format approved for the lectionary by the bishops of your country.

There are many occassion when Mass is preceded by various rites, such as those connected with RCIA, baptism of an infant during Mass, etc. and some of those include a proclamation taken from one of the gospels. That however does not replace the Liturgy of the Word for the Mass of the day. In some cases it may replace the penitential rite, however, or it may include petitions, which then replace the prayer of the faithful.

 

[Lorrie]

Our church did the same thing this morning. But rest easy, all you traditionalists, we had the priest, a deacon, and a male reader to read the passion. The people read the part of the crowd.

Same here.

 

[LilyM]

Our church did the same thing this morning. But rest easy, all you traditionalists, we had the priest, a deacon, and a male reader to read the passion. The people read the part of the crowd.

Same here.

We started off in the churchyard, where the Gospel about the entry into Jerusalem was read and the palms blessed, then we all went into the church.

Palm Sunday is unique like that.

 

[AngelRose81]

We did this at our church too.

We all went out into the front of the church were the palms were blessed and the gospel was read and everyone got at least one palm. Then we processed into the church singing and then sat. The gospel in the liturgy was done with a woman narrarator, male speker, and our priest said Jesus’ words. Then the rest of us joined in when it was said in the Missal. It really made you think when you heard yourself and everyone else around saying “Crucify him, Crucify him!” Kind of made you get your heart in the right place after that.

 

[MusicMan]

The resource guide provided by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (npm.org) often recommends that the congregation NOT read the crowd part as it puts them at odds with Jesus. NPM is the resource guide my church uses. I complained to my pastor about this section, and we collectively rolled our eyes. Our congregation, despite the fact that they need some prodding, reads the crowd parts. at NPM.

 

[LilyM]

The resource guide provided by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (npm.org) often recommends that the congregation NOT read the crowd part as ***it puts them at odds with Jesus. ***NPM is the resource guide my church uses. I complained to my pastor about this section, and we collectively rolled our eyes. Our congregation, despite the fact that they need some prodding, reads the crowd parts. at NPM.

Well, we get to play Apostles too, ya know, at the Last Supper and stuff :yup:

And it is kinda sorta the whole point - that we ARE often at odds with Jesus