Priest/palm sunday

[SHAKA_MAKA1]

Every thing I read on these forums states the priest should do the reading of the passion were ever there is a cross (t) in the missal. Is this correct? In the missal itself, which in the past I’ve always found to be very good at following the G.I.R.M., says the “priest and/or readers will now do the passion”. This and/or seems to imply it dosen’t have to be the priest at all. Which is correct? Any one elses missal state this?

 

[FrDavid96]

Every thing I read on these forums states the priest should do the reading of the passion were ever there is a cross (t) in the missal. Is this correct? In the missal itself, which in the past I’ve always found to be very good at following the G.I.R.M., says the “priest and/or readers will now do the passion”. This and/or seems to imply it dosen’t have to be the priest at all. Which is correct? Any one elses missal state this?

I’m not sure which missal you have, but here’s one possibility:

The Passion may be read either in the usual way that we hear the Gospel on a Sunday or it may be done in parts. That might expain the “and/or”

If the Passion is read by a “reader” then the actual words of Christ must be said by the priest, insofar as this is possible.

 

[SHAKA_MAKA1]

When I say missal, I mean the book that is each pew. In the past it has been very hepful in it’s explanation as to what and who will do something next.

 

[John_Lilburne]

The rubrics in the Roman Missal for Palm Sunday:
“The passion is read by the deacon or, if there is no deacon, by the priest. It may also be read by lay readers, with the part of Christ, if possible, reserved to the priest.”
(Roman Missal, Catholic Book Publishing Co., New York, 1985, page 126).

In the new Latin edition:
“21. … Legitur autem a diacono vel, ipso deficiente, a sacerdote. Legi potest etiam a lectoribus, parte Christi, si fieri potest, sacerdoti reservata.”
(Missale Romanum, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2002, ISBN: 8820972719, page 281.)

 

[FrDavid96]

When I say missal, I mean the book that is each pew. In the past it has been very hepful in it’s explanation as to what and who will do something next.

I wasn’t trying to criticize the source, nor your choice of vocabulary. I simply meant that different publishers might use different descriptive/explanatory words, so I might not be familiar with the exact same text that you have in your hand.

When the book says that it could be “either or” I think (without reading it of course) what they mean is that either option (read like a typical gospel or read in narrative) is an acceptable way for the Passion to be proclaimed. I doubt that they were trying to imply that the words of Christ might be read by “any reader.”

John’s quote above gives a better and more clear description of how this can be done.

 

[benedictgal]

According to Paschale Solemnitatis, the authoritative document of the Holy See governing Lent and Holy Week, this is how the Passion is to be proclaimed:

1. The passion narrative occupies a special place. It should be sung or read in the traditional way, that is, by three persons who take the part of Christ, the narrator, and the people. The passion is proclaimed by deacons or priests, or by lay readers. In the latter case, the part of the Christ should be reserved to the priest.

And, it is to be proclaimed in the same manner on Good Friday.