Question regarding reading of the Gospel at Mass

[Mary_Gail_36]

Do I understand correctly that the Gospel is only to be read by a priest or deacon. The exception that I am aware of is when the Passion is read during Holy Week, and there are parts for “narrator” and “speaker” Those could be read by a lector.

Am I correct?

Is it permitted to change the text the Gospel so it reads like a play, and to have more than one lector join the celebrant in reading it?

 

[Phemie]

Do I understand correctly that the Gospel is only to be read by a priest or deacon. The exception that I am aware of is when the Passion is read during Holy Week, and there are parts for “narrator” and “speaker” Those could be read by a lector.

Am I correct?

Is it permitted to change the text the Gospel so it reads like a play, and to have more than one lector join the celebrant in reading it?

Of course. It’s the one exception to the rule of only having one reader per reading.

In the Lectionary there are two versions of the Passions. A read-through version that would be used if only the priest or deacon were reading and a “script” version which in Canada has Narrator, Jesus, Speaker 1 and Speaker 2.

In our parish we no longer have the congregation join in which makes me very happy since it was always just a cacophony which you couldn’t make out unless you were following in a missalette.

 

[Solomonson]

**Do I understand correctly that the Gospel is only to be read by a priest or deacon. ** The exception that I am aware of is when the Passion is read during Holy Week, and there are parts for “narrator” and “speaker” Those could be read by a lector.

Am I correct?

Is it permitted to change the text the Gospel so it reads like a play, and to have more than one lector join the celebrant in reading it?

Yes, you are correct. I’m not sure why that rule exists – particularly when some have a very difficult time reading the Gospel and do so in an unintelligible manner, but it is indeed a rule.

 

[1ke]

Do I understand correctly that the Gospel is only to be read by a priest or deacon.

Yes. The deacon if present, and the priest if no deacon is assisting at the mass.

The exception that I am aware of is when the Passion is read during Holy Week, and there are parts for “narrator” and “speaker” Those could be read by a lector. Am I correct?

Yes.

Is it permitted to change the text the Gospel so it reads like a play, and to have more than one lector join the celebrant in reading it?

Outside of the Passion narrative on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, no it is not permitted.

 

[Mary_Gail_36]

Yes. The deacon if present, and the priest if no deacon is assisting at the mass.

Yes.

Outside of the Passion narrative on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, no it is not permitted.

Thank you. You understood my question. So on a regular Sunday Mass, no one else should be playing the parts in the gospel, just the priest or deacon, and they should read it as is in the Missal.

That’s what I thought.

Thank you again.

 

[Phemie]

Thank you. You understood my question. So on a regular Sunday Mass, no one else should be playing the parts in the gospel, just the priest or deacon, and they should read it as is in the Missal.

That’s what I thought.

Thank you again.

I had completely misunderstood your question.

I can tell you that over the years publishing houses, some you would think you could trust, have published readings in dialogue form. It was a thing back in the day. I happen to have just such a volume in my library.

Put out by Ave Maria Press back in 1984, This Is the Word of the Lord contains the Lazarus reading which I suspect is what you are asking about.

I doubt that these were ever approved for use in Mass but it is certainly the use for which they were published, with this note: “This book presents an alternative – a different way of doing scripture proclamation. It is most effective when used sparingly.” The GIRM makes it clear that except for the Passions “sparingly” means “never.”

 

[milez97]

I am a college student and I have always had disagreements with how our Catholic campus ministry is ran. However, this past Sunday was definitely a shock. For the gospel which told the story of Lazarus, it was said antiphonally like the one reading at Palm Sunday mass. The priest spoke the words of Jesus, a lay person read the narration, and another lay person read the words of other people in the reading. I am pretty sure this is NOT allowed, but I want to hear from someone who has possible studied more on liturgy than I have.

Peace.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

There was a published version of this Gospel reading in this format. It wasn’t approved or acceptable according to the rubrics (in all likelihood), but it was nonetheless published for use, and some parishes have unwittingly adopted - based on a couple of recent threads on this very topic.

Abuse implies intentional and blatant disregard for the rubrics. I’d be careful with that term.

 

[Solomonson]

I am a college student and I have always had disagreements with how our Catholic campus ministry is ran. However, this past Sunday was definitely a shock. For the gospel which told the story of Lazarus, it was said antiphonally like the one reading at Palm Sunday mass. The priest spoke the words of Jesus, a lay person read the narration, and another lay person read the words of other people in the reading. I am pretty sure this is NOT allowed, but I want to hear from someone who has possible studied more on liturgy than I have.

Peace.

That happened at my parish two weeks ago (the Samaritan woman at the well) and I asked the same question here. It’s not allowed by the Church. Why some pastors/bishops allow things like this truly puzzle me?

One thing was definitely interesting to sense. Following the reading, there was this silent feeling that many in the pews felt disgusted. It was definitely palpable. Those taking part in the skit looked rather embarrassed. Once again, I’m not sure why some pastors/bishops allow this sort of stuff? Possible just to offend others or to placate the insiders? Hard to know for sure.

 

[Solomonson]

There was a published version of this Gospel reading in this format. It wasn’t approved or acceptable according to the rubrics (in all likelihood), but it was nonetheless published for use, and some parishes have unwittingly adopted - based on a couple of recent threads on this very topic.

Abuse implies intentional and blatant disregard for the rubrics. I’d be careful with that term.

The words “liturgical abuse” are way overused, but I have absolutely no question in the case of my parish that my pastor knew what the trio did was wrong. It was only done at the one Mass out of 7 for the say.

 

[Solomonson]

So only a bishop/priest/deacon can “speak on His behalf”? Really? That simply makes no sense. Particularly in a practical sense when the bishop/priest/deacon has great difficulty proclaiming the Gospel to the point where few can understand it. That’s happens quite regularly in my parish.

(I also wonder why laity can help proclaim the Passion narrative on Palm Sunday and Good Friday? Because the Church says so, that’s why.)

It’s a rule to be followed, no doubt about that, but it’s arbitrary. It’s not really defensible other than to note that it’s a rule.

 

[Boy_Wonder]

Novelty is the vice of the clergy and the clergy wannabes (liturgical directors, music directors, etc.). Often the more “innovative” priests are not good pastors and end up in the student center Find a nearby parish and go there.

 

[milez97]

There was a published version of this Gospel reading in this format. It wasn’t approved or acceptable according to the rubrics (in all likelihood), but it was nonetheless published for use, and some parishes have unwittingly adopted - based on a couple of recent threads on this very topic.

Abuse implies intentional and blatant disregard for the rubrics. I’d be careful with that term.

I don’t think abuse always implies intentional. An example is the list of abuses of the sign of the peace. The general lay do not necessarily know these things are wrong such as leaving your pew during sign of the peace, but there is still abuse present. The lay congregation just may not be culpable of it.

 

[milez97]

Novelty is the vice of the clergy and the clergy wannabes (liturgical directors, music directors, etc.). Often the more “innovative” priests are not good pastors and end up in the student center Find a nearby parish and go there.

I do typically go to another parish, but sometimes I have to sing at our school masses for choir. It’s so unfortunate. I thought a “Catholic” college would be better, but I’ve seen much more Holy and orthodox priests at the public school student centers than at my school which is ran by the archdiocese.

 

[Solomonson]

I don’t think abuse always implies intentional. An example is the list of abuses of the sign of the peace. The general lay do not necessarily know these things are wrong such as leaving your pew during sign of the peace, but there is still abuse present. The lay congregation just may not be culpable of it.

Leaving one’s pew during the sign of peace is hardly a “liturgical abuse.” It may not be good manners but it’s certainly not a “liturgical abuse.” It’s those types of beliefs that muddy things up when talking about actual liturgical abuses.

We have real liturgical abuses during the Mass on a regular basis at my parish – although they are no where near as bad as they used to be. Not even close and none of them are delicta graviora.

 

[tseleehw]

My parish does this too during the third, fourth, and fifth Sunday’s of Lent. The gospel is read like a play - the priest reads the part of Jesus, the Deacon narrates, and a lay reader reads the part of the Samaritan woman/blind man/Lazarus. There is music being played on the piano during this as well, and there are several points where the reading stops to sing a refrain. I always assumed it was part of the Scrutinies for the RCIA candidates.

 

[tseleehw]

My parish does this too during the third, fourth, and fifth Sunday’s of Lent. The gospel is read like a play - the priest reads the part of Jesus, the Deacon narrates, and a lay reader reads the part of the Samaritan woman/blind man/Lazarus. There is music being played on the piano during this as well, and there are several points where the reading stops to sing a refrain. I always assumed it was part of the Scrutinies for the RCIA candidates.

 

[tseleehw]

My parish does this too during the third, fourth, and fifth Sunday’s of Lent. The gospel is read like a play - the priest reads the part of Jesus, the Deacon narrates, and a lay reader reads the part of the Samaritan woman/blind man/Lazarus. There is music being played on the piano during this as well, and there are several points where the reading stops to sing a refrain. I always assumed it was part of the Scrutinies for the RCIA candidates.

I meant to say Martha, not Lazarus, in my post above.

 

[tseleehw]

My parish does this too during the third, fourth, and fifth Sunday’s of Lent. The gospel is read like a play - the priest reads the part of Jesus, the Deacon narrates, and a lay reader reads the part of the Samaritan woman/blind man/Lazarus. There is music being played on the piano during this as well, and there are several points where the reading stops to sing a refrain. I always assumed it was part of the Scrutinies for the RCIA candidates.

I meant to say Martha, not Lazarus, in my post above.

 

[FrDavid96]

Wow!

Very well said.

In so many ways, there has been a loss of understanding of why clergy are ordained in the first place; which is, at the same time, a loss of understanding of why certain functions are reserved to the ordained.