RCIA Discussion regarding Missal books

[Jon_S_1]

Today in RCIA, we had a rather unfortunate rabbit trail discussion. I say unfortunate because it had nothing to do with our topic of Christian Freedom, and in fact, may have undermined it. In addition it ended up being a discussion among the catechists and sponsors while us poor candidates looked on.

To make a long story short, the root of the discussion was that reading the Bible along with the daily readings was in some way a distraction to others, particularly if you use an iPhone to do so.

It should be noted my parish does not have missals in the pews although a couple can be found in the entrance area.

The discussion moved on and they seemed to say that the reason they don’t have missals in the pews is because you should listen to the reading and not be reading along. That if you want to read the Word it should be done beforehand.

I am pretty sure this is way off base. I asked them if they were really saying it was wrong to read Gods word silently along with the priest or lector and they ultimately said no.

The conversation was disheartening for me as it reeked of legalism and asserting ones preference as if it was Canon law.

Does anyone have any insights on this. Surely there is no prohibition against reading the Bible during mass. Right?

 

[jmcrae]

Today in RCIA, we had a rather unfortunate rabbit trail discussion. I say unfortunate because it had nothing to do with our topic of Christian Freedom, and in fact, may have undermined it. In addition it ended up being a discussion among the catechists and sponsors while us poor candidates looked on.

To make a long story short, the root of the discussion was that reading the Bible along with the daily readings was in some way a distraction to others, particularly if you use an iPhone to do so.

It should be noted my parish does not have missals in the pews although a couple can be found in the entrance area.

The discussion moved on and they seemed to say that the reason they don’t have missals in the pews is because you should listen to the reading and not be reading along. That if you want to read the Word it should be done beforehand.

I am pretty sure this is way off base. I asked them if they were really saying it was wrong to read Gods word silently along with the priest or lector and they ultimately said no.

The conversation was disheartening for me as it reeked of legalism and asserting ones preference as if it was Canon law.

Does anyone have any insights on this. Surely there is no prohibition against reading the Bible during mass. Right?

You cannot both hear and read at the same time, since the brain uses the same area for both functions. But the Word is meant to be heard - so it is less desirable to read along.

Reasons to read along would be, if the Reader has a very strong accent, or a very soft voice, or has not rehearsed the reading very well - or anything that would cause the Reader to be difficult to understand.

But, reading ahead also solves this problem. For example, in this morning’s first reading, the Reader had a very strong accent, and pronounced “plough” as “ploe” instead of “plow” but I had read the readings earlier this morning, and so I knew what she was trying to say.

It can be distracting to the Reader to see everyone with their nose in a book instead of looking up to hear the reading, and it’s almost funny to hear the pages all turning at the same time, as if we were in school instead of at Church.

However, if you really can’t understand the Reader, and you have no time to read ahead, then of course you should read along. But hopefully not all the time - hopefully sometimes you would “Hear the word, and do it” instead of just reading along like in school.

If we were supposed to be reading it instead of hearing it, we wouldn’t bother to have Readers; we would just designate five-seven minutes of silent reading time during the Liturgy of the Word.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

Well, most people use a Missal of some sort but if you have a Bible marked with the passages ahead of time there shouldn’t be a problem. We have an older congregation and many of them cannot hear well so it helps them to read along while listening to the readings. Some read along with the propers and Eucharistic Prayer, as well, for the same reason.

As to what other people are thinking about what you are doing with a Bible or Missal during Mass - Who The Heck Cares? If it’s a distraction to someone they have the problem - not you: they should be looking forward towards the altar/ambo, not sideways at you or over your shoulder.

Use of a Missal at Mass is a long-standing tradition and is not wrong, in any way. Use of a Bible is less common but certainly acceptable, as well.

 

[McMcMe]

Sounds like an interesting RCIA group! Churches would not have missals if it wasn’t licit to use them. While people may have opinions on their proper use, anything which helps one participate more fully in the mass is allowed. Ideally, it would be great if people could read the scriptures before mass, pay active attention to lectors, know every word of the Creed, etc. I personally use a finger running along in the missal to keep my young sons’ head in the game as well as give them a subtle cue as to how long each reading will last. When I’m alone at mass, I prefer to focus aurally on the lector rather than visually on the missal.

If you are asking my opinion, I would refrain from iPhones and e-readers unless they were necessary (a legally blind person may need super large print) as those items can be very distracting to others either because of the light they emit or because others are wondering why they are playing on their iPhone during mass. Perhaps in 20 years all the missals will be e-readers, but until then, I wouldn’t do it.

 

[Lancer]

You cannot both hear and read at the same time, since the brain uses the same area for both functions. But the Word is meant to be heard - so it is less desirable to read along.

Reasons to read along would be, if the Reader has a very strong accent, or a very soft voice, or has not rehearsed the reading very well - or anything that would cause the Reader to be difficult to understand.

But, reading ahead also solves this problem. For example, in this morning’s first reading, the Reader had a very strong accent, and pronounced “plough” as “ploe” instead of “plow” but I had read the readings earlier this morning, and so I knew what she was trying to say.

It can be distracting to the Reader to see everyone with their nose in a book instead of looking up to hear the reading, and it’s almost funny to hear the pages all turning at the same time, as if we were in school instead of at Church.

However, if you really can’t understand the Reader, and you have no time to read ahead, then of course you should read along. But hopefully not all the time - hopefully sometimes you would “Hear the word, and do it” instead of just reading along like in school.

If we were supposed to be reading it instead of hearing it, we wouldn’t bother to have Readers; we would just designate five-seven minutes of silent reading time during the Liturgy of the Word.

Right on target…

**
General Instruction of the Roman Missal**

Chapter II: The Structure Of The Mass, Its Elements, And Its Parts

II. The Different Elements of the Mass

Reading and Explaining the Word of God

1. When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel.

Therefore, the readings from the Word of God are to be listened to reverently by everyone, for they are an element of the greatest importance in the Liturgy. Although in the readings from Sacred Scripture the Word of God is addressed to all people of whatever era and is understandable to them, a fuller understanding and a greater efficaciousness of the word is nevertheless fostered by a living commentary on the word, that is, by the Homily, as part of the liturgical action.[42]

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-2.cfm

I understand the normal practice…and I used to read my* Magnificat *as the Readings/Gospel were proclaimed…then I had a priest-chaplain ask me if I wanted to “read” or “watch and hear” Christ himself speak to me directly. I soon discovered the richness from listening…hearing the Word proclaimed. I always try to read the Sunday Mass scripture readings the evening before…if not I read them before Mass on Sunday morning…its simply a priority and I just make it happen…this adds greatly to hearing the Word during Mass…and carries into the homily…when I may pick up my Missal to re-read a particular word or passage the priest or deacon is emphasizing in the homily. This “hearing” practice…has also really enhanced my focus and understanding of the Responsorial Psalm…a real treasure when linked to the other Readings (first and gospel particularly).

My recommendation…try “hearing/listening”…without a missal in hand…even if you haven’t read the scriptures before Mass.

For Daily Mass, when I can attend …I just get to Church about 10-15 mins early and read the Daily Readings…and prepare…calm my mind and heart…Daily Mass is such an incredible gift…anytime we can get there. What a great gift the Catholic Faith and Church are to us Christians.

Pax Christi

 

[Corki]

The Church wants you to receive the Word. For some people the best way to do this is to sit and visually connect with the reader while listening. For others, they receive best without any visual stimulation at all - you see this type of learner with eyes closed listening intently. For other still, they “hear” better if they are simultaneously processing the written word. I am in the latter category, BTW.

Bottom line, as adult Catholics we need to take some personal responsibility to receive the Word as completely as we can including an awareness of our own learning style.

All of that being said, using a regular Bible to follow along is not usually the best method. The lectionary doesn’t always match the published translation exactly or may ommit certain verses in a given day’s readings. It is preferable, if you decide to read along, to use a publication based on the lectionary such as a missal, Magnificat or the USCCB readings pages.

The GIRM does not say we can’t read while we are listening. It just says we can’t read instead of listening. (unless, of course, one is hearing impaired.)

 

[dee_burk]

our church has missals in every pew, i still need it to follow mass and the parts that i need to say, i would be completely lost without it…and i would really feel uncomfortable if i were visiting as a person checking out Catholicism for the first few times.

 

[Jon_S_1]

our church has missals in every pew, i still need it to follow mass and the parts that i need to say, i would be completely lost without it…and i would really feel uncomfortable if i were visiting as a person checking out Catholicism for the first few times.

Thanks everyone.

My parish does print the music and mass parts in the bulletin and so for half the mass people are holding those so I thought it was silly that someone would find holding a small missal during the readings to be distracting.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Today in RCIA, we had a rather unfortunate rabbit trail discussion. I say unfortunate because it had nothing to do with our topic of Christian Freedom, and in fact, may have undermined it. In addition it ended up being a discussion among the catechists and sponsors while us poor candidates looked on.

To make a long story short, the root of the discussion was that reading the Bible along with the daily readings was in some way a distraction to others, particularly if you use an iPhone to do so.

It should be noted my parish does not have missals in the pews although a couple can be found in the entrance area.

The discussion moved on and they seemed to say that the reason they don’t have missals in the pews is because you should listen to the reading and not be reading along. That if you want to read the Word it should be done beforehand.

I am pretty sure this is way off base. I asked them if they were really saying it was wrong to read Gods word silently along with the priest or lector and they ultimately said no.

The conversation was disheartening for me as it reeked of legalism and asserting ones preference as if it was Canon law.

Does anyone have any insights on this. Surely there is no prohibition against reading the Bible during mass. Right?

It really is not way off base, nor is it legalism. We don’t have missalettes in the pews, either, but some are kept at the back of the church for those who wish to use them. As others have said, the Word of God was meant to be proclaimed and listened to. Before people were generally literate and before Bibles were printed and affordable, people had to listen to what was being said. It is also excellent training for your everyday life listening skills.

It is not, however, dogmatic that we can’t read along with the reader. Some people are more visually oriented, some are hard of hearing. It is not a sin to read the readings. I have had to start reading along as my hearing is getting worse–I use my Magnificat. However, I never used to read along and I prefer to listen, but the words aren’t aways understandable to me.
Using a Bible, however, can be problematic, as another poster pointed out, as often all the verses are not read, and the translations may vary. Since there are so many readings, there is a lot of page-flipping also. But it’s not wrong.

 

[St_Francis]

Thanks, Lance, for sharing your experience with listening! I am a reader-along-with but you inspired me to try just listening!

WRT iPods and the like… I was using mine (iPieta is the app I use–it has sooooo much on it and they add more!) before Mass to pray my prayers, and a gentleman across the aisle kept humph-humphing at me. So I asked our pastor if it was ok for me to use *before and after *Mass and he ok’ed that bit we both agreed not during Mass. I think during Mass it would be a distraction or even cause scandal–as a parent, I can foresee children whining to their parents: They’re using an iPod, why can’t I? not realizing “they” are using a good Catholic app as a missal.

Since your parish does mot have missals, maybe there is a place online where you can print out at least the ordinary prayers altho, oddly enough, I memorize better through hearing, not at all through reading. But the combination could be helpful.

 

[jmcrae]

Thanks everyone.

My parish does print the music and mass parts in the bulletin and so for half the mass people are holding those so I thought it was silly that someone would find holding a small missal during the readings to be distracting.

The Mass is a prayer. Prayer is a conversation with someone you love - God.

Would you use printed materials to “follow along” with a conversation with your mother? There are standard responses that you use in conversations with your mother - “How are you dear?” “I am well, how are you doing?” “May I take your coat?” “Yes, please.” “What would you like to drink?” etc.

Wouldn’t it be odd if people brought “cheat sheets” along with them to Sunday dinner, with the dinner conversation parts printed for everyone to follow along?

Remember that when you come to Mass, you are coming to Sunday dinner with God. Even thought the conversation is “scripted,” it’s important to make an effort to speak them and hear them with the heart, and as far as possible, avoid using printed materials to follow along, in order to enter into a more real experience of conversation with God.

I’m not critiziing the deaf, the learning disabled, and those who can’t understand the Reader’s accent, and who really do need to follow along in the Missal - but I’m throwing this out there as food for thought, for those who are able to do so, and would benefit from a deeper relationship with Jesus through the Mass.

 

[Elizium23]

In my parish, the pastor has mandated that everyone should have access to the written Word in the readings of the day. Recently we put the Lumen Christi Missal in the pews and this solved the problem for the English-speaking Masses. Now all we need to do in the worship aids is print a page number, and everyone can follow along in the pew books. For the Spanish Masses, we are still printing all the readings verbatim on the worship aids. Our English-speaking community is aging and I believe there are concerns among them for degraded hearing and other disabilities. It is best if everyone has easy access to Scripture. It is encouraged that people read along if it helps them understand it. There is nothing wrong with this practice.

 

[Corki]

Would you use printed materials to “follow along” with a conversation with your mother? There are standard responses that you use in conversations with your mother - “How are you dear?” “I am well, how are you doing?” “May I take your coat?” “Yes, please.” “What would you like to drink?” etc.

Wouldn’t it be odd if people brought “cheat sheets” along with them to Sunday dinner, with the dinner conversation parts printed for everyone to follow along?

But the liturgy of the word is not the part of Mass with “standard responses”. To use your dinner with mom analogy, the readings are a lot like the recipes used to prepare the dishes. If your mom is teaching you a new recipe, maybe you can remember every step and every ingredient just by listening and watching. But maybe you need to take notes.

 

[jmcrae]

But the liturgy of the word is not the part of Mass with “standard responses”. To use your dinner with mom analogy, the readings are a lot like the recipes used to prepare the dishes. If your mom is teaching you a new recipe, maybe you can remember every step and every ingredient just by listening and watching. But maybe you need to take notes.

Actually, no - the readings are more analogous to the stories she tells about how her week has been, and the little anecdotes about who she met and what they did together. The readings at Mass are stories; not recipes.

 

[Neofight]

I hate to buck all the legalism, but reading along, to keep your focus does not mean you are not hearing the word, in fact you may hear it better.

If it were somehow illegal, the Church would have outlawed missalettes years ago.

And, your electronic device is just an update on a paper copy.

If it helps you, use it,

(Just make sure all sounds are disabled and phone is in airplane mode!

Peace and all good!

 

[jmcrae]

I hate to buck all the legalism, but reading along, to keep your focus does not mean you are not hearing the word, in fact you may hear it better.

It is physically impossible to both hear and read at the same time - what you are “hearing” is your own voice, rather than the priest’s voice or the reader’s voice. (Which is why it sounds so much clearer - it’s inside your own head.)

Missals are permitted for those who can’t hear clearly; it is not intended to be normal for the whole congregation to be reading along. “HEAR the word,” is the commandment, not “read the word.”

 

[KendraDZ1902]

The Mass is a prayer. Prayer is a conversation with someone you love - God.

Would you use printed materials to “follow along” with a conversation with your mother? There are standard responses that you use in conversations with your mother - “How are you dear?” “I am well, how are you doing?” “May I take your coat?” “Yes, please.” “What would you like to drink?” etc.

Wouldn’t it be odd if people brought “cheat sheets” along with them to Sunday dinner, with the dinner conversation parts printed for everyone to follow along?

Remember that when you come to Mass, you are coming to Sunday dinner with God. Even thought the conversation is “scripted,” it’s important to make an effort to speak them and hear them with the heart, and as far as possible, avoid using printed materials to follow along, in order to enter into a more real experience of conversation with God.

I’m not critiziing the deaf, the learning disabled, and those who can’t understand the Reader’s accent, and who really do need to follow along in the Missal - but I’m throwing this out there as food for thought, for those who are able to do so, and would benefit from a deeper relationship with Jesus through the Mass.

People who are new need cheat sheets. I was received into the Church this Easter Vigil and I still need my cheat sheet once or twice during Mass. I do not have a learning disability nor am I deaf. I read along with the scriptures because I comprehend better when I read. I would get in trouble in school for reading ahead because I couldn’t stand listening to other kids reading. Thankfully, God has allowed for me to live in this day and age, where I can read and not just listen.

 

[Cavaille-Coll]

The practice of having no missals in the pews is one of those ideas that looked good on paper but did not work out that well. There is absolutely no prohibition on having missals. I have always disagreed with removing missals for several reasons. First, many people are visual learners, and benefit more from seeing the print as it is being proclaimed. Second, many lectors are not good public speakers. They may have an accent, they may mispronounce words, or mumble, or insert a little too much drama into the readings. Third, most churches have less-than-perfect sound systems. Fourth, looking at a book focuses the attention on the Word more than staring into space or at the lector. Why must the lector maintain eye contact with the congregation anyway? They are not giving a speech. Fifth, non-Catholic visitors unfamiliar with the Mass need something to guide them.

 

[jmcrae]

Why must the lector maintain eye contact with the congregation anyway? They are not giving a speech.

They are proclaiming the Word of God - they are making themselves a vehicle through which God speaks to you.

Fifth, non-Catholic visitors unfamiliar with the Mass need something to guide them.

It is not required that non-Catholics give the responses. It is perfectly acceptable for them to sit and listen.

In fact, I would recommend them doing that, rather than try to follow along in the Missal, since even with the Missal, there are several optional prayers, and it’s hard to find the right page.

 

[Neofight]

It is physically impossible to both hear and read at the same time - what you are “hearing” is your own voice, rather than the priest’s voice or the reader’s voice. (Which is why it sounds so much clearer - it’s inside your own head.)

Missals are permitted for those who can’t hear clearly; it is not intended to be normal for the whole congregation to be reading along. “HEAR the word,” is the commandment, not “read the word.”

Could you quote a source on missals only being permitted for the hearing impaired, or is that purely opinion?