Stations of the Cross Readers

[edarlitrix]

Howdy everybody,

I have read in the following threads forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=244524 and forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=112759

that it is inappropriate for a member of RCIA to be a lector.

I am in RCIA myself, and I was curious if the rules above apply to being a lector for the Stations of the Cross.

In my parish, we have the Stations of the Cross every Friday presented by one of the Church ministries. The Respect Life group is going to present this Friday, and they really need people to read a reflection and prayer for each Station. I would like to help, but I am unsure if this would be inappropriate or disrespectful as I am not fully initiated in the Catholic faith (I have only received baptism).

Do the rules for reading the Scriptures during Mass apply to reading the reflections on the Stations of the Cross? Would it be acceptable for a member of RCIA to read the Stations of the Cross?

 

[smead2942]

Howdy everybody,

I have read in the following threads forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=244524 and forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=112759

that it is inappropriate for a member of RCIA to be a lector.

I am in RCIA myself, and I was curious if the rules above apply to being a lector for the Stations of the Cross.

In my parish, we have the Stations of the Cross every Friday presented by one of the Church ministries. The Respect Life group is going to present this Friday, and they really need people to read a reflection and prayer for each Station. I would like to help, but I am unsure if this would be inappropriate or disrespectful as I am not fully initiated in the Catholic faith (I have only received baptism).

Do the rules for reading the Scriptures during Mass apply to reading the reflections on the Stations of the Cross? Would it be acceptable for a member of RCIA to read the Stations of the Cross?

Stations of the Cross is not sacred liturgy. Those rules only apply during Holy Mass, to my knowledge. I don’t think anyone would be offended by your enthusiasm.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I am sure they would like having someone from the RCIA help with Stations of the Cross. I love the Stations - especially during Lent.
Have a good Lenten season and welcome to the Catholic church at Easter!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I’m kind of thinking out loud here.

I would say there’s a difference depending on whether or not you are baptized.

I think that it would be more appropriate for someone who is baptized to lead prayers, while I think someone who is not yet baptized might give a reflection. Baptism incorporates someone into Christ’s role as priest, prophet, and king, which seems to me makes them appropriate people to lead prayers.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I’m kind of thinking out loud here.

I would say there’s a difference depending on whether or not you are baptized.

I think that it would be more appropriate for someone who is baptized to lead prayers, while I think someone who is not yet baptized might give a reflection. Baptism incorporates someone into Christ’s role as priest, prophet, and king, which seems to me makes them appropriate people to lead prayers.

That is a good point. I wasn’t sure if the OP had a valid baptism or not.
Good enthusiasm that is for sure.

 

[FrDavid96]

…

Do the rules for reading the Scriptures during Mass apply to reading the reflections on the Stations of the Cross?

No. They are completely different rules.

Would it be acceptable for a member of RCIA to read the Stations of the Cross?

Yes, it would be acceptable.

The Stations are a form of private prayer. That’s true even when they’re done in a community setting.

The Church classifies the Stations (the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis) as a form of “Popular Piety” in contrast to the Church’s official Liturgy. That’s why the rules are different.

Really, anyone can lead the Stations. Anyone can do the readings.

This resource might help.
vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html
Scroll down to paragraph # 131.