PDF An Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass - Catholic Resources

An Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass

Titles of Different but Related Books: ? Bible - all the Christian scriptures, arranged in "canonical" order (both OT & NT, from Genesis to Revelation) ? Lectionary - all the readings used at the Mass/Eucharist and other liturgies, arranged in order of the liturgical calendar ? Missal - all the texts needed for Mass, including instructions, prayers, readings, some music, etc. o Since Vatican II, the Roman Missal is usually published in two parts: the Sacramentary (all texts spoken by the priest, but not including the readings) and the Lectionary for Mass (all the readings proclaimed from the lectern or ambo). ? Other Catholic Ritual Books: o Book of the Gospels - special publications of Gospel readings from the Lectionary, esp. for use in liturgical processions o Gradual - music and lyrics for sung texts of the Mass, as well as tones for singing other liturgical texts o Pontifical - texts for ceremonies normally performed only by bishops and popes, such as ordinations and confirmations o Ordos - various publications containing the "Order of Service" (instructions, prayers, biblical readings) for specific rites and sacraments, such as Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation/Penance, etc. ? Common Lectionary / Revised Common Lectionary - used by most mainline Protestant denominations today (Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc.); very similar to the Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass.

Historical Overview: ? Roman Missal / Missale Romanum (various pre-Vatican II editions, based on the one of Pope Pius V from 1570) o same readings were used year after year, on the same Sundays and feast days o most Masses had only two readings: one called "The Epistle" and the other "The Gospel" o readings were rarely from the OT, only on a few feasts, vigils, ember days, and within some liturgical octaves o most weekday Masses did not have proper readings, but used readings from the prior Sunday or a saint's day. o total biblical texts used for Sundays, vigils, and major feasts included only about 22% of the NT Gospels, 11% of the NT Epistles, and only 0.8% of the OT (not counting the Psalms). ? Lectionary for Mass (revision mandated by the Second Vatican Council, 1963) o Latin edition 1969; USA edition 1970; use began on the First Sunday of Advent: Nov. 30, 1970 o three readings are now prescribed for Sundays & major feasts: 1) usually OT books, 2) NT Epistles, 3) NT Gospel o there is a much greater variety of readings: 3-year Sunday rotation: Cycles A/B/C; 2-year weekday cycle: Years I/II o total biblical texts used for Sundays, vigils, and major feasts now include about 58% of the NT Gospels, 25% of the NT Epistles, but still only 3.7% of the OT (aside from the Psalms). ? Revised Lectionary for Mass (second post-Vatican II editions) o Latin edition, 1981 - based on the Neo-Vulgate Bible translation o Canadian edition, 1992 - based on the NRSV translation (inclusive language dispute) o USA edition: Sundays 1998, Weekdays 2002 - based mostly on the NAB translation o Publication of the current USA edition is normally in four volumes: 1. Sundays and Major Feast Days - Years/Cycles A, B, C 2. Weekdays, Year I - odd-numbered years, incl. feasts of saints with "proper" readings 3. Weekdays, Year II - even-numbered years, incl. feasts of saints with "proper" readings 4. Common of Saints, Rituals, Votives, Various Needs - many more choices of readings than before ? Differences between the Various Editions: o Overview of the Different Contents of the First and Second Editions of the Lectionary (online)

Liturgical Calendar / Liturgical Seasons: ? Advent - a season of joyful/hopeful preparation, up to 4 weeks long; begins four Sundays before Christmas (Nov. 27 to Dec. 3) o Dec. 17-24 - the last week before Christmas has readings from Matthew 1 and Luke 1 and special "O Antiphons" ? CHRISTMAS - not just Christmas Day itself (Dec. 25), but a continued celebration for two to three weeks afterward o Christmas Season - from the Christmas Vigil (Dec. 24 eve), to Epiphany (Jan. 6), to the Baptism of the Lord (mid-Jan.) ? Ordinary Time (I) - the period (varies between 4 and 9 weeks) from the end of the Christmas season to the beginning of Lent o called the "Season of Epiphany" by Anglicans and in some Protestant Churches ? Lent - a season of penitential preparation ("forty days"), from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday morning o Holy Week - the week before Easter, beginning Palm Sunday (a.k.a. Passion Sunday) and including the Easter Triduum ? EASTER - not just Easter Sunday itself (rule for movable date: first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox) o Easter Triduum- "three holy days" from Holy Thursday eve, to Good Friday, to the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday eve o Easter Octave - from Easter Sunday to the following Sunday (now called "Divine Mercy Sunday" by Roman Catholics) o Easter Season - a total of 50 days (7 full weeks) from Easter Sunday up to and including Pentecost Sunday ? Ordinary Time (II) - the rest of the year (up to 34 weeks total), after Pentecost Sunday and ending with the next Advent o called the "Season of Pentecost" by Anglicans and in some Protestant Churches

Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.



Liturgical Colors: ? Advent - Purple, except for Rose (optional) on the 3rd Sunday of Advent ("Gaudete Sunday") ? Christmas - White or Gold (not red and green!) ? Lent - Purple, except Rose (optional) on the 4th Sunday of Lent ("Laetare Sunday"), and Red on Passion/Palm Sunday ? Easter Triduum - White or Gold on Holy Thursday and at the Easter Vigil; Red on Good Friday ? Easter Season - White or Gold, except for Red on Pentecost Sunday ? Ordinary Time - Green, except for special colors on particular feasts or occasions, as follows: o White - Solemnities of the Lord and the Saints; major local feasts; funeral liturgies (Black also allowed) o Red - feasts of the Apostles, Martyrs, or the Holy Spirit

Masses for Sundays and Major Feast Days: Three Readings - really five! 1. First Reading - from the Old Testament; except from Acts of the Apostles during Easter Season 2. Responsorial Psalm - mostly from the Book of Psalms; sometimes other biblical "Canticles" 3. Second Reading - mostly from the Letters of Paul, but sometimes other NT Epistles and the Book of Revelation 4. Verse before the Gospel - usually a direct biblical quotation, but sometimes adapted from a biblical text 5. Gospel - Year A: Matthew; Year B: Mark mostly; Year C: Luke; (where's John? used mostly in Lent & Easter)

Masses for Weekdays, Lesser Feasts, and Special Occasions: Two Readings - really four! 1. First Reading - semi-continuous readings; alternate between OT & NT; on a two-year cycle 2. Responsorial Psalm - mostly from the Book of Psalms, but sometimes other Canticles; also on a two-year cycle 3. Verse before the Gospel - first edition had mostly "common" texts; now specifically prescribed texts 4. Gospel - same each year; semi-continuous readings from Mark, Matthew, Luke, in that order

Readings for Special Masses and Liturgies: ? Saints - four categories, in decreasing order of importance: Solemnities, Feasts, Memorials, Optional Memorials o some saints have their own "Propers" - prayers and readings specifically selected for the particular saint o for other feast days, texts and prayers are recommended from various "Commons" - Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church, Blessed Virgin Mary, Martyrs, Pastors, Doctors of the Church, Virgins, and Holy Men & Women ? Ritual Masses - incl. Christian Initiation (of adults or children; baptism, confirmation, and first communion), Conferral of Holy Orders and other Ministries, Pastoral Care of the Sick and Dying, Sacrament of Marriage, Religious Profession, Blessing of a Church or Altar, etc. ? Masses for Various Occasions - four subcategories: o for the Holy Church (incl. pope, pastoral meetings, unity of Christians, etc.), o for Public Needs (civil leaders, peace and justice, in time of war, etc.), o in Various Public Circumstances (new year, harvest, refugees, natural disasters, etc.), o and for Various Needs (promotion of charity, for the family, for a happy death, etc.) ? Votive Masses - Holy Trinity, Holy Cross, Holy Eucharist, Christ the High Priest, Holy Name of Jesus, Precious Blood, Sacred Heart, Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, All the Holy Apostles, Sts. Peter & Paul, St. Peter, St. Paul, One Holy Apostle, All Saints ? Masses for the Dead - incl. Funeral Liturgies and Memorial Masses, Funerals for Baptized Children, and Funerals for Children who Died before Baptism

Concluding Notes: ? On most Sundays, there is an intentional thematic connection between the Gospel & the First Reading (usually also the Resp. Psalm & Gospel Accl.); but the Second Reading is usually unrelated, since it follows a separate semi-continuous reading pattern. ? If one includes all the Masses for weekdays, rituals, votives, the propers and commons of saints, and special needs and occasions, the Lectionary for Mass now covers much of the NT (about 90% of the Gospels, 55% of the rest: Acts, Epistles, Revelation), but still very little of the OT (slightly over 13%), but this is understandable, given how much longer the OT is. ? For more information, see

Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

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General Introduction to the Lectionary (Second Edition)

Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship (January 21, 1981)

Preamble Chapter I: General Principles for the Liturgical Celebration of the Word of God

1. Certain Preliminaries 2. Liturgical Celebration of the Word of God 3. The Word of God in the Life of the People of the Covenant

First Part: The Word of God in the Celebration of Mass Chapter II: The Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word at Mass

1. The Elements of the Liturgy of the Word and Their Rites 2. Aids to the Proper Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word Chapter III: Offices and Ministries in the Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word within Mass 1. The Function of the President at the Liturgy of the Word 2. The Role of the Faithful in the Liturgy of the Word 3. Ministries in the Liturgy of the Word

Second Part: The Structure of the Order of Readings for Mass Chapter IV: The General Arrangement of Readings for Mass

1. The Pastoral Purpose of the Order of Readings for Mass 2. The Principles of Composition of the Order of Readings for Mass 3. Principles to Be Followed in the Use of the Order of Reading Chapter V: Description of the Order of Readings 1. Advent 2. The Christmas Season 3. Lent 4. The Sacred Triduum and the Easter Season 5. "Ordinary Time" Chapter VI: Adaptations, Translations, and Format of the Order of Readings 1. Adaptations and Translations 2. The Format of Individual Readings

Endnotes

Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

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Various Editions of the Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass

Overview and Abbreviations, in chronological order of publication: ? OLM69 = Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typica. Vatican City: Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, 1969. ? USCC69 = Lectionary for Mass. Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 1969. ? USCC70 = Lectionary for Mass: List of Readings and Charts for the Liturgy of the Word. Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 1969; 2nd edition 1970. ? USL70 = Lectionary for Mass: English Translation Approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and Confirmed by the Apostolic See. New York: Catholic Book Publishing, 1970; Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1970. ? OLM81 = Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typica altera. Vatican City: Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, 1981. ? USL98 = Lectionary for Mass: For Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America: Second Typical Edition. [various publishers], 1998. ? Volume I (Sundays, Solemnities, Feasts of the Lord and the Saints). ? USL02 = Lectionary for Mass: For Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America: Second Typical Edition. [various publishers], 2002. ? Volumes II-IV: o Volume II: Proper of Seasons for Weekdays, Year I; Proper of Saints; Common of Saints; o Volume III: Proper of Seasons for Weekdays, Year II; Proper of Saints; Common of Saints; o Volume IV: Common of Saints; Ritual Masses; Masses for Various Needs; Votive Masses; and Masses for the Dead. ? USL98-02 = an abbreviation sometimes used to refer to all four of the above volumes together..

Further Explanations:

The Latin Ordos (OLM69 and OLM81) do not contain the full biblical texts of all the readings, but only print the biblical references, a brief phrase to be used as a header, and the incipit (the opening words) for each reading. They also explicitly print the prescribed texts for the Psalm Responses and the Alleluia Verses (or "Verses before the Gospel" during Lent). The USCC publications have most of this information in English translation, but they unfortunately do not include the incipits. The full Lectionaries published for use in the United States (USL70 and USL98) contain the biblical texts of all the readings.

OLM69 was officially promulgated by the Vatican "Congregation for Divine Worship" on May 25, 1969. It prescribes all the readings for all Masses celebrated throughout the liturgical year: Sundays, Weekdays, Saints Days, Rituals, Votives, Special Needs and Occasions, etc. It includes the full text (in Latin) for the Psalm Responses and Alleluia Verses, but for the First Readings, Second Readings, and Gospels, it includes only the biblical references, a summary phrase, and the incipit (first words) of each reading, but not the complete text. For the Responsorial Psalms, it clearly indicates which verses are to be included in which strophe. All biblical references are given according to the Vulgate edition of the Bible, with parenthetical remarks if the versification of the Hebrew or Greek Bibles is different from the Vulgate. Nevertheless, there is sometimes ambiguity about exactly where a reading should end, or which words or phrases are to be included, due to minor variations in the wording and versification of the Bible in the various ancient languages and modern editions.

USCC69 and USCC70 are essentially English-language equivalents of OLM69, with translations of the Psalm Responses, Alleluia Verses, and Summary Phrases prepared and copyrighted by the International Committee on English in the Liturgy. Like OLM69, they do not contain the full texts of the readings, but were intended as guides for publishers preparing complete Lectionaries using various English translations of the Bible. The first edition was published by the USCC in 1969 and a second edition in 1970, "with revisions indicated by Congregation for Divine Worship 7/24/70." This evidently refers to the "Instruction on Particular Calendars...," which was promulgated not on July 24, but on June 24, 1970 (see Acta Apostolicae Sedis 62 [1970] 651-663).

USL70 contains the full text of all readings, "with the New American Version of sacred scripture from the original languages made by members of the Catholic Biblical Association and sponsored by the Bishop's Committee of the Division of Religious Education (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine," or what is more commonly known as the New American Bible (NAB). The Catholic Book Publishing Company (CBP) was not the only publisher that immediately produced a complete edition of the Lectionary for use in the United States (Benzinger in New York did so using the Jerusalem Bible translation). But the CBP edition is probably the one most widely used in parishes throughout the USA, and thus was the one used in compiling the following charts.

OLM81 is the official second edition of the "Order of Readings for Mass" in Latin, promulgated on January 21, 1981. It corrected most of the typographical errors of the OLM69, as noted below, but also incorporated many other changes and additions to the Lectionary. OLM81 and the revised Lectionaries based upon it are sometimes referred to as "second generation" liturgical texts.

USL98 and USL02 were published rather long after OLM81, and four years apart, due to many delays in the preparations and approvals needed for the English language editions for use in the United States. USL98-02 follows most of the prescriptions of OLM81, with only a few discrepancies.

Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

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Calendar of Lectionary Cycles and Movable Liturgical Feasts (1969 ? 2050)

NOTE: In 2008 and 2011, Easter Sunday was almost as early and almost as late as possible, respectively. It can be as early as March 22 (as it last was in 1818, but will not be again until 2285) and as late as April 25 (in 1886, 1943, and 2038).

Even falling as early as March 23 is rare (as it was in 1913 and 2008, but will not be again until 2160).

Year

Sunday Cycle

Weekday Cycle

Weeks of O.T. before Lent*

Ash Wednesday

Easter Sunday

Pentecost Week of O.T. First Sunday Christmas Sunday after Pentecost* of Advent Weekday

2008 A

II

4

Feb 6 March 23 May 11

6

Nov 30 Thursday

2009 B

I

7

Feb 25 April 12 May 31

9

Nov 29

Friday

2010 C

II

6

Feb 17 April 4 May 23

8

Nov 28 Saturday

2011 A

I

9

March 9 April 24 June 12

11

Nov 27 Sunday

2012 B

II

7

Feb 22 April 8 May 27

8

Dec 2

Tuesday

2013 C

I

5

Feb 13 March 31 May 19

7

Dec 1 Wednesday

2014 A

II

8

March 5 April 20 June 8

10

Nov 30 Thursday

2015 B

I

6

Feb 18 April 5 May 24

8

Nov 29

Friday

2016 C

II

5

Feb 10 March 27 May 15

7

Nov 27 Sunday

2017 A

I

8

March 1 April 16 June 4

9

Dec 3

Monday

2018 B

II

6

Feb 14 April 1 May 20

7

Dec 2

Tuesday

2019 C

I

8

March 6 April 21 June 9

10

Dec 1 Wednesday

2020 A

II

7

Feb 26 April 12 May 31

9

Nov 29

Friday

2021 B

I

6

Feb 27 April 4 May 23

8

Nov 28 Saturday

2022 C

II

8

March 2 April 17 June 5

10

Nov 27 Sunday

2023 A

I

7

Feb 22 April 9 May 28

8

Dec 3

Monday

2024 B

II

6

Feb 14 March 31 May 19

7

Dec 1 Wednesday

2025 C

I

8

March 5 April 20 June 8

10

Nov 30 Thursday

2026 A

II

6

Feb 18 April 5 May 24

8

Nov 29

Friday

2027 B

I

5

Feb 10 March 28 May 16

7

Nov 28 Saturday

2028 C

II

8

March 1 April 16 June 4

9

Dec 3

Monday

2029 A

I

6

Feb 14 April 1 May 20

7

Dec 2

Tuesday

2030 B

II

8

March 6 April 21 June 9

10

Dec 1 Wednesday

2031 C

I

7

Feb 26 April 13 June 1

9

Nov 30 Thursday

2032 A

II

5

Feb 11 March 28 May 16

7

Nov 28 Saturday

2033 B

I

8

March 2 April 17 June 5

10

Nov 27 Sunday

2034 C

II

7

Feb 22 April 9 May 28

8

Dec 3

Monday

2035 A

I

5

Feb 7 March 25 May 13

6

Dec 2

Tuesday

2036 B

II

7

Feb 27 April 13 June 1

9

Nov 30 Thursday

2037 C

I

6

Feb 18 April 5 May 24

8

Nov 29

Friday

2038 A

II

9

March 10 April 25 June 13

11

Nov 28 Saturday

2039 B

I

7

Feb 23 April 10 May 29

9

Nov 27 Sunday

2040 C

II

6

Feb 15 April 1 May 20

7

Dec 2

Tuesday

2041 A

I

8

March 6 April 21 June 9

10

Dec 1 Wednesday

2042 B

II

6

Feb 19 April 6 May 25

8

Nov 30 Thursday

2043 C

I

5

Feb 11 March 29 May 17

7

Nov 29

Friday

2044 A

II

8

March 2 April 17 June 5

10

Nov 27 Sunday

2045 B

I

7

Feb 22 April 9 May 28

8

Dec 3

Monday

2046 C

II

5

Feb 7 March 25 May 13

6

Dec 2

Tuesday

2047 A

I

7

Feb 29 April 14 June 2

9

Dec 1 Wednesday

2048 B

II

6

Feb 19 April 5 May 24

8

Nov 29

Friday

2049 C

I

8

Mar 3 April 18 June 6

10

Nov 28 Saturday

2050 A

II

7

Feb 23 April 10 May 29

9

Nov 27 Sunday

* Note: Since the length of the Advent Season varies (between three and four weeks, depending on which weekday Christmas falls), but in order to ensure that the readings for the 34th Week in Ordinary Time are read at the very end of each liturgical year, one entire week of Ordinary Time is often (but not always) omitted after the Season of Easter. Thus, for example, if the weekdays just before Lent belong to the 5th week of O.T., then after Pentecost we continue with the 6th week of O.T. in some years, but skip to the 7th week of O.T. in most years.

Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

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