Lectionary and Book of the Gospels

Authority level: Authoritative doctrine
Disciplinary status: Church discipline
Theological status: Theological synthesis
GuideThe entry combines Catholic doctrine about worship with approved liturgical discipline and theological explanation; the labels do not make every ceremonial norm irreformable.
Contents

Lectionary and Book of the Gospels is Liturgical books that order the proclamation of Scripture, with the Gospel book receiving distinctive honor in the Eucharistic celebration.

The Lectionary

A lectionary arranges approved biblical passages for proclamation in worship. The Roman Lectionary provides cycles for Sundays and weekdays and selections for saints, sacraments, funerals, and other celebrations; it is not simply a Bible with page markers.

Vatican II called for a richer presentation of Scripture, leading the revised Roman cycle to distribute a broad range of readings across three Sunday years and two weekday years. Eastern Catholic lectionaries follow their own traditions and sequences.[1]

The Book of the Gospels

The Book of the Gospels, or Evangeliary, contains Gospel pericopes for liturgical proclamation. It may be carried in procession, placed on the altar, accompanied by candles and incense, and kissed after proclamation.[2]

These honors express the presence of Christ speaking to his people. The book is not worshiped as an object, and a display volume should not replace the approved liturgical text required for the celebration.

References

  1. 1.Sacrosanctum Concilium — Sections 24, 35, and 51 on Scripture in the liturgy
  2. 2.General Instruction of the Roman Missal — Norms for the readings, Gospel procession, and liturgical books