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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

When will there be a new Lectionary for Catholics in the United States?

Corpus Christi Watershed · May 12, 2014

518 Lect ILL THERE SOON BE a new Lectionary for Catholics in the United States? Ever since the publication of the Roman Missal, 3rd Edition, people have been asking.

Of course nobody knows for sure, but the answer appears to be a solid “no.”

On 11 November 2011 at 9:24am, the Bishop’s Liturgy Committee said:

There is no plan to do a major revision of the Lectionary at this time. There are some minor adjustments that will be made to the Lectionary texts, but those will not result in anything more than a reprint of the current edition, and parishes will only need to purchase them when they are ready to replace worn-out volumes, which happens with all liturgical books at some time.

— Executive Director, Secretariat of Divine Worship   (courtesy CMAA forum)


During the June 2012 meeting of the USCCB, Cardinal Wuerl said they are only beginning to consider the possible revision of the Lectionary:

Cardinal Donald Wuerl: Now, as I began, obviously this isn’t going to be done overnight. But we’re asking simply to begin this process so that we will have all of this eventually to bring back. This isn’t being said facetiously, I don’t expect that I will … be presenting this. [laughter] But it’s the time to start, and we have all the pieces in place, and all of the principles in place. So we get started. The sooner we get started, the sooner some of you will live to see it. [laughter]

When asked which scholars will be involved, Cardinal Wuerl replied: “At this point we are not able to do that because we haven’t even begun the process of surfacing the names.”

IT’S TRUE THAT WHENEVER THE LECTIONARY does get revised, all current hymnals and Missals — GIA Worship IV, Lumen Christi Missal, OCP Journeysongs, Jogues Illuminated Missal, etc. — will have to be updated. However, based on what the authorities have said, this could easily take 10-20 years (see above).

HERE IS A BRIEF EXPLANATION of the various “current” books. After you read this, you’ll probably wish you hadn’t, because your head will start spinning:

MASS READINGS : — From the current New American Bible.

SACRAMENTARY PARTS : — ICEL (© 2010/11), is a translation of the 2001 Missale Romanum.

RESPONSORIAL PSALMS : — Based on the 1970 New American Bible, but with many changes made by the USCCB. Some day, perhaps in 20 years, the “Revised Grail Psalter” (copyright GIA and others) will replace this translation.

RESP. PS. ANTIPHONS : — ICEL (© 1970), these don’t match the current NAB, the 1970 NAB, the “Lectionary” NAB, or the Revised Grail.

ROMAN GRADUAL : — There is no official translation in the United States.

UPDATE:

From T. M. on Facebook (12 May 2014):

The editors, from the Catholic Biblical Association, have been chosen and the process of translation will begin this summer. The USCCB is working to do something good here, really, since they are seeking to have a Bible translation (a revised NABRE) which will match the Lectionary readings, as well as the ones found in other prayer books. As you can imagine, the process of translation and getting liturgical approval from Rome will take some time. I have been told by people in the know that it will be about ten years.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Donald Cardinal Wuerl, New Lectionary Edition USA, Novus Ordo Lectionary Reform Last Updated: August 4, 2025

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The sun, at one moment surrounded with scarlet flame, at another aureoled in yellow and deep purple, seemed to be in an exceedingly swift and whirling movement, at times appearing to be loosened from the sky and to be approaching the earth, strongly radiating heat.”

— ‘Dr. Domingos Pinto Coelho, noted lawyer from Lisbon and chairman of the Bar Association (1917)’

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