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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

    Cardinal Ranjith on “Active Participation”
    From 2005–2009, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith served as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. He was considered ‘papabile’ during the last conclave. On 8 December 2008, he wrote this powerful statement concerning Gregorian Chant, participatio actuosa, celebration “ad orientem,” and other subjects. When it comes to the question of what “sacred” means, Monsignor Robert A. Skeris provides a marvelous answer.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Some have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 31 August 2025, which is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “The Worm That Dieth Not”
    My pastor asked me to write a column for our parish bulletin with reflections on the sacred liturgy and church music. In my most recent article, I discuss “The Worm That Dieth Not.” At this website, you can access it conveniently; simply scroll down to the one dated 31 August 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    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
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“From the responses received, it is thus clear that by far the greater number of bishops feel that the present discipline [Communion on the tongue and not in the hand] should not be changed at all—indeed, that if it were changed, this would be offensive to the sensibility and spiritual appreciation of these bishops and of most of the faithful.”

— Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship (29 May 1969)

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  • “Music List” • 22nd in Ordinary Time (Year C)

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