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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: Novus Ordo Lectionary Reform Last Updated: October 28, 2021

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Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
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—Jeff Ostrowski
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I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The unity of language in the liturgy is so great a treasure for the Church that no advantage could compensate for its demise.”

— Dom Anselmo Albareda (2 January 1953), Father Nicola Giampietro, page 249

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