Rachel Evans
There are several ways to approach reading Catholic texts, whether that be the Bible or Mass readings. For some, reading the Bible as a Catholic is a form of prayer, and for others, it is a more serious study. Catholics do not interpret the Bible as a verbatim account of history, but rather as a text inspired by God and written by humans, and therefore subject to human purposes, allegories, and metaphors. Catholics can also access Mass readings in-person, televised, or online, and these readings follow a cycle, with Sunday readings repeating every three years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Qualifications for readers | Confirmed Catholics living in communion with the Church and able to proclaim the readings in a manner that expresses the dignity of scripture |
| Preparation | Informal one-on-one training or more formal training in technical skills, biblical formation, liturgical formation, and spiritual formation |
| Arrival time | 15 minutes before the Eucharist |
| Reading material | Lectionary, which is available in the sacristy |
| Reading location | Ambo |
| Reading timing | One minute prior to the start of the Liturgy |
| Reading order | Introduction to the Mass of the Day, followed by the first reading |
| Reading content | The word of the Lord, followed by "Thanks be to God" from the congregation |
| Reading style | Not worshipping the Bible but understanding it as sacred and inspired by God, written by humans with human purposes |
| Reading resources | The Great Adventure Catholic Bible, Steve Ray's St John's Gospel, dynamiccatholic.com |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic reading as a form of prayer
For Catholics, reading the Bible is more of a form of prayer than a study. It is a way to connect with God and find spiritual reflection. While the Bible is considered sacred and inspired by God, Catholics believe it is written by humans and therefore contains human purposes, such as allegories, histories, poetry, and metaphors with hidden symbolism. This interpretation allows Catholics to have a richer and more nuanced understanding of the Bible.
Catholics may choose to start their Bible reading with the Gospels, followed by the rest of the New Testament. When reading the Old Testament, it can be helpful to find a favorite story and start there, exploring the surrounding passages for more context and depth. Spending time in God's Word daily is important for many Catholics, even if the amount of reading varies depending on their schedule and commitments.
For those who cannot attend Holy Mass, daily readings are often available online or through other resources, such as EWTN, allowing Catholics to accompany the Mass of the day from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, resources like The Great Adventure Catholic Bible can provide context and aid in understanding salvation history.
At Mass, the readings are carefully selected and organized in the Lectionary to ensure that Catholics are exposed to the whole Bible. The Sunday readings repeat every three years, with each year focusing primarily on one of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, or Luke. The Old Testament reading and Psalm are often chosen to reflect a theme from the Gospel, and the second reading typically follows an orderly sequence.
During Mass, readers, also known as lectors, have specific rituals and guidelines to follow. These include arriving early, preparing the Lectionary, and participating in certain movements and gestures during the service.
In conclusion, Catholic reading, especially of the Bible, is a form of prayer that allows individuals to connect with God and find spiritual reflection. Through their reading, Catholics gain a deeper understanding of their faith and the Bible's messages, interpreting the scriptures in a way that recognizes both their sacred nature and their human authorship.
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Recommended Catholic reading resources
There are many resources available for Catholics who wish to develop their knowledge of the faith and the Bible.
Firstly, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a free online resource that compiles and summarises two thousand years of official Church teaching. St. John Paul the Great called it a "sure norm for teaching the faith", and it is a great companion to the Scriptures. As a companion to the Catechism, Dr. Peter Kreeft's book "Catholic Christianity: A Complete Catechism" is also recommended. Conversion stories are another great way to get an introduction to Catholic apologetics, as authors detail how they discovered the fullness of religious truth in Catholicism.
For those who are unable to attend Holy Mass, EWTN offers daily readings to accompany the televised Mass of the day. They also provide the Global Televised Mass Guide eBook, which guides readers through the daily Mass offered at EWTN.
When it comes to reading the Bible as a Catholic, it is important to remember that Catholics do not interpret the Bible literally. Instead, they recognise that it is inspired by God but written by humans, and therefore may contain allegories, histories, poetry, and metaphors with hidden symbolism. Steve Ray's book "St John's Gospel" is recommended as a Bible study guide. It is also suggested that readers start with the Gospels, and then move on to the writings of St. Paul, St. Peter, and the rest of the New Testament authors.
The Cardinal Newman Society has also published a Guide for the Catholic Reader, which includes a selected reading list that focuses on works of beauty, cultural and historical significance, and their suitability for examining the human condition in light of Catholic sensibilities. The Catholic intellectual tradition includes works such as The Illiad, The Aeneid, the works of Milton, and C.S. Lewis, which have been found to foster authentic cultural, spiritual, and social development for Catholics.
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Reading the Bible as a Catholic vs. a Protestant
Reading the Bible as a Catholic or a Protestant can differ in several ways. Firstly, in terms of textual content, Catholic and Protestant Bibles differ in the number of books in the Old Testament. Catholic Bibles have 46 books in the Old Testament, while Protestant Bibles have 39. The additional books in the Catholic Bible are Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, as well as additional stories and verses in the books of Daniel and Esther. These books are referred to as “deuterocanonical” by Catholics and "apocryphal" or "hidden" by Protestants.
Secondly, Catholics and Protestants approach the Bible with different underlying beliefs and interpretations. Protestants give ultimate authority to the Bible alone, believing that religious traditions can be wrong and need to be evaluated by Scripture. They emphasize the responsibility of each believer to interpret the Word of God for themselves, acknowledging the potential fallibility of human leaders in interpretation. On the other hand, Catholics give ultimate authority to both the Bible and tradition, as stated in the Catholic Catechism. The interpretation of Scripture, according to Catholicism, is entrusted to the Magisterium of the Church, including the Pope and the bishops.
The act of reading the Bible may also vary between Catholics and Protestants. For Catholics, reading the Bible can be seen as a form of prayer rather than solely a form of study. This means that the focus may be on spending time with God's Word, even if it is just a single verse, and allowing it to inspire and soak into the heart. Catholics may also seek guidance from trusted Catholic sources or resources for deeper study.
In summary, while both Catholics and Protestants read the Bible, they may approach it with different underlying beliefs, interpretations, and reading practices. The textual content of their Bibles also differs in the number of books in the Old Testament, contributing to distinct scriptural authorities. Understanding these differences provides a more nuanced perspective on how Catholics and Protestants engage with the Bible.
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Qualifications and preparation for Catholic readers
The qualifications for readers are listed in the General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM) as being "truly suited to perform this function" and "should receive careful preparation". Being "truly suited" generally means being a confirmed Catholic who lives in communion with the Church and is able to proclaim the readings with the dignity of scripture.
The "careful preparation" required varies from parish to parish. It can include informal one-on-one training with someone who is experienced in the role, or it can be a more formal process. For example, the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church program focuses on technical skills, biblical formation, liturgical formation, and spiritual formation.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church and in the Eastern Catholic Churches of Byzantine tradition, a reader is considered the second highest of the minor orders of clergy. In this tradition, the candidate is tonsured as a sign of submission and obedience before ordination. This is a separate act from ordination and is performed only once.
In the Anglican Communion, a person holding the office is often referred to as a "lay reader". After a period of theological training, a layperson is licensed to preach and lead public worship.
When preparing to read, it is important to pay full attention to the symbols of liturgy. The readings are always proclaimed from permanent, dignified, and well-bound liturgical books: the Lectionary and the Book of Gospels. Non-biblical readings are never to be substituted for the readings or Responsorial Psalm. The voice used to read the text should correspond to the genre, whether it is a reading, a prayer, an explanatory comment, an acclamation, or a sung text. It should also be suited to the form of celebration and the solemnity of the gathering.
In terms of preparing to interpret the text, the Catechism recommends familiarizing oneself with a particular passage of Scripture and formulating questions about its text and meaning. It is also important to study the historical and cultural background of a biblical text, keeping in mind the content and unity of all of Scripture. This involves understanding the text's place in the divine economy and being aware of related texts.
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The cycle of readings at Mass
The Catholic lectionary, or cycle of readings, is a collection of readings from the Bible that are used during Mass. The lectionary is designed to provide a balanced and diverse selection of Scripture passages that reflect the
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Frequently asked questions
According to GIRM, readers are to be "truly suited to perform this function" and "should receive careful preparation". "Truly suited" means individuals who are confirmed Catholics living in communion with the Church and who are able to proclaim the readings in a manner that expresses the dignity of scripture. "Careful preparation" varies from parish to parish and can range from informal one-on-one training to more formal programs that focus on technical skills, biblical formation, liturgical formation, and spiritual formation.
Readers, or lectors, have specific "mechanical" details to follow during Mass. They arrive 15 minutes before the Eucharist and gather with the other ministers in the sacristy. The Lectionary will be on the counter, and readers should ensure the ribbon is set to the correct readings. Once both readers are prepared, they take the lectionary and intercessions to the ambo. At one minute prior to the start of the Liturgy, they read the Introduction to the Mass of the Day.
Catholics do not interpret the Bible as a verbatim account written by God. Instead, they believe that the Bible is sacred and inspired by God but written by humans with human purposes. Therefore, it may include allegories, histories, poetry, and metaphors with hidden symbolism. For Catholics, reading the Bible is more like a form of prayer than a form of study.
