Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Lectionary is a book or listing that contains a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian worship on a given day or occasion. The Lectionary is arranged in two cycles, one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C, with each year focusing on a different Gospel. The weekday cycle is divided into two years, Year I and Year II. The readings are typically read from a Lectionary, not a Bible, though the Lectionary is taken from the Bible. The Lectionary for Mass is arranged according to the two cycles, with the Sunday lectionary consisting of three years and the weekday lectionary consisting of two years. The scriptural excerpts are often designed to be read continuously throughout the year. The Lectionary is an important resource for liturgical ministries and anyone who wishes to become more familiar with the liturgical year.
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What You'll Learn
The Lectionary is arranged in two cycles: Sundays and weekdays
The Lectionary is a book or listing that contains a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian or Jewish worship on a given day or occasion. It is arranged in two cycles: one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C. Each year focuses on a different Gospel: Year A on the Gospel of Matthew, Year B on the Gospel of Mark and parts of the Gospel of John, and Year C on the Gospel of Luke. The Gospel of John is read during the Easter season in all three years. The weekday cycle is divided into two years, Year I and Year II, with readings from the Old Testament, Acts, Revelation, or the Epistles, a responsorial Psalm, and a reading from one of the Gospels.
The readings in the Lectionary are not arranged according to the books of the Bible but are divided by the day or theme, such as baptism or marriage. Introductions and conclusions have been added to each reading, and individual readings are called pericopes, a Greek word meaning a "section" or "cutting". Because the readings are only portions of a book or chapter, introductory phrases, or incipits, are often added to provide context.
The Lectionary is an important part of the Mass, with at least two readings, one of which is always from the Gospels, making up the Liturgy of the Word. A psalm or canticle is also sung. While the Lectionary is read from during Mass, the Book of the Gospels is brought in by a deacon and used for the final reading.
The year of the cycle does not change on January 1st but on the First Sunday of Advent, which usually falls between late November and early December and marks the beginning of the liturgical year. In addition to the Sunday and weekday cycles, the Lectionary also provides readings for feasts of the saints, common celebrations, ritual Masses, votive Masses, and various other occasions.
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Readings are divided by day or theme
The Catholic Lectionary is a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian worship on a given day or occasion. The readings are divided by day or theme, with the liturgical year beginning on the First Sunday of Advent, between November 27 and December 3. The Lectionary is arranged in two cycles: one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C, with each year focusing on a different Gospel: Matthew, Mark, and Luke, respectively. John's Gospel is read during the Easter season in all three years and on special occasions, such as Holy Week or Christmas.
The weekday cycle is further divided into two years, Year I and Year II. The first reading on weekdays may be taken from either the Old or New Testament, and a single book is typically read semi-continuously until it is finished. In addition to the Sunday and weekday cycles, the Lectionary provides readings for feasts of the saints, common celebrations, ritual Masses (such as weddings and funerals), and various other occasions.
The readings are not chosen according to the books of the Bible but rather by their relevance to the day or theme. For example, during Advent, Christmas, and Lent, readings are chosen that are appropriate to the season. The readings are also selected to provide a comprehensive understanding of God's word and to deepen the faith of those who hear them.
The Lectionary is an important tool for liturgical ministries and those who wish to become more familiar with the liturgical year. It provides a structured way to encounter the Word of God and is central to the life of Catholic faithful.
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The Gospels are read semi-continuously
The Catholic lectionary is a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian worship on a given day or occasion. It is arranged in two cycles: one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C, each with a different Gospel reading focus.
During the year, the Gospels are read semi-continuously, meaning that the readings follow a logical pattern, with passages selected for their appropriateness to particular occasions. The readings are not chosen according to the books of the Bible but rather by day or theme (e.g. baptism, marriage, vocations). The Gospels are read in a specific order: Mark, Matthew, and Luke, with the Gospel of John reserved for the Easter season.
The lectionary is not the same as a missal, gradual, or sacramentary. While the lectionary contains scripture readings, the missal or sacramentary contains the prayers for the service, and the gradual contains chants and responsories for any particular day.
The lectionary is typically read from during Mass, with at least two readings, one always from the Gospels, and three on Sundays and solemnities. The first reading usually comes from the Old Testament, reflecting important themes from the Gospel reading. The second reading is usually from one of the epistles, a letter written to an early church community. These letters are also read semi-continuously, with each Sunday's reading picking up close to where the previous Sunday's left off.
The lectionary is an important tool for Catholic worship, providing a structured way to engage with the Scriptures and ensuring that a significant portion of the Sacred Scriptures is read by the faithful over a fixed number of years.
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The Lectionary is not the same as a Missal, Gradual or Sacramentary
The Lectionary is a book or listing that contains a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian or Jewish worship on a given day or occasion. It is not to be confused with a missal, gradual, or sacramentary.
The missal, or sacramentary, contains the appropriate prayers for the service, while the gradual contains chants for use on any particular day. The gradual also contains a responsory that may be used in place of the responsorial psalm. The missal is derived from the Latin "missale", from "Missa", meaning Mass. It contains the prayers said by the priest at the altar, as well as all that is officially read or sung.
The lectionary, on the other hand, contains the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year. These readings are typically not read from the Bible, though they are derived from it. The lectionary is arranged in two cycles: one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The Sunday cycle is further divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C, each with its respective Gospel reading.
The gradual, sacramentary, and lectionary were at one time separate volumes, with the sacramentary eventually morphing into the missal. This was done so that priests could celebrate Low Mass. The gradual and missal (or sacramentary) are distinct in that the former contains sung elements, while the latter contains spoken elements.
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The Lectionary is carried in the entrance procession by a Lector
A lectionary is a book or listing that contains a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian or Jewish worship on a given day or occasion. In the Catholic Church, the lectionary is typically read from during Mass by a lector, or reader. The readings are divided by the day or the theme (baptism, marriage, vocations, etc.) rather than according to the books of the Bible. The lectionary is arranged in two cycles: one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C, and the weekday cycle is divided into two years, Year I and Year II.
In some churches, the lectionary is carried in the entrance procession by a lector. However, in the Catholic Church, the Book of the Gospels is carried in by a deacon, and when there is no deacon, a lector might process in with the Book of the Gospels. The lectionary is never carried in procession. It is placed on the ambo before Mass, from where the lector proclaims the First Reading.
The role of the lector is a vital and sacred ministry within the Catholic Mass. By proclaiming the Word of God, lectors help the faithful to encounter and understand Scripture, fostering a deeper connection with Christ. Lectors are entrusted with the responsibility of proclaiming the Scriptures during the Liturgy of the Word, helping the faithful to encounter and understand God's message. This ministry requires dedication, preparation, and a deep sense of reverence, as lectors serve as instruments through whom God's Word is communicated to the people. Lectors have several key responsibilities that contribute to the liturgical celebration.
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Frequently asked questions
A lectionary is a book or listing that contains a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian or Jewish worship on a given day or occasion.
While the Lectionary is taken from the Bible, it is not the same. The Lectionary is composed of the readings and responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year (Sundays, weekdays, and special occasions). The readings are divided by the day or theme (baptism, marriage, etc.) rather than according to the books of the Bible.
While the lectionary contains scripture readings, the missal contains the appropriate prayers for the service.
The Catholic Lectionary is arranged in two cycles: a set of three years for Sunday Masses (Years A, B, and C) and two years for weekday Masses (Year I and Year II). The Sunday cycle organizes the Gospel readings according to the three synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
The readings of the Word of God are central to the life of the Catholic faithful. The Lectionary provides a pattern of readings suited to the liturgical year, especially during the seasons of Easter, Lent, and Advent, to give Christ's faithful an ever-deepening perception of their faith.
