Bishop John Welcomes the New Lectionary
Sunday 17th November 2024On the First Sunday of Advent we will be welcoming a new edition of the Lectionary, the book which contains the readings which are proclaimed at Mass, will come into use in England and Wales in Advent 2024. The new edition uses the English Standard Version- Catholic Edition for the readings and the Abbey Psalms and Canticles for the Responsorial Psalms.
Ahead of these changes Bishop John has released a pastoral letter for all parishes to welcome the changes. You can read the full letter below:
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
On a recent Sunday, in our second reading at Mass, we heard the words of the letter to the Hebrews: “The Word of God is something alive and active: it cuts like any double-edged sword, but more finely.” (Hebrews 4:12) Allowing God to speak to us is one of the most important parts of any Mass, indeed the Second Vatican Council reminded us that Jesus “is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church.” (SC 7)
Every time you come to Mass, or other services in church, an important place is given to readings from the Bible. From the beginning of December, the First Sunday of Advent, you might notice some slight changes in those readings. The Dioceses of England and Wales are adopting a different translation of those Bible passages. We will still hear the same readings but the translation from the original Greek and Hebrew will be different in places. This will apply to what we hear and also to what we read in the missalettes, used in many of our parishes.
Over many years since the 1960s we have become familiar with The Jerusalem Bible translation. Why do we need a different translation? There is no such thing as a perfect translation. Every translation has its advantages and its shortcomings. Some seek to capture the original text in contemporary, modern, even simple language. Others seek to stick more closely with a word for word translation so that we hear in our own language what the original writers wrote. This is the method generally used in the new translation. Both these methods have their limits and shortcomings. No translation or method will ever be beyond criticism.
There is no suggestion that we should abandon other translations of the bible for our own reading and prayer. This introduction of the new lectionaries provides us with an opportunity that can enrich our spiritual lives. While some very familiar texts may be changed, the purpose of communicating the message of the scriptures remains the priority. Indeed, many passages will seem more appealing for those changes, causing us to contemplate the Word of God in a more helpful and challenging way. We may have become a little over-familiar with some passages and hearing them afresh in a new translation might bring new insights for hearers, readers and preachers alike.
Can I take this opportunity to thank those in our churches who carry out the ministry of Reader. The Church teaches that when the readings are proclaimed at Mass, it is God himself who speaks to God’s people. Yours is a true ministry which is to be valued. I hope you will use this ministry to grow in your own love of the Scriptures.
Finally, St Jerome, who himself seventeen hundred years ago translated the Bible into the language of the people, wrote that ‘ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.’ I encourage you to read the daily readings or a chapter of the Gospel each day at home, or to meet together in your parishes and groups of parishes to come to know the Bible more deeply. Maybe parish meetings might begin with some time listening to the following Sunday’s Gospel.
I am sure that the new Lectionary can provide us all with encouragement and challenge in our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ, helping us to know the history of God’s plan and presence in our lives, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the way we live our lives each day.
“Stay with us, Lord, on our Journey”
Click here to listen to a recording of the Pastoral Letter.
Further Resources
The Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales have produced a number of resources on the new Lectionary, coming into use this Advent.
All the resources can be found on their website and following their website.
The Lectionary will be published by Catholic Truth Society. A variety of publishers will provide resources and participation aid.
FAQ produced by the Bishops’ Conference
A new edition of the Lectionary, the book which contains the readings which are proclaimed at Mass, will come into use in England and Wales in Advent 2024. The new edition uses the English Standard Version- Catholic Edition for the readings and the Abbey Psalms and Canticles for the Responsorial Psalms. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Are there changes to the readings?
This is a new publication of the Lectionary using a different scripture translation — the content remains the same. So the reading for each Sunday will be the same.
What’s new?
There will be provision for Saints who have been added to the Universal Calendar since the last Lectionary published in 1981. There will also be the readings for the National Calendars. In addition, some of the revised liturgical rites, such as Marriage, have additional readings.
Will the text be mandatory?
It is normal practice in the Roman Rite that there is only a single edition of a liturgical text in use in a particular territory. So in the same way as only the third edition of the Roman Missal (2010) may be used in the celebration of Mass (in the Ordinary Form); the same will be true for the Lectionary.
Who will be publishing the Lectionary?
The Catholic Truth Society have been appointed publishers for the Lectionary. They are working closely with the bishops to ensure that the published volumes are worthy, clear in page layout, sturdy and reflect the daily needs of the liturgy.
How many volumes?
The current Lectionary (1981) is in three volumes. One significant change in the layout is that all the readings will be given in sense lines as an assistance to the reader. This is recommended in the Introduction to the Lectionary and is common to most recent publications of the Lectionary. The effect is that readings do require more space and this means more pages.
The new Lectionary will be in four volumes: one for Sundays and Solemnities, two volumes for Weekdays and the Proper of Saints, a final volume with Ritual Masses, Masses for the Dead etc.
What is a Missal?
In the Liturgy the Missal can refer to three distinct but related things. To many people the most familiar meaning is a peoples’ Missal – either for Sundays or weekdays.
To understand the other two meanings, it is easiest to take a step away. The various books of the Roman Rite (for the celebration of Sacraments etc.) are grouped together. Those rites which are primarily celebrated by the Bishop (such as Ordination) are part of the Roman Pontifical. The two books for the celebration of Mass form the Roman Missal, one of these, which contains the readings is the Lectionary, the other, which contains the prayers, is the Missal.
Will I need a new Sunday Missal?
Many people have a Sunday or Weekday Missal to either prepare the readings or to reflect on them. Some also use it to follow the text which is proclaimed in the liturgy. As the new Lectionary will use a different translation of the scriptures people will wish to get a new Sunday or Weekday Missal.
What is the English Standard Version: Catholic Edition?
The English Standard Version is the latest in a series of English translations which go back to the 16th Century. These translations have all been based on a ‘word for word’ principle. The ESV is directly based on the Revised Standard Version and it is suggested that c. 6% of the text has been revised. Changes were made to modernise the language and reflect the latest scholarship. The publisher Crossway emphasises ‘word-for-word’ accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. Work on the Catholic Edition was done by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India in collaboration with Crossway.
What is the Abbey Psalms and Canticles?
The Grail Psalms have been part of Liturgy in English since before the Second Vatican Council. They are used in both the Lectionary and the Divine Office.
In 2008 a revision of the text was undertaken by the monks of Conception Abbey, Missouri. It sought to bring the latest scholarly understanding of the text and to review the text where the English was essentially a paraphrase of the Hebrew. This text was approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in 2010. A further revision in the light of use was prepared and approved both by USCCB and CBCEW and has received the confirmation of the Holy See. This text is now owned by USCCB who have renamed it Abbey Psalms and Canticles both in recognition of the work of Conception Abbey and also so that there was clarity about the edition being used. This text will be used in the Lectionary and in subsequent liturgical books, such as the Liturgy of the Hours.
Is there a revision of the Liturgy of the Hours as well?
The International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) is responsible for translating the Latin liturgical texts for the English-speaking Bishops’ Conferences. It was approached by USCCB to assist in a new translation of the Liturgy of the Hours. Broadly this work can be divided into three areas: Psalms and Canticles; Scripture and scripture-based texts; other texts.
The Abbey Psalms and Canticles will provide the first area. Other texts are being translated by ICEL — these include the hymns, many of which have not been available before, and the intercessions. This vast project has been in progress for a number of years with the Bishops of England and Wales receiving, commenting and voting on the material which has been prepared by ICEL. There is not currently an estimated date for publication
Tagged | Bishop John | Bishops Conference of England and Wales | Pastoral Letter
