Wednesday Liturgy: Enthronement of Gospel
ROME, MAY 23, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
Q: Our new priest has made many, many changes. One is the "enthronement of the Gospel" where after the Gospel reading, the Book of the Gospels is placed open on a podium in front of the lectern, which has been draped with material and a sash of liturgical color. The book remains there through the conclusion of the Mass and seems to have more honor than the Lord present in the tabernacle after Communion. Why is the Gospel to be enthroned? -- R.J., College Station, Texas
A: The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) describes the following honors toward the Book of the Gospels:
"172. [At the entrance procession] Carrying the Book of the Gospels slightly elevated, the deacon precedes the priest as he approaches the altar or else walks at the priest's side.
"173. When he reaches the altar, if he is carrying the Book of the Gospels, he omits the sign of reverence and goes up to the altar. It is particularly appropriate that he should place the Book of the Gospels on the altar, after which, together with the priest, he venerates the altar with a kiss.
"175. [At the Liturgy of the Word] If incense is used, the deacon assists the priest when he puts incense in the thurible during the singing of the Alleluia or other chant. … Having bowed to the altar, he then takes up the Book of the Gospels which was placed upon it. He proceeds to the ambo, carrying the book slightly elevated. He is preceded by a thurifer, carrying a thurible with smoking incense, and by servers with lighted candles. There the deacon, with hands joined, greets the people, saying, 'Dominus vobiscum' (The Lord be with you). Then, at the words 'Lectio sancti Evangelii' (A reading from the holy gospel), he signs the book with his thumb and, afterwards, himself on his forehead, mouth, and breast. He incenses the book and proclaims the Gospel reading. When the reading is concluded, he says the acclamation 'Verbum Domini' (The gospel of the Lord), and all respond, 'Laus tibi, Christe' (Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ). He then venerates the book with a kiss, saying privately, 'Per evangelica dicta' (May the words of the gospel), and returns to the priest's side.
"When the deacon is assisting the Bishop, he carries the book to him to be kissed, or else kisses it himself, saying quietly, 'Per evangelica dicta' (May the words of the gospel). In more solemn celebrations, as the occasion suggests, a Bishop may impart a blessing to the people with the Book of the Gospels.
"Lastly, the deacon may carry the Book of the Gospels to the credence table or to another appropriate and dignified place."
Later, in describing norms for all Masses, the document adds:
"273. According to traditional practice, the altar and the Book of the Gospels are venerated by means of a kiss. Where, however, a sign of this kind is not in harmony with the traditions or the culture of some region, it is for the Conference of Bishops to establish some other sign in its place, with the consent of the Apostolic See."
Thus, while the Gospel is often enthroned at ecumenical meetings, during special celebrations of the Word, and during the great Church Councils such as Trent and Vatican II, this rite is not foreseen during Mass.
While the indication of GIRM No. 175 -- that the Book of the Gospels be carried to "the credence table or to another appropriate and dignified place" -- could be generously interpreted as allowing the practice described, the fact that the credence table is mentioned suggests that the mind of the legislator does not foresee any solemn enthronement but merely that the book be treated with due respect after use.
The Book of the Gospels is treated with great honor during the Liturgy of the Word with rites and gestures analogous to those offered toward the altar and the Blessed Sacrament.
By doing so the Church shows its veneration toward God's Word and its belief that Christ is present and speaking in a special way during the liturgical proclamation of the sacred texts. However, as Pope Paul VI taught, while Christ's presence in the Word is real, it ceases when the readings are concluded. The Eucharistic presence alone is substantial and real "in the fullest sense."
It is therefore quite logical that all liturgical honors paid toward the Book of the Gospels cease once the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins.
A different case is the permanent or habitual setting up of a Book of the Gospels in the sanctuary or some other suitable place. The primary aim of setting up the book in this way is to foment respect and devotion toward sacred Scripture. For this reason the role of the permanent display of Scripture is analogous to that of a statue or icon and does not immediately affect the liturgical action.
Indeed, during the mission for Rome ordered by Pope John Paul II in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2000, every parish in Rome was ordered to set up the Book of the Gospels for public veneration during the two years or so that the mission lasted.
Likewise, this practice is recommended, outside the liturgy, in the guidelines for church construction published by the U.S. bishops:
"§ 62 Our reverence for the word of God is expressed not only in an attentive listening to and reflection upon the Scripture, but also by the way we handle and treat the Book of the Gospels. The ambo can be designed not only for reading and preaching, but also for displaying the open Book of the Gospels or a copy of the Scriptures before and after the liturgical celebration."
Q: Our new priest has made many, many changes. One is the "enthronement of the Gospel" where after the Gospel reading, the Book of the Gospels is placed open on a podium in front of the lectern, which has been draped with material and a sash of liturgical color. The book remains there through the conclusion of the Mass and seems to have more honor than the Lord present in the tabernacle after Communion. Why is the Gospel to be enthroned? -- R.J., College Station, Texas
A: The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) describes the following honors toward the Book of the Gospels:
"172. [At the entrance procession] Carrying the Book of the Gospels slightly elevated, the deacon precedes the priest as he approaches the altar or else walks at the priest's side.
"173. When he reaches the altar, if he is carrying the Book of the Gospels, he omits the sign of reverence and goes up to the altar. It is particularly appropriate that he should place the Book of the Gospels on the altar, after which, together with the priest, he venerates the altar with a kiss.
"175. [At the Liturgy of the Word] If incense is used, the deacon assists the priest when he puts incense in the thurible during the singing of the Alleluia or other chant. … Having bowed to the altar, he then takes up the Book of the Gospels which was placed upon it. He proceeds to the ambo, carrying the book slightly elevated. He is preceded by a thurifer, carrying a thurible with smoking incense, and by servers with lighted candles. There the deacon, with hands joined, greets the people, saying, 'Dominus vobiscum' (The Lord be with you). Then, at the words 'Lectio sancti Evangelii' (A reading from the holy gospel), he signs the book with his thumb and, afterwards, himself on his forehead, mouth, and breast. He incenses the book and proclaims the Gospel reading. When the reading is concluded, he says the acclamation 'Verbum Domini' (The gospel of the Lord), and all respond, 'Laus tibi, Christe' (Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ). He then venerates the book with a kiss, saying privately, 'Per evangelica dicta' (May the words of the gospel), and returns to the priest's side.
"When the deacon is assisting the Bishop, he carries the book to him to be kissed, or else kisses it himself, saying quietly, 'Per evangelica dicta' (May the words of the gospel). In more solemn celebrations, as the occasion suggests, a Bishop may impart a blessing to the people with the Book of the Gospels.
"Lastly, the deacon may carry the Book of the Gospels to the credence table or to another appropriate and dignified place."
Later, in describing norms for all Masses, the document adds:
"273. According to traditional practice, the altar and the Book of the Gospels are venerated by means of a kiss. Where, however, a sign of this kind is not in harmony with the traditions or the culture of some region, it is for the Conference of Bishops to establish some other sign in its place, with the consent of the Apostolic See."
Thus, while the Gospel is often enthroned at ecumenical meetings, during special celebrations of the Word, and during the great Church Councils such as Trent and Vatican II, this rite is not foreseen during Mass.
While the indication of GIRM No. 175 -- that the Book of the Gospels be carried to "the credence table or to another appropriate and dignified place" -- could be generously interpreted as allowing the practice described, the fact that the credence table is mentioned suggests that the mind of the legislator does not foresee any solemn enthronement but merely that the book be treated with due respect after use.
The Book of the Gospels is treated with great honor during the Liturgy of the Word with rites and gestures analogous to those offered toward the altar and the Blessed Sacrament.
By doing so the Church shows its veneration toward God's Word and its belief that Christ is present and speaking in a special way during the liturgical proclamation of the sacred texts. However, as Pope Paul VI taught, while Christ's presence in the Word is real, it ceases when the readings are concluded. The Eucharistic presence alone is substantial and real "in the fullest sense."
It is therefore quite logical that all liturgical honors paid toward the Book of the Gospels cease once the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins.
A different case is the permanent or habitual setting up of a Book of the Gospels in the sanctuary or some other suitable place. The primary aim of setting up the book in this way is to foment respect and devotion toward sacred Scripture. For this reason the role of the permanent display of Scripture is analogous to that of a statue or icon and does not immediately affect the liturgical action.
Indeed, during the mission for Rome ordered by Pope John Paul II in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2000, every parish in Rome was ordered to set up the Book of the Gospels for public veneration during the two years or so that the mission lasted.
Likewise, this practice is recommended, outside the liturgy, in the guidelines for church construction published by the U.S. bishops:
"§ 62 Our reverence for the word of God is expressed not only in an attentive listening to and reflection upon the Scripture, but also by the way we handle and treat the Book of the Gospels. The ambo can be designed not only for reading and preaching, but also for displaying the open Book of the Gospels or a copy of the Scriptures before and after the liturgical celebration."
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