Latest News New Lectionary to be launched in England and Wales Resources for making best use of the Lectionary With our parishes using a new edition and translation of the Lectionary from the First Sunday of Advent this year, it is a good opportunity for our communities to review how the word of God is ministered. Clergy and lay ministers, we can all slip into habits which are unhelpful – and fail to minister as well and fruitfully as we would like. Two documents have been prepared for use in our parishes and schools. One is a simple double-sided A5 sheet, issued by the Liturgical Commission, which it is asked be put into the hand of all ministers of the word. It offers some good and sensible practical advice on preparing to minister and on how we minister. Practical Guidelines for those who proclaim the Word of God The other – a folded A3 document - comes with words of encouragement from Archbishop Bernard. It is aimed principally at those with overall responsibility for this ministry in all the variety settings in the Archdiocese where the word is proclaimed – parishes, schools, chaplaincies. It takes a broader look and seeks to help those in leadership roles to consider some ‘bigger issue’ questions of how we celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, support and guide our ministers, and help those to whom we minister to develop still deeper love and appreciation of the word of God, the Holy Scriptures. Diocesan leaders leaflet Scripture Formation Resource from The God Who Speaks initiative To help you, your parishes and schools deepen your love of Mass, the Bible and living the Gospel in daily life. Plus lots more resources. The God Who Speaks Preparing for the Lectionary - podcast series The Diocese of Clifton has shared a podcast series focused on Music in the Liturgy ahead of the new edition of the Lectionary. Podcast Series: Music in the Liturgy News from the Catholic 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 on the First Sunday of Advent 2024 (Sunday 1 December). It will use the English Standard Version – Catholic Edition for the scripture readings and the Psalms and Canticles for the Responsorial Psalms. The Lectionary will be published by Catholic Truth Society. A variety of publishers will provide resources and participation aids. The Bishops' Conference have outlined an Introduction, plus Information, Publication, Music and Further Resources in relation to the new Lectionary. Access Bishops' Conference website Lectionary Video Resources God Who Speaks initiative: Lectionary resources July 2023 The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has confirmed the approval by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales for the new Lectionary. The Lectionary, which includes the scripture readings for Mass and the sacraments, will come into use in Catholic parishes in England and Wales from Advent 2024. Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery, wrote to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference, confirming the new translation of the Lectionary, which has been done in collaboration with the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. He said: “The use of the English Standard Version – Catholic Edition, already in use in India, along with the Abbey Psalms and Canticles will help to ensure that the Word of the Lord reaches God’s holy people without alloy. “The collaboration of the Episcopal Conference with the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is another notable feature of this project which highlights the importance of different episcopal conferences within a small geographical area working together for the overall good of the Catholic population in the British Isles. “What has now been achieved ensures that a stable version of the Lectionary will endure in Great Britain for years to come. Both Conferences are to be commended for this cooperation.” The Lectionary was revised after the Second Vatican Council. Paragraph 51 of Second Vatican Council document Sacrosanctum Concilium said: “The treasures of the bible are to be opened up more lavishly, so that richer fare may be provided for the faithful at the table of God’s word.” Archbishop Emeritus George Stack of Cardiff, Chair of the Department for Christian Life and Worship, welcomed the dicastery’s ‘confirmatio’ for the Lectionary: “As we mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council we can see that the Lectionary is one of the great fruits of the Council. It fulfils the mandate of the Council Fathers to open up the scriptures for the faithful so that Sunday by Sunday Christ himself speaks to us in the word. “The new Lectionary gives us an opportunity to hear that word with fresh ears as we engage with a text which is intended for public proclamation and reflects up to date biblical scholarship. “I hope that parishes and other communities will engage in preparation for the Lectionary so that all the faithful will hear the word of God with deepened faith and understanding.” The Lectionary will be in use from Advent 2024 and will be published by the Catholic Truth Society (CTS). Manage Cookie Preferences