89.

QUERY: Before the biblical readings sometimes priests or lay readers announce subtitles for the selection or even the rubric: "The first reading," "The second reading," etc. Is it permissible to follow this practice? REPLY: Clearly not. As with all rubrics, the titles, "The first reading," "The second reading," are guides for the convenience of the reader. As to the captions, which consist either in a sentence drawn from the text or in a summary statement of the reading, they too are guides useful for choosing among different texts, especially in the Commons. The sole title to be announced is the one indicating the book of the Bible or, where applicable, its author. For example: "A reading from the Letter of Paul to Timothy"; "A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark": Not 14 (1978) 303, no. 5.