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B. Liturgy
of the Word
33.
Readings from Scripture and the chants between the readings form the main part
of the liturgy of the word. The homily, profession of faith, and general
intercessions or prayer of the faithful expand and complete this part of the
Mass. In the readings, explained by the homily, God is speaking to his
people,31 opening up to them the mystery of redemption and salvation,
and nourishing their spirit; Christ is present to the faithful through his own
word.32 Through the chants the people make God's word their own and
through the profession of faith affirm their adherence to it. Finally, having
been fed by this word, they make their petitions in the general intercessions
for the needs of the Church and for the salvation of the whole world.
SCRIPTURE
READINGS
34.
The readings lay the table of God's word for the faithful and open up the
riches of the Bible to them.33 Since by tradition the reading of the
Scriptures is a ministerial, not a presidential function, it is proper that as
a rule a deacon or, in his absence, a priest other than the one presiding read
the gospel. A reader proclaims the other readings. In the absence of a deacon
or another priest, the celebrant reads the gospel.34
35.
The liturgy itself inculcates the great reverence to be shown toward the
reading of the gospel, setting it off from the other readings by special marks
of honor. A special minister is appointed to proclaim it and prepares himself
by a blessing or prayer. The people, who by their acclamations acknowledge and
confess Christ present and speaking to them, stand as they listen to it. Marks
of reverence are given to the Book of the Gospels itself.
CHANTS
BETWEEN THE READINGS
36.
After the first reading comes the responsorial psalm or gradual, an integral
part of the liturgy of the word. The psalm as a rule is drawn from the
Lectionary because the individual psalm texts are directly connected with the
individual readings: the choice of psalm depends therefore on the readings.
Nevertheless, in order that the people may be able to join in the responsorial
psalm more readily, some texts of responses and psalms have been chosen,
according to the different seasons of the year and classes of saints, for
optional use, whenever the psalm is sung, in place of the text corresponding to
the reading.
The
psalmist or cantor of the psalm sings the verses of the psalm at the lectern or
other suitable place. The people remain seated and listen, but also as a rule
take part by singing the response, except when the psalm is sung straight
through without the response.
The psalm
when sung may be either the psalm assigned in the Lectionary or the gradual
from the «Graduale Romanum» or the responsorial psalm or the psalm with
«Alleluia» as the response from The «Simple Gradual» in the form they have in
those books.
37.
As the season requires, the «Alleluia» or another chant follows the second
reading.
a. The
«Alleluia» is sung in every season outside Lent. It is begun either by all
present or by the choir or cantor; it may then be repeated. The verses are
taken from the Lectionary or the «Graduale».
b.
The other chant consists of the verse before the gospel or another psalm or
tract, as found in the Lectionary or the «Graduale».
38.
When there is only one reading before the gospel:
a. during a
season calling for the «Alleluia», there is an option to use either the psalm
with «Alleluia» as the response, or the responsorial psalm and the «Alleluia»
with its verse, or just the psalm, or just the «Alleluia»;
b. during the
season when the «Alleluia» is not allowed, either the responsorial psalm or the
verse before the gospel may be used.
39.
If the psalm after the reading is not sung, it is to be recited. If not sung,
the «Alleluia» or the verse before the gospel may be omitted.
40.
Sequences are optional, except on Easter Sunday and Pentecost.
HOMILY
41.
The homily is an integral part of the liturgy and is strongly
recommended:35 it is necessary for the nurturing of the Christian life.
It should develop some point of the readings or of another text from the
Ordinary or from the Proper of the Mass of the day, and take into account the
mystery being celebrated and the needs proper to the listeners.36
42.
There must be a homily on Sundays and holydays of obligation at all Masses that
are celebrated with a congregation. It is recommended on other days, especially
on the weekdays of Advent, Lent, and the Easter season, as well as on other feasts
and occasions when the people come to church in large numbers.37
The homily
should ordinarily be given by the priest celebrant.
PROFESSION
OF FAITH
43.
The symbol or profession of faith in the celebration of Mass serves as a way
for the people to respond and to give their assent to the word of God heard in
the readings and through the homily and for them to call to mind the truths of
faith before thy begin to celebrate the eucharist.
44.
Recitation of the profession of faith by the priest together with the people is
obligatory on Sundays and solemnities. It maybe said also at special, more
solemn celebrations.
If it is
sung, as a rule all are to sing it together or in alternation.
GENERAL
INTERCESSIONS
45.
In the general intercessions or prayer of the faithful, the people, exercising
their priestly function, intercede for all humanity. It is appropriate that
this prayer be included in all Masses celebrated with a congregation, so that
petitions will be offered for the Church, for civil authorities, for those
oppressed by various needs, for all people, and for the salvation of the
world.38
46.
As a rule the sequence of intentions is to be:
a. for the needs
of the Church;
b. for
public authorities and the salvation of the world;
c. for
those oppressed by any need;
d. for the
local community.
In
particular celebrations, such as confirmations, marriages, funerals, etc., the
series of intercessions may refer more specifically to the occasion.
47.
It belongs to the priest celebrant to direct the general intercessions, by
means of a brief introduction to invite the congregation to pray, and after the
intercessions to say the concluding prayer. It is desirable that a deacon,
cantor, or other person announce the intentions.39 The whole assembly
gives expression to its supplication either by a response said together after
each intention or by silent prayer.
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