OFFICE OF DIVINE WORSHIP Archdiocese of Newark

Word of God Sunday

On September 30, 2019, the Holy Father Pope Francis issued the Apostolic letter motu proprio, entitled Aperuit Illis, reflecting on the Word of God, establishing the Third Sunday of Time as “Sunday of the Word of God.”

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston and president of the United States Conference of Catholic (USCCB) issued a statement on the Holy Father’s Apostolic letter reflecting on the Word of God, saying “We welcome Pope Francis’ Apostolic letter motu proprio, Aperuit Illis, reflecting on the Word of God. The Holy Father reminds us that the Word of God is ‘performative’ and that Christians should linger over and study the Word of God as revealed in Sacred Scripture.

“It is my hope that the words of the Holy Father will encourage all the faithful to know the Lord better through prayerful reading and study of the Scriptures. Pope Francis emphasizes that through the Word of God and the sacrifice of the we grow closer to Jesus and each other as the .

“The Holy Father has now designated the Third Sunday in as the Sunday of the Word of God. By naming a special Sunday to commemorate the ‘unbreakable bond between sacred Scripture and the Eucharist,’ the Holy Father allows us to remember that it is through the Word of God that we encounter its author and learn of the ‘merciful love of the Father who calls his children to live in love.’”  In light of the Holy Father’s designation of the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time as Sunday of the Word of God, (January 26, 2020) the Office of Divine Worship recommends:

Displaying the Scriptures Prominently

Pope Francis invites local communities to find ways to “mark this Sunday with a certain solemnity.” He suggest that the sacred text be enthroned “in order to focus the attention of the assembly on the normative value of God’s Word.”

Focus on the Procession

Where it has not been implemented, the Worship Office recommends the use of a Gospel Procession during Mass. This may only be done with a Book of the Gospels (not a ). See the General Instruction of the , paragraphs 133, 175 (175 below)

General Instruction of the Roman Missal

175. If is used, the assists the when he puts incense in the during the singing of the or other chant. Then he makes a profound bow before the priest and asks for the blessing, saying in a low voice, Iube, domine, benedicere (Father, give me your blessing). The priest blesses him, saying, Dominus sit in corde tuo (The Lord be in your heart). The deacon signs himself with the and responds, Amen. Having bowed to the , 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 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 , he carries the book to him to be kissed, or else kisses it himself, saying quietly, Per evangelica dicta 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 or to another appropriate and dignified place.

Introduction to the Lectionary

See also the Introduction to the Lectionary 23, 36 (36 below)

36. The proclamation of the Gospel always stands as the high point of the liturgy of the word. Thus the liturgical tradition of both West and East has consistently made a certain distinction between the books for the readings. The Book of Gospels was always fabricated and decorated with the utmost care and shown greater respect than any of the other books of readings. In our times also, then, it is very desirable that cathedrals and at least the larger, more populous parishes and the churches with a larger attendance possess a beautifully designed Book of Gospels, separate from any other book of readings. For good reason it is the Book of Gospels that is presented to a deacon at his ordination and that at an ordination to the episcopate is laid upon the head of the bishop-elect and held there.

Resources

Resources from the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions for Word of God Sunday are available.

Guidelines for are available on the Worship Office under “Liturgy,” “Liturgical Ministers”

1/6/2020