A note issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments provides instructions for the celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God.
By Vatican News staff reporter
Pope Francis instituted “The Sunday of the Word of God” which would be celebrated every year on the third Sunday of ordinary time, with the Apostolic Letter in the form of Motu proprio “Aperuit illis” published on September 30, 2019.
The Pope intended it to be a day dedicated to the celebration, reflection and dissemination of the Word.
Importance of Sacred Scripture in our lives
A note published Saturday by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and signed by the prefect, Cardinal Robert Sarah, explains that Sunday of the Word of God is a means to help people “awaken the consciousness of the importance of Sacred Scripture for our lives as believers, beginning with its resonance in the liturgy that places us in a living and permanent dialogue with God ”.
He adds that the day is also “a good opportunity to reread some church documents, especially the Introduction from Order of Mass readings. “
The note is divided into ten points, the first of which states that “through the biblical readings proclaimed in the liturgy, God speaks to his people and Christ himself proclaims his Gospel.” He states that “One of the appropriate ritual possibilities for this Sunday could be the procession of entry with the Book of the Gospels or simply placing the Book of the Gospels on the altar.”
The document then specifies that biblical readings organized by the Church in the Lectionary should not be replaced or suppressed and that versions of the Bible approved for liturgical use should be used.
“The proclamation of the Lectionary texts constitutes a bond of unity among all the faithful who hear them,” says the note, which also recommends singing the responsory psalm.
The Homily
Focusing on the homily, he invites bishops, priests and deacons to “explain and allow everyone to understand Sacred Scripture” and to “make it accessible to their communities”, carrying out this ministry with special dedication, treasuring the means proposed by the church”. The importance of silence in liturgical celebration is too he emphasized, because, “by encouraging meditation, he allows the word of God to be received inwardly by the hearer.”
As for those who proclaim the Word of God in the assembly — priests, deacons, and readers — the note specifies that specific inner and outer preparation, familiarity with the text being proclaimed, and the practice necessary to proclaim it. lo ”are mandatory.
He also insists on the care of both from which the Word of God is proclaimed, and while “the homily and intentions of universal prayer may be proclaimed,” it is less appropriate to use it for comment. , announcements or to direct the song “.
There is also a request to take care of the material value and good use of the “books containing the readings of Holy Scripture,” and adds that “it is never appropriate to resort to pamphlets, photocopies, and other pastoral aids such as substitute for liturgical books “. . “
Training meetings
In order to make known the Holy Scripture and its value in liturgical celebrations, the Congregation urges to promote formation meetings, near or in the days following the Sunday of the Word of God, to highlight in more detail “the criteria for to the liturgical distribution of the various biblical books throughout the year and their seasons, as well as the structure of the cycles on Sundays and weekdays of Mass readings ”.
Finally, the document identifies the Sunday of the Word of God, where the communal celebration of Lauds and Vespers is promoted, as “a suitable occasion to deepen the link between Sacred Scripture and the Liturgy of the Hours, the prayer of the Psalms and of the Office Songs, as well as Bible readings. ”
St. Jerome
He also suggests that St. Jerome be proposed as an example “for the great love he had for the Word of God.”