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Part 2—The Liturgy of the Word Year of Renewal in Worship and Prayer Archdiocese of San Francisco The Gospel Procession The Gospel Procession The Gospel Procession The Gospel Procession Do you have in your mind a collection of words to live by? Many of us do. Many Christians’ little collections will no doubt include quotes from one or more of the Gospels. The Church as a whole and individual Christians revere the Gospels of Jesus Christ. They hold a special place in the Church’s Tradition. In the Church’s worship, when the Gospel is proclaimed, we hear the voice of Christ. The introduction to the Book of the Gospels tells us, “While the whole corpus of the Scriptures is venerated by the Church as the word of God, the Gospels have always been proclaimed as the very voice of her Bridegroom.” It’s no surprise, then, that we give special honor to the Book of the Gospels, a liturgical book that contains all of the Gospel texts from the Lectionary for Mass for Sundays, feast days and ritual masses. As the deacon or priest takes the Book of the Gospels from the altar, we honor it by accompanying it to the ambo with incense, candles and singing the Alleluia or, during Lent, one of the seasonal acclamations. The procession and our accompanying song are the way that we embody the reverence for the Gospel that we hold in our minds and hearts. Question of the Week Question of the Week Question of the Week Question of the Week • How is our community witnessing to the Gospel by our The procession with the Book of the Gospels is not a mandatory ritual element in the Mass, but it does add considerable distinction to the proclamation of the Gospel. When performed regularly and with care, it will lead a community to revere the Gospels with even greater passion. The Gospel Procession should be carefully rehearsed so that it may be carried out with due grace and solemnity. Times of rehearsal with the ministers provide opportunities to discuss the significance of various symbols that are present in the liturgy. Whether it be the Book of the Gospels, or the processional cross, the altar, incense or candles, the ministers of the liturgy must treat these symbols with respect and devotion, not only during the liturgy itself but at all times. How disconcerting it is to see a processional cross being carried before or after Mass as if it were just another stick or pole, or the Book of the Gospels being treated as if it were any old book off the shelf. In an age when words and explanations are overabundant, sometimes we do best to give renewed attention to the non-verbal elements of the Mass — sacred signs and rites that carry meaning because of the realities they signify. For Discussion For Discussion For Discussion For Discussion • How well does our community treat sacred symbols? Is there a way to handle the symbolic elements of the liturgy with reverence without becoming overly scrupulous? • Are there any efforts we could make to better coordinate the procession with the Book of the Gospels with the singing of the Gospel Acclamation? How are they related? For Faith Sharing For Faith Sharing For Faith Sharing For Faith Sharing • The Gospel has changed my life in the following way … • The symbolic elements of the Mass that are the most powerful for me are ... For your bulletin or newsletter The Gospel Procession Ritual Study “C” For ministers and study groups For further reading: Lawrence J. Johnson, The Mystery of Faith: A Study of the Structural Elements of the Order of the Mass (Revised Edition). Washington, DC: Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, 1981, 2003. 41-43. Paul Turner, Let us Pray: A Guide to the Rubrics of Sunday Mass. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 2006. 70-73. REMEMBERING the WORD of GOD “Be doers of the word and not hearers only. James 1:22
