Supplement to the Lectionary Announced

The USCCB’s Secretariat of Divine Worship has announced the issuing and forthcoming publication of the Lectionary for Mass Supplement.  This resource will reflect the many changes and additions made in recent years to the Roman Missal, the General Roman Calendar, and the Lectionary.  It is anticipated that the Supplement will serve as an addendum to the current Lectionary until it is revised sometime in the future.  The Lectionary for Mass Supplement will introduce several new features, including:

  • Additions and emendations made to the Lectionary, such as those for the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children (January 22), and the memorials of Saint Marianne Cope (January 23), Our Lady of Fatima (May 13), Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (September 23), Saint John XXIII (October 11), and Saint John Paul II (October 22);
  • A change resulting from the promulgation of the Order of Celebrating Matrimony, Second Edition; this revised liturgical book includes  an additional New Testament reading (Ephesians 4:1-6), which will now be included in the Supplement;
  • A consolidation of the readings and psalms for the Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life, which may be used on January 22 (Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children);
  • Readings for new votive Masses: The Mercy of God, Our Lady, Queen of Apostles, and Saint John the Baptist;
  • Additions to the General and US Calendars reflecting the canonizations of saints and the transfers of liturgical celebrations since 2002, including the memorials of Saint André Bessette (January 6), Saint Damien de Veuster (May 10), Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (July 14), Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (August 12), and Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (December 9); and,
  • The inclusion of proper Psalms for the extended form of the Pentecost Vigil, along with the Old Testament readings for this celebration.

The Divine Worship Secretariat has indicated that the Lectionary for Mass Supplement will be published by early 2017.  Once it is available, this resource may be used immediately, and the material contained in the Supplement will be included in future liturgical ordos.

Read more about the Lectionary for Mass Supplement in our December newsletter.