A new edition of the Lectionary, the book with the readings, will come into use in in Advent 2024. The new edition uses the English Standard Version - Catholic Edition for the readings and the Abbey Psalms and Canticles for the Responsorial Psalms. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Are there changes to the readings? The reading for each Sunday will be the same in a new translation.
What’s new? There will be provision for recently added Saints and extra readings for some things like Marriage
Will the text be compulsory? Yes. From Advent 2024.
When will the Lectionary published? We have ordered our copies.
How many volumes are there? The current Lectionary (1981) is in three volumes. The new Lectionary will be in four volumes: All the readings will be given in sense lines as an assistance to the reader. This means that readings will require more space, so more pages.
Will I need a new Sunday Missal? The words and prayers of the mass will not change, but the translation of the readings will diffe
r. Many people may wish to get a new Sunday or Weekday Missal, especially if they read at mass or like to follow the reading as they are read in Church.
Is this going to be expensive? Each parish will need the four main books, which cost about £200 each. Each book comes with Bookplates to be inscribed with the names of donors or in memory of someone. With an early order discount, the cost to the parish will be £803.25. Donations in memory of loved ones are welcome.
What about the Mass Books we use at mass, and readings online? Providers of these services are preparing new materials. We have to decide whether to buy new books or provide the readings in other ways.
What is this new translation, the English Standard Version: Catholic Edition? The English Standard Version is the latest in a series of English translations which go back to the 16th Century. These translations have all been based on a ‘word for word’ principle. The ESV is directly based on the Revised Standard Version which was used in many Churches prior to 1981. Small changes have been made to modernise the language and reflect the latest scholarship.
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