Image by E. Thor Carlson
Polls haven't been to successful here, but since the number of comments is rising, I'll give polling another shot - on the side bar.
I'm wondering how the gospel of the Passion was proclaimed in your parish on Palm Sunday.
Here at Holy Family it happened in three different ways:
- at the Saturday 5:00, I proclaimed the Passion by myself;
- at the Sunday 7:30 a.m., a visiting priest used the version in the pew books which included himself, two lectors and the congregation.
- at the 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Masses the gospel was proclaimed by me (the Christ speeches), two adult lectors (sharing the narrator's role) and 12 high school students (speeches of individuals [Peter, Judas, Pilate/wife, maid] and speeches of groups).
At all four liturgies we used the long form of the gospel.
How was it done in your parish? Did it help you hear and experience the gospel message?
Respond to the poll, and leave further reflections in the combox.
My husband and I had to be in Boston on Saturday evening. We attended the 6PM liturgy at the Paulist Center. Very well done although some may take exception to their customs. We loved how full, conscious and active participation is strived for and achieved. The passion was proclaimed very effectively by well trained lectors...all but one that is...actor Martin Sheen who was there to accept the Isaac Hecker Award for his works in peace and justice. He read with expression but too fast. The full version was proclaimed by priest,lectors...no congregation. We sat and listened.
ReplyDeleteAnne
I was present at the 11:30 Mass in Concord...my initial reaction was "wait..this is not how we have always done it!" (a true sign of aging!!) I have always looked forward to the way Concord Pastor proclaims the Passion reading on Palm Sunday...alone, and moving throughout the sanctuary as the setting changed...so I was taken aback when the style of proclamation "changed"...but I have learned that we grow through change, and that this change was positive...all of those young people helping to proclaim the Passion was inspiring and filled me with hope ...
ReplyDeleteI attended 5 PM Mass at Holy Family and have voted in your tally. I prefer the solo reading of the Passion. It allows me to listen to the story without reading it. I also like the solo reading of the Passion on Good Friday with the church dimly lit and the Corpus illuminated. Very moving and powerful.
ReplyDeleteWe all stood & participated. The long form of the Gospel was our reading. I have never attended a Palm Sunday Mass where it was done any other way.
ReplyDeleteI dread reading, "Crucify him!" as part of the reading that the congregation says. But I have thought about this long and hard for a number of years. I think it is good for me to feel that revulsion and to HAVE to say those words. Don't I, every time I sin, become part of that reason Jesus died for our (my) sins. That should never be taken lightly.
I ,too, do not like to have the congragation say"crucify him" and usually stay silent at that moment. I am at an age where I prefer to sit during the long gospel and was fortunate to be in a church where the congregation was asked to be seated.
ReplyDeletere:"crucify him"
ReplyDeleteDid anyone notice...that for this Year A and Matthew's version of the passion we actually didn't hear those words? The words "Let him be crucified." were heard instead.
Anne