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Musical Musings: CNP Feedback

CNP Feedback - A Vigil Mass

Q. Dear CNP:

Is it obligatory to use the Pentecost Vigil Mass with its specific readings (and without sequence) at the the Saturday afternoon/evening Mass? I've found little info that says one way or another.

Auntie Vigil-ant


A. Dear Auntie:

Miraculous Draught of Fishes by Raphael When there is a specific vigil Mass for a solemnity (like on Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Saint John the Baptist, Saints Peter & Paul, Assumption), one can assume that the special readings in the Lectionary are to be used. Otherwise, why would they be there? As far as I know, only on Christmas are the readings for the Masses [Vigil, Midnight, Dawn, Day] interchangeable — and this is clearly stated in the Lectionary. There are also options for choosing which Gospel to use on Easter (i.e. the regular one specified for the cycle, or the one from the Vigil, or a different one for an evening Mass). Other than that, there are two distinct Masses and two sets of readings — they should both be used.

Miraculous Draught of Fishes by Raphaelt If you didn't use the readings for the Vigil Mass of Pentecost, I suppose you would use the readings for the next day. But why? Is it a question of the same homilist needing to "adapt" to slightly different themes? That seems like a minor issue. The vigil Masses and the solemnities they precede are part of a very rich liturgical tapestry the Church gives us for our sanctification and edification. Certainly, one could hang a black-and-white outline of a tapestry on a wall, but if one has the original (in beautifully-colored thread), why choose black-and-white?

P.S. The Sequence is not part of the Vigil Mass of Pentecost, just like it's not used at the Easter Vigil.

Gary Penkala
CanticaNOVA Publications

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