Question: The Book of the Gospels is compulsory for a Stational Mass of the Diocesan Bishop (Ceremonial of Bishops, Nos. 125 and 140). At a minimum, using a Book of the Gospels is praiseworthy for a Mass with the people (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, Nos. 117, 119, 122, 173, 175). Yet using it is made impossible for most days of the year by the publication of Books of the Gospels that do not include all the Gospel readings. A solution is to follow the recommendation in the 1981 Introduction to the Lectionary: “113. The size of the Lectionary will necessitate editions in more than one volume; … The ancient custom is recommended of having separate books, one for the Gospels and the other for the readings for the Old and the New Testament.” But as far as I can tell, no conference of bishops has followed it. Do you think they should? — J.L., Melbourne, Australia
