Q: I always appreciate your insights, Fr. Paul.
My question is multi-part, and concerns the Book of the Gospel. First, I have noticed more and more that many people in the assembly will bow to the Book when it is shown during the Gospel procession. Is this gesture toward the Book of the Gospel mentioned anywhere? Should it be encouraged? Discouraged? The second part has to do with the practice of lifting the Book after the proclamation, and during the words “The Gospel of the Lord”. Is these permitted? And finally, there is a common practice of placing the Book of the Gospel, after the Gospel has been proclaimed, on a stand – either on the ambo or nearby. When doing so, some will keep the Book open. First, what is your thinking: should this displaying of the Book be encouraged or discouraged? And if it is done, should the Book be left open, or is it best closed?
As always, thank you, Fr. Paul. And blessings on your important ministry.
==
A: Thanks.
The rubrics are rather sparse when it comes to the congregation. There is no provision for the faithful to bow toward the book of the gospels while it is in procession. Even ministers don’t do that. I see people bow to the cross in procession—even bow to me in procession. None of that is in the rubrics. Absent such directions for the congregation, some people create their own. In my view, these are expressions of piety that individuals are finding meaningful, so I don’t make a big deal out of them. But I would not encourage others to adopt such a practice when the liturgy does not require it.
Paragraph 20 of the Introduction to the Book of the Gospels says this: “At the end of the Gospel, the deacon proclaims The Gospel of the Lord without raising the book from the stand.”
Regarding where and how to place the book after, here’s a previous post: https://paulturner.org/book-of-gospels-5/ .