Q: The 2021 book “Guide for Servers, Second Edition” is by you with Corinna Laughlin and D. Todd Williamson. Pages 35 and 36 describe some entrance processions as having candle bearers on each side of the person carrying the Book of the Gospels in the entrance procession. Page 52 has: “At the beginning of Mass, you carry candles with the Book of the Gospels”. But the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, n. 120 and Ceremonial of Bishops, n. 128 do not describe this in the entrance procession. Only the cross bearer has candle bearers on either side. The Dicastery for Evangelization website has a Liturgical and Pastoral Handbook for the 2025 Sunday of the Word of God, which has on page 17, describing the entrance procession: “The deacon (in his absence, the presbyter may perform the same sign) processionally carries the Book of the Gospels, holding it somewhat elevated, if possible also accompanied by two lit candles.” Is this permitted on other days of the year?
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A: The missal makes no specific call for candles accompanying the Book of the Gospels in the Entrance procession.
However, GIRM 120 c lists among the ministers in the opening procession “the acolytes and the other ministers.” This is vague enough that it would allow an interpretation of additional ministers carrying candles.