Q: Looking at your two posts on the question, and at other sources, I am confused.
As you well know, there are 4 sets of readings: Vigil, Night, Dawn, Day.
According to the Ordo, and to my reading of the Lectionary, any of the 4 sets of readings can be used at the Masses at Night, Dawn, or Day.
But ONLY the Vigil readings may be used at the Vigil.
But the Homiletic Directory (#110) states that any of the 4 may be used at the Vigil as well.
If I understand you correctly, that’s what you’re saying, too.
So I wanted to clarify – is the Ordo correct, or the Homiletic Directory?
Vigil readings only at the Vigil – or any of the 4 sets?
On Christmas Day, any of the 3… or 4 sets?
Thanks,
==
A: I should have read my own blog before answering a new question on the same theme. But you experience in reading my responses the same kind of head-scratching that you get by looking at all the sources you cite.
Here’s another quote from my forthcoming book, Words Without Alloy, that may shed some light on the reasons for this confusion: “For the vigil the first reading is Isaiah 62:1-5. The first draft had placed verses 1-4 at its only Mass on December 24, called the vigil, but considered a weekday. The study group recommended a true evening vigil Mass, which the final draft created using the same verses. The first edition added verse 5. Psalm 89 is the same responsorial from the final draft.”
The part to notice here is that the Vigil first appeared in post-conciliar conversations as a weekday mass for December 24, not a true Christmas Mass. Then it became a Christmas Mass, and then the group decided to make the Christmas readings more accessible to people.
A careful reading of the presidential prayers and readings for the Christmas Vigil suggests that everybody is coming back for another Mass to celebrate Christmas Day. It counts as a Christmas Mass, but its design is a vigil, not the fullness of the celebration.
So, let me abstract this bit of pastoral advice: In the United States, where the great majority of Catholics (and visitors) prefer to participate at Mass on Christmas Eve, take advantage of the freedom in the lectionary and use the Mass during the Night for ALL the Masses on December 24. You would basically opt out of the Christmas Vigil Mass in favor of repeating the Mass during the Night, which the lectionary permits.
Similarly, on Christmas Day, you have a choice of repeating the ones from Mass during the night or choosing one of the other texts. Even if you read the lectionary’s instruction as permission to move the Vigil readings to Christmas Day, it would be pastorally weak to do so. The other sets of readings offer a much more satisfying celebration of Christmas.