Q: Thank you, as always, for all you say and do to help us be better persons and more knowledgeable Catholics!
Some time ago I sent a set of questions and have not heard back or seen a response in your blog, so I thought I’d try again:
How much freedom is there to choose Scripture readings for a vigil for a deceased person? Can any of the readings from the Funeral rites be used? If the family would like a cherished non-scriptural reading, when can that be inserted?
In choosing readings for a funeral , are we limited to those that are in the Order of Christian Funerals (# 13, 14, 15,16) or may another reading be used, like 2 Timothy 4:7-8 or a psalm not in the listing for responsorials? Can a psalm ever be used for a reading? Is there a restriction on having 1 reading and a responsorial as well as a gospel for an ordinary funeral (not priest, deacon or bishop) or can there be two readings before the Gospel? If there are two readings, must there be one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament?
Thanks, as ever —
and God be with you and guide you in all you do!
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A: Thanks for your comments, and sorry you’ve had trouble with the submission feature. It has been inconsistent lately, so I’m glad you sent these this way.
For the readings of a vigil, you may choose from any of the selections. In the first appendix of the OCF, you’ll see at 24/1 that all the texts are interchangeable.
The rite makes no provision for a non-scriptural reading. If the family wants one, I think it would be better to place it completely outside the liturgy of the word, such as in the remarks that family members may make at OCF 80.
Here’s a previous post on readings, where I give the opinion that other scripture readings may be chosen, which would apply to the psalm: https://paulturner.org/funeral-readings-2/. I could also add that none of the readings for the funeral Mass of Pope Benedict XVI came from the selections in the lectionary.
A psalm does not substitute for a reading at the funeral.
There may be one or two readings before the gospel at any funeral. If there are two, yes, one from the Old and one from the New Testament, except during Easter Time when special readings from the New Testament are provided for the first reading as well.