May laymen take part in a dramatic reading of the Gospel during Lent?
The short answer
Ordinarily only a deacon, priest or bishop proclaims the Gospel at Mass. The exception is the Passion in Holy Week, when the laity may join in, though a priest must read Christ's words. Dramatizing the Gospel on the Sundays of Lent has no support in Church documents.
Ordinarily only a deacon, priest or bishop may proclaim the Gospel at Mass. The USCCB Committee on Divine Worship notes that the proclamation of the Gospel is reserved to the deacon, if present, or to a priest (Introduction to the Book of the Gospels, 8).
An exception is made in Holy Week, when the laity may join in reading the Passion, but the Church requires that a priest, who ministers in the person of Christ, read the words of Christ.
So your parish should not dramatize the Gospel on the Sundays of Lent. No official Church document supports the practice.
Continue exploring
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- Are "This is the Body of Christ" and "I believe" acceptable substitutes for "The Body of Christ" and "Amen"?Q&A
- Are Eastern "Masses" valid? Should Catholics receive Communion at them?Q&A
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- Are we bound to follow the 2003 General Instruction of the Roman Missal?Q&A