Cover image: The Epistles and Gospels in English. Title page from: “Here begynneth the Pystels and Gospels of every Sonday & holy Daye in the yere.” [bound with: “Thys prymer in Englyshe and in Laten”]. [Rouen]: Printed by Nicolas Le Roux, 1538. Image from the Arca Artium Collection, Saint John’s University. Used by permission.
The Epistles & Gospels in English: A history of vernacular scripture from the pulpit.
A comprehensive study of English scripture translations and the custom of reciting the Sunday liturgical readings at Mass for the benefit of the laity between 971 and 1964.
Click the links below to jump directly to the section you’re looking for:
– Read the ABSTRACT of the paper
– Read a SUMMARY of the paper
– Read the PAPER itself
ABSTRACT
It is commonly asserted in both scholarly and popular accounts that the Catholic laity did not regularly hear or understand the liturgical scripture readings in the decades and centuries preceding the Second Vatican Council. This has seemed indisputable due to the obvious fact that they were read by the priest in Latin at the altar (and not to the people in their own language). This claim, however, is not supported by the historical record. Rather, from at least the 900s onward there was a widespread and continuous custom of Catholic priests reciting English translations of the Sunday scripture readings (the “epistles and gospels”) from the pulpit for the benefit of the laity during the Mass.
This research aims to provide the first comprehensive study of English epistles and gospels books, and the history of the recitation of English vernacular scripture from the pulpit, across five major historical periods between 971 and 1964. Twenty illustrations are provided, including several manuscripts and rare books which have never before been publicly available.
READ A SUMMARY ARTICLE
The following is a short illustrated summary of the paper, in article form. It is given here for the benefit of readers who wish for an overview of the research before reading the paper.
READ THE PAPER
Stay connected
Get notified when we release future articles and research features by signing up for our email list!