Frequently Asked Questions
- How many versions of the New American Bible are there?
- What's the difference between a "Catholic Bible" and a "Protestant Bible"?
- Do we read from the Bible at Mass?
- What's the difference between a Bible and a Lectionary?
- How is the Lectionary arranged?
- Is the New American Bible the only translation of Scriptures we can read from at Mass?
- How can anyone own the copyright on the Bible? Isn't it free to everyone?
The original version of the New American Bible (NAB) was published in 1970. The New Testament was revised and published in 1986. The Book of Psalms (the Psalter) was revised in 1991. A revision of the Old Testament, excluding the Psalter, is currently underway and should be published in late 2006.
Therefore, the most recent editions of the NAB include the 1970 Old Testament, 1991 Psalter, and 1986 New Testament, though some older editions are still in print.
Besides the various versions of the Scriptural text, many different publishers have produced editions of the NAB. Each publisher has added other material, such as photographs, maps, devotions and prayers, and reference matter, to the basic text.
Catholic and Protestant Bibles both include 27 books in the New Testament. Protestant Bibles have only 39 books in the Old Testament, however, while Catholic Bibles have 46. The seven additional books included in Catholic Bibles are Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch. Catholic Bibles also include additions to the Books of Esther and Daniel which are not found in Protestant Bibles. These books are called the deuterocanonical books. The Catholic Church considers these books to be inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Readings from Scripture are part of every Mass. At least two readings, one always from the gospels, (3 on Sundays and solemnities) make up the Liturgy of the Word. In addition, a psalm or canticle is sung.
These readings are typically read from a Lectionary, not a Bible, though the Lectionary is taken from the Bible.
A Lectionary is composed of the readings and the responsorial psalm assigned for each Mass of the year (Sundays, weekdays, and special occasions). The readings are divided by the day or the theme (baptism, marriage, vocations, etc.) rather than according to the books of the Bible. Introductions and conclusions have been added to each reading. Not all of the Bible is included in the Lectionary.
Individual readings in the Lectionary are called pericopes, from a Greek word meaning a "section" or "cutting." Because the Mass readings are only portions of a book or chapter, introductory phrases, called incipits, are often added to begin the Lectionary reading, for example, "In those days," "Jesus said to his disciples," etc.
The Lectionary is arranged in two cycles, one for Sundays and one for weekdays.
The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labeled A, B, and C. 2005 is Year A, 2006 will be Year B, 2007 will be Year C, etc. In Year A, we read mostly from the gospel of Matthew. In Year B, we read the gospel of Mark and chapter 6 of the gospel of John. In Year C, we read the gospel of Luke. The gospel of John is read during the Easter season in all three years. The first reading, usually from the Old Testament, reflects important themes from the gospel reading. The second reading is usually from one of the epistles, a letter written to an early church community. These letters are read semi-continuously. Each Sunday, we pick up close to where we left off the Sunday before, though some passages are never read.
The weekday cycle is divided into two years, Year I and Year II. Year I is read in odd-numbered years and Year II is used in even-numbered years The gospels for both years are the same. During the year, the gospels are read semi-continuously, beginning with Mark, then moving on to Matthew and Luke. The gospel of John is read during the Easter season. For Advent, Christmas, and Lent, readings are chosen that are appropriate to the season. The first reading on weekdays may be taken from the Old or the New Testament. Typically, a single book is read semi-continuously (i.e., some passages are not read) until it is finished and then a new book is started.
The year of the cycle does not change on January 1st, but on the 1st Sunday of Advent (usually late November) which is the beginning of the liturgical year.
In addition to the Sunday and weekday cycles, the Lectionary provides readings for feasts of the saints, for common celebrations such as Marian feasts, for ritual Masses (weddings, funerals, etc.), for votive Masses, and for various needs. The Lectionary used in the United States also includes a special appendix containing readings for use on Thanksgiving Day. These readings have been selected to reflect the themes of these celebrations.
After May 19, 2002, the revised Lectionary, based on the New American Bible will be the only Lectionary that may be read at Mass, except for the current Lectionary for Masses with Children which will remain in use.
No one owns the copyright on the Bible itself. Rather, the copyright is held on particular translations or editions of the Bible. The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) owns the copyright on the New American Bible translation. Some versions of the Bible, such as the King James Version (not the New King James Version) are in the public domain.
The copyright allows the owner to protect the integrity of the text so that individuals may not introduce changes without permission. Royalty fees earned by licensing the text to companies who publish and sell Bibles help to provide funds for Scripture scholarship and other educational needs.
Send questions to nabquestion@usccb.org.
Glossary
Canticle: From the word for "song," these Scripture selections are poetic hymns which are often sung in the liturgy. These canticles come from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Some examples are Daniel 3:52-90; Habakkuk 3:1-19; Luke 1:46-55; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 2:6-11; and Colossians 1:15-20.
Deuterocanonical books: "Deuterocanonical" means "second canon" . This terms refers to the seven additional books in the Old Testament (and the additions to two others) that the Catholic Church believes are part of the canon of Scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Epistle: From the Greek word meaning "letter," This word refers to the 21 books in the New Testament that were written as letters to instruct and encourage the members of the early Church.
Incipit: From the Latin word meaning "to begin," this word refers to the words added at the beginning of a Scripture reading in the Lectionary. These introductions provide a smooth entrance to a reading and context for the listeners.
Lectionary: The book from which the readings at Mass are proclaimed. The readings in this book are taken from the Bible.
Lent: A forty-day season of penance and conversion to prepare for Easter and baptism (or the renewal of baptismal vows). Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends before the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.
Pericope: From the Greek word meaning "cutting" or "section," a pericope describes the Scripture readings at Mass which are sections of books of the Bible.
Responsorial psalm: The responsorial psalm is an important part of the Liturgy of the Word at Mass. Typically, a cantor or psalmist sings the verses while the entire assembly sings the response. The psalm occurs between the first two readings on Sundays and solemnities and between the first reading and the gospel at weekday Masses. The responsorial psalm is almost always taken from the Book of Psalms, although sometimes canticles (see definition above) are used.
Solemnity: A solemnity is a principal day in the Church's liturgical calendar. Solemnities celebrate events in the life of Christ, Mary, and the saints which are of particular importance for the whole Church, Celebration of these special days begins the evening before. The following days are solemnities:
| January 1 Sunday between January 2 and January 8 March 19 March 25 March/April (date varies) 40 days after Easter 50 days after Easter Sunday after Pentecost Sunday after Holy Trinity Friday after Body and Blood of Christ June 24 June 29 August 15 November 1 November (date varies, but always Sunday) December 8 December 25 |
Mary, Mother of God Epiphany Joseph, Husband of Mary Annunciation Easter Triduum Ascension of the Lord Pentecost Holy Trinity Body and Blood of Christ Sacred Heart Birth of John the Baptist Peter and Paul, Apostles Assumption of the Blessed Virgin All Saints Christ the King Immaculate Conception Christmas (Birth of the Lord) |
Votive Mass: A votive Mass celebrates a mystery of the Lord or a saint to which the faithful may have a special devotion. The Lectionary provides readings for votive Masses in honor of the Trinity, the Triumph of the Cross, the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, the Precious Blood, the Holy Name, the Holy Spirit, the Apostles.
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