New Catholic Lectionary
Everything you need to know about the New English Lectionary, from Advent 2024

The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has confirmed the approval by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales for the new Lectionary.


The Lectionary, which includes the scripture readings for Mass and the sacraments, will come into use in Catholic parishes in England & Wales and in Scotland from Advent 2024.

The Catholic Truth Society is proud to have been selected as the publisher of the new Lectionary. Find answers to common questions about the Lectionary and sign up to be notified when it’s ready for pre-order below.

New Catholic Lectionary: FAQs


Why is the Lectionary changing?
The lectionary is changing as part of the continuing process of revising liturgical translations. The process began with the Roman Missal in 2011 and has continued to work through all the other liturgical rites.


The changes are intended to make the biblical translations more faithful to the original languages, using better and more up-to-date biblical scholarship and to use a text which is more proclaimable.

What translation will the new Lectionary use?
The new lectionary will be using the English Standard Version – Catholic Edition of the Bible and the Abbey Psalter.


When will the Lectionary be available to pre-order?
The new Lectionary will be available to pre-order by the end of April/start of May 2024.

When will the Lectionary be in stock?
The Lectionary will be in stock in October 2024.

When will the new Lectionary need to be used?
The new Lectionary will come into force on the first Sunday of Advent 2024.


Can parishes keep using the old Lectionary?
No, parishes will need to change over to the new Lectionary on 1st December 2024.

Which countries will be using the new Lectionary?
This version will be used in England and Wales, and Scotland.

Other than the translation of Scripture, will there be any other key differences between the new Lectionary and the old one?
The lectionary will have a fully up-to-date Proper of Saints including the new universal and national feasts that have been instituted since the publication of the last lectionary.

Will CTS also be producing the Book of the Gospels?
Yes, CTS will produce a book of the Gospels in a leather-bound, as well as a more finely bound Processional Edition for larger parishes and cathedrals.

How many volumes will the new lectionary be?
The new lectionary is currently set to consist of 4 volumes:
Sundays, Solemnities, Feasts of the Lord.
Weekdays: Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time (weeks 1-9), Lent, Easter.
Proper of Saints: December – May, Commons.
Weekdays: Ordinary Time (6-34).
Proper of Saints: June – November, Commons.
Ritual Masses, Masses for Various Needs and Occasions, Votive Masses, Masses for the Dead.
How many editions will be produced?
There will be three different sizes of the lectionary: a full-size Ambo Edition, a much smaller Chapel Edition for use in small chapels, and a Study Edition for liturgy and homily preparation.
How much money is the Lectionary likely to cost?
Ambo Edition: £695
Chapel Edition: £395
Study Edition: £250

Do parishes need to replace their Altar Missal?
No. Your Altar Missal remains unchanged. However, People’s Missals will need to be replaced.
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