Main Differences between the 1970 USA Edition
and the 1998 USA Edition of the Lectionary for Mass

The overall changes in the translation and format of the new edition of the Lectionary for Mass have been fairly widely publicized and are reasonably well known by now. A good overview is provided in the February-March 1998 Newsletter of the Committee on Liturgy of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Much less known, however, is the fact that the revised Lectionary also contains many detailed differences in the readings assigned to particular Sundays and Feast Days, especially in the exact verses that are included in the reading selections.  Although many of these changes may seem slight, some are very significant nonetheless. The charts and narratives on this webpage summarize and explain these detailed differences between the 1970 and 1998 editions of the Roman Catholic Lectionary used in the Dioceses of the United States of America.
 

OVERALL DIFFERENCES IN TRANSLATION AND FORMAT
BETWEEN THE 1970 USA AND 1998 USA LECTIONARIES

1) Edition and Biblical Translation

The 1970 Lectionary (based on the first Latin edition, the Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typica, of 25 May 1969) used the English translation of the original 1970 New American Bible (NAB). The New Testament portion of the NAB was revised in 1986, but as of 1999 the Old Testament portion of the NAB is still in the process of being revised by the Catholic Biblical Association.

The 1998 Lectionary (based on the second Latin edition, the Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typica altera, of 21 January 1981) uses the revised 1986 NAB as the base text for the NT readings, but the older 1970 NAB for the OT readings and psalms. It also includes individual variations in translation as determined by the International Committee on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) and/or by the Vatican.

For some documents concerning the use of "inclusive language", see the NAB Lectionary Watch webpage of the Catholic Biblical Association.

2) Printing & Publication

The 1970 Lectionary was printed in two columns per page, all in black ink, and with a typeface small enough so that all readings for Sundays, Feasts, and Weekdays could fit into a single volume. Many readings that began near the bottom of one page continued onto the next, thus forcing the lector to turn the page in the middle of a reading.

The 1998 Lectionary uses larger print with two colors of ink (black for the biblical text itself, red for introductions and references not meant to be read aloud). Italics are used for direct citations of OT passages within NT texts, but parentheses are no longer printed around words or phrases considered questionable or variant readings by biblical scholars. All readings are printed in "sense lines" in only one column per page, and page-breaks in the middle of readings are avoided whenever possible. All of these features are intended to make the public proclamation of the readings easier, but since they require many more pages, the new Lectionary must be printed in two separate volumes.

These changes can be summarized in the following table:
 

For the 1998 Lectionary, Volume 1 covers Sundays and Major Feast Days, while Volume 2 covers Weekdays and Saints Days. Some publishers may choose to print each "volume" in several bands (e.g. readings for Years A, B, and C bound separately).  So far only the first volume has been published, while the second volume is still awaiting final approval from the Holy See. The first volume has been available for use in the United States as of the First Sunday of Advent 1998. It also includes an English translation of the greatly expanded "Introduction" from the second Latin edition of 1981, as well as a few tables and appendices.

3) Seasonal Structure, Titles, and Arrangement of Readings

The 1970 Lectionary included the Mass for Palm Sunday in the Lenten Season, while the 1998 Lectionary places Palm Sunday in a separate sub-section by itself at the end of the Season of Lent.

More significantly, in the 1970 edition the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday (reading #39) was in the same section as the Easter Triduum, while in the 1998 edition the Chrism Mass has been moved to near the end of Volume I in a totally separate section (reading #260). This shift, which reflects a difference between the 1969 and 1981 Latin editions, has caused the numbers assigned to each of the readings between 39 and 260 to be shifted by one. Thus the new numbers are one less than the old numbers for the readings of all Sundays and Solemnities in the entire Seasons of Easter and Ordinary Time, Years A, B, and C.

The titles and sub-titles of some of the seasons have also been modified slightly, as the following chart shows:
 

The readings for weekdays and feasts will be published separately in Volume II of the new Lectionary, but Volume I already includes readings for weekdays in the Octave of Easter and for twelve other "Solemnities and Feasts of the Lord and the Saints":
 

Moreover, the titles of many of the feast days are now significantly more formal and explicitly religious:
 

4) Beginning and Ending Formulas

The introductions for all readings now capitalize the titles of biblical books, but "first," "second" and "holy" are not capitalized. The introductions for the NT Epistles now also contain the title "Saint" before the names of the apostles, although for the Gospels the title "Saint" is not used before the names of the evangelists. Moreover, Paul is no longer named as the author of Hebrews.
 

The conclusions of all readings in the new Lectionary have been shortened, and the capitalizations are slightly different. Thus, while the 1970 edition had "This is the Word of the Lord" and "This is the gospel of the Lord," the 1998 edition has "The word of the Lord" and "The Gospel of the Lord," respectively. The omission of the initial "This is" was a change made in the 1981 second Latin edition, and implemented by the American Bishops already in the early 1990's.

DETAILED DIFFERENCES IN READING SELECTIONS
BETWEEN THE 1970 USA AND 1998 USA LECTIONARIES

1) New Optional Readings for Four Feasts

The 1970 Lectionary contained three different sets of readings (Years A, B, C) for most Sundays and major feasts of the year. For certain feasts, the same first reading, responsorial psalm, and second reading were used each year, although different Gospels were provided for the three years.

The 1998 Lectionary has added optional selections for Years B and C on the following four feasts:
 

2) New Optional "Shorter Forms" of Two Readings

On two occasions a new "shorter form" of the second reading has been added, so that verses potentially offensive to women can be omitted. However, these changes remain merely optional in the new Lectionary:
 

3) More Specific Biblical References

The biblical references in the 1998 Lectionary have small letters ("a", "b", "c") after a verse number whenever a reading does not contain the whole verse. For example, the first reading for the Fourth Sunday of Lent (#31A) is given explicitly as 1Sam 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a, thus indicating that the first half of verse one and the second half of verse thirteen are not included.

The 1970 Lectionary did not indicate clearly that in many cases only part of a biblical verse was included in a reading, even though the 1969 Latin edition had already used small letters to do so. Thus, it listed the above biblical reference merely as 1Sam 16:1, 6-7, 10-13, as if all of verses 1 and 13 were included.

4) Actual Changes in the Reading Selections

In several instances, one or more verses have been added to or deleted from the readings in the 1998 USA Lectionary, as compared with the 1970 USA Lectionary. In most cases, these reflect changes made between the 1969 Latin first edition and the 1981 Latin second edition. In some cases, these are corrections of errors in the 1970 Lectionary (i.e. discrepancies from the 1969 Latin edition). In a few cases, however, these are the result of new errors in the 1998 USA edition (while the 1970 USA edition had the correct reading). Finally, there are some cases in which the readings in the 1970 and 1998 USA editions are identical to each other, but different from the prescribed readings given in the 1969 and/or 1981 Latin editions.

These detailed changes are summarized in the following tables:
 

Table of Actual Differences in Reading Selectionsbetween the 1970 USA Lectionary and 1998 USA Lectionary

Abbreviations:
USL70 = 1970 USA edition of the Lectionary for Mass
USL98 = 1998 USA edition of the Lectionary for Mass.
OLM69 = 1969 Latin Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typica
OLM81 = 1981 Latin Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typica altera

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Sunday or Feast	Reading (# from 1998)	1970 USA edition	1998 USA edition	Reason for the Change Effect of the Change
4th Sunday of Advent	11B First Reading	2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-11, 16	2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16	OLM81 adds vv. 12 & 14a adds more explicit promise about David's heir
The Holy Family	17A First Reading	Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 [NAB]	Sir 3:3-7, 14-17a [Neo-Vulgate]	USL70 used NAB; USL98 uses Neo-Vulgate partially different wordings
Second Sunday  after Christmas	19ABC First Reading	Sir 24:1-2, 8-12 [NAB]	Sir 24:1-4, 12-16 [Neo-Vulgate]	USL70 used NAB; USL98 uses Neo-Vulgate partially different wordings
1st Sunday of Lent	24C First Reading	Deut 26:4-11 [ref. had 4-10;  but text also printed v. 11]	Deut 26:4-10	USL70 error corrected; v. 11 no longer printed omits  command to celebrate God's goodness
2nd Sunday of Lent	25A First Reading	Gen 12:1-4 [text printed all of v. 4]	Gen 12:1-4a	USL70 error corrected; v. 4b no longer printed omits Abram's response and his age
4th Sunday of Lent	32B First Reading	2 Chr 36:14-17, 19-23	2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23	USL70 error corrected; v. 17 no longer printed omits details about killing of innocent people
Easter Vigil	41ABC Seventh Reading	Ezek 36:16-28	Ezek 36:16-17a, 18-28	OLM81 omits v. 17b omits "defilement of a menstruous woman"
Easter Vigil	41B Gospel	Mark 16:1-8	Mark 16:1-7	OLM81 omits v. 8 omits women's response of fear and silence
3rd Sunday of Easter	46A First Reading	Acts 2:14, 22-28	Acts 2:14, 22-33	OLM81 adds five verses (29-33) adds more of Peter's speech at Pentecost
6th Sunday of Easter	56B First Reading	Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48	Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48a [ref. says 48, but text omits 48b]	USL98 omission; no change in OLM81 omits request that Peter remain a few days
Pentecost Sunday	63ABC Responsorial	Ps 104:1ab+24ac, 29bc-30, 31+34	Ps 104:1ab+24ac, 31+34, 29bc-30 [ref. says 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34]	new USL98 error & inaccurate reference accidentally reversed 2nd and 3rd strophes
2nd Sunday in  Ordinary Time	66C Gospel	John 2:1-12	John 2:1-11	OLM81 omits v. 12 ends story in Cana; omits change of setting
6th Sunday in  Ordinary Time	76A First Reading	Sir 15:15-20 [NAB]	Sir 15:16-21 [Neo-Vulgate]	USL70 used NAB; USL98 uses Neo-Vulgate partially different wordings
8th Sunday in  Ordinary Time	84C First Reading	Sir 27:4-7 [NAB]	Sir 27:5-8 [Neo-Vulgate]	USL70 used NAB; USL98 uses Neo-Vulgate partially different wordings
9th Sunday in  Ordinary Time	85A First Reading	Deut 11:18, 26-28	Deut 11:18, 26-28, 32	OLM81 adds v. 32 adds final admonition to obey God's decrees
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time	96C First Reading	Zech 12:10-11	Zech 12:10-11; 13:1	OLM81 adds v. 13:1 more positive ending: purification from sin
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time	98B Gospel:  Shorter Form	Mark 5:21-24, 35b-43	Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 [ref. says  35b; but texts prints all v. 35]	new USL98 error; v. 35a not prescribed "While he was still speaking" is erroneous
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time	101B Gospel	Mark 6:1-6	Mark 6:1-6a [ref. says 6, but text omits 6b]	USL98 omission; no change in OLM81 omits Jesus' travel to the other villages
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time	105C Responsorial	Ps 69:14+17, 30-31, 33-34, 36ab+37	Ps 69:14+17, 30-31, 33-34, 36ab+37 or Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11	OLM81 adds optional Psalm "Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life"
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time	114C Responsorial	Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9	Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14+17	OLM81 chooses different Psalm Psalm 90 fits better thematically
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time	119B Responsorial	Ps 34:2-3, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15	Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7	new USL98 error; no change in OLM81 mistakenly repeats verses of prior Sunday
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time	121A First Reading	Isa 22:15, 19-23	Isa 22:19-23	USL70 error corrected; no longer has v. 15 introduction shortened and clarified
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time	122B Responsorial	Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23	Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21	USL98 omission; no change in OLM81 shortens Psalm from 5 to 4 strophes
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time	126A Gospel	Matt 21:28-32	Matt 21:28-32 (same ref.)	Text changed: switches the order of the first son & the second son, and different authorities' reply.
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time	150C First Reading	Sir 35:12-14, 16-18 [NAB]	Sir 35:12-14, 16-19a [NAB] [35:15b-17, 20-22a Neo-Vulgate]	USL98 retains NAB version of USL70, but adds v. 19a "the Lord will not delay"
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time	153C First Reading	Wis 11:22-12:1	Wis 11:22-12:2	USL70 error corrected; new OLM81 ref. adds God's rebuke and warning of sinners
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time	157A Gospel: Shorter Form	Matt 25:14-15, 19-20	Matt 25:14-15, 19-21	OLM81 adds v. 21 to shorter form adds Master's response in the parable
Trinity Sunday	164A Responsorial	Dan 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56	Dan 3:52, 53, 54, 55	USL98 omission; no change in OLM81 shortens Psalm from 5 to 4 strophes
March 25:  Annunciation of the Lord	545 First Reading	Isa 7:10-14	Isa 7:10-14; 8:10  [only 8:10c is actually printed]	OLM81 adds 8:10 (only 10c is meant) adds meaning of name "Emmanuel"
August 15:  Assumption of Mary	622 Second Reading	1 Cor 15:20-26	1 Cor 15:20-27 [only 27a is actually printed]	USL70 error corrected; new OLM81 ref. adds concluding OT quotation

Note: The reading numbers in the first column are according to OLM81 and USL98. Due to the shift of the Chrism Mass,
readings #39 through #260 in the newer Lectionaries are one less than the numbers given in OLM69 and USL70.
 

Table of Other Discrepancies between the
1981 Latin Lectionary and the 1998 USA Lectionary

In the following readings, USL98 is identical to USL70, but different from the prescribed texts of OLM69 and/or OLM81

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Sunday or Feast	Reading	1981 Latin edition	1998 USA edition	Explanation
1st Sunday of Advent	1A Responsorial	Ps 121:1-2, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9	Ps 122:1-2, 3-4a, 4b-5, 6-7, 8-9	OLM81 changed from 5 to 4 strophes; USL98 retains 5 strophes from OLM69
1st Sunday of Advent	1A Second Reading	Rom 13:11-14a	Rom 13:11-14	OLM81 changed v. 14 to v. 14a; US81 retains all of v. 14, as in OLM69
1st Sunday of Advent	2B First Reading	Isa 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2b-7	Isa 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7 [v. 2b not in NAB; so 2=2a]	NAB omits v. 2b as a textual gloss, so USL70 & USL98 use v. 2a instead
3rd Sunday of Advent	8B First Reading	Isa 61:1-2a, 10-11	Isa 61:1-2b, 10-11	USL70 & USL98 refs. say v. 2a, but text actually also prints v. 2b
The Holy Family	17B Responsorial	Ps 104:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 [new option in Year B]	Ps 105:1b-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9	option not in OLM69 or USL70; USL98 changes the 3rd strophe
2nd Sunday of Easter	44B Responsorial	Ps 117:2-4, 16ab-18, 22-24	Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24	USL70 & USL98 erroneously repeat same verses from Year A (#43A)
2nd Sunday of Easter	45C Responsorial	Ps 117:2-4, 22-24, 25-27a	Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24	USL70 & USL98 erroneously repeat same verses from Year A (#43A)
3rd Sunday of Easter	48C First Reading	Acts 5:27b-32, 40b-41	Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41	USL70 & USL98 use all of v. 27; slightly longer introduction
5th Sunday of Easter	54C First Reading	Acts 14:21b-27	Acts 14:21-27	USL70 & USL98 use all of v. 21; slightly longer introduction
9th Sunday in  Ordinary Time	85A Second Reading	Rom 3:21-25a, 28	Rom 3:21-25, 28 [text prints only 25a]	USL98 prints correct text; typogr. error only in reference
23rd Sunday in  Ordinary Time	129C First Reading	Wis 9:13-18b	Wis 9:13-18a	USL70 & USL98 refs. say v. 18b, but text ends with v. 18a
23rd Sunday in  Ordinary Time	129C Second Reading	Phlm 9b-10, 12-17	Phlm 9-10, 12-17 [text prints only 9b]	USL98 prints correct text; typogr. error only in reference
33rd Sunday in  Ordinary Time	159C Responsorial	Ps 97:5-6, 7-9a, 9bcd (v. 9a concludes v. 8)	Ps 98:5-6, 7-8, 9	OLM81 changed strophe division; USL98 retains error of OLM69
Sacred Heart of Jesus	170A Responsorial	Ps 102:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8+10	Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10	USL70 & USL98 refs. correct, but text omits third strophe

Note: Most Psalm numbers in USL (from the NAB) are one greater than the corresponding Psalm numbers in OLM (from the Vulgate).

 
Abbreviations:

USL70 = 1970 USA edition of the Lectionary for Mass
USL98 = 1998 USA edition of the Lectionary for Mass
OLM69 = 1969 Latin Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typica
OLM81 = 1981 Latin Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typica altera