The Sunday of the Word of God is a special observance in the Catholic Church, instituted by Pope Francis in 2019. It is celebrated annually on the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time. The primary purpose of this day is to highlight the importance of the Word of God in the life of the Church and encourage the faithful to deepen their appreciation and understanding of Scripture.

Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Letter “Aperuit illis,” emphasized the role of the Word of God in the mission of the Church, noting that it is through the Scriptures that we encounter the living presence of Christ.

On this day, parishes may organize special events, such as Scripture study groups, workshops, or lectures, to help parishioners engage more deeply with the Bible.

Ways to Celebrate this Sunday

The pope suggests the following ways to celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God. At the same time, he acknolwedges that parishes “have undertaken a wealth of initiatives to make the sacred Scripture more accessible to believers, to increase their gratitude for so great a gift, and to help them to strive daily to embody and bear witness to its teachings” (AI 2). In a similar vein, he invites parishes to celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God in “their own ways” (AI 3).

The Homily

• “On this Sunday, it would be particularly appropriate to highlight the proclamation of the word of the Lord and to emphasize in the homily the honor that it is due” (AI 3).
• “[P]astors are primarily responsible for explaining sacred Scripture and helping everyone to understand it. … Helping people to enter more deeply into the word of God through simple and suitable language will allow priests themselves to discover the beauty of the images used by the Lord to encourage the practice of the good. This is a pastoral opportunity that should not be wasted! … For many of our faithful, in fact, this is the only opportunity they have to grasp the beauty of God’s word and to see it applied to their daily lives. Consequently, sufficient time must be devoted to the preparation of the homily. … When we take time to pray and meditate on the sacred text, we can speak from the heart and thus reach the hearts of those who hear us, conveying what is essential and capable of bearing fruit” (AI 5).
• See paragraphs 135–159 of Evangelii gaudium (the link is to “The Gospel of Joy” on the Vatican website) for additional teaching by Pope Francis on the homily and preparing to preach.

Pray for Unity

• Pope Francis writes, “we are encouraged to strengthen our bonds with the Jewish people and to pray for Christian unity. … [T]he celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God has ecumenical value, since the Scriptures point out, for those who listen, the path to authentic and firm unity.”
• The “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” is celebrated January 18–25, which will usually coincide with the Sunday of the Word of God.

Enthrone the sacred text during the Eucharistic celebration

• The General Instruction to the Roman Missal (the link is to the document on the USCCB website) contains the following instructions for the Deacon at Mass: “When he reaches the altar, if he is carrying the Book of the Gospels, he omits the sign of reverence and goes up to the altar. It is a praiseworthy practice for him to place the Book of the Gospels on the altar, after which, together with the Priest, he venerates the altar with a kiss” (GIRM 173). “During the singing of the Alleluia … having bowed to the altar, he (the Deacon) then takes up the Book of the Gospels which was placed on it and proceeds to the ambo, carrying the book slightly elevated” (GIRM 175).
• In the absence of a Deacon, the Priest himself does NOT carry the Book of the Gospels in the opening procession. However, he may process with it from the altar to the ambo. In the absence of a Deacon, place the Book of the Gospels on the altar before Mass, so that it be in place for the Priest to process with it to the ambo at the appropriate time (GIRM 133).

Give away Bibles or one of the books of the Bible

• On various occasions throughout Pope Francis’ papacy (Oct. 5, 2014, Mar. 22, 2015, Mar. 12, 2016, etc.), bibles or one of the Gospels have been distributed in St. Peter’s Square.
• During the distribution of bibles on March 22, 2015, he said, “Take this Gospel and carry it with you, to read it often, every day. Carry it in your purse, in your pocket, read from it often, a passage every day.”

Teach the practice of lectio divina

• In AI 3 Pope Francis highlights lectio divina as a practice to pray daily with the Scriptures.
• In paragraph 87 of Verbum Domini, Pope Benedict XVI gives a succinct summary of and instructions on lectio divina.
• Pope Francis gives additional insights in paragraphs 152–153 of Evangelii gaudium.

SOURCE: Diocese of Fargo

RESOURCES:

The resources on the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute website include an ecumenical opening prayer service, biblical reflections, prayers for eight days, and other elements of worship (adapted from World Council of Churches). Click here for more information.

• Blessing of Those Who Will Read the Bible (PDF)
• Enthrone the Bible in Your Home (PDF)

Catechetical Material

• Adult Formation Activity
• Music and the Proclamation of God’s Word
• Sharing the Word of God at Home
• The Word of God in the Celebration of the Sacraments
• Word, Sign, Symbol, Ritual

MORE USCCB RESOURCES