Exsultet Location
  • JazFenn
    Posts: 15
    My understanding was that the Exsultet is to be sung from the Lectern, regardless of who sings it. My priest told me today that it should only be sung at the Lectern if a deacon or priest sings it, not if a lay person does. Can I get some clarification?
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,561
    The only change given regarding the Exsultet if a lay person rather than deacon or priest sings it is that the dialogic greetings are omitted: there is no change in placement specified (ambo or lectern - in universal practice or nearly universal practice, proximate to the Paschal Candle). The Exsultet's form, btw, is an anamnesis (that is, similar in form to the preface and eucharistic prayer; the candle is the offering, being consumed by its fire); it's not just another song.
    Thanked by 2Roborgelmeister ServiamScores
  • fcbfcb
    Posts: 399
    There is also a section of the Exsultet just before the dialogue (the part about being a Levite) that a lay singer omits.

    I find people make up rules all the time. Apparently someone has been telling our seminarians that, in kissing the altar, only the priest is allowed to put his hands on it, and a deacon should kiss it without touching it with his hands. I'm guessing this is somehow being connected to the anointing of the priest's hands at ordination. I suppose it's harmless, aside from being irritating.
    Thanked by 1Liam
  • Andrew_Malton
    Posts: 1,244
    I find people make up rules all the time.


    This.
    Thanked by 1ServiamScores
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 3,410
    pparently someone has been telling our seminarians that, in kissing the altar, only the priest is allowed to put his hands on it, and a deacon should kiss it without touching it with his hands.


    This is not made up though. At worst, it's not explicitly the case in the NO, but it certainly is real compared to the original question.
    Thanked by 1ServiamScores
  • liampmcdonough
    Posts: 330
    Are you confusing "Ambo" and "Lectern"?

    GIRM 309: The dignity of the Word of God requires that in the church there be a suitable place from which it may be proclaimed and toward which the attention of the faithful naturally turns during the Liturgy of the Word. It is appropriate that generally this place be a stationary ambo and not simply a movable lectern. The ambo must be located in keeping with the design of each church in such a way that the ordained ministers and readers may be clearly seen and heard by the faithful. From the ambo only the readings, the Responsorial Psalm, and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) are to be proclaimed
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,561
    The Roman Missal itself uses both terms in this specific context. The opening rubric from #19 for the Easter Vigil begins:

    The Deacon, after incensing the book and the candle, proclaims the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) at the ambo or at a lectern, with all standing and holding lighted candles in their hands.
  • irishtenoririshtenor
    Posts: 1,429
    In my experience, the Exsultet is proclaimed from the ambo regardless of whether it is chanted by clergy or lay person. I believe GIRM 309 supports this. If a lay person can proclaim the readings or responsorial psalm from the ambo, then there is no indication that they cannot also proclaim the Exsultet from the ambo.
    Thanked by 2Liam Roborgelmeister
  • fcbfcb
    Posts: 399
    On who does and does not touch the altar, this discussion from EWTN seems pretty sensible to me.
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 3,410
    As I said: it’s not made up. Whether one follows it or not is another question. But there was a sharper distinction between deacon and priest that has been muddied: it doesn’t help that so few clergy (and even fewer deacons, due to the way that we select them) are interested in the correct, dignified ceremonies and can actually execute them reliably.
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