Why are there no Bibles in the Catholic Church, for all of the congregation to follow along with?

Answer 1

Good one. A few more like this one and you'll be on the vatican's ten most wanted list!!

Answer 2

The Catholic mass, or service, follows a particular pattern. This service includes different readings from the Bible each time. These are provided in a book that the Church does supply, so the parish (congregation) can follow along, and read the words from the Bible that apply to that day's mass. Throughout the year, the selections change, so much of the Bible is included in the Catholic mass as the seasons change. Some parishes do provide Bibles in the pews, but many do not. Perhaps they assume people can read their own at home, as the passages relevant to the mass are available for church time.
So, contrary to what some may say, the Bible is very much a part of Catholicism and Catholic ritual, daily practice, and belief. Try not to be led astray by people who disguise hate with the trappings of faith. They are as close to God and what is right as vengeful murder is to love.

Answer 3

My dear, I am a former Baptist, and I did not find Bibles available in the pews in all the Baptist churches I ever attended, either; only hymnals. Obviously the congregations brought their own, but it was not so much for "following along" during the sermon as because they already had their Bibles with them for the Sunday Bible study period before or after worship.

In fact, in Protestant worship services, there's much less to "follow along" with than at a Catholic Mass. The pastor/preacher/minister may say "open your Bibles to ..." to emphasize a point in his sermon, but it's only a verse here and a verse there. If someone doesn't have a Bible for that brief lookup, folks nearby are usually happy to share a glance at theirs.

Have you actually gone to a Mass and seen for yourself what is made available, or are you relying on what someone else told you? In the U.S., what you normally will find (either in the pews, or as you walk in) is a booklet containing the Bible readings in full; you need only have a seat, open the missalette, and find today's date, and you can then follow along as they are read. Most missalettes also helpfully include the order of Mass, or the prayers and responses, in a separate section so you can more easily follow those, too.

We don't normally carry our Bibles to Mass because that's not when Bible study occurs, but there's nothing preventing anyone from doing so if they wish. You would be welcome to do so when you visit a Catholic church to see for yourself what the Mass is all about -- they're not forbidden, and no one is going to ask you to check it at the door.

Answer 4

The Missal, in the Catholic Church, is a liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Masses throughout the year.

The current Missal is frequently broken down into smaller editions which are published periodically; commonly called "Missalettes," these smaller editions are frequently made available for the benefit of the general populace at masses.


The Lectionary presents passages from the Bible arranged in the order for reading at each day's Mass.

Answer 5

As early as the second century we have the witness of St. Justin Martyr for the basic lines of the order of the Eucharistic celebration. They have stayed the same until our own day for all the great liturgical families. St. Justin wrote to the pagan emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161) around the year 155, explaining what Christians did:

On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.
The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits.

When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.

Then we all rise together and offer prayers* for ourselves . . .and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.

When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.

Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.

He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.

When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: 'Amen.'

When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent

This is still how it is done today. Thre are no Bible in the church because there were no Bibles in the early church. Like it was in the second century, people LISTEN attentively to the Word of God.

Answer 6

Yeah, this is an issue with some churches, it hinders the people to read along and even thinking if what they are reding exists and where to find it ? People should be given the freedom to have their own bibles to also read them outside church and develop spiritually. The church doesn't need to buy bibles for all because the people can buy for themselves if they are willing to read and learn from it

Answer 7

The Scripture readings are usually in the missalettes, so all of the congregation can follow along.

Answer 8

Anyone can bring their own Bible and follow along if they wish. However the full communal participation expected during Mass can be lost if one's head is stuck in a Bible (there is a time and place for everything).

The archbishop of Los Angeles, Cardinal Mahony in his 1988 pastoral letter "The Day on Which We Gather: Guidelines for Sunday Eucharist" states about liturgical aids:

Though Missalettes with scripture and prayer texts printed in them may be intended to facilitate communal liturgical prayer, they can lead to a privatized experience of liturgy which often negates true liturgical participation.

It is recommended that those responsible for parish liturgy should:
a) ensure the proper reading of scripture and prayer texts so that the assembly listens to them
b) consider alternate worship aids which include only those parts necessary for the assembly's genuine and full participation

For the full text of the pastoral letter, see: http://www.archdiocese.la/archbishop/letters/day.html

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

Catholics prefer to hear the word of God proclaimed aloud ... and they do have written copies of all the readings available to them, if they care to follow along.

Catholics also happen to have Jesus Christ truly present on the altar, and available for them to personally receive, so the bible, as wonderful as it is, must take second place.

Those who follow protestant faith traditions will have to continue to make do with the bible alone, while Catholics get to experience Jesus; body, blood, soul, and divinity; alive and glorious, at every Mass.

The real question should be, "Why do protestants settle for so little?"

Answer 10

The last Catholic church that I visited had bibles.

Answer 11

Haven't you ever attended a Catholic mass?

They all know the words! If you aren't Catholic, you're left standing when they sit down and sitting when they kneel. The priest says something and the whole congregation says something like, "and same to you." But you are the only one not talking because you don't know the words!