The use of the Lectionarium, the Catholic Church’s official Bible reading book, is set to change in Belgium. Currently, the Willibrordvertaling guides readings during the eucharist and other Catholic celebrations, but this translation dates back to the 1960s, just after the Second Vatican Council. As of 2025-05-21 13:52:00, Belgian Catholics have been informed about plans to update this key liturgical text.
- Katholieken gebruiken Lectionarium Willibrordvertaling nu
- Willibrordvertaling dateert van jaren 1960
- Vlaamse bisschoppen vinden taalgebruik gedateerd
- Nieuw Lectionarium NBV21 komt in 2027
- NBV21 is nieuwste Nederlandse Bijbelvertaling
- NBG gaf NBV21 in 2021 uit
The Flemish bishops have noted that the Willibrordvertaling’s language feels outdated and sometimes strays too far from the original biblical texts. This raises an important question: how can the Church keep scripture readings relevant and accessible to modern congregations?
To address this, a new Lectionarium will be introduced starting Advent 2027, based on the NBV21 translation. This version, released in 2021 by the Nederlands-Vlaams Bijbelgenootschap (NBG), offers a fresh, contemporary text for Dutch-speaking Catholics in Belgium and the Netherlands. What impact will this have on worship and scripture engagement?
Why is this update significant for Belgian Catholics? The move reflects a desire to:
- Use language that resonates with today’s faithful without losing scriptural accuracy
- Align liturgical readings more closely with contemporary biblical scholarship
- Enhance understanding and participation during Mass and other celebrations
Could this change influence how Catholics connect with scripture in daily life? Possibly, as clearer language often invites deeper reflection and engagement.
Looking ahead, Belgian parishes and clergy will need to prepare for the transition to NBV21 by 2027. Will this encourage broader discussions on how scripture is shared and experienced in the Church? Only time will tell, but the new Lectionarium promises a fresh chapter for Belgian Catholic worship.
