Question:
Answer:
No, laypeople may not proclaim the words of Jesus in these liturgical settings. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops addresses this very question on its website:
May a lay reader take the part of the Christ in the reading of the Passion narrative during Lent and the Triduum, or is this role reserved to the priest?
The rubrics for Palm Sunday and Good Friday are quite clear on this question, as reflected in the 1988 Circular Letter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts [Paschale Solemnitatis] from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments:
The Passion narrative occupies a special place. It should be sung or read in the traditional way, that is, by three persons who take the part of Christ, the narrator, and the people. The Passion is proclaimed by deacons or priests, or by lay readers; in the latter case, the part of the Christ should be reserved to the priest (no. 33).
Read more of Paschale Solemnitatis here. For more information regarding the Church’s celebration of the Paschal Triduum, which begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, see this presentation by the USCCB.