What's the Verse Before the Gospel

[C794]

I heard that there was part of the Mass called the Verse Before the Gospel. What is this? Is it optional? I’ve noticed that the choir sings something that’s different from what’s indicated for the particular Mass, is there an option to do this?

 

[Zekariya]

If you are speaking of the Roman Rite, it is called the Gospel Acclamation. On days outside of Lent, it is the phrase between the Alleluias before the Gospel.

 

[C794]

How much of a choice does the choir have in what’s sung for this part of the Mass? At my parish it never matches up with the text for that Mass; it’s the same for the Gospel Acclamation.

 

[Zekariya]

How much of a choice does the choir have in what’s sung for this part of the Mass? At my parish it never matches up with the text for that Mass; it’s the same for the Gospel Acclamation.

I think that it is like the Entrance Antiphon (usually replaced by an entrance hymn) and can be changed for something else. I could be wrong but, this is what I have seen.

 

[superamazingman]

I think that it is like the Entrance Antiphon (usually replaced by an entrance hymn) and can be changed for something else. I could be wrong but, this is what I have seen.

Only during lent is the main antiphon modifiable (the verse still must be as written). Rest of the year, it’s simply “Alleluia. [verse, exactly as in lectionary or graduale]. Alleluia.” Other than repeating the alleluias, no other changes may be made.

 

[C794]

Only during lent is the main antiphon modifiable (the verse still must be as written). Rest of the year, it’s simply “Alleluia. [verse, exactly as in lectionary or graduale]. Alleluia.” Other than repeating the alleluias, no other changes may be made.

So is it a problem that during ordinary time we use the exact same verse from week to week; it never lines up with the one in the lectionary. Also, are you saying that the Entrance Antiphon cannot be replaced with a hymn?

Thanks

 

[JamesCaruso]

At our church we sing the Introit at the beginning of Mass, followed by the opening hymn. The Introit is first the antiphon, which is a biblical passage, followed by Psalm verses, all in English adapted to Gregorian chant.

 

[Zekariya]

So is it a problem that during ordinary time we use the exact same verse from week to week; it never lines up with the one in the lectionary. Also, are you saying that the Entrance Antiphon cannot be replaced with a hymn?

Thanks

For what it is worth, EWTN replaces the Entrance Antiphon with a hymn.

 

[JamesCaruso]

Here is what the General Instruction of the Roman Missal says:

The Entrance

There are four options for the Entrance Chant: (1) the antiphon from the Missal or the antiphon with its Psalm from the Graduale Romanum, as set to music there or in another setting; (2) the antiphon and Psalm of the Graduale Simplex for the liturgical time; (3) a chant from another collection of Psalms and antiphons, approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop, including Psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) another liturgical chant that is suited to the sacred action, the day, or hte time of year, similarly approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop.

If there is no singing at the Entrance, the antiphon is recited either by the faithful, or by some of them, or by a reader; otherwise, it is recited by the Priest himself, who may even adapt it as an introductory explanation.

 

[C794]

Here is what the General Instruction of the Roman Missal says:

The Entrance

There are four options for the Entrance Chant: (1) the antiphon from the Missal or the antiphon with its Psalm from the Graduale Romanum, as set to music there or in another setting; (2) the antiphon and Psalm of the Graduale Simplex for the liturgical time; (3) a chant from another collection of Psalms and antiphons, approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop, including Psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) another liturgical chant that is suited to the sacred action, the day, or hte time of year, similarly approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop.

If there is no singing at the Entrance, the antiphon is recited either by the faithful, or by some of them, or by a reader; otherwise, it is recited by the Priest himself, who may even adapt it as an introductory explanation.

ok thanks.

Do you have any information on the changing of the Gospel Acclamation or the verse before the gospel?

 

[JamesCaruso]

From the GIRM:

The Accclamation before the Gospel

After the reading that immediately precedes the Gospel, the Alleluia or another chant laid down by the rubrics is sung, as the liturgical time requires. An acclamation of this kind constitutes a rite or act in itself, by which the gathering of the faithful welcomes and greets the Lord who is about to speak to them in the Gospel and profess their faith by means of the chant. It is sung by everybody, standing, and is led by the choir or a cantor, being repeated as the case requires. The verse, on the other hand, is sung either by the choir or by a cantor.

a) The Alleluia is sung in every time of year other than Lent. The verses are taken from the Lectionary or the Graduale.

b) During Lent, instead of the* Alleluia,* the Verse before the Gospel as given in the Lectionary is sung. It is possible to sing another Psalm or Tract, as found in the Graduale.

When there is only one reading before the Gospel:

a) during a time of year when the Alleluia is prescribed, either an *Alleluia *Psalm or the Responsorial Psalm followed by the *Alleluia *with its verse may be used;

b) during a time of year when the Alleluia is not foreseen, either the Psalm and the Verse before the Gospel or the Psalm alone may be used;

c) the Alleluia or the Verse before the Gospel, if not sung, may be omitted.

The Sequence which, except on Easter Sunday and on Pentecost Day, is optional, is sung before the Alleluia.