The Liturgy of the Word
The main
part of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of the readings from Sacred
Scripture together with the chants occurring between them. As for the Homily,
the Profession of Faith, and the Universal Prayer, they develop and conclude
it.
Silence
The Biblical Readings
In the readings, the table of God’s Word is spread before the faithful, and the treasures of the Bible are opened to them. After each reading, whoever reads it pronounces the acclamation, and by means of the reply the assembled people give honor to the Word of God that they have received in faith and with gratitude.
The Responsorial Psalm
After the First Reading follows the Responsorial Psalm, which is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and which has great liturgical and pastoral importance, since it fosters meditation on the Word of God. The Responsorial Psalm should correspond to each reading and should usually be taken from the Lectionary. It is preferably sung.
The Acclamation 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.
-The Alleluia is sung in every time of year other than Lent. The verses are taken from the Lectionary or the Graduale.
-During Lent, instead of the Alleluia, the Verse before the Gospel as given in the Lectionary is sung. It is also possible to sing another Psalm or Tract, as found in the Graduale.
The Homily
The Homily should be an explanation of some aspect of the readings from Sacred Scripture or of another text from the Ordinary or the Proper of the Mass of the day and should take into account both the mystery being celebrated and the particular needs of the listeners.
The Profession of Faith
The purpose of the Creed or Profession of Faith is that the whole gathered people may respond to the Word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the Homily and that they may also honor and confess the great mysteries of the faith by pronouncing the rule of faith.
The Universal Prayer
In the Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in some sense to the Word of God which they have received in faith and offer prayers to God for the salvation of all.
Silence
The Biblical Readings
In the readings, the table of God’s Word is spread before the faithful, and the treasures of the Bible are opened to them. After each reading, whoever reads it pronounces the acclamation, and by means of the reply the assembled people give honor to the Word of God that they have received in faith and with gratitude.
The Responsorial Psalm
After the First Reading follows the Responsorial Psalm, which is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and which has great liturgical and pastoral importance, since it fosters meditation on the Word of God. The Responsorial Psalm should correspond to each reading and should usually be taken from the Lectionary. It is preferably sung.
The Acclamation 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.
-The Alleluia is sung in every time of year other than Lent. The verses are taken from the Lectionary or the Graduale.
-During Lent, instead of the Alleluia, the Verse before the Gospel as given in the Lectionary is sung. It is also possible to sing another Psalm or Tract, as found in the Graduale.
The Homily
The Homily should be an explanation of some aspect of the readings from Sacred Scripture or of another text from the Ordinary or the Proper of the Mass of the day and should take into account both the mystery being celebrated and the particular needs of the listeners.
The Profession of Faith
The purpose of the Creed or Profession of Faith is that the whole gathered people may respond to the Word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the Homily and that they may also honor and confess the great mysteries of the faith by pronouncing the rule of faith.
The Universal Prayer
In the Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in some sense to the Word of God which they have received in faith and offer prayers to God for the salvation of all.