Today I write to you with a joy-filled heart. As Catholics, we worship with our minds, bodies, and souls. The Mass is the primary way in which we do this as a community. Indeed, according to the Second Vatican Council, the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith! So, I would like to take this opportunity to explain one part of the Mass in greater detail. For some time now we have been reciting the entrance antiphon before the beginning of Mass. Today, I am going to explain the importance of this antiphon and how it relates to the Mass.

The entrance antiphon is part of the Introductory Rite. This rite, "namely the Entrance, Greeting, Act of Penitence, Kyrie, Gloria, and Collect," (GIRM, ¶46) precedes the Liturgy of the Word. This rite begins, introduces, and prepares us for the Eucharistic liturgy that is to come. The entrance antiphon for this Sunday is:  "All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done with true judgment, for we have sinned against you and not obeyed your commandments. But give glory to your name and deal with us according to the bounty of your mercy."

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states beautifully the reason for this chant, "The purpose of this chant is to open the celebration, foster the unity of those who have been gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical season or festivity, and accompany the procession of the priest and ministers." (¶47) This is the time when we come together as a community and profess the faith that we share as Catholics. We begin by lifting our minds to Christ, examining ourselves, and asking for forgiveness.

The Church gives us this beautiful text from the bible every week, mostly taken from the psalms. These are the first words from God we hear at Mass. Let them sink in and meditate upon them as we begin our celebration. Think of how wonderful it will be when we begin to sing and/or chant this antiphon for the procession into Mass.

“Singing is for one who loves." ~St. Augustine

 

St. Cecilia, Pray for us!