Sarah Mitchell
Liturgy, in the context of the Catholic Church, is understood not only as the celebration of the Holy Mass but also as the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, Bible services, and the administration of sacraments. The Liturgy of the Word is the first of the two principal parts of the Mass, the central act of worship of the Roman Catholic Church, the second being the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word is the part of Mass where the faithful hear the Word of God proclaimed through Scripture readings. On Sundays and solemnities, there are three Scripture readings: one from the Old Testament, one from the non-Gospel books of the New Testament, and one from the Gospels. The high point of the Liturgy of the Word is the reading of the Gospel, which tells of the life, ministry, and preaching of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rite | Liturgy of the Word is the first of the two principal rites of the mass, the other being the Liturgy of the Eucharist |
| Scripture readings | There are three scripture readings on Sundays and solemnities. The first reading is from the Old Testament, the second from the New Testament letters, and the third reading is from the Gospels |
| Responsorial Psalm | Sung between the readings to help meditate on the word of God |
| Gospel acclamation | Normally a sung "Alleluia" |
| Preacher | A deacon or, if no deacon is present, a priest |
| Sermon | The homily focuses on the Scripture texts or other texts from the liturgy |
| Profession of faith | Recitation of either the Nicene Creed or the shorter Apostles' Creed |
| General intercessions | Ending the liturgy of the Word are the general intercessions (the Prayer of the Faithful), in which petitions are offered for the church, civil authorities, the oppressed, all humankind, and the salvation of the world |
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What You'll Learn
The Liturgy of the Word is the first of two principal rites of the Mass
Liturgy, in the context of the Catholic Church, refers to the celebration of the Holy Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, Bible services, and the administration of sacraments and sacramentals. The Mass, which takes place daily, is the most common form of liturgical service.
The Mass is made up of two principal parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word is the first of these two principal rites of the Mass and is the central act of worship of the Roman Catholic Church. It consists of three readings: one from the Old Testament, one from the non-Gospel books of the New Testament, and one from the Gospels.
On Sundays and solemnities, there are three Scripture readings. During most of the year, the first reading is from the Old Testament and the second reading is from the New Testament letters. During Easter Time, the first reading is taken from the Acts of the Apostles, and the last reading is always taken from one of the four Gospels. The Responsorial Psalm is sung between the readings.
The high point of the Liturgy of the Word is the reading of the Gospel, which tells of the life, ministry, and preaching of Christ. The gathered assembly stands to hear the Gospel, which is introduced by an acclamation of praise. The acclamation is usually "Alleluia," derived from the Hebrew phrase meaning "Praise the Lord!" A deacon or, if there is no deacon, a priest reads the Gospel.
After the Scripture readings, the celebrant preaches the homily, which focuses on the Scripture texts or other texts from the liturgy. The homily draws lessons that may help the faithful live better lives, more faithful to Christ's call to grow in holiness. In many Masses, the Profession of Faith follows the homily, consisting of either the Nicene Creed or the Apostles' Creed. The Liturgy of the Word ends with the general intercessions, in which petitions are offered for the church, civil authorities, the oppressed, all humankind, and the salvation of the world.
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The readings are taken from Scripture
The Liturgy of the Word is the first of the two principal parts of the Mass in the Roman Rite, the central act of worship of the Roman Catholic Church, the second being the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is the part of the Mass where the Word of God is proclaimed. The liturgy consists of three readings: one from the Old Testament, one from the non-Gospel books of the New Testament, and one from the Gospels.
The first reading is usually from the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible), while the second reading is from the Christian New Testament. During Easter Time, the first reading is taken from the Acts of the Apostles, which tells the story of the early days of the Church. The last reading is always taken from one of the four Gospels. The Scriptures are the word of God, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In the Scriptures, God speaks to us, leading us along the path to salvation.
The reading from the Old Testament and the non-Gospel books of the New Testament are typically done by a lector (a lay reader), while the Gospel is proclaimed by a deacon or, if no deacon is present, a priest. The Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word, and it receives several special signs of honour and reverence. The gathered assembly stands to hear the Gospel, and it is introduced by an acclamation of praise. Apart from Lent, that acclamation is "Alleluia," derived from the Hebrew phrase meaning "Praise the Lord!".
The Responsorial Psalm is sung between the readings to help the congregation meditate on the word of God. After the Scripture readings, the celebrant preaches the homily, which usually focuses on one of the Scripture texts or some other texts from the liturgy. In many Masses, the Profession of Faith follows the homily, consisting of a recitation of either the Nicene Creed or the shorter Apostles' Creed.
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The Gospel reading is the high point
The Liturgy of the Word is the first of the two principal parts of the Mass in the Roman Rite, the central act of worship of the Roman Catholic Church. The second part is the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Mass is considered the centre of the whole of Christian life for the Church and for each of the faithful.
The Liturgy of the Word is the part of Mass where the Word of God is proclaimed. It consists of three readings: the first from the Old Testament, the second from the non-Gospel books of the New Testament, and the third from the Gospels. The Gospel reading is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. It receives several special signs of honour and reverence. The assembly stands to hear the Gospel, and it is introduced by an acclamation of praise. On most occasions, this acclamation is "Alleluia", meaning "Praise the Lord" in Hebrew. A deacon, or a priest if no deacon is present, reads the Gospel.
The Gospel reading is significant because it recounts the life, ministry, and preaching of Christ. The Gospels are the four narratives relating the life and death of Jesus Christ. They are the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament. These books tell the story of Jesus' life and ministry, including his miracles, sermons, and teachings. They also narrate the events of Jesus' death and resurrection, which are central to Christian belief and theology.
The reading of the Gospel is an important moment for the congregation to focus their minds and hearts on the Word of God and the life of Christ. It is a time to engage in spiritual reflection and to prepare to receive God's message. The Gospel reading is followed by the homily, a short sermon delivered by the priest that usually focuses on one of the Scripture readings or the day's special occasion. The homily draws lessons from the Scriptures to help guide the congregation in living better lives and growing in holiness.
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The Responsorial Psalm is sung between readings
The Liturgy of the Word is the part of the Mass in the Roman Rite where the Word of God is proclaimed through Scripture readings and chants. On Sundays and solemnities, there are three Scripture readings: the first reading is from the Old Testament, the second is from the New Testament letters, and the last reading is taken from one of the four Gospels. The Gospel reading is considered the high point of the Liturgy of the Word and is introduced by an acclamation of praise, usually "Alleluia".
The Responsorial Psalm is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word, serving as a chant between the readings. It is usually taken from the Lectionary and is chosen for its connection to the Scripture readings, particularly the first reading. The psalm is typically sung in an antiphonal manner, with a choir or cantor reciting the psalm verses, and the congregation interjecting with a periodic response. This response is often a reflection of the assembly's meditation on the Scripture reading that preceded the psalm.
The Responsorial Psalm helps to foster meditation on the Word of God and encourages the assembly to respond to the proclaimed Word. It can be sung in various ways. For example, the refrain can be sung only at the beginning and end of the psalm, or it can be repeated throughout, after every few verses or at natural breaks in the text. In some cases, the psalm may be recited rather than sung if it suits the meditation better.
The use of the Responsorial Psalm in the Liturgy of the Word is significant as it allows the assembly to actively engage with the Scripture readings through meditation and response. This interactive aspect of the Liturgy of the Word is an important part of Catholic Mass, providing an opportunity for the congregation to connect with and respond to the Word of God.
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The Creed is recited at the end
The Liturgy of the Word is the first of the two principal parts of the Mass in the Roman Rite, the largest rite in the Catholic Church. It is the central act of worship of the Church, during which the Word of God is proclaimed.
The Liturgy of the Word consists of three readings. The first reading is from the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible. The second reading is from the non-Gospel books of the New Testament, such as the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, or the Revelation to John (the Book of Revelation). The third and final reading is always taken from one of the four Gospels, which tell of the life and death of Jesus Christ. The first two readings are done by a lector (a lay reader), while the Gospel is proclaimed by a deacon or, if no deacon is present, a priest.
Between the readings, a responsorial psalm is sung, helping the congregation to meditate on the word of God. After the readings, the celebrant preaches the homily, a short sermon that usually focuses on one of the readings or on that day's special occasion.
At the end of the Liturgy of the Word are the general intercessions, or the Prayer of the Faithful, in which petitions are offered for the church, civil authorities, the oppressed, all humankind, and the salvation of the world. Specific prayers may also be extended to individuals or groups within the church community.
Following the Scripture readings and the homily, the Profession of Faith is often recited, consisting of either the Nicene Creed or the shorter Apostles' Creed. The Nicene Creed is a succinct statement of Catholic doctrine, dating back to the fourth century. It expresses belief in one God, the Father Almighty, and in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son. It affirms the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Christ, his ascension into heaven, and his seat at the right hand of the Father.
The Creed is a public profession of faith and an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word. It serves as a reminder of the fundamental beliefs of the Catholic faith and reinforces the unity of the congregation in their shared faith. By reciting the Creed, individuals affirm their belief in God, the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and the key tenets of Christianity.
Thus, the recitation of the Creed at the end of the Liturgy of the Word provides a powerful conclusion to the first part of the Mass, allowing the congregation to collectively profess their faith before transitioning into the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
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Frequently asked questions
The Liturgy of the Word is the first of the two principal rites of the Mass, the central act of worship of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Liturgy of the Word consists of three readings: one from the Old Testament, one from the non-Gospel books of the New Testament, and one from the Gospels.
The first two readings are done by a lector (a lay reader), while the Gospel is proclaimed by a deacon.
A responsorial psalm and a Gospel acclamation divide the three readings. The priest then delivers the homily, which usually focuses on one of the readings or on that day's special occasion.
The liturgy is considered an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. It is where the whole public worship of God is carried out by the Head and members of the mystical Body of Jesus Christ.
