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Home , Entrance (liturgical)

Year of Renewal in Worship and Prayer Part 1—The Introductory Rites Archdiocese of San Francisco Ritual Study “B”

The Entrance

For your bulletin or newsletter For ministers and study groups The Entrance Procession The entrance procession and entrance song are meant to The Entrance Procession in liturgical celebrations began be a movement that unites all members of the when the community started to celebrate in large worshipping assembly in prayer and worship. As we buildings. For centuries these have served as come together God’s people and God’s ministers literally visible expressions of our liturgical community gathering approach the Lord’s Table in the to remember the around the Table of the Lord in praise and worship. Each sacrifice of Christ and celebrate the resurrection. The time God’s people and the Church’s ministers come to the procession should help to focus the ministers and the in procession, the whole assembly is invited to be people on their act of worship, and help them identify as a attentive to the worshipping community. profound act of The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) prayer that we share. SPOTLIGHT on directs the usual order of procession as follows: the The altar, our table of thurifer (if incense is used); a crossbearer and two banquet and sacrifice SYMBOLS ministers carrying lighted candles; other ministers serving is a symbol of Christ. in the ; a lector (or a if one is present) who We offer reverence Consider all that makes up the entrance carries the elevated Book of the , the deacon and with a kiss by the the celebrating the mass. priest and deacon and procession — the Cross leading us, the Book of a profound bow by all The GIRM also states the purpose of the entrance song the Gospels, the various the ministers present. servant ministers, during this procession “ . . .is to open the celebration, Incense is sometimes including the or foster the unity of those who have been gathered, used to venerate the priest vested to lead the introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical altar, a sign of our assembly in this season or festivity, and accompany the procession of the prayer and sacrifice sacrificial meal. The priest and ministers.” (GIRM 47) rising up to God. procession is symbolic For Discussion To symbolize our of our entire pilgrim • In what ways do our Entrance Procession and the unity as we gather, Christian life. Entrance Song help unite us and call the community to the community worship? • usually sings a song or psalm of celebration. In doing so What elements can help to enhance our procession so as we allow the music and its message to help us give praise to better unite the community around God’s table? • Is the Book of the Gospels part of our procession and in to God. Thus in movement, symbol and song we unite as what manner is it carried? a worshipping assembly and prepare ourselves to For Faith Sharing experience the mystery of God in Word and . • In what ways does the entrance procession, entrance

song, and our acts venerating the altar help to focus the Question of the Week • How are the Cross, the and the Church part of my community in prayer? • I have come to know the altar as a symbol of Christ life’s journey these days? through ...?

For further reading: Lawrence J. Johnson, The Mystery of Faith : A Study of the Structural Elements of the Order of the Mass (Revised Edition). Washington, DC: Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, 1981, 2003. 3-6. Paul Turner, Let us Pray: A Guide to the Rubrics of Mass. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 2006. 38-45.