Before a single word of Scripture is read, the Mass opens with a procession, a chant, and the kiss of the altar. Why does the Church begin worship this way — and what does it have to do with Moses, the Exodus, and the heavenly altar of Revelation?
What Is the Entrance Antiphon? The Procession That Opens the Mass
This session opens the Mass with the Entrance Procession, the Entrance Antiphon (Latin introit), and the veneration of the altar. Working from the Roman Missal and the GIRM, Dr. Pitre lays out the order of the procession — thurifer, candles, cross, Book of the Gospels, ministers, priest — and the four options for the Entrance Chant, whose purpose is to "open the celebration" and foster unity. He then turns to the biblical and traditional roots: Moses processing to the tent of meeting, the processional psalms of ascent, and the golden altar and incense of Revelation. Historical witnesses trace the antiphon back to St. Ambrose and Pope St. Celestine, and Ordo Romanus I describes the pope venerating and kissing the altar. William Durand's medieval mystagogy reads the whole procession as Israel's Exodus toward the promised land. Why "Gaudete" and "Laetare" Sundays? Why kiss the altar at all?
Key passages & sources examined: Roman Missal, Order of Mass no. 1; GIRM 44–48, 120–123, 188, 210–211; Exodus 33:7–10; Psalm 42:4; Psalm 43:1, 3–4; Psalms 120–134; Revelation 8:2–4; Phil 4:4–5; Isa 66:10–11; St. Isidore of Seville on Ambrose's antiphons; Liber Pontificalis (Celestine); Ordo Romanus I; CCC 1383 (St. Ambrose); William Durand, Rationale IV
What is the Entrance Antiphon at Mass? It is the introit — the chant or text that accompanies the procession to the altar to open the celebration and foster the unity of the gathered faithful. The video explains its purpose and its four permitted forms from the GIRM.
Why are the 3rd Sunday of Advent and 4th Sunday of Lent named "Gaudete" and "Laetare"? Both names come straight from the opening words of their Entrance Antiphons — the session shows the Latin and the Scripture behind each.
How is the Entrance Procession like the Exodus? Dr. Pitre draws on Durand's mystagogy comparing the cross, candles, and Gospel book to the pillars, ark, and journey of Israel — explored in full in the video.
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I subscribed and offered payment
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dgbaugh
Hi David, I see you do have a subscrition. Once logged in, you can access everything by going to 'Mass Readings Explained' in the main menu bar of our website, then 'Watch Videos' and then pick one of the options there. The calendar view works well for finding those Mass Readings that are in the near future and The Mass Explained will take you to videos in that series.
I have inherited leading a Bible Study based on the Mass Readings for each Sunday. The videos are very helpful in facts and insights to add to my research and prayerful preparations. Thank you for offering these teachings.
I subscribed and offered payment
but I have received nothing I requested???
Please advise
dgbaugh
Hi David, I see you do have a subscrition. Once logged in, you can access everything by going to 'Mass Readings Explained' in the main menu bar of our website, then 'Watch Videos' and then pick one of the options there. The calendar view works well for finding those Mass Readings that are in the near future and The Mass Explained will take you to videos in that series.
I have inherited leading a Bible Study based on the Mass Readings for each Sunday. The videos are very helpful in facts and insights to add to my research and prayerful preparations. Thank you for offering these teachings.
