Entrance Psalms

Many parishes are experiencing the authentic liturgy of the Roman Rite in their use of the Propers for Mass. Each Mass throughout the year (as well as Masses for Saints, Ritual Masses, and Common Masses) has specific texts assigned for the Entrance Antiphon, Offertory Antiphon and Communion Antiphon. These texts can be found (in Latin) in the Missale Romanum, the Graduale Romanum, and the Graduale Simplex. The Entrance and Communion Antiphons can be found (in English) in the Sacramentary.

If we limit ourselves to discussion of the Entrance Antiphon (or Introit), the Graduale Romanum includes text and music for one psalm verse to be sung between the antiphon and its repetition. The Graduale Simplex has Propers for most (but not all) Masses. Where it occurs, the Entrance Antiphon is followed by a series of verses of a suggested psalm, to be sung between repetitions of the antiphon. The Sacramentary, the most ubiquitous of these three books, unfortunately offers no help with what psalm or verses to sing with the English antiphon.

The Entrance Antiphons are translated into English and appears in the Sacramentary, the large book used at the chair and at the altar. These also appear in CNP's Liturgical Planning Pages. Since no English-language source exists delineating which psalms should be sung with the Entrance Antiphons, we offer suggestions here, gleaned from the single psalm verse of the Graduale Romanum or the suggested verses of the Graduale Simplex.

While the New American Bible is the officially approved translation for liturgy in the U.S., other countries have different approved Biblical translations. By noting the citations below and using your "approved-for-liturgy" Bible, you can construct a set of "approved" verses to use with the proper Entrance Antiphon.

Music for the Entrance Rite normally proceeds as follows:

• Antiphon sung by choir or cantor
• [Antiphon repeated by congregation – optional]
• Verse 1 sung by choir or cantor
• Antiphon repeated by choir or congregation
• Verse 2 sung by choir or cantor
• Antiphon repeated by choir or congregation

The verse/antiphon pattern is continued as long as necessary; the last verse should be:

• Doxology sung by choir or cantor
• Antiphon repeated by choir or congregation

When he calls to me, I will answer; I will rescue him and give him honor. Long life and contentment will be his. [Psalm 91:15-16]

1. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by choir
2. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by congregation (optional)
3. You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High ... [Ps 91:1] sung by choir or cantor
4. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by choir or congregation
5. Say to the Lord, "My refuge ... [Ps 91:2] sung by choir or cantor
6. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by choir or congregation
7. With his pinions he will cover you ... [Ps 91:4] sung by choir or cantor
8. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by choir or congregation
9. Not the pestilence that roams ... [Ps 91:6] sung by choir or cantor
10. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by choir or congregation
11. Because you have the Lord for your refuge ... [Ps 91:9] sung by choir or cantor
12. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by choir or congregation
13. No evil shall befall you ... [Ps 91:10] sung by choir or cantor
14. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by choir or congregation
15. For to his angels he has given command ... [Ps 91:11] sung by choir or cantor
16. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by choir or congregation
17. Upon their hands they shall bear you up ... [Ps 91:12] sung by choir or cantor
18. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by choir or congregation
19. You shall tread upon the asp ... [Ps 91:13] sung by choir or cantor
20. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by choir or congregation
21. Glory to the Father... [Doxology] sung by choir or cantor
22. When he calls to me... [Antiphon] sung by choir or congregation