Ordinary Form·Liturgy of the Word
Gospel
The high point of the Liturgy of the Word.
What happens
The deacon (or, in his absence, the priest) goes to the , accompanied if appropriate by ministers with incense and candles. He greets the people, announces the Gospel while signing the book and himself, and proclaims the reading. At the end he kisses the book.
Why it happens
The reading of the Gospel constitutes the high point of the . The Liturgy itself teaches the great reverence to be shown to this reading by setting it off from the other readings with special marks of honor: incense, candles, acclamations, and a minister of higher rank.
Sources
- GIRM §60
- Order of Mass nn. 13–15