The Entrance
47. When the people are gathered, and as the Priest enters with the Deacon and
ministers, the Entrance Chant begins. Its purpose is to open the celebration, foster the
unity of those who have been gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the
liturgical time or festivity, and accompany the procession of the Priest and ministers.
48. This chant is sung alternately by the choir and the people or similarly by a cantor
and the people, or entirely by the people, or by the choir alone. In the dioceses of England & Wales the Entrance Chant may be chosen from among the following: the antiphon with its Psalm from the Graduale Romanum or the Graduale Simplex, or another chant that is suited to the sacred action, the day, or the time of year,⁵⁵ and whose text has been approved by the Conference of Bishops of England and Wales.
If there is no singing at the Entrance, the antiphon given in the Missal is recited either
by the faithful, or by some of them, or by a reader; otherwise, it is recited by the Priest
himself, who may even adapt it as an introductory explanation (cf. no. 31)
Note that during the week, my understanding is that you do not have to sing both the Gradual and Alleluia but can choose one or the other or both depending on your community’s needs.
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