Introit Hymns During Lent

As we enter the Season of Lent, I’d like to introduce and explain a small but meaningful shift in our approach to the Entrance Procession music.

First, a bit of background … The Church gives us four options for the chant or song that accompanies the Entrance Rite:

1. The antiphon (“Introit” in Latin) from the Roman Missal, or the antiphon and psalm from the Roman Gradual (Graduale Romanum).
2. The antiphon and psalm from the Graduale Simplex.
3. A chant or song from another approved collection of psalms and antiphons.
4. A suitable liturgical hymn or song.

In practice, we almost always choose the fourth option—a suitable hymn or song. This is a good and perfectly acceptable choice, but it also means many music ministers (and parishioners) are less familiar with the Church’s proper antiphons, the texts, and how they function in the liturgy.

What We’ll Be Doing This Lent

This year, for the Sundays of Lent, I’ve chosen to incorporate the proper Entrance Antiphon for each Sunday, but set to familiar hymn tunes. This allows us to sing the actual text appointed by the Church for that day, while still using musical forms and melodies that are accessible and comfortable for our parish.

Most of the hymns will come from the collection Introit Hymns for the Church Year, and others have been constructed in a similar manner using the Revised Grail Translations of the Psalms.

“Introit Hymns for the Church Year offers hymn texts based on the Church’s appointed entrance antiphons and psalms, set in metrical form to well-known hymn tunes. The texts draw from classic English psalm paraphrases as well as newly composed verses, making them both faithful to the liturgy and singable by modern congregations.”

Why This Matters

The Entrance Antiphon is not just a placeholder before Mass begins—it is meant to set the theological and spiritual tone for the day. By singing the proper text in a familiar musical style, we deepen our connection to the liturgy while still supporting strong congregational participation.

My hope is that these Hymns will help us—and the assembly—enter more fully into the character and prayer of each Sunday of Lent.

Thank you for your openness and for the care you bring to our parish’s sung prayer.

~ Michael

P.S. You’ll note the title of the Hymn each week is in Latin and in English. But don’t worry, the hymns are in English!