36. CHANTS BETWEEN THE READINGS

As a further alternative to (1) the singing of the psalm with its response in the «Lectionary,» (2) the gradual in the «Roman Gradual», or (3) the responsorial or alleluia psalm in the «Simple Gradual», the Conference of Bishops has approved the use of other collections of psalms and antiphons in English, as supplements to the «Simple Gradual», including psalms arranged in responsorial form, metrical and similar versions of psalms, provided they are used in accordance with the principles of the «Simple Gradual» and are selected in harmony with the liturgical season, feast or occasion (decree confirmed by the Consilium for the Implementation of the Constitution on the Liturgy, December 17, 1968).

The choice of texts that are «not» from the psalter (permitted at the entrance, offertory and Communion) is not extended to the chants between the readings.

For further information concerning the use of the chants between the readings, see the Foreword and the Introduction (VIII) to the «Lectionary for Mass» (New York, Collegeville, Minn., 1970). In particular, see the common texts for sung responsorial psalms (nos. 174 - 175), which may be used in place of the text corresponding to the reading whenever the psalm is sung.

During Lent the alleluia is not sung with the verse before the Gospel. Instead one of the following (or similar) acclamations may be sung before and after the verse before the Gospel:

Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

King of endless glory!

Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!

If the psalm after the reading is not sung it is recited. The alleluia or the verse before the Gospel may be omitted if not sung (see no. 39 of the «General Instruction»). The people stand for the singing of the alleluia before the Gospel (see no. 21 of the «General Instruction»).