introit

Introit is a chant or song that opens the liturgy of the Western Christian Mass or Divine Service. The word derives from the Latin introitus, meaning entrance, reflecting its function as the opening element of the service. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, the Introit is part of the Mass Proper and is sung during the entrance of the priest and ministers. It typically begins with an antiphon, followed by one or more verses from the Psalms, and often concludes with a short doxology or Gloria Patri.

Structure and texts: Introit texts are drawn mainly from the Psalms, though some feasts have proper antiphons that refer to the feast’s theme. The chant is usually led by the choir and performed in Gregorian style, though later liturgical polyphony adapted the form. The usual structure is antiphon — Psalm verses — (refrain or final antiphon), with the antiphon sometimes repeated at the end or replaced by a closing verse.

History and usage: The Introit developed in the medieval Western liturgy and remained a regular feature of the Roman Rite through the Counter-Reformation. In many modern Anglican and Lutheran communities, an Introit or processional chant served a similar role. After the Second Vatican Council, practical use of the Introit has varied: some Masses retain a traditional Introit, while others substitute an Entrance Antiphon or a congregational hymn for the opening rite. The function remains to announce the liturgical theme and mark the entrance of the clergy into the celebratory space.