Word Finder - introit

definition

A composition of vocal music sung at the opening of a church service.

definition

An anthem or psalm sung before a Communion service.

definition

A part of a psalm or other portion of the Bible read or sung at Mass immediately after the priest ascends to the altar.

synonyms

• introitus

definition

A psalm sung or chanted immediately before the collect, epistle, and gospel, and while the priest is entering within the rails of the altar, which begins with the line “Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine” (“Grant them eternal rest, O Lord”).

definition

The action of entering or going in; an entrance.

definition

An introduction.

definition

The first few words of the office for a particular day, sometimes used to refer to the day.

The York rubric directed him to do it immediately after the first saying of the Introit, which in England was thrice said.

The Missal of the Roman Church now enjoins incensation before the introit, at the gospel and again at the offertory, and at the elevation, in every high mass; the use of incense also occurs at the exposition of the sacrament, at consecrations of churches and the like, in processions, in the office for the burial of the dead and at the exhibition of relics.

The name is taken from the first words of the Introit, Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

Mass was then sung; but instead of the ordinary responses to the Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, &c., the congregation chanted "Hinham" (Hee-haw) three times.

The prayer in the burial service, as in the Communion service, contained distinct intercessions for the departed; and a form of Holy Communion was provided for use at funerals with proper introit, collect, epistle and gospel.

For the processions that formed part of the ritual of the eucharist, those of the introit, the gospel and the oblation, the earliest records date from the 6th century and even later (see Duchesne, Origines, 2nd ed., pp. 77, 1 54, 181; 78, 194), but they evidently were established at a much earlier date.

Introit, or as it is always called in the Sarum rite, " Office," a Psalm or part of a Psalm sung at the entry of the priest, or clergy and choir.