8Alleluia and the Gospel

What you’ll see: the priest or deacon carries the Book of the Gospels to the ambo, sometimes with candles and incense, and traces a small cross on the page.

We stand, because now Christ himself speaks to us in the Gospel. The three small crosses on forehead, lips and chest ask that his words be in our minds, on our lips and in our hearts.

Do Stand and sing the Alleluia. Then, with your thumb, trace a small cross on your forehead, your lips and your chest.

Say “Glory to you, O Lord.” At the end: “The Gospel of the Lord.” — “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”

Did you know?

When a deacon reads the Gospel, what does the priest say to him first?

For parentsThe theology behind this moment, and where every fact comes from

Where this comes from

Teaching The Alleluia welcomes the Lord who is about to speak to us, and it isn’t sung in Lent (GIRM 62). “Alleluia” is Hebrew for “praise the Lord” (note on Psalm 104:35).
Teaching The Gospel is the high point of the readings; we stand because Christ is present and speaking to us (GIRM 60; CCC 1088).
Teaching A deacon or priest reads the Gospel (GIRM 59).
Teaching Everyone makes the three small crosses (GIRM 134).
Tip Praying “May the Gospel be in my mind, on my lips and in my heart” while making them.

What the labels mean: Teaching, Tradition and Tip.