THE FUNCTION OF THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Salmo

The responsorial psalm is a pause between the two readings that are made at Mass, the first from the Old Testament and the second from the New Testament. It serves to meditate and respond to the reading we have just heard. It is praise to God, it is prayer.

Usually, the common response is sung and the whole assembly responds... then each verse is read slowly. Of course, everything can be done sung, but it is necessary to practice and sing the verses properly, so that the message can favor the praise and prayer of the assembly. If the lector has not practiced, or does not feel confident singing, it is preferable to do so with a slow, clear and fluent reading.

When the reader invites us to respond, we participate by saying or singing the answer phrase. Let us make this beautiful biblical prayer our own and lift up our praise to God.

Fr. Tarcisio