A homily is the talk the priest or deacon gives at Mass after the Gospel, explaining God’s Word so that it can be lived. The word comes from the Greek homilia, “conversation” or “familiar talk”: a homily is meant to be a warm, personal word from a pastor to his people, not a lecture. Below is what a homily is and what it is for, who may give it, when it is required, how long it should be, how it differs from a sermon, and how to get more out of the homily each Sunday.
What is a homily?
At Mass, God speaks to his people in the readings from Scripture. The homily helps them hear what he is saying today. It usually explains the readings of the day, or another text of the Mass, and connects them with the mystery being celebrated and with daily life.
The homily is part of the liturgy itself, not an interruption of it. It leads from the Word that has been heard to the Eucharist that is about to be offered.
Where does the homily come in the Mass?
The homily comes in the Liturgy of the Word, right after the Gospel. On Sundays and solemnities it is followed by the Creed, and then by the Prayers of the Faithful, in which the people respond to the Word by praying for the Church and the world. A short silence after the homily is recommended, so the Word can sink in. See the order of the Mass.
Who can give a homily?
The homily is reserved to a priest or deacon. Usually it is given by the priest celebrating the Mass; he may ask a concelebrating priest or a deacon to preach. A lay person may not give the homily at Mass, though lay people may sometimes speak at other moments or in other settings, according to the norms of the bishop.
Is a homily required?
Yes, on Sundays and holy days of obligation, at every Mass with a congregation, a homily must be given and may be omitted only for a serious reason. On weekdays it is strongly recommended, especially in Advent, Lent and the Easter season, and on feasts and occasions when many people come to church. A homily is also given at weddings, funerals, baptisms and other sacraments celebrated with the Word of God.
How long should a homily be?
There is no fixed rule, but the Church asks that it be well prepared and to the point. Pope Francis, who wrote at length about preaching in Evangelii Gaudium (2013), said in a general audience in 2018 that homilies should be brief, not going over about ten minutes.
Homily or sermon: what is the difference?
- A sermon is any religious talk or preaching, on any subject, inside or outside worship.
- A homily is liturgical preaching: it comes within the Mass or another liturgy and is rooted in the readings and prayers being celebrated.
Before the Second Vatican Council, Catholics usually spoke of the Sunday “sermon,” which was sometimes on a topic unrelated to the readings. The Council asked that the homily, drawn from the sacred text, be “highly esteemed as part of the liturgy itself” (Sacrosanctum Concilium 52).
Great homilists of the Church
From the beginning the Church has treasured the homilies of her pastors. Many are still read today in the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours:
- St. John Chrysostom (died 407), whose name means “golden mouth,” famous for his homilies on the Gospels and St. Paul.
- St. Augustine (died 430), whose sermons to the people of Hippo fill several volumes. See the St. Augustine prayer.
- St. Leo the Great (died 461), whose Christmas and Lenten sermons are classics.
- St. Gregory the Great (died 604), whose forty homilies on the Gospels were read for centuries.
How to get more out of the homily
- Read the Sunday readings in advance, on Saturday or Sunday morning. See this Sunday’s Mass readings.
- Listen for one thing to take home: a sentence, an image or a resolution.
- Pray for your priest and deacon, who prepare and preach every week.
- Talk about it at lunch with your family or friends.
- Bring it into the Prayers of the Faithful, which follow the homily and turn the Word into prayer.
Frequently asked questions
What does the word homily mean?
It comes from the Greek homilia, meaning “conversation” or “familiar discourse,” from homilein, to talk with someone.
Can a deacon give the homily?
Yes. Deacons are ordained to preach and may give the homily at Mass.
Can a lay person give a homily?
No. At Mass the homily is reserved to an ordained priest or deacon.
What comes after the homily?
On Sundays and solemnities, the Creed and then the Prayers of the Faithful. On most weekdays the Creed is omitted and the Prayers of the Faithful follow.
More about the Mass
- The Liturgy of the Word
- Prayers of the Faithful
- Sunday Mass readings
- Today’s Mass readings
- The order of the Mass
- Responsorial Psalm
- Holy, Holy, Holy (the Sanctus)
Texts and sources
- Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium 52.
- General Instruction of the Roman Missal 65–66; Code of Canon Law, canon 767.
- Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium 135–159 (2013); General Audience of February 7, 2018.
- Congregation for Divine Worship, Homiletic Directory (2014).