The Liturgy of the Word is the first of the two main parts of the Mass, in which God speaks to his people through the Scriptures and the people respond in song, faith and prayer. It runs from the first reading to the Prayers of the Faithful. The Church sets two tables at every Mass, the table of God’s Word and the table of the Eucharist, and the Liturgy of the Word is the first. Below are its parts in order, who does what, how the readings are chosen, and how to take part well.
The parts of the Liturgy of the Word
| Part | What happens | Posture |
|---|---|---|
| First Reading | Usually from the Old Testament (from Acts in the Easter season) | Sit |
| Responsorial Psalm | A psalm sung or said, with a response repeated by all | Sit |
| Second Reading | On Sundays and solemnities, from the letters of the Apostles or the Apocalypse | Sit |
| Gospel Acclamation | “Alleluia” with a verse (another acclamation in Lent) | Stand |
| Gospel | Read by a deacon or priest | Stand |
| Homily | The priest or deacon explains the readings | Sit |
| Profession of Faith | The Creed, on Sundays and solemnities | Stand |
| Prayers of the Faithful | The Universal Prayer for the Church and the world | Stand |
The readings
The first reading is usually taken from the Old Testament and is chosen to shed light on the Gospel. In the Easter season it comes from the Acts of the Apostles. A lector reads it, ending with “The word of the Lord,” and all answer “Thanks be to God.”
The second reading, on Sundays and solemnities, comes from the letters of St. Paul and the other Apostles or from the Apocalypse. On weekdays there is only one reading before the Gospel.
A short silence after each reading lets the Word sink in.
The Responsorial Psalm
After the first reading, a cantor sings the psalm and the people repeat a short response after each verse. The psalm is itself the Word of God, and it helps us to pray what we have just heard. See the Responsorial Psalm.
The Gospel
The Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. Everyone stands and sings the Alleluia to greet Christ, who speaks in the Gospel. The deacon or priest may carry the Book of the Gospels in procession, with candles and incense. Before reading, he says “A reading from the holy Gospel according to…,” and all trace a small cross on their forehead, lips and heart, asking that the Word be in our minds, on our lips and in our hearts. After the Gospel all acclaim “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”
Jesus himself read the Scriptures in the synagogue and proclaimed that they were fulfilled in him:
And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day; and he rose up to read.
And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,
To preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of reward.
And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears.
The homily
The priest or deacon then explains the readings and applies them to our lives. A homily is required on Sundays and holy days of obligation. See what a homily is.
The Creed
On Sundays and solemnities, all stand to profess the faith together, usually with the Nicene Creed; the Apostles’ Creed may be used, especially in Lent and Easter Time.
The Prayers of the Faithful
The Liturgy of the Word ends with the Universal Prayer, or Prayers of the Faithful, in which the people, exercising their baptismal priesthood, pray for the needs of the Church, the world, those who suffer and the local community. The priest introduces and concludes them; a deacon, lector or other person announces the intentions, and all respond, often “Lord, hear our prayer.” See our Prayers of the Faithful with examples for every Sunday.
How the readings are chosen: the Lectionary
The readings come from the Lectionary, the book of readings arranged after the Second Vatican Council so that, in the Council’s words, “the treasures of the Bible are to be opened up more lavishly” (Sacrosanctum Concilium 51).
- Sundays follow a three-year cycle: Year A reads mainly from Matthew, Year B from Mark, and Year C from Luke; John is read especially in Lent and Easter Time. The Sundays from Advent 2026 to November 2027 are Year B. See Sunday Mass readings.
- Weekdays follow a two-year cycle for the first reading (Year I in odd years, Year II in even years); the weekday Gospels are the same every year. See today’s Mass readings.
- Feasts and celebrations such as weddings and funerals have their own readings.
How to take part well
- Read the readings beforehand, or at least the Gospel.
- Listen rather than read along, if you can: the Word is meant to be proclaimed and heard.
- Sing the psalm response and the Alleluia.
- Keep one sentence to carry through the week.
Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we can find our hearts burning as Christ opens the Scriptures to us:
And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures?
Frequently asked questions
What are the parts of the Liturgy of the Word?
The first reading, the responsorial psalm, the second reading (on Sundays and solemnities), the Gospel acclamation, the Gospel, the homily, the Creed (on Sundays and solemnities) and the Prayers of the Faithful.
Are the Prayers of the Faithful part of the Liturgy of the Word?
Yes. The Universal Prayer is the last part of the Liturgy of the Word, just before the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins.
Who can read at Mass?
Lay people who are trained and commissioned as lectors may proclaim the first and second readings and announce the Prayers of the Faithful. The Gospel is read by a deacon or priest.
Why do we stand for the Gospel?
Out of reverence for Christ, who speaks to us in the Gospel, and in readiness to follow him.
More about the Mass
- Prayers of the Faithful
- The order of the Mass
- The Liturgy of the Eucharist
- The Penitential Act
- Responsorial Psalm
- What is a homily?
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Luke 4:16–21; Luke 24:32, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- General Instruction of the Roman Missal 55–71; Sacrosanctum Concilium 51; Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass.