The celebrant goes to the middle of the altar and recites the following prayer, while the server carries the Missal to the Gospel side.
Munda cor meum, et labia mea, omnipotens Deus, qui labia Isaiae Prophetae calculo mundasti ignito: ita me tua grata miseratione dignare mundare, ut sanctum Evangelium tuum digne valeam nuntiare. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Cleanse my heart and my lips, O almighty God, who cleansed the lips of the prophet Isaias with a burning coal: vouchsafe through your gracious mercy so to cleanse me that I may worthily proclaim your holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
At High Mass the deacon places the Book of the Gospels on the altar after the Celebrant has blessed the incense, kneeling on the top step, he says the Munda cor meum, and asks for a blessing which the Celebrant gives.
At Low Mass the Celebrant says the same prayer, without the blessing:
Deacon. Jube, domne (or Domine), benedicere.
Celebrant. Dominus sit in corde tuo (meo) et in labiis tuis (meis): ut digne et competenter annunties (annuntiem) Evangelium suum. (At High Mass:
In nomine Patris, et Filii, ✠ et Spiritus Sancti.) Amen.
Deacon. Pray, sir (or Lord), a blessing.
Celebrant. May the Lord be in your (my) heart and on your (my) lips, that you may (I may) meetly and fitly announce his Gospel. (At High Mass:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, ✠ and of the Holy Spirit.) Amen.
At High Mass the deacon, and at Low Mas the celebrant, goes to the Gospel side to sing or recite the Gospel. Before commencing he makes the sign of the cross on the book, then on his forehead, lips and breast; this being done likewise by all present, who make the responses and remain standing during the Gospel.
v. Dominus vobiscum.
r. Et cum spiritu tuo.
v. Initium (or Sequentia) sancti Evangelii secundum N…
r. Gloria tibi, Domine.
v. The Lord be with you.
r. And with your spirit.
v. The beginning (or continuation) of the holy Gospel according to N…
r. Glory be to you, O Lord.
At High Mass the deacon then incenses the book.
At Low Mass the server comes down from the altar and remains standing on the right. At the end of the Gospel he answers with all:
r. Laus tibi, Christe.
r. Praise be to you, O Christ.
The Gospel being finished, the server kneels. Meanwhile except in Masses for the dead, the celebrant kisses the book and says:
Per evangelica dicta deleantur nostra delicta.
By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.
At Sunday Masses after the Gospel a sermon (Homily) is preached (but not before the notices have been read concerning days of fasting and abstinence, services for the week, the banns of marriage proclaimed, and a commendation to the prayers of the congregation for all parishioners lately deceased or who are dangerously ill.)