I. Liturgy

Historically, the gradual (graduale) was responsive singing using a psalm text, which followed after the first Scripture reading (Epistle) in the liturgy of the Roman mass. This was followed by a second chant, the Alleluia, sung directly before the Gospel reading. On certain ¶ penitential days and during Lent, the Alleluia was replaced by the singing of a psalm text known as the tract. The word gradual referred to the steps (Lat. gradus) of the ambo (Lectern) where the singer stood. In the 1970 …