Pope begins Easter message with the words of the Introit

"Resurrexi, et adhuc tecum sum. Alleluia!" These opening words of the introit for Easter Sunday served as the springboard for Pope Benedict XVI's Easter Message this year. In keeping with custom, there was no homily at the Mass, but rather the pope delivered all his remarks at the Urbi et Orbi blessing.

Making use of the texts contained in the Proper chants of the liturgy in the homily is quite probably the best way of promoting their popular reception--short of singing them, of course. In the case of the pope's Mass, as he notes in his remarks, the words of the introit were indeed sung as well. In any case, when one makes use of these texts in the homily, it serves to give them more prominence and helps to elucidate the relevance of these chants to the liturgy. If you're a pastor, please consider trying this, even if you're not yet at the point of singing the Propers.