Q: If incense is to be used for the gospel, when does the alleluia begin? Before the incense is prepared or after?

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A: GIRM 43 says the people stand “for the Alleluia chant before the Gospel.” And GIRM 131 says that after the silence following the second reading, “all rise, and the Alleluia or other chant is sung.”

The Order of Mass 13 says after the second reading, “There follows the Alleluia or another chant,” and OM 14 says, “Meanwhile, if incense is used, the Priest puts some in the thurible.” And the deacon asks the priest for the blessing.

So I conclude that the gospel acclamation breaks the silence after the second reading. All stand with the music or even ahead of it, but the music will more likely cue the change in posture. Then, while the chant is being sung, if incense is used, it is brought to the priest during the singing, and a deacon asks for the blessing before processing the book to the ambo.

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