What is a Call to Worship?

A Call to Worship is the moment at the beginning of prayer or Mass when someone calls us together and centers us as a community. The Call to Worship usually takes the form of a welcome to the entire parish community. Sometimes birthdays, anniversaries or other special events are announced. And finally, in some parishes, the Call to Worship is a tool to help us remember that as we celebrate the Mystery of the Eucharist, we are always in God’s presence.

Not every parish uses a Call to Worship at the beginning of mass or at a prayer service. Those that do, have found it to be helpful in reminding the community that this is a special time where we come together to pray.

Julianne E. Wallace is the director of campus ministry at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania. She is currently working on a D.Min. in Educational Leadership from Virginia Theological Seminary. She earned an M.T.S. in Word and Worship from the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. and a B.A. in Music Performance from the University of Mary Washington in Virginia. Julianne is passionate about sharing the joy of liturgy with others and helping everyone to worship well.