What is Homily, Gospel, Invocation

A homily is a sermon, the gospel would bee a gospel reading, and an invocation is a prayer at the beginning of an event.

Thank you! Are these typically a part of only a Catholic ceremony, especially homily and gospel? I've just never heard them called that.

I'm not sure about Catholic, as I'm Orthodox abd we also use these terms.

OK I think I got it now, I just never heard of them called these terms!

Yes, the ceremony is in a Baptist church.

@Kate, the invocation is on the DJ sheet, for the reception

I"ve never heard of an 'invocation' at a recpetion; he probably means grace or a pre-meal prayer.

In more traditional services there will be a reading or two from the Bible and sometimes a homily, or 'the message". One would hope that the homily at a wedding would be based on, well, getting married.....

If I was paying attention/awake, through the whole service ... Homily is the name for the sermon/remarks in the Catholic and Episcopal church - I don't know how many more? We're mainstream Protestant. We usually have 3 bible readings per service; 1st lesson, 2nd lesson and Gospel. The Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) is right before the sermon and the congregation is standing. The pastor reads this, while the lessons are read by a member. The lessons are at least one Old Testament and a 2nd old testament or something other than a Gospel.

Yes, the invocation at the reception is essentially the prayer before the meal or saying Grace. It is strictly optional and can be led by your wedding officiant if they are attending your reception. Otherwise any guest or family member who feels up to the task can be asked. Best wishes!

I had no idea the reading done in a wedding was referred to as a gospel. I also did not know what a homily was. Or that invocation was what the blessing was called. Glad I came upon this thread. We will have one reading and my grandmother is doing it. We will also have the blessing asked before the meal. My father is doing that after he does the welcome.