A canticle (from the Latin canticulum, a diminutive of canticum,
song) is a hymn (strictly excluding the Psalms) taken from the
Bible. The term is often expanded to include ancient non-
biblical hymns such as the Te Deum and certain psalms used
liturgically. These three canticles are sometimes referred to as
the "evangelical canticles", as they are taken from the Gospel
of St Luke. They are sung every day (unlike those from the Old
Testament which, as is, shown above, are only of weekly
occurrence). They are placed not amongst the psalms (as are the
seven from the Old Testament), but separated from them by the
Chapter, the Hymn, the Versicle and Response, and thus come
immediately before the Prayer (or before the preces, if these
are to be said). They are thus given an importance and
distinction elevating them into great prominence, which is
further heightened by the rubric which requires the singers and
congregations to stand while they are being sung (in honour of
the mystery of the Incarnation, to which the