(Fr. Offertoire; It. Offertorio; Lat. Offertorium). In the Roman Catholic MASS, the verses or ANTHEM following the CREDO, and sung by the choir while the priest is placing the consecrated elements on the altar, during which the offerings of the congregation are collected. This is the fourth division of the PROPRIUM of the Mass. Its original name was Antiphona ad offerendum.

The earliest musical procedure of the Offertory contained the reading of psalms, followed by a responsorial chant or some other ANTIPHONAL singing. Many organ pieces bear the title Offertory, but most works of the Offertory type are religious MOTETS in a POLYPHONIC setting.