the order of the mass structure and significance

The Order of the The Order of the MassMassStructure and significanceStructure and significance

Pre-Introductory RitesPre-Introductory Rites

Personal Blessing and signing with Personal Blessing and signing with baptismal water (sign of the cross with baptismal water (sign of the cross with holy water)holy water)

Personal preparation and prayerPersonal preparation and prayer Optional musical elementsOptional musical elements

Introductory RitesIntroductory Rites

Procession and SongProcession and Song Veneration of the AltarVeneration of the Altar Sign of the Cross, Greeting, IntroductionSign of the Cross, Greeting, Introduction Act of Penitence ORAct of Penitence OR Sunday Renewal of BaptismSunday Renewal of Baptism Glory to GodGlory to God CollectCollect

Introductory Rites - Introductory Rites - Procession and Song Procession and Song

-Earliest record of congregational song is -Earliest record of congregational song is 88thth Century Century

Its purpose is to open the celebration, Its purpose is to open the celebration, foster unity among those who have foster unity among those who have gathered, introduce their thoughts to the gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical season or feast, mystery of the liturgical season or feast, and accompany the procession of priest and accompany the procession of priest and ministers. and ministers. (GIRM 47)(GIRM 47)

Introductory Rites - Introductory Rites - Veneration of the AltarVeneration of the Altar

Table kiss may have been a Roman Table kiss may have been a Roman domestic ritual that entered the liturgy domestic ritual that entered the liturgy and acquired Christian meaningand acquired Christian meaning

Venerated by the priest in the name of allVenerated by the priest in the name of all Stone altar came to represent Christ the Stone altar came to represent Christ the

CornerstoneCornerstone Incensation of altar is first recorded Incensation of altar is first recorded

around end of first millennium around end of first millennium

Introductory Rites – Sign Introductory Rites – Sign of the Cross & Greetingof the Cross & Greeting

22ndnd Century origin in Practice Century origin in Practice Entered the Liturgy several centuries Entered the Liturgy several centuries

laterlater Since Christ is present in both the Since Christ is present in both the

assembly and the priest, the greeting and assembly and the priest, the greeting and response express this mysteryresponse express this mystery

Introductory Rites – Act Introductory Rites – Act of Penitenceof Penitence

Acknowledges that we, although sinful, Acknowledges that we, although sinful, live our lives in Christ, and know and live our lives in Christ, and know and claim his mercyclaim his mercy

The focus is not US, but on the merciful The focus is not US, but on the merciful God who is loving, kind, and the source God who is loving, kind, and the source of all reconciliation and healing.of all reconciliation and healing.

Introductory Rites – Sunday Introductory Rites – Sunday Renewal of BaptismRenewal of Baptism

Sign of sanctificationSign of sanctification Reminder of the waters of baptismReminder of the waters of baptism Unique to SundayUnique to Sunday

Introductory Rites – Glory Introductory Rites – Glory to Godto God

Opening words are the angels Opening words are the angels proclamation at Bethlehemproclamation at Bethlehem

Began to enter the liturgy in 6Began to enter the liturgy in 6thth Century, Century, and became “universal” by the 11and became “universal” by the 11thth

Trinitarian hymn – poetic praiseTrinitarian hymn – poetic praise

Introductory Rites – The Introductory Rites – The CollectCollect

Climax of the Introductory ritesClimax of the Introductory rites ““collects” the prayer of the entire collects” the prayer of the entire

assembly and expresses it in relation to assembly and expresses it in relation to the feast or mysterythe feast or mystery

Liturgy of the WORDLiturgy of the WORD

Purpose is not only to communicate Purpose is not only to communicate information about God’s presence and information about God’s presence and action, but more importantly, to forge a action, but more importantly, to forge a relationship between God and the gathered relationship between God and the gathered assembly in this place and time. assembly in this place and time.

Its goal is to touch, move, and transform Its goal is to touch, move, and transform hearts.hearts.

Has some structural similarity with 1Has some structural similarity with 1stst Century synagogue serviceCentury synagogue service

Liturgy of the WORD - Liturgy of the WORD - First First ReadingReading

The Law and the Prophets – no less The Law and the Prophets – no less the Word of GOD than the New the Word of GOD than the New TestamentTestament

Foreshadows the Gospel reading in Foreshadows the Gospel reading in some waysome way

During Easter Season, ACTS shows During Easter Season, ACTS shows how the early Church gave witness to how the early Church gave witness to the Paschal Mysterythe Paschal Mystery

Liturgy of the WORD – Liturgy of the WORD – Responsorial PsalmResponsorial Psalm

Serves as a prolongation of the Serves as a prolongation of the readingreading

A means of entering more deeply and A means of entering more deeply and vocally in the mystery being vocally in the mystery being celebratedcelebrated

Liturgy of the WORD – Liturgy of the WORD – Second ReadingSecond Reading

An encounter with the early Church An encounter with the early Church living out their faithliving out their faith

Chosen independently of the GospelChosen independently of the Gospel

Liturgy of the WORD – Liturgy of the WORD – Alleuluia/Gospel Acclamation, Alleuluia/Gospel Acclamation, SequenceSequence

With the Alleluia (or Gospel With the Alleluia (or Gospel Acclamation during Lent) we praise Acclamation during Lent) we praise Christ who comes to proclaim the Christ who comes to proclaim the good news of salvation.good news of salvation.

A Sequence is added on Easter and A Sequence is added on Easter and Pentecost. It is an option on two other Pentecost. It is an option on two other feasts.feasts.

Liturgy of the WORD – Liturgy of the WORD – GospelGospel

Standing began in 4Standing began in 4thth Century as a sign of Century as a sign of respect and attentiveness for the Risen respect and attentiveness for the Risen Lord.Lord.

Small crosses and kissing the book Small crosses and kissing the book appeared before the start of the second appeared before the start of the second millenniummillennium

The symbolic actions associated with the The symbolic actions associated with the Gospel remind of of the unique presence of Gospel remind of of the unique presence of Christ, who continues to call his people to Christ, who continues to call his people to conversion.conversion.

Liturgy of the WORD – Liturgy of the WORD – HomilyHomily

A living application of God’s A living application of God’s proclaimed Wordproclaimed Word

A continuation of what has been A continuation of what has been proclaimedproclaimed

A call to deeper faith and fuller A call to deeper faith and fuller conversionconversion

Liturgy of the WORD – Liturgy of the WORD – Profession of FaithProfession of Faith

Summary of faith from Nicea (325), Summary of faith from Nicea (325), Constantinople (381), and Chalcedon Constantinople (381), and Chalcedon (451)(451)

We respond with assent to the Word We respond with assent to the Word of God proclaimed and preachedof God proclaimed and preached

Liturgy of the WORD – Liturgy of the WORD – Prayer of the FaithfulPrayer of the Faithful

Animated by the Word proclaimed and Animated by the Word proclaimed and preached, we are confident that God preached, we are confident that God will act today (through us) as he has will act today (through us) as he has in the pastin the past

An exercise in our “baptismal An exercise in our “baptismal priesthood”priesthood”

And offering of prayer for allAnd offering of prayer for all

Liturgy of the EucharistLiturgy of the Eucharist

Classic “movements” of the Eucharist – Classic “movements” of the Eucharist – take, bless, break, and givetake, bless, break, and give


Preparation of the Altar – ministerial task of Preparation of the Altar – ministerial task of placing corporal, chalice, purificator and Missalplacing corporal, chalice, purificator and Missal

Presentation of the Gifts has its origins in Presentation of the Gifts has its origins in antiquity, but evolved from the liturgy by the antiquity, but evolved from the liturgy by the 1111thth Century. Century.

Anticipates the movement toward communion; Anticipates the movement toward communion; expresses the assembly’s participation in both expresses the assembly’s participation in both the Eucharist AND in the social mission of the the Eucharist AND in the social mission of the church.church.


Mixing of the Water and Wine had its Mixing of the Water and Wine had its origins in ancient table customorigins in ancient table custom

Western symbolism = the union of Christ Western symbolism = the union of Christ and the faithful – Christ taking us to and the faithful – Christ taking us to himselfhimself

Eastern symbolism = the human and Eastern symbolism = the human and divine natures of Christdivine natures of Christ

Blood and Water from the side of ChristBlood and Water from the side of Christ


IncensationIncensation Introduced gradually into the Roman Introduced gradually into the Roman

liturgy from 4liturgy from 4thth to 14 to 14thth centuries centuries Altar, gifts, priest, and people are all Altar, gifts, priest, and people are all

incensed. They are all one in the offering incensed. They are all one in the offering of the sacrifice of Christ to the father.of the sacrifice of Christ to the father.


Washing of the Hands may have been a Washing of the Hands may have been a practical matter, evolved quite early into practical matter, evolved quite early into a gesture which accompanied a prayer a gesture which accompanied a prayer for the priest’s inner purificationfor the priest’s inner purification

Prayer over the Offerings concludes this Prayer over the Offerings concludes this rite. It requests divine acceptance, and rite. It requests divine acceptance, and the community’s desire to unite itself with the community’s desire to unite itself with the offering to come.the offering to come.

Liturgy of the Eucharist – Liturgy of the Eucharist – The Eucharistic PrayerThe Eucharistic Prayer

Prior to 4Prior to 4thth Century, extemporization was Century, extemporization was the norm. For the Roman Church, the the norm. For the Roman Church, the form became “fixed” after that.form became “fixed” after that.

Was proclaimed aloud until the 9Was proclaimed aloud until the 9thth Century; after that, until 1960’s, it was Century; after that, until 1960’s, it was recited inaudibly.recited inaudibly.


Eucharistic Prayers I-IVEucharistic Prayers I-IV Two Eucharistic Prayers for Two Eucharistic Prayers for

ReconciliationReconciliation Three Eucharistic Prayers for Masses Three Eucharistic Prayers for Masses

with Childrenwith Children Four variations on the Eucharistic Prayer Four variations on the Eucharistic Prayer

for Various Needs and Occasions.for Various Needs and Occasions.


Thanksgiving – The Thanksgiving – The PrefacePreface is a statement of is a statement of special reason for praising Godspecial reason for praising God

Often contains doctrinal statements as wellOften contains doctrinal statements as well More than 80 approved prefacesMore than 80 approved prefaces A reminder of the participation of the church A reminder of the participation of the church

beyond earth in the Eucharistbeyond earth in the Eucharist Acclamation – Acclamation – HOLY, HOLY, HOLYHOLY, HOLY, HOLY is our is our

response to join in the cosmic chorus of praiseresponse to join in the cosmic chorus of praise


Epiclesis – calling upon the Holy SpiritEpiclesis – calling upon the Holy Spirit Both the Gifts and the people are transformed Both the Gifts and the people are transformed

by the power of the Holy Spirit. by the power of the Holy Spirit. The bread and wine become the sacramental The bread and wine become the sacramental

presence of Christ.presence of Christ. Through sharing in in Holy Communion, Through sharing in in Holy Communion,

communion with Christ and with all who have communion with Christ and with all who have received Christ is deepened.received Christ is deepened.


Narrative of Institution – All that God has Narrative of Institution – All that God has accomplished in creation and salvation history accomplished in creation and salvation history is fulfilled, signified, and made present in the is fulfilled, signified, and made present in the person of the crucified and risen Christ. person of the crucified and risen Christ. Christ’s words are a promise, and through the Christ’s words are a promise, and through the power of the Spirit, they accomplish what they power of the Spirit, they accomplish what they signify: his Eucharistic Body and Blood, his signify: his Eucharistic Body and Blood, his Real Presence with all the riches of the Real Presence with all the riches of the kingdom.kingdom.


Memorial Acclamation – an innovation in the Memorial Acclamation – an innovation in the Roman Liturgy, but common to the Byzantine Roman Liturgy, but common to the Byzantine and Orthodoxand Orthodox

We manifest both our faith in the mystery of We manifest both our faith in the mystery of Christ our Redeemer, and our active Christ our Redeemer, and our active participation in the Eucharistic Prayerparticipation in the Eucharistic Prayer

Anamnesis – memorial in the sense that Jesus Anamnesis – memorial in the sense that Jesus himself would have used: that the Eucharist is himself would have used: that the Eucharist is an actual “making present” of God’s saving an actual “making present” of God’s saving deeds in Christ so that their fullness and power deeds in Christ so that their fullness and power take effect here and now.take effect here and now.


Offering – The Church offers in the Holy Offering – The Church offers in the Holy Spirit the spotless Victim to the Father. Spirit the spotless Victim to the Father.

The faithful also offer themselves with The faithful also offer themselves with and through Christ to the Father. Christ and through Christ to the Father. Christ joins this offering to his own.joins this offering to his own.


Intercessions express that the Eucharist Intercessions express that the Eucharist is celebrated in communion with the is celebrated in communion with the whole Church – in heaven and on earth, whole Church – in heaven and on earth, and that the offering is made for her, all and that the offering is made for her, all of the members, living and dead, who of the members, living and dead, who have been called to participate in the have been called to participate in the redemption and salvation purchased by redemption and salvation purchased by Christ’s Body and BloodChrist’s Body and Blood


The The DoxologyDoxology summarizes the summarizes the Eucharistic Prayer, which concludes as it Eucharistic Prayer, which concludes as it began, with explicit praise.began, with explicit praise.

It affords the assembly the opportunity to It affords the assembly the opportunity to say “yes” to all that has come say “yes” to all that has come before . . .to make the Eucharistic prayer before . . .to make the Eucharistic prayer their prayer.their prayer.

Communion RiteCommunion Rite

The The Lord’s PrayerLord’s Prayer entered the Liturgy in entered the Liturgy in the 4the 4thth Century. The Eastern Church has Century. The Eastern Church has always used the concluding doxology always used the concluding doxology which was added to the Roman Liturgy in which was added to the Roman Liturgy in 1969.1969.

It is both a prayer for sustenance and for It is both a prayer for sustenance and for purification and reconciliationpurification and reconciliation


Among early Christians, the kiss of peace (holy kiss) Among early Christians, the kiss of peace (holy kiss) was seen as a “seal” placed upon prayer.was seen as a “seal” placed upon prayer.

It came to it’s position before communion prior to 400. It came to it’s position before communion prior to 400. It was exchanged only by those who were going to It was exchanged only by those who were going to receive Communion.receive Communion.

As the reception of Communion declined so did the As the reception of Communion declined so did the exchange of peace.exchange of peace.

Since the Risen Christ is the source of all peace, the Since the Risen Christ is the source of all peace, the gesture expresses faith that Christ is present in his gesture expresses faith that Christ is present in his people. It is a call to both reconciliation, unity, and people. It is a call to both reconciliation, unity, and communion, and a seal which ratifies the very meaning communion, and a seal which ratifies the very meaning of a Eucharistic assembly both find and pray for peace of a Eucharistic assembly both find and pray for peace in one another.in one another.


The The Breaking of the BreadBreaking of the Bread has biblical has biblical roots. It has taken a variety of forms roots. It has taken a variety of forms through the centuries. It has an through the centuries. It has an associated associated comminglingcommingling..

The The Lamb of GodLamb of God intensifies our intensifies our recognition of Christ (as did John the recognition of Christ (as did John the Baptist) as well as our desire for the fruits Baptist) as well as our desire for the fruits of the Eucharist.of the Eucharist.


The The invitation to communioninvitation to communion is profoundly biblical, and another is profoundly biblical, and another expression of our “recognition” of our relationship to Christ in the expression of our “recognition” of our relationship to Christ in the mystery of Eucharistic Communion.mystery of Eucharistic Communion.

Verbal formulas for the reception of Communion were not uniform Verbal formulas for the reception of Communion were not uniform until 1570. until 1570.

Our present formula originated in Africa, Syria, and Rome, probably Our present formula originated in Africa, Syria, and Rome, probably prior to 350.prior to 350.

The The communion hymncommunion hymn expresses the spiritual union of the expresses the spiritual union of the communicants by means of the unity of their voices, to show joy of communicants by means of the unity of their voices, to show joy of heart, and to highlight more clearly the communitarian nature of heart, and to highlight more clearly the communitarian nature of the procession to receive communion. the procession to receive communion. (GIRM 86)(GIRM 86)

This is followed by a period of communal silent thanksgiving.This is followed by a period of communal silent thanksgiving.


The Prayer after Communion concludes The Prayer after Communion concludes the Communion Rite. It is a Prayer the Communion Rite. It is a Prayer asking for the spiritual effects or fruits of asking for the spiritual effects or fruits of the Eucharist.the Eucharist.

Concluding RiteConcluding Rite

AnnouncementsAnnouncements BlessingBlessing DismissalDismissal (music)(music)

the order of the mass structure and significance

Documents

word of god

word gospelstanding

sundayintroductory rites

word responsorial psalmserves

procession of priest

gathered assembly

sign of respect

early church