the parts of the mass

7/29/2019 The Parts of the Mass

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The Eucharistic

Celebration

The Parts of the Mass


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The two divisions of the Mass

Jesus Christ left us two importantgifts; the gift of His teachings andthe gift of His Body. The Mass is

designed to pay homage to both ofthese blessings, and so is dividedinto two parts:

1. The Liturgy of the Word and the

2. Liturgy of the Eucharist.
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Part 1:Liturgy of the Word

Entrance

The Massbegins whenthe Priest andministers

process fromthe Sacristy tothe Sanctuaryand the Altar.

All of thecongregationstands andsings toexpress ourunity in Christ.


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The Greeting

The Priest extends theblessing of the sign ofthe cross and thewords "In the Name of

the Father and of theSon and of the HolySpirit" to the people, atwhich they respond"Amen" (Hebrew for"So be it" or "It istrue".) It is followed byan invocation such as"The Lord be with you",

to which the people"


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Penitential Rite - The Priest calls forsilence and an examination ofconscience. The Kyrie ("Lord HaveMercy/Christ Have Mercy/Lord Have

Mercy") is said. Gloria - This is a festive hymn glorifying

God, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all thesaints. It may be said or sung. It is usedon all Sundays outside of Lent and

Advent. Opening Prayer - The formula "Let us

pray" is used. This invocation is repeatedat several key points of the Mass in orderto focus attention and worship. In the

prayer, the people are exhorted to


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The Readings

The reading ofScripture is acustomthousands of

years old and isreminiscent ofour Jewishheritage. In the

present Mass,the Readingstake thefollowing form:


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The First Reading

It usually taken from the OldTestament (but not always, such asduring the Easter season.) Theaccount read expresses emotionsand experiences to which ordinaryhumans can relate (such as hopes,dreams, fears, anger) and how Godhas answered these down the ages.

This reading is usually connected insome way to the Gospel. The Lectorends the reading with the words"The Word of the Lord" to which the

people respond "Thanks be to God."


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The Responsorial Psalm

This almost always is taken fromthe Old Testament Book of Psalms,although it occasionally may come

from songs or poems in other OldTestament books such as Daniel,Isaiah or Tobit, and on very rareoccasions from the New Testament

books . They are usually chanted orsung and the people respond withthe antiphon at the end of eachverse.


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Second Reading

This is usually taken from the NewTestament Letters and booksoutside of the Gospels. A second

reading is said on Sunday, Holydays of obligation and Feast days.

Gospel Acclamation The Alleluia (Hebrew for "PraiseGod") is always sung. If not sung, it

is omitted. It is also omitted duringthe season of Lent.


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The Gospel

The Gospel - Greek for"Good News", thepeople stand inreverence to the wordwhich is about to be

proclaimed. The Priestbegins with theinvocation "The Lordbe with you" at whichthe people respond"And also with you."

The proclaimerannounces the gospelat which the peoplerespond "Glory to you,Lord" and makes thesign of the cross on

the book, and then onhis forehead, lips and


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Homily

The Priest explains the word that the people havejust heard and how they should apply it to theirlives. On Sundays and Holy Days a homily mustbe given.

Profession of Faith

On Sundays and solemnities the congregationsays the Creed. Within it are the basics of ourCatholic faith: our belief in God, in Jesus Christand the Holy Spirit. We also express our hope inthe promises of our faith. There are two Creeds;the one normally used at Mass is the NiceneCreed and in Masses for Children the shorter and

older Apostles' Creed is said.General Intercessions Petitions that the people and the Church place

before God and are usually said by the Deacon orother minister. They are petitions for the Church,for our own needs and for the needs of others.

After each petition the people respond, such as"Lord, hear our prayer." After the petitions, the


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Nicene Creed Apostles Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, theAlmighty, maker of heaven and earth,and of all that is, seen and unseen.We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, theonly Son of God, eternally begotten ofthe Father, God from God, Light fromLight, true God from true God, begotten,not made, one in Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made. Forus men and for our salvation, he camedown from heaven: by the power of theHoly Spirit he was born of the VirginMary, and became man. For our sake hewas crucified under Pontius Pilate; hesuffered, died, and was buried. On thethird day he rose again in fulfillment of

the Scriptures; he ascended into heavenand is seated at the right hand of theFather. He will come again in glory to

judge the living and the dead, and hiskingdom will have no end.We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord,the giver of life, who proceeds from theFather and the Son. With the Father andthe Son he is worshipped and glorified.He has spoken through the Prophets. Webelieve in one holy catholic and

I believe in God, the FatherAlmighty,Creator of Heaven andEarthAnd in Jesus ChristHis only Son, Our LordWho was conceived of theHoly SpiritBorn of the Virgin MarySuffered under PontiusPilateWas crucified, died andwas buried.On the third day, he roseagainHe ascended into Heaven

and is seated at the righthandof God, the FatherAlmighty.He will come again to

judge the living and thedead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Holy Catholic Church,the Communion of Saints,the for iveness of sins


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Part 2: Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of the Altar and the

Gifts

The offertory song issung. Meanwhile the

ministers place thecorporal and purificators(white cloths usedduring the offerings),the chalice on the Altar.Members of the

congregation bring thegifts to the Priest inorder to symbolize themutual participation ofthe people in the

sacrifice of the Mass.


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The Priest blesses the bread with the following:"Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Throughyour goodness we have this bread to offer, whichearth has given and human hands have made. It willbecome the bread of life." The people respond"Blessed be God for ever." The Priest then says

quietly "By the mystery of this water and wine maywe come to share in the divinity of Christ, whohumbled himself to share in our humanity." He poursa small amount of water into the chalice with thewine. One theory behind this is that early wines werevery thick and water was used to make them moredrinkable. Whatever the reason, the prayer and

action emphasize the union of Christ with us in themixing of water and wine.

The Priest blesses the chalice with the wine with:"Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Throughyour goodness we have this wine to offer. Fruit ofthe vine and work of human hands. It will become

our spiritual drink." The people respond "Blessed beGod for ever." The Priest then says quietly: "Lord


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Next the priest stands atthe side of the Altar andwashes his hands, sayingquietly: "Lord, wash awaymy iniquity; cleanse me ofmy sins."

Standing at the center ofthe altar, the Priest says:"Pray, my dear people,that our sacrifice may beacceptable to God, thealmighty Father." Thepeople respond: "May theLord accept the sacrificeat your hands for thepraise and glory of Hisname, for our good, andfor the good of all HisChurch." The Priest says a

prayer over the gifts, andthe people respond" "


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The Eucharistic Prayer

The prayer of Thanksgiving is composed ofseveral parts:

Greetings - The invocation "The Lord be with you"

is used, to which the people respond "And also

with you." As at the beginning of Mass, this isused to focus the people's attention to theworship at hand.

Preface - We begin to give thanks with thefollowing: Priest: "Lift up your hearts" People:

"We lift them up to the Lord" Priest: "Let us givethanks to the Lord our God" People: "It is right togive him thanks and praise." The Priest then saysa short prayer.

Acclamation - The "Holy, Holy, Holy" prayercomes from several sources:

"Holy, Holy, Holy, God of power and might" -Isaiah 6:3


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Epiclesis (invocation) Invoking the

Holy Spirit to Come Upon the Gifts

Anamnesis

(Greek for"memory")

The recollectionof the institutionof the sacramentof the Eucharistby Christ in the

Last Supper in thewords: "Take this,all of you and eat it:this is my body

which will be givenup for you."


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and "Take this, all of you,and drink from it: this isthe cup of my blood, theblood of the new andeverlasting covenant. It

will be shed for you andfor all so that sins maybe forgiven. Do this inmemory of me." It is atthis point that the mysteryof transubstantiation (theconsecration of the bread

and wine into the Body andBlood of Christ while stillretaining their physicalform) takes place. TheMemorial Acclamation issaid or sung by the Priest("Let us proclaim thismystery of faith",) and the

eo le res ond


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Offering The Priest offers the gifts of the

consecrated host and chalice, as well asourselves, to the Lord.

Intercessions Prayer for the Pope, bishops, clergy and

all the faithful.

Doxology (Greek: doxa, "praise" and logos

word)The Priest says or chants "Through him,with him, in him, in the unity of the HolySpirit, all glory and honor is yours,almighty Father, for ever and ever." The

people respond "AMEN."


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Communion Rite(Greek: koinonia, "unity" or

"sharing")

We are now invited to shareourselves. First, with God as thePriest asks us to pray the "OurFather". Then, with each other by

offering a sign of peace amongstthe people. This ancient custombegan by kissing a picture of Christin the Passion, first by the Priest

and then by the people.


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Breaking of the Bread Now that we have shared with one

another, we are invited to unite to

receive Christ. The Priest begins theprayer "Lamb of God." The priest places asmall piece of the consecrated bread inthe chalice, and says quietly: "May thismingling of the body and blood of our

Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to uswho receive it." He then continuessilently: "Lord Jesus Christ, with faith inyour love and mercy I eat your body and

drink your blood. Let it not bring mecondemnation, but health in mind and


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Communion The Priest genuflects. Taking the

consecrated host, he raises it slightlyover the paten and says: "This is theLamb of God, who takes away the sins ofthe world. Happy are those who arecalled to His supper." The peoplerespond: "Lord, I am not ready to receiveyou, but only say the word and I shall be

healed." The Priest faces the Altar andthe congregation and says quietly: "Maythe body of Christ bring me toeverlasting life" and consumes the bodyof Christ. He then says quietly: "May the

blood of Christ bring me to everlasting"


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Receiving Communion

Communion may bereceived under eitherspecies, that is, underthe form of bread, the

form of wine, or both.When giving the host,the minister says,"The body of Christ."

When giving thechalice, the ministersays, "The blood ofChrist." In either case,the communicantresponds "Amen."


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Prayer After Communion

The Priest invites the people tostand. He says a short prayer whichsums up the gift we have justreceived.

Concluding Rite The Priest says: "The Lord be with

you." to which the people respond

"And also with you." Just as before,the congregation is invited to focuson their worship. The Priest maygive some preliminary words of

blessing. Then


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The Priest extends theblessing of the sign ofthe cross and thewords "May Almighty

God bless you, theFather and the Son andthe Holy Spirit" at whichthe people respond"Amen." Each member of

the congregation is sentout to do good works,praising and blessingthe Lord with the words"The Mass is ended, goin peace" to which thepeople respond "Thanksbe to God." The Priestkisses the Altar as atthe beginning. Bowingto the Altar, the Priest

and ministers leave.

the parts of the mass

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