Understanding parts of the Mass at St Andrews Cathedral

P4 RERC 1-09a TIOF Pg122 I know the significance of the following parts of the Mass:

Entrance Rite Liturgy of the Word Liturgy of the Eucharist Dismissal

The Entrance Rite: The community gather: the Penitential Rite and then the Gloria

is led by the priest at the Presidential Chair.

The Presidential Chair in St Andrews Cathedral

Liturgy of the Word: readings from Sacred Scripture, including the Psalm; Gospel Acclamation;

Gospel; Homily; Creed; and Prayers of the Faithful.

(these all take place at the ambo or lectern)

The lectern or ambo in St Andrew’s Cathedral

Liturgy of the Eucharist Offertory; Sanctus (Holy, Holy); Eucharistic Prayer;

Memorial Acclamation;Great Amen; Our Father; Sign of Peace; Agnus Dei/Lamb of God; Communion

These take place at the altar

the altar in St Andrew’s Cathedral

Dismissal “Go in peace glorifying the Lord by your life.”

The people leave together after the priest leaves the sanctuary.

the central aisle in St Andrew’s Cathedral

Entrance Rite: Gathering

Gathering for Mass is always a joyful occasion and whilst few are as large as the Papal Mass in

Bellahouston, we know that wherever two or three are gathered in the Lord’s name

he is in their midst.

Entrance Rite: Penitential Rite

Although we have gathered joyfully To Celebrate Mass, we know that sometimes we are not as kind and loving as we should be. We tell God we are sorry for this at the Penitential Rite, confident in his love and mercy. Perhaps rereading the Parable of the Loving Father from P3 (Luke 15:11-31) will remind us of the loving-kindness and grace of God.

Entrance Rite: Gloria

From my learning in P2 RERC 1-05a I know that the angels and shepherds, heaven and earth, rejoiced together at Jesus’

birth, and I know that when we pray, especially at Mass, earth and heaven rejoice together.

I can recognise that we sing the angels’ song – the Gloria - at Mass (Luke 2:14).

Liturgy of the Word: Readings

We listen to the Word of God and try to open our hearts to God’s ways.

Liturgy of the Word: The Psalm

The psalms are prayer songs where God’s people talk to God.

Liturgy of the Word: The Gospel Acclamation

This is an inspiring verse which Greets the reading of the Gospel. It usually begins and ends with an Alleluia which is said or sung. In Lent there is no Alleluia. You might like to practice saying some Gospel Acclamations as a start to reading from the Gospels in class.

Liturgy of the Word: Gospel

A reading from one of the 4 Gospels

is read, telling us of the life of Jesus

and our own call to Faith.

Liturgy of the Word: Homily

In his homily or sermon, the priest explains the Gospel, and guides his people,

Just as Jesus the Good Shepherd did.

You might like to read the story of the Lost Sheep from P3 (Luke 15:1-7)

Liturgy of the Word: Creed

Creed comes from the latin word CREDO which means I believe.

We join with the Church in stating our shared belief.

Liturgy of the Word: Prayers of the Faithful

In the Prayer of the Faithful the assembly is invited to pray for the concerns of Church and the world.

The pattern for use at Mass reminds us that the local Church gathered in prayer united with universal Church.

The recommended order for intentions given in the Roman Missal is as follows.

For the needs of the Church For the world

For those in need For the local community

Liturgy of the Eucharist: Offertory

In the Offertory procession the gifts of bread and wine are taken to the altar.

Liturgy of the Eucharist: Sanctus (Holy, Holy)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

This reminds us of the praise and thanksgiving properly given to God.

May the Church proclaim joyful praise to God as the crowds did when Jesus

entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday: Hosanna in the highest!

Liturgy of the Eucharist: Eucharistic Prayer

During the Eucharistic prayer the priest asks the Holy Spirit to change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus.

We are all united in Jesus sacrifice of love for us. He is truly present to us.

Liturgy of the Eucharist: Memorial Acclamation / Mystery of Faith

During the Eucharistic Prayer the people are invited to acclaim the Mystery of Faith. This simple acclamation proclaims the belief of the resurrection of the Lord.

We acknowledge His death and we also proclaim our faith that He will come again.

The people are still kneeling and the Priest says: The mystery of faith.

Or: Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

Or: When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

And the people continue, acclaiming:

We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection

until you come again.

Liturgy of the Eucharist: Great Amen

Amen means “it is so” – I agree!

Liturgy of the Eucharist: Our Father

We join together in saying the perfect prayer that Jesus taught us!

Liturgy of the Eucharist: Sign of Peace

Although we are the ones making the Sign of Peace, it is, in fact Jesus who has taken the initiative.

We have prayed the Lord’s Prayer together - declaring ourselves to be children of the one Father.

Then we hear Jesus’ words “I leave you peace, My peace I give you” and a prayer that, because of the Faith of the Church,

we may find the peace and unity of His Kingdom. And then, we are invited to make some of that peace and unity real

- Let us offer each other a sign of (His) peace

Liturgy of the Eucharist: Agnus Dei/Lamb of God

The priest breaks the consecrated bread as the people sing (or say) the Agnus Dei or "Lamb of God."

John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (Jn 1:29).

The action of breaking the bread recalls the actions of Jesus at the Last Supper,

when he broke the bread before giving it to his disciples.

One of the earliest names for the Eucharistic celebration is the breaking of the bread.

Liturgy of the Eucharist: Communion

We stay kneeling until it is time for us to receive Holy Communion.

We then walk slowly with our hands folded as we make our way to the priest or Eucharistic Minister.

Remember to bow to show reverence for the Body and Blood of Christ when you stand before the priest or Eucharistic Minister.

To receive the Body of Christ, you should hold your hand open with your other hand below it, making a throne for the Sacrament to be placed in.

If on the tongue, open your mouth and extend your tongue in a respectful way

allowing the Sacrament to be placed there before closing your mouth. Consume the Eucharist immediately.

Concluding Rite: Blessing and Dismissal

The priest, facing the people and extending his hands, says:

The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit.

The priest blesses the people, saying: May almighty God bless you:

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (The people make the Sign of the Cross when the priest says this.)

People: Amen.

“Go in peace glorifying the Lord by your life.”

Rejoice in the great gift of the Eucharist