What to Expect
When Coming to Mass
When you come to Mass at one of our parishes for the first time, please be sure to pick up an orange guide to the Mass from the entryway.
Music
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The composition and singing of inspired psalms, often accompanied by musical instruments, were already closely linked to the liturgical celebrations of the Old Covenant'.
-Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1156 Music is an important part of worship and represents another form of prayer during the Mass. We often sing through hymns before the beginning of the Mass, during the presentation of gifts, during communion, and after the end of Mass. We also commonly sing through various parts of the Mass, including the Gloria, Preface Acclamation, Mystery of Faith, and Lamb of God. All are invited and encouraged to sing regardless of what you think of your own voice. The purpose of the choir is to lead worship through music, not to dominate it. |
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Silence"In the silence of the heart God speaks."
-St. Teresa of Kolkata (Mother Teresa) There are certain points during the Mass when there is silence. This is not because someone has forgotten to say or do something, but because it is a necessary invitation to listen for God. We fill up so much of our lives with noise and distraction. It is here in the Eucharist that we approach the 'source and summit of the Christian life (CCC 1324)' and have intentional encounter with God. Please be sure to silence your phones or leave them behind. |
Participating in the Mass |
“Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations” Sacrosanctum Concilium, On the Sacred Liturgy (SC 7). The Mass is our highest liturgical celebration and the “source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). Jesus comes to us body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist and we receive Him in Holy Communion. This is why Mother Church calls us to “fully conscious and active participation” (SC 14) when we celebrate Mass. This includes praying, responding to prayers, and singing the songs of the liturgy.
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Introductory Rites
It is at this time that the faithful gather together and prepare to enter into the Mass and to celebrate and receive the Eucharist worthily.
Greeting
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Sign of the CrossThough we begin and end prayer with this sign, it is itself a prayer. The sign of the cross outwardly demonstrates our belief in God in the Holy Trinity. All stand and begin to worship 'in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit.' This prayer was in practice as early as the 2nd century.
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Penitential Act |
It is here that we are offered a moment to reflect and acknowledge our sins then to pray for God's forgiveness. Together we pray the 'Confiteor.' This prayer has been a stable part of the Mass since about the year 1000. In place of the Confiteor, the Kyrie may be prayed with the addition of two verses of prayer.
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Kyrie |
'Kyrie eleison' translates from Greek to 'Lord, have mercy,' and is a brief prayer. It can be prayed as part of the Penitential Act. There is a call and response element to this prayer, which is led either by the priest or the cantor.
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Gloria |
We continue with a prayer called the 'Gloria,' which is based in Luke 2:14: 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.' This is a hymn of praise sung by the angels the night when Christ was born. It was first sung as an Easter hymn in the east and became a stable part of all Masses by the 11th century. This prayer is omitted during the Advent and Lenten season.
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Collect |
At this point, the priest offers us a few moments of silence to call to mind God's presence. Then, he prays the collect, a prayer which relates to the readings we will hear during the Liturgy of the Word, or to a feast being celebrated that day. This prayer is directed to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This can be found in Christian prayer as early as the 5th century.
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Liturgy of the Word
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. -John 1:1
During the Liturgy of the Word, readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospel are proclaimed. These are followed by the Homily, the Profession of Faith, and the Prayers of the Faithful.
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. -John 1:1
During the Liturgy of the Word, readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospel are proclaimed. These are followed by the Homily, the Profession of Faith, and the Prayers of the Faithful.
First & Second Readings (Sit) |
We are invited to deepen our relationship with God in the reading of the Word. The first and second readings are taken from the Old (a selection deriving from Jewish tradition) and New Testaments of the Bible, respectively. The only time when this is not the case is during Easter and Pentecost (Easter and the seven Sundays following) when the first readings is taken from the Book of Acts.
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Responsorial Psalm |
The Psalm is lead by a cantor, a person who leads the congregation in prayer through song. The cantor sings the psalm and leads the congregation in singing the psalm's response. The Responsorial Psalm is said or sung between the first and second readings and relates back to the first reading. As with the reading of Scripture from the Old Testament, this, too, derives from Jewish tradition.
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Gospel & Acclamation
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As we are about to hear our Lord speak to us through the Gospel, the cantor leads the Gospel Acclamation, or 'Alleluia.' Alleluia derives from the Hebrew for 'Praise the Lord.' Then, the priest or deacon proclaims the Gospel reading. The Gospel recounts the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and his message of salvation. This includes the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Gospel is always proclaimed by a priest or deacon.
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Homily (Sit) |
'Homily' comes from the Greek for 'conversation' or 'discourse.' It is at this time when the priest or deacon expounds on everything we've just heard. This is comparable to a sermon. The Bible is a canon of books of prayer, history, and literature. The homily delves into this and speaks about the Truth of God's Word and our place in it.
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Profession of Faith (Stand) |
The Profession of Faith offers an opportunity for the congregation to respond to all that has been proclaimed in the Liturgy of the Word. It is here that those gathered profess their faith through praying the Nicene (usually) or Apostles' Creed. This first appeared in the Mass in the 6th century.
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Prayers of the Faithful, or Universal Prayer |
Together, the congregation offers the prayers of the faithful. We begin with prayers addressing universal concerns (the Church or our nation) and move through to more locally and personally centered issues. We pray also for those in our community who are sick and those who have died.
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Liturgy of the Eucharist
I am the bread of life.
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;
this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. -John 6:48-50
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;
this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. -John 6:48-50
Presentation of the Gifts
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This offering derives from the ancient practice of Christians providing the bread and wine for the Eucharist. By the 11th century, this was replaced with taking up a collection to support the work of the Church and her ministries. As this collection is taken, a few people from the congregation, usually a family, will bring the bread and wine forward to the altar.
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Prayer Over the Offerings & Invitation to Prayer (Stand) |
These prayers are offered through an exchange between the priest and the congregation. The first offers the gifts of bread an wine for sanctification, which means to be made holy. In the second, we offer the sacrifice of bread and wine together for the Eucharist. Often, people may silently offer up their sufferings and joys in prayer at this time.
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Eucharistic Prayer
Eucharist comes from the Greek for 'thanksgiving.' Appropriately, the Eucharistic prayer is full of acclamations of praise and thanksgiving. We recognize the Eucharist as the summit of our faith (CCC 1324). It is at this point that the bread and wine we offer become the Body and Blood of Christ. As such, this is one of the most important and reverent parts of the Mass. The prayers that follow in this section are all part of the Eucharistic prayer.
Preface |
This marks the beginning of the Eucharistic prayer with an exclamation of thanksgiving to God for His works and our salvation.
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Preface Acclamation |
Among Catholics, this is commonly known as the 'Sanctus,' (Latin) or 'Holy, Holy, Holy,' in light of the words of the prayer we sing together at this point. The text of the acclamation is taken primarily from, and inspired by, Isaiah 6:2-3.
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Epiclesis
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Epiclesis comes from the Greek for 'calling upon.' This marks the beginning of the consecration (meaning, to make holy) of the bread and wine. The priest calls upon God the Father to send the Holy Spirit upon the gifts.
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Institution Narrative & Consecration |
Throughout the Mass, the priest is acting in persona Christi (in the person of Christ); at this point, Christ works through him to consecrate the bread wine, which become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ. He does this through recollecting the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus in Luke 22:14-20.
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Memorial Acclamation |
Among Catholic, this is commonly called the 'Mystery of Faith.' Deriving from Greek, 'mystery' can be read as 'sacrament.' A sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible reality and the Eucharist is often referred to as the Sacrament of sacraments (CCC 1330)
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Anamnesis |
Anamnesis derives from the Greek for 'memory,' or 'remembrance.' This is a memorial of God's deeds in Christ through His passion, death, and resurrection.
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Oblation or Offering |
The whole of the Eucharistic prayer is an offering, but it is at this point that Christ, the sacrificial Victim is offered to God, the Father. The congregation, too, is called to offer themselves in unity with Christ and each other.
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Intercessions |
When the Mass is celebrated, we acknowledge that it is done so alongside the whole of the Church, the living and the dead. Those who have died and gone to heaven are sometimes referred to as the 'Church Triumphant.' Intercessory prayer itself is when we ask others to pray for us, whether that be a friend, family member, or neighbor. We also ask those who have gone before us (the saints) to pray for us.
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Final Doxology |
The Eucharistic Prayer concludes when the priest raises the newly consecrated Body & Blood of Christ and leads the final doxology, which proclaims and gives praise to God in the Holy Trinity. The faithful respond 'Amen,' meaning 'So be it,' giving their assent to all that has just happened.
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Communion Rite
The Lord's Prayer (Stand) |
Jesus gives us this prayer, sometimes called the 'Our Father,' in Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13. Not only do we call on God the Father, but we also acknowledge that we have a personal God who loves us and calls us to deeper relationship.
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Sign of Peace |
The sign of peace began as a kiss of peace. Its practice derives from Jesus' call for reconciliation before making an offering, which can be found in Matthew 5:23-24. The sign of peace has been part of the Mass since as early as the second century. Today, the sign of peace in the United States is generally given by way of a handshake while saying 'Peace be with you.'
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Lamb of God |
We refer to Jesus as the Lamb of God because of the sacrificial place he takes. He is hailed with this title by John the Baptist in John 1:29. We pray here for God's mercy and peace.
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Invitation to Communion
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The faithful are invited to receive communion at this point, using passages from John 1:29 and Revelation 19:9. The faithful respond with the words of the Roman centurion whose faith in Jesus is so strong that he acknowledges that only a word from Him will heal his servant. These words are taken from Matthew 8:8.
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Distribution of Communion
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In receiving the Eucharist, a person receives Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul, and divinity and affirms His presence in the Eucharist and the teachings of His Church. Though not all are invited to partake in communion because of this, all are welcome to take part in prayer.
Catholic All Catholics are welcome to receive communion while in a state of grace. This means that you must have gone to confession since your last mortal sin. If you have willfully committed a sin whose matter is grave and have not repented of it, you do not receive the Eucharist worthily (1 Corinthians 11:27-28). If you are uncertain about your state, ask a priest, or just go to confession (3pm every Saturday at Holy Childhood of Jesus, or by appointment). If you cannot receive the Eucharist worthily, please join in silent prayer. Orthodox We share a great deal in the faith and the nature of the sacraments with the Orthodox faithful and exceptions are sometimes made for them. Please contact the local Roman Catholic Diocese for more information. Non-Catholics While Non-Catholics are asked to refrain from receiving the Eucharist, we invite and encourage all to pray for peace and unity. |
Concluding Rites (Stand)
Though the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith, the Mass does not end with its reception. Please be sure to stay for the final blessing.
Blessing |
Immediately following communion, the priest gives a final blessing to all gathered.
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Announcements |
There are often church announcements which are given at this point, though they are sometimes given before Mass begins. Full details of upcoming opportunities for communal prayer, events, etc. are in the church bulletin handed out after Mass by the ushers.
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Dismissal |
In Latin, the dismissal given was 'Ite, missa est,' meaning, 'Go, you are sent.' In fact the word, 'Mass,' derives from 'missa,' meaning 'sent.' Though we come together to worship at Mass, we are sent forth to live our faith and follow Christ everyday. In English, we often hear, 'Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,' to which all respond, 'Thanks be to God.'
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End of
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Mass comes to an end as the priest leaves the church, which is often done during the singing of a recessional hymn. All are asked to remain in church until the priest has left. When leaving, please do so respectfully, as some stay behind for further prayer. If you come to Mass and have any questions about it afterward, please talk to the priest, who should be standing in the entryway.
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References- Johnson, Lawrence J. The Mystery of Faith: A Study of the Structural Elements of the Order of the Mass. FDLC, 2011.
- The General Instruction of the Roman Missal: Including Norms for the Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion under Both Kinds in the Dioceses of the United States of America and Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the General Roman Calendar. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011. - Catechism of the Catholic Church. Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2000. Twenty-Fifth Printing, November, 2013 |
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