HOLY MASS

There are many rites celebrated within the Catholic Church. A rite represents an ecclesiastical tradition of how the sacraments are to be celebrated.

The various rites are allowed to ensure the faithful would best understand the holy Mass in the context of their individual cultures, without changing their essential form and matter.

In the first century A.D. the early Church sought to evangelize in the three major cultural centers: Rome, Antioch (Syria), and Alexandria (Egypt).

All the rites in use today have evolved from the liturgical practices and ecclesiastical organisation used by these three churches.

This Arrow Card will focus on the Roman Rite, also known as the Novus Ordo or “New Order”.

WE ARE BODY AND SOUL

Jesus said: “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst”.

Jesus established a church, a priesthood, and an eternal sacrifice.

The faithful are asked to pray and worship together. We are a composite of body and soul, physical and spiritual and we are called to pray together as a community of believers.

We are also called to worship with our bodies by kneeling and standing. We stand out of respect, and we kneel in humility. We sit because it is a receptive position for listening and learning. We genuflect out of piety and reverence for God.

We genuflect when the Holy Eucharist is exposed, and we bow our heads when passing the altar.

Singing is also part of the mass. Many do not know that during the passion, Jesus sung when He was carrying His cross. When we sing during mass, we unite with the heavenly choir. St Augustine said: “To sing is to pray twice”.

The mass is entirely scriptural and contains more readings from scripture than any protestant service. The mass is the eternal, living sacrifice of Jesus.

The mass is about giving worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God, it is not about entertainment to gratify our senses; the priest is not there to entertain and amuse us.

If we only understood the mass better, we would love it much more.

Most importantly, we have been instructed by God Himself when He gave us the 3rd Commandment:

Remember thou keep holy the Lord’s day

The mass begins in your home before you leave, with the preparation of your body and soul.

Remember you are going to the foot of the Cross for the Holy Sacrifice of the Son of God.

The tradition of dressing appropriately for church by wearing our “Sunday best” is an outward sign of respect. We are dressing for our wedding feast with God. We are literally, the brides of Christ at the nuptial banquet with Jesus, our groom.

We have a duty to always remember to prepare our bodies by fasting for at least one hour prior to receiving Holy Communion.

We must remember the mass is not a re-enactment of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. The sacrifice is not symbolic; we are going to Calvary.

The miracle of transubstantiation turns the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ; the Son of God, the eternal sacrifice becomes truly present.

If our physical eyes could see the spiritual world during the mass, we would see Mary, Queen of heaven, St. Michael the Archangel and hundreds of angels descending from heaven to gather around the altar. We would see the church filled with luminous, glowing wings. We would see our own Guardian Angel kneeling before the altar to offer our prayers and sacrifices to God, and we would see the Holy Face of God in the brilliant light of the Eucharist.

God is outside of time; He is eternal. During the mass, you are there, present at Calvary during the Crucifixion as Jesus pays the debts for your sins.

The price of sin is death, so Jesus took your death penalty upon Himself, then He conquered sin and death by rising from the dead.

He offers this to us, He conquers our sins by means of His suffering, He conquers our death by means of His death and resurrection.

He offers us the Sacrament of Reconciliation to forgive us, heal us, and restore us to a state of grace, then He offers Himself in the Holy Eucharist to unite with us completely.

He has a plan for our salvation, to raise us up from the dead, to glorify us and to give us eternal life. This plan involves the Holy Mass, the fountain of infinite grace.

Every Catholic church is a House of God where He resides in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the altar.

Silence, reverence, piety and respect for the presence of God must be shown at all times. A muted mobile phone will always help preserve a reverent atmosphere.

Upon entering a church, we first bless ourselves with holy water by making The Sign of the Cross to remind us that we are Baptised and one with Christ:

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Before we go to our seat, we genuflect by touching our right knee to the floor and bowing our head. Genuflecting is a sign of honour and respect for God.

THE INTRODUCTORY RITES

The priest kisses the altar to venerate the table and the cross which we gather around for the meal and the sacrifice.

The table is for the meal and the cross for the sacrifice. This is how the mass has been celebrated since the first century.

The priest will then lead the Sign of the Cross prayer:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

As the priest says this prayer, we make the sign of the cross with our hands because we are both body and spirit.

This also reminds us why we have come to mass. We are here “In the Name of the Father…”. So, we name God as the reason we have come, and we mark ourselves with His seal, the Sign of the Cross.

The priest will then bless the people with these words:

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all”.

We respond with:

“And with your spirit”.

THE PENITENTIAL RITE

(WE ASK FOR AND RECIEVE FORGIVENESS)

At this part of the mass, we ask God for forgiveness for our venial sins by praying The Confiteor prayer. When we recall our sins, this helps us to understand the need for God’s mercy.

Priest:

“Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries”.

THE CONFITEOR PRAYER

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, (striking the breast) through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Amen.

(Amen means “I believe”)

Our sins are forgiven, making us spotless before we unite with Him in Holy Communion.

Priest: “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.”

THE KYRIE

Priest: Lord, have mercy

Response: Lord, have mercy

Priest: Christ, have mercy

Response: Christ, have mercy

Priest: Lord, have mercy

Response: Lord, have mercy

THE GLORIA

(WE PRAISE GOD WITH THE GLORIA PRAYER)

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you,we bless you,we adore you,we glorify you,we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;

you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

(WE LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD)

THE READINGS

We now listen to readings from the Old Testament in the Holy Bible.

These readings tells us about God’s words, actions and his love for people.

At the end of the readings, the Reader will say “The Word of the Lord”.

We respond: “Thanks be to God”

Next, we stand and sing the word:

“Alleluia”

(Alleluia means Praise God!)

We remain standing to hear the Gospel. The word “gospel” means “good news”. It is a reading is from the New Testament.

Before the priest reads the gospel, he says: “The Lord be with you” and we respond with:

“And also with you”

Priest: “A reading from the holy gospel according to (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John)”.

Response: “Glory to you, Lord.”

We listen to the words of Jesus which are like a burning candle guiding us in the dark.

After reading the gospel, the priest says

“The gospel of the Lord”

and we respond by saying:

“Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ”.

THE HOMILY

We then sit down to listen to the priest give his homily, which is an explanation of the meaning of the Bible reading.

NICENE CREED

“I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (all bow) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen”.

WE PREPARE FOR THE MIRACLE OF TRANSBUSTANTIATION

During this part of the mass, we sit and watch as the altar is prepared. Altar servers offer the priest our gifts of bread and wine which he places on the altar.

GIVING

After the bread and wine have been brought to the altar, we then have the opportunity to offer our financial gifts to help the needs of the church and the needs of the poor. A collection basket is passed around the church for this purpose.

THANKGIVING TO GOD

Next, the priest will stand and stretch out his hands to begin the great thank you prayer to God. We stand and we listen to the priest offer praise and thanksgiving to God for the many wonderful things in this world.

The priest thanks God for the gifts of creation and for the gift of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

These prayers remind us that Jesus died and rose from the dead to always be with us.

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

INVITATION TO PRAYER

We stand as the Priest says “Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father”.

Response: “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church”.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Priest: “The Lord be with you”.

Response “And with your spirit”.

Priest: “Lift up your hearts”.

Response: “We lift them up to the Lord”.

Priest: “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God”.

Response: “It is right and just”.

AFTER THE PREFACE

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.

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION

“Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free”.

Priest: “Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever”.

Response: “Amen”

THE COMMUNION RITE

Priest:

“At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say”:

THE OUR FATHER PRAYER

“Our Father, who art in heaven… Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil…”

“For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever”.

Priest:

“Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles… …Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Priest:

“The peace of the Lord be with you always”.

Response: “And with your spirit”.

Priest:

“Let us offer each other the sign of peace”.

“Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace”.

Priest:

“Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb”.

Response: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”.

Priest:

“The Body of Christ”.

Response: “Amen”.

THE CONCLUDING RITES

Priest “The Lord be with you”.

Response: “And with your spirit”.

Priest: “May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit”.

Response: “Amen”.

Priest: “Go forth, the Mass is ended”.

Response: “Thanks be to God”.

THE END

HOLY MASS

WE ARE BODY AND SOUL

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

THE INTRODUCTORY RITES

The priest kisses the altar to venerate the table and the cross which we gather around for the meal and the sacrifice.

The table is for the meal and the cross for the sacrifice. This is how the mass has been celebrated since the first century.

The priest will then lead the Sign of the Cross prayer:

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

As the priest says this prayer, we make the sign of the cross with our hands because we are both body and spirit.

This also reminds us why we have come to mass. We are here “In the Name of the Father…”. So, we name God as the reason we have come, and we mark ourselves with His seal, the Sign of the Cross.

The priest will then bless the people with these words:

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all”.

We respond with:

“And with your spirit”.

THE PENITENTIAL RITE

(WE ASK FOR AND RECIEVE FORGIVENESS)

At this part of the mass, we ask God for forgiveness for our venial sins by praying The Confiteor prayer. When we recall our sins, this helps us to understand the need for God’s mercy.

Priest:

“Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries”.

THE CONFITEOR PRAYER

(Amen means “I believe”)

Our sins are forgiven, making us spotless before we unite with Him in Holy Communion.

Priest: “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.”

THE KYRIE

Priest: Lord, have mercy

Response: Lord, have mercy

Priest: Christ, have mercy

Response: Christ, have mercy

Priest: Lord, have mercy

Response: Lord, have mercy

THE GLORIA

(WE PRAISE GOD WITH THE GLORIA PRAYER)

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you,we bless you,we adore you,we glorify you,we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

you take away the sins of the world,have mercy on us;

you take away the sins of the world,receive our prayer;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

(WE LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD)

THE READINGS

We now listen to readings from the Old Testament in the Holy Bible.

These readings tells us about God’s words, actions and his love for people.

At the end of the readings, the Reader will say “The Word of the Lord”.

We respond: “Thanks be to God”

Next, we stand and sing the word:

“Alleluia”

(Alleluia means Praise God!)

We remain standing to hear the Gospel. The word “gospel” means “good news”. It is a reading is from the New Testament.

Before the priest reads the gospel, he says: “The Lord be with you” and we respond with:

“And also with you”

Priest: “A reading from the holy gospel according to (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John)”.

Response: “Glory to you, Lord.”

We listen to the words of Jesus which are like a burning candle guiding us in the dark.

After reading the gospel, the priest says

“The gospel of the Lord”

and we respond by saying:

“Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ”.

THE HOMILY

We then sit down to listen to the priest give his homily, which is an explanation of the meaning of the Bible reading.

NICENE CREED

WE PREPARE FOR THE MIRACLE OF TRANSBUSTANTIATION

During this part of the mass, we sit and watch as the altar is prepared. Altar servers offer the priest our gifts of bread and wine which he places on the altar.

GIVING

After the bread and wine have been brought to the altar, we then have the opportunity to offer our financial gifts to help the needs of the church and the needs of the poor. A collection basket is passed around the church for this purpose.

THANKGIVING TO GOD

Next, the priest will stand and stretch out his hands to begin the great thank you prayer to God. We stand and we listen to the priest offer praise and thanksgiving to God for the many wonderful things in this world.

The priest thanks God for the gifts of creation and for the gift of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

These prayers remind us that Jesus died and rose from the dead to always be with us.

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

INVITATION TO PRAYER

We stand as the Priest says “Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father”.

Response: “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church”.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Priest: “The Lord be with you”.

Response “And with your spirit”.

Priest: “Lift up your hearts”.

Response: “We lift them up to the Lord”.

you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;

you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;