Meet Yourself
Parts of the mass test
I believe in one God, the Father 1.________,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things 2.___________ and 3.____________.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only 4._________ Son of God,
born of the Father before all 5._________.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, 6._________
with the Father;
Through him all things were 7.__________.
For us 8. ________ and for our salvation
he came down from 9._________,
and by the Holy Spirit was 10.__________
of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was 11.__________
under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered12. _______ and was buried,
and rose again on the 13._______ day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the 14.________ hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his 15.________ will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who 16.________ 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 17.________, holy, catholic,
and apostolic Church.
I confess one 18.________ for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the 19._____________
of the dead and the life of the 20.____________ to come.
Amen.
Word Bank
Begotten
Right
Death
Visible
Third
Men
Life
Ages
Consubstantial
Baptism
Heaven
Invisible
One
Crucified
Incarnate
Left
Kingdom
Two
Almighty
Women
Fifth
Made
Proceeds
Decreases
An Overview of the Mass
The Procession
Mass begins with everyone standing and singing the opening hymn.
The procession order is as follows:
During the whole procession we stand and sing the opening hymn.
The Greeting
When the opening hymn has concluded the priest and the people, who are still standing, sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross, while the Priest, facing the people, says:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The people reply: Amen.
Then the priest, extending his hands, greets the people, saying;
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
The Penitential Rite
The Mass continues with the Penitential Rite. The Penitential Rite is a time of reflection on one’s sins and a prayer for God’s mercy. It focuses on our sinfulness and helps us to confess our sorry for any wrongdoing, knowing that God is always there for us, ready to forgive.
Confiteor
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,
(And, striking our breast with our fist softly, we say:) through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
Then we continue:
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.
or
V/: Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison.
R/: Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison.
V/: Christ, have mercy. Or: Christe, eleison.
R/: Christ, have mercy. Or: Christe, eleison.
V/: Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison.
R/: Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison
The absolution of the Priest follows:
Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
People: Amen
Gloria
Gloria is a song, sometimes it is read. It is a joyous acclamation in which we praise God and recognize the Father as our heavenly King and Jesus as the Lamb of God. We do not sing or recite the Gloria during Sundays in Advent or Lent.
Gloria is a prayer that is actually an ancient hymn with three parts. The first part is the song that the shepherds heard sung by a heavenly choir of angels at the birth of Jesus. The second part praises God by recalling all of His attributes. The third part prays to Jesus, asking Him to save us from our sins.
We continue to stand during Gloria as it is sung or it is read.
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.
When this hymn is concluded, the priest, with hands joined, says: “Let us pray.”
And all pray in silence with the priest for a moment.
Then the priest, with hands extended, says the Collect prayer, at the end of which the people acclaim: “Amen.”
Liturgy of the Word
The first reading is from the Old Testament (except during the Easter Season) which was written before Jesus was born and relates to the Gospel Reading of the day.
To indicate the end of the reading, the Lector acclaims: “The Word of the Lord.”
All reply: “Thanks be to God.”
After the first reading comes the Responsorial Psalm, which is an important part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance, because it fosters meditation on the word of God.
The Book of Psalms is from the Old Testament. It is a collection of inspired poems, hymns, and prayers. It is preferred that the Responsorial Psalm be sung, at least as far as the people's response is concerned.
Then the Lector reads the second reading from the ambo. The second reading is from the New Testament which deal with the coming of Jesus and the establishment of God’s New Covenant with humanity through Jesus, God’s Son.
To indicate the end of the reading, the Lector acclaims: “The Word of the Lord.”
All reply: “Thanks be to God.”
This is followed by the Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia)
After the Second Reading we are about to hear the Gospel proclaimed. First, the Gospel Acclamation, the Alleluia, it is usually sung and this can be done in a number of ways. Alleluia is a word of praise and happiness and it is part of our preparation for the reading of the Gospel. As we stand, the priest or deacon moves toward the altar to take the Book of the Gospels. As we sing the Alleluia, the Book of the Gospels is held aloft and carried in procession to the ambo.
During the Lenten season the Alleluia is not sung or said. The Alleluia is replaced with another verse that gives praise to the Lord. The Book of the Gospels is still carried in solemn procession during the season of Lent, but the absence of the Alleluia alerts us to a time of meditation. After the Alleluia we continue to stand for the Gospel.
Gospel
Gospel means “good news” and the reading is taken from the New Testament. During the Gospel we stand and listen to the priest read from the Book of the Gospels.
The Deacon, or the Priest, then proceeds to the ambo, accompanied, if appropriate, by ministers with incense and candles. There he says:
The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.
*At the same time, he makes the Sign of the Cross on the book and on his forehead, lips, and breast. The people make a fist with their right hand and with our thumb we make a small Sign of the Cross on our forehead, on our lips and over our heart and silently pray, “God be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart.”)
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
Then the deacon, or the priest, incenses the book, if incense is used, and proclaims the Gospel.
At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims: The Gospel of the Lord.
All reply: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Then he kisses the book, saying quietly: Through the words of the Gospel may our sins be wiped away.
Then follows the homily, which is to be preached by a priest or deacon. The homily may even be given by a Bishop or a priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate. During the homily the people sit. This is when the priest shares special thoughts and ideas with us to help us connect the gospel to our own life experiences.
After the homily a brief period of silence is appropriately observed.
The Creed
The Nicene Creed, our profession of faith, is an important part of the Mass. The Creed is recited at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist just after the Gospel reading and homily. In between the two main components of the mass is a statement of beliefs Christians have expressed for 16 centuries.
Creed is from the Latin credo which means “I believe.” It is a summarization of the faith that Christians profess.
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,
(bow during this part) 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.
In the Prayer of the Faithful we pray for the needs of all the Church, living and dead. We ask for God’s help for all of humanity. We call on God in petition to intercede in our lives with help and guidance.
Our Gifts – Offertory
In most churches a basket is passed around and the people can contribute some money to help support the church. The Church uses that money to help pay for the Church expenses and contributions for the community and around the world
During the collection, we are sitting and a song is sung while the altar is being prepared and the gifts are being assembled. We continue to sing while our gifts as well as the bread and wine are brought from the congregation to the presider of the Mass in a procession.
Tithing is our contribution to the support of the Church; formerly one tenth of one’s yearly income given to the Church. The word tithe means 10%. A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. Lev. 27:30, 32. This means that a tenth of everything your land produces (company produces, or what you make) belongs to God.
USUALLY, we sing a song during the preparation of the gifts. If not, the following prayers are said out loud:
Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.
People: Blessed be God forever.
The Deacon, or the Priest, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly:
Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the wine we offer you:
fruit of the vine and work of human hands
it will become our spiritual drink.
People: Blessed be God forever.
Other prayers, then…
(STAND)
Priest: Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters),
that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.
People: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.
Then the Priest begins the Eucharistic Prayer. Extending his hands, he says:
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
The Priest, raising his hands, continues: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
The Priest, with hands extended, adds: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right and just.
Holy, Holy, Holy - At this part of the Mass we praise God with all the angels. We praise God’s power, might, and glory. We call out “Hosanna” which is a Hebrew word that means “pray” or “save us”. Sanctus is the Latin word for “holy”.
People: 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.
Then we KNEEL.
Consecration
In all of the Eucharistic Prayers, the action of the priest during this epiclesis over the bread and wine is the same. He places his hand, palms down, over the bread and wine as he says the prayer, then makes a Sign of the Cross over them with his right hand.
The institution narrative and consecration is a retelling of what Jesus did on the night before he died. As the priest recites the words of the institution of the Eucharist, he recounts what Jesus said and did at the Last Supper when he offered his Body and Blood under the species of bread and wine, gave them to his Apostles to eat and drink, and left them the command to continue this same mystery.
As the priest recites the words and actions of Jesus at the Last Supper, we kneel and pray silently.
The consecration is when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. Transubstantiation is the change of the entire substance of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ at the Consecration of the Mass.
The Mystery of Faith
We acknowledge His death and we also proclaim our faith that He will come again.
We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
Or:
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
Or:
Save us, Savior of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.
The Great Amen
"Amen" is a Hebrew word meaning, "So be it" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2856). By saying “Amen” it means that we agree.
The priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and raising both, he says:
Priest: Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.
People: Amen!!!
The Liturgy of the Eucharist Questions
1. Do we sit or stand during the preparation of the gifts?
2. What things do we (or our parents) give to the church?
3. What is the money given to the church used for?
4. What else is carried to the presider of the Mass along with our gifts of money?
5. “Eucharist” is a Greek word that means to do what?
6.What do the people say after the altar has been set and we all stand?
7. Extending his hands the priest says, “The Lord be with you.”
People:
The Priest, raising his hands, continues: “Lift up your hearts.”
People:
The Priest, with hands extended, adds: “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.”
People:
8. Who do we pray with when we say the Holy Prayer?
9. What does Hosanna mean?
10.Who are we praising?
11. What does Sanctus mean? (Holy)
12. Are we standing or sitting during Sanctus? (Standing)
13. What does the bread and wine become? (The Body and Blood of Christ.)
14. What happens during the consecration?
15. What is Transubstantiation?
16. What do we call the special meal in which Jesus shared bread and wine with his friends?
17. What do we acknowledge during the mystery of faith?
18. What does Amen mean in Hebrew?
19. Why do we say Amen after the Eucharist Prayer?
20. What does the priest hold up when we say or sing the “Great Amen”?
(STAND)
The Lord’s Prayer
People: Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
With hands extended, the Priest alone continues, saying:
Priest: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
People: For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours
now and forever.
(The people then stop holding hands.)
Sign of Peace
The Rite of Peace follows. The celebrant prays that the peace of Christ will fill our hearts, our families, our Church, our communities, and our world. As a sign of hope, the people extend to those around them a sign of peace, typically by shaking hands.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: And with your spirit.
Then if appropriate, the deacon or priest adds:
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
And all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion, and charity. The priest gives the sign of peace to a Deacon or minister.
During the Sign of Peace at our church we greet one another as Jesus greeted his friends. We shake hands with the people around us and say, “Peace be with you” to share God’s love and to bring God’s love and peace to all you meet.
Lamb of God
People:
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.
People: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Holy Communion
After the distribution of the Holy Communion to the deacon, the Eucharistic Ministers, and altar servers the congregation may receive Holy Communion.
To receive Holy Communion we must be free from mortal sin. We also need to have the right intention and we need to obey the Church’s laws on fasting before receiving Holy Communion. We are required to fast from all food and drink except water for one hour before we receive Holy Communion. Taking medicine does not break the fast. Holy Communion may also be received without fasting when one is in danger of death.
As the people receive Communion, the communion song is sung. The unity of voices echoes the unity the Eucharist brings. All may spend some time in silent prayer of thanksgiving as well.
*If you have not received first Holy Communion, hold your arms across your chest when you approach the priest to receive a blessing.
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.
Allow the Eucharistic Minister to present the cup to you. Never grab the cup from the minister’s hands. Use both hands to receive the cup. Drink a little and then hand the cup back to the minister.
Priest or Eucharistic Minister: The Body/Blood of Christ.
Each person: Amen
According to General Instruction of the Roman Missal #160: When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister. The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood.
Although many people make the Sign of the Cross after receiving Communion, it is not required. After receiving the Eucharist, walk back to your seat in a respectful manner with your hands folded. When you come to your seat kneel to pray or for meditation.
When the distribution of Communion is over, the Priest or a Deacon or an acolyte purifies the paten over the chalice and also the chalice itself.
While he carries out the purification, the Priest says quietly:
What has passed our lips as food, O Lord,
may we possess in purity of heart,
that what has been given to us in time
may be our healing for eternity.
Then priest may return to his chair and when he sits down the people can sit down. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung.
Final Blessing
Standing at the altar or at the chair and facing the people, with hands joined, the priest says:
Let us pray.
We all stand and pray in silence with the priest for a while, unless silence has just been observed. Then the priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer after Communion, at the end of which the people acclaim:
Amen.
If there are announcements to be made they are made at this time. If there is any other parish business to be taken care of, it usually will happen at this time as well.
Then the dismissal takes place. The priest, facing the people and extending his hands, says:
Priest: 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.
Priest or Deacon: Go forth, the Mass is ended.
People: Thanks be to God
An Overview of the Mass
The Procession
Mass begins with everyone standing and singing the opening hymn.
The procession order is as follows:
- Incense
- the Processional Cross (and cross bearer)
- altar servers holding candles
- other altar servers
- the Book of the Gospels (carried by the deacon or lector).
- the presider of the liturgy (a priest or bishop.)
During the whole procession we stand and sing the opening hymn.
The Greeting
When the opening hymn has concluded the priest and the people, who are still standing, sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross, while the Priest, facing the people, says:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The people reply: Amen.
Then the priest, extending his hands, greets the people, saying;
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And with your spirit.
The Penitential Rite
The Mass continues with the Penitential Rite. The Penitential Rite is a time of reflection on one’s sins and a prayer for God’s mercy. It focuses on our sinfulness and helps us to confess our sorry for any wrongdoing, knowing that God is always there for us, ready to forgive.
Confiteor
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,
(And, striking our breast with our fist softly, we say:) through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
Then we continue:
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.
or
V/: Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison.
R/: Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison.
V/: Christ, have mercy. Or: Christe, eleison.
R/: Christ, have mercy. Or: Christe, eleison.
V/: Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison.
R/: Lord, have mercy. Or: Kyrie, eleison
The absolution of the Priest follows:
Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
People: Amen
Gloria
Gloria is a song, sometimes it is read. It is a joyous acclamation in which we praise God and recognize the Father as our heavenly King and Jesus as the Lamb of God. We do not sing or recite the Gloria during Sundays in Advent or Lent.
Gloria is a prayer that is actually an ancient hymn with three parts. The first part is the song that the shepherds heard sung by a heavenly choir of angels at the birth of Jesus. The second part praises God by recalling all of His attributes. The third part prays to Jesus, asking Him to save us from our sins.
We continue to stand during Gloria as it is sung or it is read.
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.
When this hymn is concluded, the priest, with hands joined, says: “Let us pray.”
And all pray in silence with the priest for a moment.
Then the priest, with hands extended, says the Collect prayer, at the end of which the people acclaim: “Amen.”
Liturgy of the Word
The first reading is from the Old Testament (except during the Easter Season) which was written before Jesus was born and relates to the Gospel Reading of the day.
To indicate the end of the reading, the Lector acclaims: “The Word of the Lord.”
All reply: “Thanks be to God.”
After the first reading comes the Responsorial Psalm, which is an important part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance, because it fosters meditation on the word of God.
The Book of Psalms is from the Old Testament. It is a collection of inspired poems, hymns, and prayers. It is preferred that the Responsorial Psalm be sung, at least as far as the people's response is concerned.
Then the Lector reads the second reading from the ambo. The second reading is from the New Testament which deal with the coming of Jesus and the establishment of God’s New Covenant with humanity through Jesus, God’s Son.
To indicate the end of the reading, the Lector acclaims: “The Word of the Lord.”
All reply: “Thanks be to God.”
This is followed by the Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia)
After the Second Reading we are about to hear the Gospel proclaimed. First, the Gospel Acclamation, the Alleluia, it is usually sung and this can be done in a number of ways. Alleluia is a word of praise and happiness and it is part of our preparation for the reading of the Gospel. As we stand, the priest or deacon moves toward the altar to take the Book of the Gospels. As we sing the Alleluia, the Book of the Gospels is held aloft and carried in procession to the ambo.
During the Lenten season the Alleluia is not sung or said. The Alleluia is replaced with another verse that gives praise to the Lord. The Book of the Gospels is still carried in solemn procession during the season of Lent, but the absence of the Alleluia alerts us to a time of meditation. After the Alleluia we continue to stand for the Gospel.
Gospel
Gospel means “good news” and the reading is taken from the New Testament. During the Gospel we stand and listen to the priest read from the Book of the Gospels.
The Deacon, or the Priest, then proceeds to the ambo, accompanied, if appropriate, by ministers with incense and candles. There he says:
The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.
*At the same time, he makes the Sign of the Cross on the book and on his forehead, lips, and breast. The people make a fist with their right hand and with our thumb we make a small Sign of the Cross on our forehead, on our lips and over our heart and silently pray, “God be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart.”)
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
Then the deacon, or the priest, incenses the book, if incense is used, and proclaims the Gospel.
At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims: The Gospel of the Lord.
All reply: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Then he kisses the book, saying quietly: Through the words of the Gospel may our sins be wiped away.
Then follows the homily, which is to be preached by a priest or deacon. The homily may even be given by a Bishop or a priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate. During the homily the people sit. This is when the priest shares special thoughts and ideas with us to help us connect the gospel to our own life experiences.
After the homily a brief period of silence is appropriately observed.
The Creed
The Nicene Creed, our profession of faith, is an important part of the Mass. The Creed is recited at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist just after the Gospel reading and homily. In between the two main components of the mass is a statement of beliefs Christians have expressed for 16 centuries.
Creed is from the Latin credo which means “I believe.” It is a summarization of the faith that Christians profess.
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,
(bow during this part) 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.
In the Prayer of the Faithful we pray for the needs of all the Church, living and dead. We ask for God’s help for all of humanity. We call on God in petition to intercede in our lives with help and guidance.
Our Gifts – Offertory
In most churches a basket is passed around and the people can contribute some money to help support the church. The Church uses that money to help pay for the Church expenses and contributions for the community and around the world
During the collection, we are sitting and a song is sung while the altar is being prepared and the gifts are being assembled. We continue to sing while our gifts as well as the bread and wine are brought from the congregation to the presider of the Mass in a procession.
Tithing is our contribution to the support of the Church; formerly one tenth of one’s yearly income given to the Church. The word tithe means 10%. A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. Lev. 27:30, 32. This means that a tenth of everything your land produces (company produces, or what you make) belongs to God.
USUALLY, we sing a song during the preparation of the gifts. If not, the following prayers are said out loud:
Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.
People: Blessed be God forever.
The Deacon, or the Priest, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly:
Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the wine we offer you:
fruit of the vine and work of human hands
it will become our spiritual drink.
People: Blessed be God forever.
Other prayers, then…
(STAND)
Priest: Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters),
that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.
People: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.
Then the Priest begins the Eucharistic Prayer. Extending his hands, he says:
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
The Priest, raising his hands, continues: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
The Priest, with hands extended, adds: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right and just.
Holy, Holy, Holy - At this part of the Mass we praise God with all the angels. We praise God’s power, might, and glory. We call out “Hosanna” which is a Hebrew word that means “pray” or “save us”. Sanctus is the Latin word for “holy”.
People: 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.
Then we KNEEL.
Consecration
In all of the Eucharistic Prayers, the action of the priest during this epiclesis over the bread and wine is the same. He places his hand, palms down, over the bread and wine as he says the prayer, then makes a Sign of the Cross over them with his right hand.
The institution narrative and consecration is a retelling of what Jesus did on the night before he died. As the priest recites the words of the institution of the Eucharist, he recounts what Jesus said and did at the Last Supper when he offered his Body and Blood under the species of bread and wine, gave them to his Apostles to eat and drink, and left them the command to continue this same mystery.
As the priest recites the words and actions of Jesus at the Last Supper, we kneel and pray silently.
The consecration is when the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. Transubstantiation is the change of the entire substance of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ at the Consecration of the Mass.
The Mystery of Faith
We acknowledge His death and we also proclaim our faith that He will come again.
We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
Or:
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
Or:
Save us, Savior of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.
The Great Amen
"Amen" is a Hebrew word meaning, "So be it" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2856). By saying “Amen” it means that we agree.
The priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and raising both, he says:
Priest: Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.
People: Amen!!!
The Liturgy of the Eucharist Questions
1. Do we sit or stand during the preparation of the gifts?
2. What things do we (or our parents) give to the church?
3. What is the money given to the church used for?
4. What else is carried to the presider of the Mass along with our gifts of money?
5. “Eucharist” is a Greek word that means to do what?
6.What do the people say after the altar has been set and we all stand?
7. Extending his hands the priest says, “The Lord be with you.”
People:
The Priest, raising his hands, continues: “Lift up your hearts.”
People:
The Priest, with hands extended, adds: “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.”
People:
8. Who do we pray with when we say the Holy Prayer?
9. What does Hosanna mean?
10.Who are we praising?
11. What does Sanctus mean? (Holy)
12. Are we standing or sitting during Sanctus? (Standing)
13. What does the bread and wine become? (The Body and Blood of Christ.)
14. What happens during the consecration?
15. What is Transubstantiation?
16. What do we call the special meal in which Jesus shared bread and wine with his friends?
17. What do we acknowledge during the mystery of faith?
18. What does Amen mean in Hebrew?
19. Why do we say Amen after the Eucharist Prayer?
20. What does the priest hold up when we say or sing the “Great Amen”?
(STAND)
The Lord’s Prayer
People: Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
With hands extended, the Priest alone continues, saying:
Priest: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
People: For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours
now and forever.
(The people then stop holding hands.)
Sign of Peace
The Rite of Peace follows. The celebrant prays that the peace of Christ will fill our hearts, our families, our Church, our communities, and our world. As a sign of hope, the people extend to those around them a sign of peace, typically by shaking hands.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
People: And with your spirit.
Then if appropriate, the deacon or priest adds:
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
And all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion, and charity. The priest gives the sign of peace to a Deacon or minister.
During the Sign of Peace at our church we greet one another as Jesus greeted his friends. We shake hands with the people around us and say, “Peace be with you” to share God’s love and to bring God’s love and peace to all you meet.
Lamb of God
People:
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.
People: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Holy Communion
After the distribution of the Holy Communion to the deacon, the Eucharistic Ministers, and altar servers the congregation may receive Holy Communion.
To receive Holy Communion we must be free from mortal sin. We also need to have the right intention and we need to obey the Church’s laws on fasting before receiving Holy Communion. We are required to fast from all food and drink except water for one hour before we receive Holy Communion. Taking medicine does not break the fast. Holy Communion may also be received without fasting when one is in danger of death.
As the people receive Communion, the communion song is sung. The unity of voices echoes the unity the Eucharist brings. All may spend some time in silent prayer of thanksgiving as well.
*If you have not received first Holy Communion, hold your arms across your chest when you approach the priest to receive a blessing.
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.
Allow the Eucharistic Minister to present the cup to you. Never grab the cup from the minister’s hands. Use both hands to receive the cup. Drink a little and then hand the cup back to the minister.
Priest or Eucharistic Minister: The Body/Blood of Christ.
Each person: Amen
According to General Instruction of the Roman Missal #160: When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister. The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood.
Although many people make the Sign of the Cross after receiving Communion, it is not required. After receiving the Eucharist, walk back to your seat in a respectful manner with your hands folded. When you come to your seat kneel to pray or for meditation.
When the distribution of Communion is over, the Priest or a Deacon or an acolyte purifies the paten over the chalice and also the chalice itself.
While he carries out the purification, the Priest says quietly:
What has passed our lips as food, O Lord,
may we possess in purity of heart,
that what has been given to us in time
may be our healing for eternity.
Then priest may return to his chair and when he sits down the people can sit down. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung.
Final Blessing
Standing at the altar or at the chair and facing the people, with hands joined, the priest says:
Let us pray.
We all stand and pray in silence with the priest for a while, unless silence has just been observed. Then the priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer after Communion, at the end of which the people acclaim:
Amen.
If there are announcements to be made they are made at this time. If there is any other parish business to be taken care of, it usually will happen at this time as well.
Then the dismissal takes place. The priest, facing the people and extending his hands, says:
Priest: 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.
Priest or Deacon: Go forth, the Mass is ended.
People: Thanks be to God