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XX The Sacraments

The Mass explained

What happens at Mass, step by step — from the entrance to the dismissal — and why. For anyone going for the first time, or wanting to pray it more deeply.

Photo: FSSP – Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri · Attribution

The Mass is the memorial of Christ’s Passover: in it his sacrifice on the Cross is made present and offered, and we receive his Body and Blood. Its order has kept the same basic shape since the second century, when Saint Justin Martyr described it (CCC 1345–1355).

1

Introductory Rites

We gather as one people

  1. Entrance

    The priest and ministers process to the altar while the people sing. The priest kisses the altar, the sign of Christ.

  2. Sign of the Cross and greeting

    We begin in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; the priest greets the people: “The Lord be with you.”

  3. Penitential Act

    We acknowledge our sins and ask for God’s mercy — “Lord, have mercy.”

  4. Gloria

    The ancient hymn of praise, sung on Sundays outside Advent and Lent and on feasts.

  5. Collect

    The priest gathers the prayers of all into the opening prayer of the day.

2

Liturgy of the Word

God speaks to his people

  1. Readings

    A reading usually from the Old Testament, a responsorial psalm, and on Sundays and solemnities a second reading from the apostles.

  2. Gospel

    We stand for the Gospel, the words and deeds of Christ, proclaimed by a deacon or priest, greeted with the Alleluia.

  3. Homily

    The priest or deacon explains the word of God and applies it to our lives.

  4. Creed

    On Sundays and solemnities we profess the faith together in the Nicene (or Apostles’) Creed.

  5. Universal Prayer

    The prayers of the faithful for the Church, the world, those in need and the local community.

3

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The sacrifice of Christ made present

  1. Preparation of the gifts

    Bread and wine are brought to the altar — sometimes in procession, with gifts for the poor.

  2. Eucharistic Prayer

    The heart and summit of the celebration: thanksgiving, the Holy, Holy, Holy, the calling down of the Holy Spirit, and the words of Christ by which the bread and wine become his Body and Blood. It ends with the great “Amen.”

  3. The Lord’s Prayer and the sign of peace

    We pray the Our Father and offer one another a sign of Christ’s peace.

  4. Breaking of the bread

    While the Lamb of God is sung, the priest breaks the consecrated Host.

  5. Communion

    The faithful receive the Body (and sometimes the Blood) of Christ, answering “Amen.”

4

Concluding Rites

Sent out into the world

  1. Blessing

    The priest blesses the people in the name of the Holy Trinity.

  2. Dismissal

    “Go forth, the Mass is ended” — sent to live what we have celebrated. “Thanks be to God.”

Good to know

At Mass for the first time?

  • Arrive a little early; Catholics genuflect towards the tabernacle, where the Blessed Sacrament is kept, before taking their place.
  • Follow the people around you: we stand to pray and for the Gospel, sit for the readings and homily, and kneel (or stand, where that is the custom) during the Eucharistic Prayer.
  • Catholics who are free of grave sin receive Holy Communion, after fasting from food and drink, except water and medicine, for one hour. If you are not Catholic you are warmly welcome to take part in the prayer; many parishes invite you to come forward with arms crossed for a blessing.
  • Catholics are bound to take part in Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.

Following the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1345–1355, 1385–1389). This describes the ordinary form of the Roman Rite; the Eastern Catholic Churches celebrate the Divine Liturgy in their own rites.