Introductory Rites

Entrance
Greeting
Penitential Act
Glory to God
Collect
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading (on Sundays and solemnities)
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel
Homily
Profession of Faith (on Sundays, solemnities, and special occasions)
Universal Prayer
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Presentation of the Gifts and Preparation of the Altar
Prayer over the Offerings
Eucharistic Prayer
a)Preface

b)Holy, Holy, Holy

c)First half of prayer, including Consecration
d)Mystery of Faith
e)Second half of prayer, ending with Doxology
Communion Rite
The Lord's Prayer
Sign of Peace
Lamb of God
Communion
Prayer after Communion
Concluding Rites
Optional announcements
Greeting and Blessing
Dismissal
The Mass begins with the entrance chant/song.The celebrant and other ministers enter in procession and reverence the alt
All make the Sign of the Cross and the celebrant extends a greeting to the gathered people in words taken from Scripture.
The Penitential Act follows the greeting. At the very beginning of the Mass, the faithful recall their sins and place their trus
Glory to God in the highest!" In this ancient hymn, the gathered assembly joins the heavenly choirs in offering praise and a
The celebrant invites the gathered assembly to pray and, after a brief silence, proclaims the prayer of the day. The Collect g

On Sundays and solemnities, there are three Scripture readings. During most of the year, the first reading is from the Old Te
The Responsorial Psalm is sung between the readings. The psalm helps us to meditate on the word of God.
the second reading is from one of the New Testament letters.
The gathered assembly stands to hear the Gospel and it is introduced by an acclamation of praise. Apart from Lent, that ac
The high point of the Liturgy of the Word is the reading of the Gospel. Because the Gospels tell of the life, ministry, and pre
In the homily, the preacher focuses on the Scripture texts or some other texts from the liturgy, drawing from them lessons
In many Masses, the Profession of Faith then follows the homily, either the Nicene or Apostles' Creed. The Nicene Creed is
Universal Prayer, also called the Prayer of the Faithful. The gathered assembly intercedes with God on behalf of the Church

As the ministers prepare the altar, representatives of the people bring forward the bread and wine that will become the Bo
The Prayer over the Offerings concludes this preparation and disposes all for the Eucharistic Prayer.
The Eucharistic Prayer is the heart of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In this prayer, the celebrant acts in the person of Christ as
The Eucharistic Prayers make clear that these prayers are offered, not to Christ, but to the Father. It is worship offered to th
The priest offers the Eucharistic Prayer in the first person plural, for example, "Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you…

The acclamation, by which the whole congregation, joining with the heavenly powers, sings the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy).

The concluding doxology, by which the glorification of God is expressed and which is affirmed and concluded by the people
The Communion Rite follows the Eucharistic Prayer, leading the faithful to the Eucharistic table.
The rite begins with the Lord's Prayer. Jesus taught this prayer to his disciples when they asked how to pray (cf. Mt 6:9-13, L
The Rite of Peace follows. The celebrant prays that the peace of Christ will fill our hearts, our families, our Church, our com
In the Fraction Rite, the celebrant breaks the consecrated bread as the people sing the Agnus Dei or "Lamb of God."
Before receiving Holy Communion, the celebrant and assembly acknowledge their unworthiness to receive so great a gift. T
As the people receive Holy Communion, the communion chant/song is sung. The unity of voices echoes the unity the Euch
The Communion Rite ends with the Prayer after Communion which asks that the benefits of the Eucharist will remain activ
During the Concluding Rites, announcements may be made (if necessary) after the Prayer after Communion.
The celebrant then blesses the people assembled. Sometimes, the blessing is very simple. On special days, the blessing ma
After the blessing, the deacon dismisses the people. In fact, the dismissal gives the liturgy its name. The word "Mass" come
n and reverence the altar with a bow and/or a kiss. The altar is a symbol of Christ at the heart of the assembly and so deserves this spec
taken from Scripture.
ns and place their trust in God's abiding mercy. The Penitential Act includes the Kyrie Eleison, a Greek phrase meaning, "Lord, have me
n offering praise and adoration to the Father and Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
f the day. The Collect gathers the prayers of all into one and disposes all to hear the Word of God in the context of the celebration.

ading is from the Old Testament

part from Lent, that acclamation is "Alleluia," derived from a Hebrew phrase meaning "Praise the Lord!"
e life, ministry, and preaching of Christ, it receives several special signs of honor and reverence. The gathered assembly stands to hear t
ng from them lessons that may help us to live better lives, more faithful to Christ's call to grow in holiness.
d. The Nicene Creed is a statement of faith dating from the fourth century, while the Apostles' Creed is the ancient baptismal creed of t
n behalf of the Church, the world, and themselves, entrusting their needs to the faithful and loving God.

hat will become the Body and Blood of Christ. The celebrant blesses and praises God for these gifts and places them on the altar, the pl

the person of Christ as head of his body, the Church. He gathers not only the bread and the wine, but the substance of our lives and jo
s worship offered to the Father by Christ as it was at the moment of his passion, death and resurrection, but now it is offered through t
humbly implore you…" This "we" signifies that all the baptized present at the Eucharistic celebration make the sacrificial offering in un

ctus (Holy, Holy, Holy). This acclamation, which constitutes part of the Eucharistic Prayer itself, is pronounced by all the people with the

ncluded by the people's acclamation "Amen."

to pray (cf. Mt 6:9-13, Lk 11:2-4). In this prayer, the people join their voices to pray for the coming of God's kingdom and to ask God to p
s, our Church, our communities, and our world. As a sign of hope, the people extend to those around them a sign of peace.
"Lamb of God."
eceive so great a gift. The celebrant receives Holy Communion first and Those who receive Holy Communion should be prepared to rec
oes the unity the Eucharist brings. All may spend some time in silent prayer of thanksgiving as well.
harist will remain active in our daily lives.

al days, the blessing may be more extensive

The word "Mass" comes from the Latin word, " Missa." At one time, the people were dismissed with the words "Ite, missa est" (literall
 y and so deserves this special reverence.

e meaning, "Lord, have mercy." This litany recalls God's merciful actions throughout history.

ext of the celebration.

d assembly stands to hear the Gospel and it is introduced by an acclamation of praise

ncient baptismal creed of the Church in Rome.

es them on the altar, the place of the Eucharistic sacrifice. In addition to the bread and wine, monetary gifts for the support of the Chur

ubstance of our lives and joins them to Christ's perfect sacrifice, offering them to the Father.
now it is offered through the priest acting in the person of Christ, and it is offered as well by all of the baptized, who are part of Christ'
the sacrificial offering in union with Christ, and pray the Eucharistic Prayer in union with him. And what is most important, we do not o

d by all the people with the Priest.

ngdom and to ask God to provide for our needs, forgive our sins, and bring us to the joy of heaven.
a sign of peace.

n should be prepared to receive so great a gift. They should fast (except for medicines) for at least one hour before receiving the Euchar

rds "Ite, missa est" (literally meaning "Go, she—meaning you, the Church—has been sent"). The word "Missa" is related to the word "m
s for the support of the Church and the care of the poor may be brought forward.

tized, who are part of Christ's Body, the Church. This is the action of Christ's Body, the Church at Mass
most important, we do not offer Christ alone; we are called to offer ourselves, our lives, our individual efforts to grow more like Christ a

r before receiving the Eucharist and should not be conscious of having committed serious sin.then the people come forwarBecause sha

ssa" is related to the word "missio," the root of the English word "mission." The liturgy does not simply come to an end. Those assemb
rts to grow more like Christ and our efforts as a community of believers to spread God's Word and to serve God's people, to the Father

ple come forwarBecause sharing at the Eucharistic Table is a sign of unity in the Body of Christ, only those in communion with the Cath

me to an end. Those assembled are sent forth to bring the fruits of the Eucharist to the world.
God's people, to the Father in union with Christ through the hands of the priest. Most wonderful of all, although our offering is in itsel

n communion with the Catholic Church may receive Holy CommunionThe people approach the altar and, bowing with reverence, rece
hough our offering is in itself imperfect, joined with the offering of Christ it becomes perfect praise and thanksgiving to the Father.

bowing with reverence, receive Holy Communion. People may receive the Body of Christ either on the tongue or in the hand..
anksgiving to the Father.

gue or in the hand..