What is the Mass?

1. What is the Mass? The Mass is the Sacrifice of the New Law in which Christ, through the ministry of the priest, offers Himself to God in an un-bloody manner under the appearances of bread and wine.

2. The Name “Mass” comes from the Latin word Missa meaning dismissal. In the early days of the Church the catechumens were asked to leave after the gospel and sermon were finished. The faithful, however, were dismissed after the sacrifice was completed. Then, as now, this was done by saying or singing Ite Missa Est. In the course of time the word Missa, or dismissal, was used to designate the entire sacrifice.

3. All parts of the Mass are important. However, the most important part of the Mass is the Consecration.

4. In the Consecration bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ who then is really present on the altar. Through the priest He offers Himself to God in commemoration of His death on the cross.

5. The purpose of the Mass: To adore God as our Creator and Lord To thank God for His many favors To ask God to bestow His blessings on all men To satisfy the justice of God for the sins committed against Him

6. Structure of the Mass • Introductory Rites • Liturgy of the Word • Liturgy of the Eucharist • Concluding Rite

7. Entrance Procession An Entrance Antiphon (music or song) helps to deepen the unity of the people and introduces those present to the mystery of the season or feast that is being celebrated.

8. Venerating the Altar Because the Eucharist is the summit of Catholic worship, the altar is central within the liturgy. The celebrant venerates the altar with a kiss. Incense is also often used.

9. Penitential Rite Because we should worship with a clean heart, we ask for forgiveness for the things we have done and those things we failed to do.

10. Praise to Christ The “Lord have Mercy” (Kyrie) is an acclamation which praises the Lord and asks for his mercy. The “Glory to God” (Gloria) is an ancient hymn that praises the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

11. Opening Prayer (The Collect) The Introductory Rites conclude with a prayer that expresses the theme of the celebration and addresses a petition in the people’s name.

12. Liturgy of the Word The First major part of the Mass It consists of readings from: Hebrew Scriptures A Responsorial Psalm Readings from the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) A Proclamation from the Gospel

13. Liturgy of the Word The Proclamation of the Gospel is the culmination of the Liturgy of the Word because it deals directly with God’s manifestation in Jesus Christ.

14. Homily The homily develops some point of the Bible readings. The person who delivers the homily should be well acquainted with Biblical theology and prepare his sermons carefully, so that he may apply the Bible message to the life situation of the congregation.

15. Liturgy of the Word Finally, in the Profession of Faith we give our assent to God’s word. Through the Intercessions, we pray for all mankind.

16. Liturgy of the Eucharist The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the second major part of the Mass. At the Last Supper, Christ himself instructed us to do this in his memory.

17. Liturgy of the Eucharist Christ took bread, gave thanks and praise to the Father, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying: “Take this and eat it: this is my body.”

18. Liturgy of the Eucharist Then he took the cup, again gave thanks, and gave it to his disciples, saying: “Take this and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood. Do this in memory of me.”

19. Liturgy of the Eucharist Preparation of the Gifts Bread, wine and water are brought to the altar

20. Liturgy of the Eucharist Presentation of the Gifts Members of the congregation bring the gifts of bread and wine that symbolize all of us, and our desire to offer ourselves to God.

21. Eucharistic Prayer A prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. It is here that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ and are offered in sacrifice.

22. Parts of the Eucharistic Prayer Preface Epiclesis Narrative of the Institution and Consecration of the Eucharist Anamnesis

23. The Preface A dialogue in which we are invited to give thanks to God, and the acclamation, the “Holy, holy . . .,” is said or sung in union with all the angels in heaven.

24. Epiclesis The prayers before the Consecration in which the priest and we with him invoke God’s power and ask him to send his Spirit to transform the gifts into the body and blood of our Lord.

25. Narrative of the Institution We celebrate the sacrifice which Jesus Christ instituted at the Last Supper when in the signs of bread and wine he offered himself.

26. Words of Consecration “The day before he suffered he took bread in his sacred hands and looking up to heaven, to you, his almighty Father, he gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: ‘Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given up for you.’” Eucharistic Prayer I

27. Words of Consecration “When supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: ‘Take this, all of you, and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.’” Eucharistic Prayer I

28. Anamnesis We call to mind (remember) our Lord’s death, resurrection, and ascension. We offer God the sacrifice of his Son.

29. Final Doxology and Great Amen A hymn of praise, which we confirm with our “Amen” “Through him, with him, in him. In the unity of the Holy Spirit. All glory and honor are yours Almighty Father, forever and ever.”

30. Communion Rite Participating in communion (the body and blood of our Lord) is our participation in the new Passover, and doing so we signify our oneness with God in Jesus and all who partake of this meal.

31. Communion Rite The Communion Rite consists of the following parts: The Lord’s Prayer (The Our Father) Rite of Peace Breaking of Bread Communion Antiphon Silent Prayer

32. The Lord’s Prayer This is a petition both for daily food (Eucharist) and forgiveness. Not taking this prayer seriously would make communion simply a void symbolism.

33. Rite of Peace Before sharing at the Lord’s table, sharing peace becomes a sign of love, peace and unity in Christ’s kingdom.

34. Breaking of Bread For the early Christians the Eucharist was known as “The Breaking of Bread.” Since a loaf of bread was used, it was necessary to break it before distributing it to the faithful.

35. Breaking of Bread The symbolism of all partaking in one loaf of bread (Jesus Christ) remains in the priest’s action of breaking the large host while the congregation prays/sings “The Lamb of God.

36. Communion Rite Communion Antiphon This verse expresses the spiritual union of all who partake in the Eucharistic banquet. To partake in the Eucharist is to share in the meritorious death of Jesus Christ.

37. Silent Prayer Silence gives us the opportunity to reflect on the wonderful gift of the Eucharist that has been given to us by God the Father through Jesus Christ as both nourishment for our journey through life and forgiveness.

38. Concluding Rite The conclusion of the Mass consists of: Prayer after Communion Concluding Rite Final Blessing and Dismissal

39. Prayer After Communion The celebrant prays in our name that after being strengthened by Christ himself, we may live the life of faith. Our “Amen” makes the prayer our own.

40. Final Blessing and Dismissal After any announcements, the blessing and dismissal follow.

41. Final Blessing and Dismissal After any announcements, the blessing and dismissal follow.