The Introductory Rites Kristopher W. Seaman

I recently went to a friend’s din- God’s kindness, compassion, ner party, aware that I would and mercy is by offering “Glory know few people there. When I to God in the highest.” This arrived, I realized I knew only ancient hymn is based on the two people. My friend, the ever song from the accord- gracious host, introduced me ing to Luke that the angels sang to some other people, so that I to the shepherds that Jesus was wouldn’t feel too uncomfort- born. This was their song of able and unsure of my sur- praise to God who became roundings. In much the same flesh, became human in the way, the Introductory Rites of person of Jesus the Christ. the eucharistic liturgy intro- During and , the duces and acclimates us to the Gloria is not sung. It returns on particular feast or liturgical Christmas Eve and again dur- season. These rites include the ing the ’s Entrance Chant and Procession, of the Lord’s Supper on Holy the , a greet- Thursday evening. ing, Penitential Act, the , Gloria, and the . The Collect is the conclusion of the Introductory Rites. Obviously, the first clue to the feast or season is the art The invites personal prayer when he proclaims: “Let us and environment of the worship space. If violet and small live pray.” There is a brief period of silence for people to offer their plants decorate the space, mostly likely it is Lent. Fragrant lil- personal prayers. Then the priest celebrant offers the prayer ies, a new flaming , whites, golds, yellows in full from The . The prayer unites — that is, — force tells us it is probably the Easter season. Typically, the the personal prayers spoken within human hearts and minds Entrance Chant also gives us an indication of the feast or sea- to the prayer in the Missal. This Collect is connected to the son. “Immaculate Mary” communicates that it is the solem- season or the feast, and thus indicates what aspect of Christ’s nity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin mystery is being celebrated at this time and in this place. Mary, “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today,” Easter Sunday, “To Jesus Through my friend’s hospitality at the dinner party, Christ Our Sovereign King,” the solemnity of Jesus Christ, I was able to meet new people. A couple of them ended up King of the Universe, and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” that becoming my friends as well. That dinner party left me Advent is upon us. changed, because I was acclimated to the situation, to the event. The Sign of the Cross is marked on our bodies to identify The Introductory Rites provide a “bridge” from whatever we us as disciples who were baptized into the Triune God: “In the were just doing before the liturgy into the liturgical event of name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. feast or season. In other words, it allows us to transition to the Amen.” Next, we acknowledge our dependence on our gra- liturgical event. Through environment, art, song, water, and cious and merciful God by asking our Lord to have mercy, or prayers, we are gradually immersed into an aspect of Christ’s in the Greek: Kyrie, eleison. During the season of Easter, there great mystery being recalled and celebrated. In trust and faith, is the option of replacing the Penitential Act with the Rite of we leave the liturgical event changed and transformed by our Blessing and Sprinkling of Water on the assembly. In Baptism, Triune God. Christ liberated us from sin and death in order to be reborn into his life of grace, mercy, and love. Our only response to

Preparing Your Parish for the Revised Roman Missal: and Reproducibles for Faith Formation © 2011 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago IL 60609; 1-800-933-1800; www.LTP.org. Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL). All rights reserved. Photo © John Zich. This image may be reproduced for personal or parish use. The copyright notice appear with the text. For additional information about the Missal visit www.RevisedRomanMissal.org. 1974 translation (current) 2010 translation (Advent 2011)

Introductory Rites Introductory Rites

Entrance Song Entrance Chant

Greeting Greeting all respond: And also with you. all respond: And with your spirit.

Penitential Rite Penitential Act

(or Sunday Renewal of Baptism) (or Blessing & Sprinkling with

Holy Water)

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

and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

B B Priest: Lord, we have sinned against you: Priest: Have mercy on us, O Lord. Lord, have mercy. People: For we have sinned against you. People: Lord, have mercy. Priest: Show us, O Lord, your mercy. Priest: Lord, show us your mercy and love. People: And grant us your salvation. People: And grant us your salvation

C (Litany form) C (Litany form)

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

Kyrie Kyrie

Gloria Gloria

Opening Prayer Collect

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