The Roman Missal Table of Contents Introduction to the Mass……………………………………….3 How to set up for Mass………………………………………….4 Introductory Rites………………………………………………….6 Liturgy of the Word……………………………………………….7 Liturgy of the Eucharist………………………………………….8 Preparation of the Gifts…………………………………………8 Eucharistic Prayer………………………………………………….9 Preface………………………………………………………………….9 Eucharistic Prayer………………………………………………..10 Communion Rite……………………………………………….…11 Concluding Rite……………………………………………………13 2 Introduction to the Mass The Mass is the greatest form of prayer God has given to Christians. Every time we go to Mass, our venial sins are forgiven, and we get to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our God. Venial sins are sins that we commit that are serious, but not so serious that they must be confessed to a When Jesus died on the Cross to Priest. Sins that must be confessed to a Priest are called Mortal Sins. forgive our sins, He ended the original Jewish practice of sacrificing animals for sins. Before Jesus came and died, God told the Jewish people of Israel to sacrifice lambs for their sins. But this still wasn’t The word “Mass” comes from the Latin word “missa.” Missa enough to completely forgive us. Only means “to send.” The priest used Jesus’ sacrifice was strong enough to to say at the end of Mass, “ite missa est.” Which means “go, forgive every one of our sins. That is you are sent!” Meaning we’re to why Jesus is called the Lamb of God go preaching Jesus to the world. who takes away the sins of the world. The Mass puts us in touch with Jesus’ sacrifice. When we go to Mass, it is like we are actually standing by the Cross when Jesus died. Jesus doesn’t die again. He only died once a long time ago. But when we go to Mass, we go back in time and experience His death, burial, and resurrection again. 3 How to set up for Mass There should be an altar with a chalice, paten, etc. Add more here The Priest is to wear vestments for Mass. The Priest first puts on a white alb. This is a long The word “vestment” comes from the Latin word “vestimentum” white robe that reminds the priest and simply means clothing. People in ancient Rome would dress he is a baptized Christian. similarly to Priests at Mass today. Then the Priest puts on a cincture around his waist to hold the alb in place. The cincture Chastity means that we also represents the virtue of chastity are being pure. We are striving to live as God has which we are called to have. commanded us with regard to our sexuality. Then the Priest puts on the stole. This is a long strip of cloth that hangs around the neck of the priest and represents his authority as Priest in the Mass. 4 On top of all of this the Priest puts on the Charity is another word for love. It means chasuble. This is the robe everyone usually we are being selfless. We think about others sees the priest wear at Mass. It represents more than ourselves. the virtue of charity which we are all called to have. If you don’t have any of these at your home, that is ok! You can still pretend and celebrate Mass! 5 Introductory Rites Everyone stands and Mass begins with a chant while the Priest and servers process to the Altar. The Priest kisses the Altar and goes The Altar represents Jesus to his seat. From his seat, the Priest leads the people in and contains he bones of making the sign of the Cross saying, Saints. This is why the Priest kisses it at Mass and “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the why we bow toward it. Holy Spirit. Amen.” The Priest then greets the people with these words, “The Lord be with you!” The people reply, “And with your spirit!” Then the Priest says, Mass is called Holy Mysteries because we can “Brothers and sisters, let us remember our sins and only fully understand Mass be prepared to celebrate these Holy Mysteries.” and what is happening with God’s help. Priest – “Lord have mercy” People – “Lord have Mercy” Priest – “Christ have mercy” People – “Christ have mercy” Priest – “Lord have mercy” People – “Lord Have Mercy Priest – “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life.” 6 Priest – “Let us pray” Then the Priest extends his hands and prays, “O God, from whom all good things come, remember us, your children, who depend upon you for everything, ask you to hear our prayers and forgive us our sins to make us worthy to participate in this Holy Sacrifice. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.” Everyone may sit. Liturgy of the Word The Liturgy of the Word is the part of Mass where we read from the Bible and the Priest gives a small talk (homily) about what we read in the Bible. The Priest helps Liturgy comes from a people understand what was read and applies it to daily Greek word that means life. “service for the people.” Either the Priest or another person may read from the Bible at Mass but only the Priest may read from the Gospels at Mass. The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament and are all about the Earthly life of Jesus. The reader stands up to read the first reading. At the end of the reading, the reader says, “The Word of the Lord.” The people respond, “Thanks be to God.” Then the Priest stands up goes to the Altar, bows and says quietly to God, “Make my heart and lips clean so I can proclaim your The word “Gospel” means “good holy Gospel.” news.” When we read the Gospels, we are reading the good news that Then the Priest reads the Gospel. At the end of Jesus has come to save us. the reading, the priest says, “The Gospel of the Lord.” 7 The people respond, “Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.” After the Gospel is read, the Priest gives a brief talk (homily) on the Gospel and reading. Once the Priest finishes the homily, the Creed is said by the Priest and people together. “I believe in one God, the Father Almighty...” Liturgy of the Eucharist Once the Creed has been said, the Offertory The word “Creed” comes from the chant is sung. At the same time, the Priest and Latin word “Credo” and means “I servers set the Altar. believe.” When we say the Creed at Mass, we’re saying we believe all these things. The word “Offertory” comes As the Altar is being set, the people may bring from the phrase “to offer.” It forward the Gifts of Bread and Wine that will be means, that at this point in the used in the celebration of the Eucharist. The Priest Mass we are offering bread, wine, and ourselves to God. receives these gifts from the people and places them on the Altar saying the following prayers to God: 8 Priest as he places bread on the Altar – “Blessed are you Lord God, for you have given us this Bread which we offer to you. It will become the Bread of Life for us.” Priest as he places wine on the Altar – “Blessed are you Lord God, for you have given us this wine which we offer to you. It will become our spiritual drink.” After this, the Priest bows at the Altar and says quietly to God, “Being sorry and humble, O Lord, please accept us and may our sacrifice be pleasing to you our God.” Then the Priest washes his hands in water praying quietly, “Wash me O Lord from what I have done wrong and forgive me of my sins.” Then, turning to face the people, the Priest says out loud, “Pray brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the almighty father.” The people respond saying, “May the Lord accept this 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. Facing the people and extending his hands toward them, he says: Priest - “The Lord be with you.” People – “And with your spirit.” Priest – “Lift up your hearts.” People – “We lift them up to the Lord.” Priest – “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” People – “It is right and Just.” 9 Then the Priest faces the Altar and prays the Preface aloud to God: “It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For you have given us our life and we cannot live without You. You have saved us through our baptism and offer Heaven to us. And so, with all the Angels, we praise You, as in joyful celebration we acclaim: 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.” The people join the Priest saying the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy Lord). Then the Priest, standing with his hands held out, prays: “You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, these gifts, we pray, by sending your Spirit down on them so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (As the priest says “Body and Blood,” he makes the sign of the Cross over the bread and wine).