May 17, 2020 Extraordinary Form of the Mass - Fifth Sunday After Easter Solemn High Mass General Notes This Form of the Mass has the priest praying ad orientem (toward the east) or ad Deum (toward God), which means He is facing the altar with the people in order to focus everyone’s attention not on himself, but on the worship of God, which is the primary purpose of the Mass. At certain points the priest turns to the faithful, usually saying or chanting, Dominus vobiscum (the Lord be with you), and he will then turn back to the altar while the the people say or chant, et cum spiritu tuo (and with your spirit). You will notice these are the main visual cues used in this guide. Since this is a Solemn High Mass, today one will notice a deacon and subdeacon also serving at the altar fulfilling particular functions to assist the priest. While this guide gives the order of the Mass parts, the Mass itself has a “layering effect.” At certain points the choir is singing while the priest and servers are praying softly and moving around to perform certain duties. This is not meant to distract, but this Form of the Mass incorporates the different actions of priest, choir, servers, and people into a harmony - different actions “layered” on others. If you are new to this Form of the Mass, do not worry. If you are confused or loose your place, don’t worry. If following the translations helps you, great; if not, that is fine too. It is okay to even put this guide to the side, and simply watch and listen. Engage the beauty of the Mass by praying and meditating and seeking to recognize the parts of the Mass as best you can. God will reward your effort for sticking with it and offering your spiritual sacrifice. How to use this beginner’s guide. The first few pages follow the order of the Mass divided by visual and audible cues that one will notice while viewing the Livestream. Within each cue is listed the corresponding parts of the Mass. In bold are the visual and audible cues for reference. In regular type are listing of certain parts of Mass. In italics are the translation references and some suggestions on what you can pray or meditate on during the corresponding parts of the Mass. Most of the Mass is in Latin, so included is a translation of certain parts (not every prayer is included because it would be too much for a beginner guide). If you see a note that says “see appendix A,” you can choose to turn to the last three pages and find the corresponding letter for that part and read the English translation. Instructions on when to sit, stand, or kneel are not included here since one is watching this livestream and not actually in the church. Of course there is nothing wrong with kneeling or standing at the appropriate times in your home. If you wish to do so, follow the example of the servers for when to kneel, stand, or sit. Page 1 of 7 Basic Structure Outline Choir sings a prelude Hymn Mass Bell Rings: Processional hymn Here meditate how the Lord enters His sacrifice of the Cross and how He enters our lives with love and mercy. He invites us to enter into His mercy that we may worship the Father in Spirit and Truth Choir chants Introit: see append. A Priest and servers pray the Prayers at Foot of the Altar It is appropriate here to pray a private act of contrition prayer asking for God’s mercy. Priest Incenses the Altar Choir chants Kyrie “Lord have mercy” x3, “Christ have mercy” x3,“Lord have mercy”x3 The focus is still on God’s mercy for it is only by His mercy we are healed and saved from our sins. Priest intones and choir chants the “Gloria” - see append. B Priest turns toward people #1 - “Dominus vobiscum” - “et cum spiritu tuo” Priest chants the Collect at right side of altar - see append. C Subdeacon chants the Epistle in Latin at right side of sanctuary - see append. D reading the translation and meditating on the epistle at this time is a way to focus on the “theme” of this Mass and prepare for the sermon. Choir sings Alleluia as priest goes to other side of altar - see append. E Priest returns to right side of altar as deacon prepares to chant the Gospel Deacon chants Gospel from left side of sanctuary - see append. F “Dominus Vobiscum” - “et cum spiritu tuo” reading the translation and meditating on the Gospel at this time is a way to focus on the events of Christ’s life and prepare for the sermon. Priest goes to the ambo to preach the Sermon Priest returns to center of altar Priest intones and Choir chants the “Credo” - see append. G Priest turns toward people #2 - “Dominus Vobiscum” - “et cum spiritu tuo” Choir sings the offertory Antiphon - see append. H This is the offertory time where the priest through certain prayers and ceremonies prepares the offering of the people. Here call to mind your joys and hopes and also sufferings and hardship. Bring them to the foot of the Cross to unite them with the sacrifice of Jesus. The Lord will not be outdone in generosity, but He desires that we bring Him our efforts and Page 2 of 7 spiritual offerings, for through them, God’s grace works to move us more toward holiness. Priest incenses the gifts and altar Server washes the priest’s hands at right side of altar while servers and assembly are incensed. Priest turns toward people #3 - “Orate Fratres...” Priest says in Latin, “Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to the Lord our God” The servers will respond in Latin. It is appropriate for you to pray privately: “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His Name, for our good and the good of all His holy Church.” Priest: “Dominus” Vobiscum ...........................People: “et cum spiritu tuo” (the Lord be with you) (and with your spirit) “sursum corda”.................................................. “habemus ad Dominum (Lift up your hears) (we lift them up to the Lord) Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro”................ “dignum et justum est” (Let us give thanks to the Lord our God) (It is right and just) Priest continues chanting the Preface - see append. I Choir chants the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) - as bells ring - see append. J The priest prays the Canon (Eucharistic Prayer) during which the Consecration happens. The priest prays these prayers in a low voice to evoke the silence necessary to meditate on the great mystery of Christ becoming present on the altar. This is a time to reflect and pray more deeply on the Lord’s Passion. His perfect love for the Father led Him to embrace the cross for our salvation. How blessed we are to be His brothers and sisters. The priest elevates the Body and Blood of Christ as bells ring for each. It is a pious practice to proclaim one’s faith in the True Presence of Christ by looking at the host and chalice and praying in one’s heart, “My Lord and my God! The priest continues the Canon in a low voice. Here meditate on the Lord’s Resurrection and Ascension which makes possible the Sacraments of the Church. Take time to thank the Lord for His Presence on the altar. Pray for living and deceased family and friends, for the Church, the parish, the community, the world, and any other personal petitions. Priest chants “per omnia saecula saecularum.” Choir responds, “Amen” This means “For ages of ages. Amen.” This concludes the canon. Page 3 of 7 Priest chants the Pater Noster (Our Father) One may pray the Pater Noster (Our Father) quietly - thanking God for the privilege to truly call Him Father. Priest chants “per omnia saecula saecularum.” - “Amen” Priest chants “Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum” This means, “The peace of the Lord be with you always” People respond by chanting, “Et cum spiritu tuo” Choir Chants “Agnus Dei” - “Lamb of God” Bells ring before the priest receives Holy Communion. Normally after the “Agnus Dei,” the priest turns toward the faithful so they can receive Holy Communion, but since that cannot be done right now due to the Coronavirus, the priest will proceed straight to the ablutions (purifying of the sacred vessels). Choir sings Communion Antiphon - see Append. K It is appropriate at this time to make a Spiritual Communion using these or similar words: My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. Priest turns to people # 4 - “Dominus Vobiscum” - “et cum spiritu tuo” Priest prays Post Communion Prayer at right side of altar - see appendix L Priest turns to people # 5 - “Dominus Vobiscum” - “et cum spiritu tuo” At center of alter the Deacon chants, “Ite Missa Est” (Go, the Mass is ended.). People respond, “Deo Gratias” (Thanks be to God). Priest turns to people # 6 Priest gives Final Blessing with the Sign of the Cross at center of altar. Priest goes to left side of altar for the Last Gospel Priest reads the Prologue of John’s Gospel - see append.