A Walk Through the MassA Walk Through the Mass

A Step by Step ExplanationA Step by Step Explanation

The Parts of the MassThe Parts of the Mass

Liturgy of the WordEntrance Rites

Opening Song (Entrance Antiphon)Sign of the CrossGreetingPenitential Rite

KyrieRite of Sprinkling

GloriaOpening Prayer (Collect)

Bible ReadingsFirst Reading (OT)Responsorial PsalmSecond Reading (Sundays)Gospel AcclamationGospelHomilyCreedPrayer of the Faithful

The Parts of the MassThe Parts of the Mass

Liturgy of the EucharistPreparation of the GiftsEucharistic Prayer

Holy, HolyPrefaceEucharistic Prayer Proper (9)

EpiclesisMemorial AcclamationGreat Amen

Communion RiteOur FatherSign of PeaceLamb of God

(Agnus Dei)Communion Song

(Communion Antiphon)

Silent MeditationPrayer after Communion

The Parts of the MassThe Parts of the Mass

Liturgy of the EucharistConcluding RitesAnnouncements

BlessingSolemn Blessing

Closing Song

What is the Mass?What is the Mass?

It is the Easter Triduum in One It is a Meal

Sacrosanctum ConciliumSacrosanctum ConciliumThe Easter Triduum as OneThe Easter Triduum as One

At the Last Supper, on the night when he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the eucharistic sacrifice of his body and blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the centuries until he should come again and in this way to entrust to his beloved Bride, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is eaten, the heart is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us” ” (Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy), #42).

Holy ThursdayHoly Thursday Good FridayGood Friday Easter SundayEaster Sunday

The Basic ShapeThe Basic ShapeIt is a MealIt is a Meal

1) The basic “shape” of the ritual of the Mass can be described as a 1) The basic “shape” of the ritual of the Mass can be described as a meal. This is not to say it is “just another meal” or that we are ignoring meal. This is not to say it is “just another meal” or that we are ignoring the Mass as sacrifice. Not at all. The point is, the shape of the Mass, the Mass as sacrifice. Not at all. The point is, the shape of the Mass, even when viewed as sacrifice, is that of a meal. For our purposes, we even when viewed as sacrifice, is that of a meal. For our purposes, we can be greatly helped in our “walk through” the Mass if we remember can be greatly helped in our “walk through” the Mass if we remember this basic “meal shape.”this basic “meal shape.”

2) When friends gather for a meal, they sit and talk: Eventually they 2) When friends gather for a meal, they sit and talk: Eventually they move to the table, say grace, pass the food and eat and drink, and move to the table, say grace, pass the food and eat and drink, and finally take their leave and go home. On our walk through the Mass we finally take their leave and go home. On our walk through the Mass we will follow this same map: we will see ritual acts of 1) gathering, 2) will follow this same map: we will see ritual acts of 1) gathering, 2) storytelling, 3) meal sharing and 4) commissioning. storytelling, 3) meal sharing and 4) commissioning.

The Basic ShapeThe Basic ShapeIt is a SacrificeIt is a Sacrifice

And yet, “He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross And yet, “He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the centuriesthroughout the centuries”. And so, when we celebrate the Mass, we remember (anamnesis the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.

We recall that new life comes out of death. We have human examples: we eat dead things to stay alive, we “rise” from the death of sleep, and we witness how decaying things enable plants to grow.

Think of this quote: ““Money is like manure; it’s not worth a thing Money is like manure; it’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around encouraging young things to growunless it’s spread around encouraging young things to grow.” - .” - Thornton Wilder Thornton Wilder

Christ is PresentChrist is PresentSacrosanctum ConciliumSacrosanctum Concilium

7. To accomplish so great a work, Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of His ministerin the person of His minister, "the same now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered himself on the cross" [20], but especially under the but especially under the Eucharistic speciesEucharistic species. By His power He is present in the sacraments, so that when a man baptizes it is really Christ Himself who baptizes [21]. He is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church. He is present, lastly, when the Church prays and sings, for He promised: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20) .

The Gathering RitesThe Gathering Rites

Beginning, Introduction, Preparation

GreetersGreetersWelcome PeopleWelcome People

Recognize New PeopleRecognize New PeopleRemind Us we should Remind Us we should

greet each othergreet each other

Use of WaterUse of WaterGenuflectionGenuflection

Opening SongOpening Song(Entrance Antiphon)(Entrance Antiphon)

GreetingGreeting

Penitential RitePenitential RiteKyrie EleisonKyrie Eleison

Rite of SprinklingRite of Sprinkling

GloriaGloria

Opening PrayerOpening Prayer(Collect)(Collect)

The GloriaThe Gloria

The Gloria is sung or said on The Gloria is sung or said on Sundays outside the Seasons Sundays outside the Seasons of Advent and Lent, on of Advent and Lent, on solemnities and feasts, and at solemnities and feasts, and at special celebrations of a more special celebrations of a more solemn character.solemn character.

Opening Prayer.Opening Prayer. At the close of this first At the close of this first part of the Mass the priest will ask us to part of the Mass the priest will ask us to join our minds in prayer, and after a few join our minds in prayer, and after a few moments of silence he will collect our moments of silence he will collect our intentions into one prayer to which we all intentions into one prayer to which we all respond “Amen,” a Hebrew word for “So respond “Amen,” a Hebrew word for “So be it.” be it.” A Walk Through the Mass.A Walk Through the Mass.

The Story TellingThe Story Telling

Liturgy of the WordLiturgy of the WordFirst ReadingFirst Reading

Responsorial PsalmResponsorial PsalmSecond ReadingSecond Reading

Gospel AcclamationGospel AcclamationGospelGospelHomilyHomily

First Reading /First Reading /Responsorial PsalmResponsorial Psalm

Usually from O.T.Usually from O.T.We listen, then weWe listen, then we

respond with therespond with theresponsorial psalmresponsorial psalm

Second ReadingSecond ReadingUsually from St. PaulUsually from St. PaulOutside of specialOutside of special

occasions, it is simplyoccasions, it is simplychosen sequentially.chosen sequentially.

GospelGospelMatthew (Year A)Matthew (Year A)

Mark (Year B)Mark (Year B)Luke (Year C)Luke (Year C)

John (Christmas, EasterJohn (Christmas, Easterand the end of Year B)and the end of Year B)

HomilyHomilyCreedCreed

Prayer of thePrayer of theFaithfulFaithful

These are chosen together on Sundays (they relate)

When we gather at a friend’s home for a meal, we always begin with conversation, telling our When we gather at a friend’s home for a meal, we always begin with conversation, telling our stories. At Mass, after the rites of gathering, we sit down and listen as readings from the Word of stories. At Mass, after the rites of gathering, we sit down and listen as readings from the Word of

God are proclaimed. They are the stories of God’s people. God are proclaimed. They are the stories of God’s people.

The Responsorial The Responsorial Psalm fosters Psalm fosters meditation on the meditation on the Word of God.Word of God.

Responsorial PsalmResponsorial Psalm

The Alleluia is sung in The Alleluia is sung in every season except every season except Lent.Lent.

The AlleluiaThe Alleluia

The GospelThe Gospel

The reading of the Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy The reading of the Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word.of the Word. The Liturgy itself teaches that great The Liturgy itself teaches that great reverence is to be shown to it by setting it off from the reverence is to be shown to it by setting it off from the other readings with special marks of honor: whether the other readings with special marks of honor: whether the minister appointed to proclaim it prepares himself by a minister appointed to proclaim it prepares himself by a blessing or prayer; or the faithful, standing as they listen blessing or prayer; or the faithful, standing as they listen to it being read, through their acclamations acknowledge to it being read, through their acclamations acknowledge and confess Christ present and speaking to them; or the and confess Christ present and speaking to them; or the very marks of reverence are given to the Book of the very marks of reverence are given to the Book of the Gospels. (GIRM, 60)Gospels. (GIRM, 60)

The HomilyThe Homily

The homily is necessary for the The homily is necessary for the nurturing of Christian life.nurturing of Christian life.

It is an exposition of some aspect It is an exposition of some aspect of the readings.of the readings.

It should take into account the mystery being It should take into account the mystery being celebrated, and thecelebrated, and the

needs of the listeners.needs of the listeners.

PosturePostureSittingSitting

StandingStandingKneelingKneeling

The Rule: We sit to listenThe Rule: We sit to listenWe stand to Pray,We stand to Pray,

We kneel to Worship.We kneel to Worship.

First Reading /First Reading /Responsorial PsalmResponsorial Psalm

Second ReadingSecond ReadingWe sit to listen.We sit to listen.

Gospel Gospel AcclamationAcclamation

We stand to greet Christ.We stand to greet Christ.““The Lord be with you”The Lord be with you”

Small CrossSmall CrossForehead (Mind)Forehead (Mind)Lips (Proclaim)Lips (Proclaim)Heart (Hear)Heart (Hear)

GospelGospelConcludes withConcludes with

The Gospel of the LordThe Gospel of the LordPraise to Praise to YOUYOU, Lord, Lord

Jesus Christ [WE GREETJesus Christ [WE GREETCHRIST]CHRIST]

HomilyHomilyWe sit to listen.We sit to listen.

CreedCreedWe profess our faith.We profess our faith.

General IntercessionsGeneral IntercessionsWe pray for the Church,We pray for the Church,

World, OthersWorld, Others

A common posture, to be observed by all participants, is a sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community gathered for the Sacred Liturgy: it both

expresses and fosters the intention and spiritual attitude of the participants. (GIRM, 42)

The CreedThe Creed

The Creed allows the faithful to respond to theThe Creed allows the faithful to respond to theWord of God,Word of God,

explained in the homily,explained in the homily, so they can call to mind and confess theso they can call to mind and confess the

great mysteries of the faith in an great mysteries of the faith in an approved formula. (universality).approved formula. (universality).

The Prayer of the FaithfulThe Prayer of the Faithful

For the needs of the ChurchFor the needs of the Church for public authorities and the salvation of for public authorities and the salvation of

the whole world.the whole world. for those burdened by any kind of difficulty.for those burdened by any kind of difficulty.

for the local community.for the local community.

After the readings, we move to the table. As at a meal in the home of a friend, we

1)set the table, 2) say grace and 2)3) share the food (we eat and drink). At Mass these ritual actions are called

1)the Preparation of the Gifts, 2) the Eucharistic Prayer, 3) the Communion Rite.

Liturgy of the EucharistLiturgy of the EucharistSacrifice and Meal SharingSacrifice and Meal Sharing

The PartsThe PartsPreparation of GiftsPreparation of GiftsEucharistic PrayerEucharistic PrayerCommunion RiteCommunion Rite

Preparation of thePreparation of theGiftsGifts

Early community Early community Brought gifts – we collectBrought gifts – we collect

money.money.

EucharisticEucharisticPrayerPrayer

We remember God’sWe remember God’ssaving deeds of history.saving deeds of history.

We recall Jesus Christ, We recall Jesus Christ, and the memorialand the memorial

He left us.He left us.

EucharisticEucharisticPrayerPrayer

We recall the passion,We recall the passion,death, and resurrectiondeath, and resurrection

of Jesus.of Jesus.

Eucharistic PrayerEucharistic PrayerWe ask God to continue We ask God to continue

those deeds in thethose deeds in thepresent.present.

We ask God to makeWe ask God to makeus one body, oneus one body, one

spirit in Christ.spirit in Christ.

After the readings, we move to the table. As at a meal in the home of a friend, we 1) set the table, 2) say grace and 3) share the food (we eat and drink).

At Mass these ritual actions are called 1) the Preparation of the Gifts, 2) the Eucharistic Prayer, 3) the Communion Rite.

Liturgy of the EucharistLiturgy of the EucharistSacrifice and Meal SharingSacrifice and Meal Sharing

The PartsThe PartsCommunion RiteCommunion RiteConcluding RiteConcluding Rite

Communion RiteCommunion RiteWe prepare to receiveWe prepare to receive

Jesus.Jesus.We receive Jesus.We receive Jesus.

We reflect on receiving We reflect on receiving JesusJesus

We pray.We pray.

Concluding RiteConcluding RiteAnnouncementsAnnouncements

Blessing.Blessing.Solemn Blessing.Solemn Blessing.

Closing Song.Closing Song.

FellowshipFellowshipCoffee Hour, etc.Coffee Hour, etc.

A parish has various A parish has various activities to helpactivities to help

the community know eachthe community know eachother.other.

ActionActionWe are sent forth to put We are sent forth to put

into practice what weinto practice what wehave heard.have heard.

The Mass presumes we The Mass presumes we will be changed people.will be changed people.