STRUCTURE, ELEMENTS, AND PARTS OF THE MASS

I. INTRODUCTORY RITES: To unify the community To create the proper atmosphere Prepare them for full and active participation (SC 14)

1. Entrance procession and Entrance Song a. Entrance Procession Sets the mode of the celebration Symbol of the pilgrim church moving towards the Lord b. Entrance Song Indicates the reason for the celebration or it introduces the theme of the day. It has the character of opening the celebration. 2. Genuflection Sign of humility and self-emptying. Sign of awareness of one’s nothingness before God.

3. Kiss of the and Incensing of the altar The altar is a symbol of Christ. Expression of love. 4. Sign of the Cross Sign of the Trinity – it is only in the name of God do we dare to approach him. Sign of Baptism – because of it we have the right and duty to celebrate the Eucharist Sign of the Cross – reminds us of the sacrifice that will happen on the altar. 5. Greeting Sign of acknowledgement of the presence of God in the assembly.

6. Introduction It is brief and it introduces the celebration and welcomes the congregation for the sacred occasion. 7. Penitential Rite Meaning: To get recollected To realize and acknowledge our unfaithfulness to our baptismal vows. A general confession of sins. “To examine oneself before partaking in the Holy Communion.” (1 Cor 11, 2)

KYRIE Greek – Kyrios - Lord Lord have mercy Praise of the mercy of the Lord Mood - jovial - joyful

8. Gloria A Hymn from ancient time taken from the nativity. It is a litany of titles to God the Father and God the Son. 9. Opening Prayer or Collect A public prayer said by the presider. A presidential prayer where the prayers of the community are taken by the priest and offer them to God.

II. LITURGY OF THE WORD: 1. First Reading Biblical Basis: Meaning: Ex 24, 7 – Moses the book of the covenant and read it aloud to the proplewho declared, “everything that Yaweh has said, we will put into practice and will obey. Ex. 24, 9-11 – Moses went up, accompanied by seventy elders of Israel and they saw the God of Israel….. they ate and they drank. Meaning: God speaks to his people of redemption and salvation God’ s word is proclaimed once more and it becomes a reality The people are formed again as people of God and the people respond by reforming their lives

2. Responsorial Psalm 3. Second Reading 4. Alleluia It is a meditation about the first reading It deepens or explains the reading It is the people’s response of praise for the Lord has done. 3. Second Reading During Sundays, Solemnities, Feast, Special Occasions (Priests must be consulted) 4. Alleluia Has no connection to the previous readings It introduces or welcomes the Word of God – Gospel It invites us to look forward to the Gospel It highlights the Gospel

4. Gospel The proclamation of the Gospel makes Christ alive and present to the faithful. (this is the reason why the priest greets the people, marks the gospel book with the sign of the cross and kisses it after. 5. Homily To explain the Word of God to the people so that they will understand and apply the Gospel message in their life.

6. Profession of Faith 7. Prayer of the Faithful It contains the truth of our faith in summarized form It recalls the salvific work of God, thus, it completes the readings where the works of God is proclaimed. It makes us renew our commitment to God. It is an act of praise and honor for God’s steadfast love It is a sign of unity for all the faithful It confronts us in our sincerity if we really have faith in the Lord, “Do I really believe?” 7. Prayer of the Faithful The people exercises their priestly duty Due to our helplessness, we ask our Father’s assistance in our present time and undertakings. It reminds us that God does not only work through miracles but works through the cooperation of men. We ask for his help but he asks us to make ourselves available to be his instruments in changing the world. For the faithful to express their assent and response to the Word of God.

III. LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST: 1. Offertory Procession The Gifts Bread and Wine that will become the body and blood of Christ Collection and gifts as symbol of our self-giving and openness to participate in the Eucharistic celebration The Procession A symbolic expression of our personal entry into the sacrifice of Christ. Elevation of the Bread and Wine This is done to distinguish them from the other gifts The priest blesses the Lord for providing bread and wine to become his Body and Blood

2. Eucharistic Prayer Preface Sanctus The Eucharistic prayer begins with a dialogue between the priest and the assembly. This dialogue is a n invitation to give thanks Preface Addressed to the Father Recalls what God has done for the human race. The work of Christ is given special attention. Sanctus A song of acclamation, adoration, and thanksgiving addressed to the Father.

Consecration Epicclesis The Institution Narrative Anamnesis Prayer calling on the Holy Spirit to come upon the Bread and wine so that it becomes the Body and Blood of Christ. The Institution Narrative It is the Narration of the institution during which the priest in the name of Christ, pronounces the words used at the Last Supper. Anamnesis The assembly acclaims Christ by recalling the mystery of His death, resurrection and ascension. Anamnesis is a term which means “to remember. Intercession A series of prayers for the members of the assembly for the church, for the living and the dead. Doxology The priest gives again glory to the Father, through the son and through the Holy Spirit, hence they are word of praise to Him. It terminates the Eucharistic prayer. Great Amen This intensifies the Eucharistic prayer as the whole faithful gives

4. Communion Rite Lord’s Prayer Exchange of Peace The prayer of the children of God, the prayer of those who recognizes themselves as sons and daughters of God. It manifests our desire to develop the heart of a child so that we may enter into the Heavenly Banquet. (Mt 18, 3) It is a prayer pre-occupied with the affairs of the Father. It is a prayer of dependence on God who provides bread which nourishes both body and blood. It is a prayer which implores God “to forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Exchange of Peace It is a beautiful means which we manifest that we are children of the same Father. It means we have to go out of ourselves and consider others as persons and to be respected and loved. It means we have to forgive wholeheartedly those who have wronged us. The exchange of peace prepares us to receive Holy Communion.

Lamb of God Holy Communion It reminds us of Christ who offered himself on the cross for our salvation. It is an imitation of Christ’s gesture of breaking the bread with his disciples during the last supper. Holy Communion Just as Christ presented the bread and wine to his disciples, and they did not take it by themselves, communion is also given to us and we receive it as a free gift. This gift which the Lord offers us today is same as that of the last supper and on the cross. The bread given is his body, offered up as the source of our salvation. It is desirable that the faithful receive the Lord’s gift from the same mass. Communion is to be received by hand or tongue.

IV. Concluding Rites: 1. Prayer after Communion 2. Blessing The prayer petition for the effects of the mystery just celebrated. The people people’s response of Amen makes the prayer as their own. 2. Blessing It implores the protection of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit on those who are leaving. It asks that the gifts which they have received may remain with them. The sign of the cross traced by the priest on everyone is an invocation that the Trinity may protect them as they go out and live out the gospel message.

3. Dismissal It is an indication that we go out and live the gospel message that we have received. It is an invitation that we continue our earthly pilgrimage with the Lord. 4. Final Song There are no liturgical norms for the recessional song, musicians are free to plan music which provides an appropriate closing of the Holy Eucharist.

GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) UPDATES Real Presence 4 Modes 1. Priest 2. Word of God 3. Bread and Wine 4. Assembly

On Silence It should be observed reverently few minutes before the Holy Mass begins, during the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist, not unless their response is required. On Standing The Congregation is to stand after before the invitation for Prayer over the Gifts. “Pray brethren that…” On Bowing Upon arriving in the church the faithful should genuflect at the side of the pews before sitting and again when they are to leave their seats when the celebration is finished. But they are not to genuflect when they leave their seats to receive communion. The faithful should also do a simple vow before receiving communion.

Thank You! In everything we do “May GOD be the Glory”