A Step by Step Explanation A Walk Through the Mass A Step by Step Explanation

The Parts of the Mass Liturgy of the Word Entrance Rites Opening Song (Entrance Antiphon) Sign of the Cross Greeting Penitential Rite Kyrie Rite of Sprinkling Gloria Opening Prayer (Collect) Bible Readings First Reading (OT) Responsorial Psalm Second Reading (Sundays) Gospel Acclamation Gospel Homily Creed Prayer of the Faithful

The Parts of the Mass Liturgy of the Eucharist Preparation of the Gifts Eucharistic Prayer Holy, Holy Preface Eucharistic Prayer Proper (9) Epiclesis Memorial Acclamation Great Amen Communion Rite Our Father Sign of Peace Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) Communion Song (Communion Antiphon) Silent Meditation Prayer after Communion

Liturgy of the Eucharist The Parts of the Mass Liturgy of the Eucharist Concluding Rites Announcements Blessing Solemn Blessing Closing Song

It is the Easter Triduum in One What is the Mass? It is the Easter Triduum in One It is a Meal

Sacrosanctum Concilium The 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 Thursday Good Friday Easter Sunday

The Basic Shape It is a Meal 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 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 can be greatly helped in our “walk through” the Mass if we remember this basic “meal shape.” 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 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) storytelling, 3) meal sharing and 4) commissioning.

The Basic Shape It is a Sacrifice And yet, “He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the centuries”. And so, when we celebrate the Mass, we remember (anamnesis anamnsis) 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 unless it’s spread around encouraging young things to grow.” - Thornton Wilder

Christ is Present Sacrosanctum 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 minister, "the same now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered himself on the cross" [20], but especially under the Eucharistic 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) .

Beginning, Introduction, Preparation The Gathering Rites Beginning, Introduction, Preparation

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

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

These are chosen together on Sundays (they relate) The Story Telling 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 God are proclaimed. They are the stories of God’s people. These are chosen together on Sundays (they relate)

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

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

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

The Homily nurturing of Christian life. The homily is necessary for the nurturing of Christian life. It is an exposition of some aspect of the readings. It should take into account the mystery being celebrated, and the needs of the listeners.

Posture 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 Creed Word of God, explained in the homily, The Creed allows the faithful to respond to the Word of God, explained in the homily, so they can call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith in an approved formula. (universality).

The Prayer of the Faithful For the needs of the Church for public authorities and the salvation of the whole world. for those burdened by any kind of difficulty. for the local community.

After the readings, we move to the table. As at a meal in the home of a friend, we set the table, 2) say grace and 3) share the food (we eat and drink). At Mass these ritual actions are called the Preparation of the Gifts, the Eucharistic Prayer, 3) the Communion Rite.

Liturgy of the Eucharist Sacrifice and Meal Sharing 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 Eucharist Sacrifice and Meal Sharing