The Introductory Rites
The rites in the order of mass that precede the Liturgy of the Word, namely, the Entrance, the Greeting, the Penitential Act, the Kyrie, the Gloria and Collect, have a character of a beginning, an introduction and a preparation. Their purpose is to ensure that the faithful, who come together as one, establish communion and dispose themselves properly to listen to the Word of God and to celebrate the Eucharist worthily.
The Entrance and Greetings
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be
with you all.
And with your spirit.
[or]
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
And with your spirit.
[or]
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
The Priest (or another minister) may very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of the day.
Penitential Act
Option A
Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. [A brief pause for silence follows.]
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do
[And striking their breast, they say]
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault; [Then they continue]
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
[or]
Kyrie, Eleison
Kyrie, Eleison.
Christe, Eleison
Christe, Eleison
Kyrie, Eleison
Kyrie, Eleison.
Option B
Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. [A brief pause for silence follows.]
Have mercy on us, O Lord.
For we have sinned against you.
Show us, O Lord, your mercy.
And grant us your salvation.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
[or]
Kyrie, Eleison
Kyrie, Eleison.
Christe, Eleison
Christe, Eleison
Kyrie, Eleison
Kyrie, Eleison.
Option C
Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. [A brief pause for silence follows.]
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart:
Lord, have mercy / Kyrie, Eleison.
Lord, have mercy / Kyrie, Eleison.
You came to call sinners:
Christ, have mercy / Christe, Eleison.
Christ, have mercy / Christe, Eleison.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:
Lord, have mercy / Kyrie, Eleison.
Lord, have mercy / Kyrie, Eleison.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
The Gloria
This is the most ancient and venerable hymn by which the Church, gathered in the Holy Spirit, glorifies and entreats God the Father and the Lamb. The text of this hymn may not be replaced by any other. It is sung or said on Sundays outside Advent and Lent, and also on Solemnities and Feast, and at celebrations of a more solemn character.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in glory of God the Father.
Amen.
The Collect
Let us pray.
… for ever and ever
Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
In the readings, the tablet of God’s Word is spread before the faithful, and the treasures of the Bible are opened to them. When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people. Therefore, the readings are to be listened to reverently by everyone, for they are an element of the greatest importance. It is not lawful to replace the readings and Responsorial Psalm with other, non-biblical texts. The Homily, the Profession of Faith and the Universal Prayer develop and conclude the Liturgy of the Word.
First Reading
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
An appropriate period of silence is to be observed after the reading.
Responsorial Psalm
The Responsorial Psalm should correspond to each reading and should usually be taken from the Lectionary. It is preferable for the Responsorial Psalm to be sung, at least as far as the people’s response is concerned.
Second Reading
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Acclamation before the Gospel
There follows the Alleluia or another chant laid down by the rubrics, as the liturgical time requires.
The Gospel
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to…
Glory to you, O Lord.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
The Homily
THE PROFESSION OF FAITH
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
[At the words that follow, up to and including and became man, all bow.]
and by the Holy Spirit was incarate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under
Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord,
the giver of life
who proceeds from the father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored
and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and
apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Instead of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, especially during Lent and Easter Time, the baptismal Symbol of the Roman Church, known as the Apostle’s Creed, may be used.
The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
[At the words that follow, up to and including the Virgin Mary, all bow.]
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day, he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God
the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living
and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
The Prayer of the Faithful (Universal Prayer)
The people, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for various needs: for the Church; for public authorities and the salvation of the world; for those burdened by any kind of difficulty; for the local community. The Celebrant begins this prayer with a brief introduction, and he concludes it with an oration. The intentions announced should be well composed and in few words.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Preparation of the Gifts
The bread and wine are placed on the altar by the Priest to the accompaniment of the prescribed formulae (given below), said in a low voice. If however, the offertory chant is not sung, the Priest may speak these words aloud, in which case the people respond with the prescribed acclamation.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.
Blessed be God for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.
Blessed be God for ever.
The Prayer over the Offering
Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
[The people rise and reply]
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.
[people respond to the prayer over the Offering:]
Amen.
The Eucharistic Prayer
The Eucharistic Prayer is the centre and high point of the entire celebration. The priest addresses this prayer in the name of the entire community to God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. The people associate themselves with the Priest in this prayer in faith and in silence, as well as by means of the prescribed responses.
The Lord be with you.
And also with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just.
The Priest, with hands extended, continues the Preface. At the end of the Preface he joins his hands and concludes the Preface with the people, singing or saying aloud:
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.
[or]
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth
Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Hosanna in excelsis.
[The Priest continues the Eucharistic Prayer. After the words of Consecration, the Priest says: ]
The mystery of faith.
We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
[or]
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
[or]
Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
[At the conclusion of the prayer thee Priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he says: ]
Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Communion Rite
The Lord’s Prayer
At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.
Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And with your spirit.
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
[And all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion, and charity. The Priest gives the sign of peace to a Deacon or minister.]
The Fraction of Bread
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
Communion
Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
[Followed by a communion hymn]
The body of Christ.
(The communicant replies:)
Amen.
(An appropriate period of sacred silence may be observed)
The Prayer After Communion
Let us pray.
…. Through Christ our Lord / … for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Concluding Rites
The Dismissal
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
May almighty God bless you, the Father,
and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
(in a Pontifical Mass:)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Now and for ever.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Who made heaven and earth.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Go forth, the Mass is ended.
[or]
Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
[or]
Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
[or]
Go in peace.
Thanks be to God.
