Mass Lesson One

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
                    Lesson One
                  Mass Etiquette

Let us pray.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in the fire of your love. Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Entering the Church

Upon entering the church as Catholics we follow certain rituals. Many of us follow these rituals because we were taught almost from birth to follow them. We really do not have much understanding of the why behind these rituals. So before looking at the Mass itself we will review these rituals. Why we do them and what they mean.

Opening the Door

Upon arriving at the church the first thing we do is to open and walk through the door. Most of the time we don't even think about what we are doing, especially if we are entering a newer church building. Older buildings help us to think more about what we are doing. The doors are usually large and ornate. Regardless of what the doors are like we need to pause and think about the symbolism behind the church doors. The door symbolizes Christ - the Door to our salvation.   “I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). We should realize this is no small thing. This entrance through these doors, representing Jesus Christ, has to do with our eternal life.

Holy Water

Once you have opened the door and entered the church you will find either a baptismal fount or a smaller holy water font near the door. The smaller fount is a reminder of the baptismal fount itself. The holy water contained of these founts was blessed at the Easter Vigil for the purpose of baptizing of the catechumens. Catechumens are those individuals who have been preparing for baptism and entrance into the Church. The water then is placed in the founts reminding us of our baptism, where we or our parents vowed we would die to sin and live for Christ. It also should remind us of our need to wash away secular things as we enter God's house; to keep our focus on Christ.

Sign of the Cross

Upon entering the church you dip your finger in the holy water and bless yourself by making the sign of the cross. For most of us we do this as a matter of course; without thinking about what it means. It should remind you of your baptism. Just as when the priest baptized you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit you became part of the Body of Christ you now claim that you belong to Christ.



Genuflecting and Bowing

Prior to entering a pew you should genuflect. One who is physically unable to genuflect may make a profound bow. Genuflecting is an act of adoration. Jesus is present in the tabernacle at the front of the church. Often we forget He is present in a very special way. Anytime we are in the church we need to show Him respect through our behavior. If the tabernacle is not at the front of the church, or as happens on Good Friday when it is empty, you should make a profound bow. When we bow we are making an act of reverence toward an object. When the tabernacle is empty or not at the front of the church the bow you make is toward the alter. Remember genuflecting is an act of adoration toward the actual Presence of Jesus Christ. Bowing is an act of reverence toward an object that has deep symbolic meaning.

Kneeling and Sitting

Upon entering the pew you should kneel and spend time in prayer. Kneeling is a posture of both penance and adoration. This time in prayer should be spent preparing yourself for the Mass. You might start with some prepared prayers, but should be followed by a conversation with God. Become aware of God's presence. After spending sometime on your knees you can sit, but continue to pray. I find I get more out of the Mass if I arrive early (15-20 minutes) and spend this time on my knees in prayer. Try it and see if you don't get more out of the Mass.

Increase Your Understanding

1.What does the door of the church symbolize?
2.What does Christ save us from?
3.What should you be reminded of when you bless yourself with holy water?
4.When entering the pew under what conditions should you genuflect? When should you bow?

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The Introductory Rites

The Entrance Procession

To start the Mass the cantor or another designated person will welcome everyone to Mass and announces the entrance hymn. Everyone stands and participates in the singing. This is the start of the Mass. Our prayer now changes from prayer as an individual to group prayer. Part of our prayer is the procession hymn. We need to join in the singing. We may have many reasons not to sing, but as part of the body of Christ out of love for our head we need to participate to the best of our ability in all parts of the Mass.

We are one

Once the Mass starts we not only pray as one, but we assume common postures during the mass. During the Mass we need to shun any appearance of individualism or division and focus on giving thanks to God and offering Christ the spotless victim.

During the entrance hymn the priest, alter servers, lectors, and other selected Mass participants proceed to the alter. Upon reaching the sanctuary together they will bow and the priest and deacon, if there is one, will go to the alter and venerate it by kissing it. Remember the alter is a symbol of Christ.

Opening

The priest then goes to his chair and opens the Mass with the words “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” At the same time we make the sign of the cross and respond with “Amen.” The priest and the congregation then exchange formal greetings.

The Chair

This is no ordinary chair. It is reserved for the one who in the place of the Bishop is the shepherd, teacher, and sanctifier of the community.

Penitential Rite

The penitential rite prepares us for the Sacred Mystery - the Mass. In this prayer we confess our sinfulness and request Christ's intersession.

Gloria

Except during Advent and Lent the Gloria is recited or sung on Sundays and significant feast days. The Gloria helps us to shift from ourselves back to God.

Liturgy of the Word

Scripture Readings

On Sundays a lector normally reads a selected passage from the Old Testament followed by a psalm, which is chanted or sung. Then the lector will read a selected passage from the New Testament. The congregation sits for these readings. At the conclusion of these readings the deacon or priest, if there is no deacon, will stand and move to the ambo (pulpit) to read a selection from one of the four Gospels. At the same time the congregation stands. When the priest or deacon announces the Gospel we trace a small Sign of the Cross on our forehead, mouth and chest. This indicates our desire to have the word of the Lord in our minds, upon our lips, and in our hearts.

The Homily

At the conclusion of the reading of the passage from the Gospel the Priest talks on the Scriptures that have just been read. He will usually try to link them to our daily lives. During the homily the congregation is seated. At the conclusion of the homily the priest will sit down. During this time we should think about the readings and what he has just said and how they relate to us.

The Creed

The congregation stands and makes a profession of faith using the words of the Nicene Creed. This creed clearly summarizes the basic beliefs of the Catholic Church.

Prayers of the Faithful

The Liturgy of the Word concludes with the Prayers of the Faithful. The congregation stands and as part of the Mystical Body of Christ responds to each of the petitions with “Lord hear our prayer.”

Increase Your Understanding

1.What is the difference between our prayer prior to and after the start of the Mass?
2.What is the purpose of the Penitential Rite?
3.What is the proper action to take when the priest announces the gospel?
4.At the conclusion of the homily the priest will sit down. What should we do during this period of silence?

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Offertory

The Liturgy of the Eucharist starts with the collection, which becomes part of the offerings of the congregation. The offerings of the congregation consists of the bread, wine and collection. Usually a family or the ushers bring the offerings to the priest. The congregation is seated during the collection and offertory procession. Once the priest receives the gifts he will take them to the alter and bless them. Then the priest washes his hands while saying quietly two short prayers. The priest then asks us to join him in prayer that god may accept his sacrifice and ours. At this point the congregation stands. We respond to the invitation with an “Amen.”

The Eucharistic Prayer

After the “Amen” the priest begins the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer. The Preface is a short prayer of thanksgiving and consecration, Then the congregation joins in saying or singing the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy.....). At the conclusion of the Sanctus the congregation kneels as the priest recites the Eucharistic prayer. There are several versions of the Eucharistic prayer. Each has a different tone and origin, but all contain the words of consecration. This is the time when the bread and whine become the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharistic prayer concludes with the Doxology singing praise to God. At the conclusion of the Doxology the congregation responds with the “Great Amen.”

The Lord's Prayer

At the conclusion of the “Great Amen” the congregation stands to recite the Lord's Prayer. Several different prayer postures are often seen during the recitation of the Our Father. Some families hold hands, some may even reach out to join hands with others. Others raise their hands, while some fold their hands. At the present time unless a Bishop has specified a specific form. one is free to use the form they are most comfortable with. It should be noted that this is one place where everyone at the present time does not use the same posture. Everyone stands, but what they do with their hands varies. One reason for this is that the Holy See has not ruled on this issue. When asked the Holy See said that holding hands “is a liturgical gesture introduced spontaneously but on personal initiative; it is not in the rubrics.” for this reason no one can be required to hold hands during the Our Father.

The Sign of Peace.

At the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer the deacon or priest will normally invite everyone to exchange the sign of peace with those around them. In the United states this is usually a handshake accompanied by the words “peace be with you.”

Distribution of the Eucharist

As the priest prepares for the distribution of the Eucharist the congregation sings the Agnus Dei. At the conclusion of the preparations the priest raises the Blessed Sacrament and declares “Lamb of God.....” The congregation responds with “Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” The priest and the deacon and if needed Eucharistic ministers distribute the Eucharist.

Receiving the Eucharist

In the United States we are permitted to receive the Eucharist either on the tongue, or in the hand. Reception in the hand is not allowed in all countries. Prior to receiving Communion you should bow as a sign of reverence toward the Lord. Then step toward the priest or Eucharist minister who will raise the Eucharist and say “The Body of Christ” you reply with “Amen.” If you receive the Eucharist on the tongue open your mouth and extend your tongue in a reverential way, allowing the Eucharist to be placed on it. If you receive the Lord in your hand open your hands making a throne for the Lord to be placed in. Then you take the Eucharist from your hand and place it in your mouth consuming it immediately. If you receive also from the cup bow toward the cup then allow the minister of the cup to present it to you. Take the cup and drink a small amount then return the cup to the minister.

Concluding Rites

The concluding rites are very brief. The congregation stands then the priest will offer a short prayer followed by a blessing. We should bow our heads and make the sign of the cross as we receive this blessing. Then the deacon or priest will send us forth in peace. The priest and other participants then leave the alter. Once they have exited we can leave quietly genuflecting as we leave the pew.

Leaving the church

We should not be in a hurry to leave the church at the conclusion of the Mass. We have just received Christ and are united with Him in a very special way. Take time to reflect on the fact that you have just been spiritually renewed and nourished. You have been charged with taking Christ out into the world.

Increase Your understanding

1.What are the two main parts of the Mass?
2.What does the offering consist of?
3.At what point during the Mass does the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ?
4.What is the required disposition for receiving Communion?