The Mass — Catholic Central

Understanding the Mass (Intro) — Breaking In The Habit — The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith as Catholics. But that doesn't mean that we always know what we're doing. This six-part series will break the many parts of mass down to explain what we do and why we do it.

The Introductory Rites | Understanding the Mass — Breaking In The Habit — In this first segment of the series, we will look at the introductory rites of the Mass, how the congregation is called in and prepared to worship. This will include the gathering, penitential rite, Gloria, and collect.

The Liturgy of the Word | Understanding the Mass — Breaking In The Habit — Having been gathered in and prepared through the Introductory Rites, the Mass continues with the proclamation of the Word and the reception of a great gift.

The Homily, Creed, and General Intercessions | Understanding the Mass — Breaking In The Habit — After receiving a great gift in the Word proclaimed, the congregation is now sent out to live what they have become.

The Preparation of the Gifts | Understanding the Mass — Breaking In The Habit — In the fourth part of this series, we begin a new part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, with the preparation of the gifts.

Eucharistic Prayer and Communion | Understanding the Mass — Breaking In The Habit — The Liturgy of the Eucharist reaches its height with the Eucharistic prayer and communion, the time when we are given the gift of Christ's very body and blood.

Understanding The Mass: The Concluding Rites — Breaking In The Habit — Communion may have been received, but the Mass is not over just yet. In the finale of this series, we see how the dismissal gives orients our prayer and gives meaning to the rest of the Mass.

Why We Have to Attend Mass and Receive Communion in a State of Grace - Fr. Mike Schmitz

Motivation to Go to Catholic Mass - Fr. Mike Schmitz

When Mass Feels like Going Through the Motions - Fr. Mike Schmitz

Order of Mass

Introductory Rites

• Entrance
• Greeting
• Penitential Act
• Glory to God
• Collect

Liturgy of the Word

• First Reading
• Responsorial Psalm
• Second Reading (on Sundays and solemnities)
• Gospel Acclamation
• Gospel
• Homily
• Profession of Faith (on Sundays, solemnities, and special occasions)
• Universal Prayer

Liturgy of the Eucharist

• Presentation of the Gifts and Preparation of the Altar
• Prayer over the Offerings
• Eucharistic Prayer
  •        Preface
  •        Holy, Holy, Holy
  •        First half of prayer, including Consecration
  •        Mystery of Faith
  •        Second half of prayer, ending with Doxology
• The Lord's Prayer
• Sign of Peace
• Lamb of God
• Communion
• Prayer after Communion

Concluding Rites

• Optional announcements
• Greeting and Blessing
• Dismissal

Another way of dividing a Mass is into its "ordinary" parts—those texts which, with some variations, are part of the Mass on a daily basis—and its "proper" parts—the texts of prayers and selection of Scripture readings proper to the specific feast, feria or other occasion being observed.

Additional Information on the Mass

USCCB document The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist: Basic Questions and Answers

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