Christian

Initiation

GUIDE TO

THE MASS

Office of Christian Initiation 450 Hay St Perth Email: christian.initiation@perthcatholic.org.au Website: http://initiation.perthcatholic.org.au/

Ph: 6104 3696

THE MASS A BASIC OVERVIEW The major parts of the Mass (A) Introductory Rites (B) Liturgy of the Word (C) Liturgy of the Eucharist (D) Concluding Rites St Justin the Martyr in 150A.D. described the Sunday gatherings of the early Christians with specific details that have continued today and express the importance of community worship in the Mass. These are:

The followers of Jesus Christ assembled on a Sunday.

They shared the life and ministry of Jesus, the writings of the Apostles, and shared the Hebrew Scriptures.

The community leader gave an explanation of this in a Homily.

They prayed together for the whole community.

They shared the ‘Sign of Peace’ acknowledging their gathering as one body in communion of the spirit, God, self, and others.

The Eucharist was celebrated.

Alms were gathered for the less fortunate amongst them.

These practices have remained true since the beginning of Christianity and continue today in the Mass. The language and order may have altered over time, but the essential parts of the Mass have remained constant.

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The Sign of the Cross The Sign of the Cross is the simplest Catholic Prayer and blessing. Christ’s mandate to the early Church at His Ascension was to make disciples of the nations, baptising thein in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. [Mt28:19] From the 2nd Century, Christians commonly blessed themselves with the Sign of the Cross. This blessing is also used with significance in Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and when we receive the ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday. As we make the Sign of the Cross with faithful intention, we profess our belief in the Blessed Trinity and immediately call ourselves into the Presence and perfect love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.1

Using the right hand we touch the forehead and pray: 1. In the name of the Father,

Then we touch the chest praying: 2. and of the Son,

Next we cross ourselves touching the left shoulder then the right shoulder and pray:

3. & 4. and of the Holy Spirit, We finish by joining our hands and pray:

5. Amen. ‘Amen’ is a resounding acclaim meaning truly I believe. A bowl/font of water or the Baptismal font is located in the entry of the church. It is customary to dip our fingers into the water and bless ourselves with the Sign of the Cross. This simple blessing, with water, reminds us we are part of God’s family through Baptism.

Before sitting, Catholics genuflect towards the Tabernacle. Genuflection involves bending one knee to the ground, and reverently acknowledging Jesus’ Presence. Reserved in the Tabernacle is the Body of Christ, which has already been consecrated at a previous Mass for Adoration and Communion to the Sick. The red candle/light near the Tabernacle assures us of Jesus’ Real Presence within the Tabernacle. You are welcome to sit in any pew of the Church.

1 This is the Mass p. 13

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The Entrance Procession As we rise for the Entrance Procession, our standing symbolises not only our respect for the celebrant entering the Church, but also our unity and common dignity. We are ‘a royal priesthood and a holy nation’, [1Pt 2:9] as ‘we go rejoicing to the house of the Lord… to give thanks to the name of the Lord.’ [Ps122:1] The assembly, through standing for the Entrance Procession, welcome Christ, as one pilgrim people; people on the move.2

The Entrance Hymn Music unites us in one voice, welcoming and celebrating Christ in our midst, as we begin the worship of our God. Mass is always a joyful celebration; it is natural to gather as one voice in jubilation. Our Judeo-Christian history has long been associated with music and singing:3

The Introductory Rite The Greeting: The priest begins with the Sign of the Cross. All: Amen.

Priest: 1. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the

communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. OR

2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. OR

3. The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit. The Lord be with you. This simple opening of the Mass is a spiritual greeting, as we gather together as the people of God. This earliest greeting echoes King Boaz’s welcome to his workers. [Ruth 2:4] The assembly responds with And with your spirit, taken from Paul’s welcoming address in his epistles. We are a spiritual people united in the worship of our God. Bishop’s offer the greeting: Peace be with you, [Jn 20:19] as did the Risen Christ when He first appeared to His disciples. Other liturgical greetings all originate from Scripture and the ancient liturgies of the Church. 4

2 This is the Mass p.5 3 This is the Mass p.7 4 This is the Mass p.15

PENITENTIAL ACT

In the Act of Penance …in a moment of sacred silence, all recollect themselves; that is, the celebrant and whole assembly reflect humbly on the past week.5

1. THE CONFITEOR All: 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;

striking the breast to ‘express the intention and spiritual attitude of the participants …’6.

through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; 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.

Or The ‘Lord have mercy’ may be prefaced with a special petition.

2. Priest: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart:

All: Lord have mercy

Priest: You came to call sinners.

All: Christ have mercy

Priest: You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for

us.

All: Lord have mercy

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us Our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

5 General Instruction of the Roman Missal GIRM 45 6 GIRM 42, Roman Missal p550

Catholics acknowledge Mary and the saints who are with Christ in Heaven; thereby we ask them to intercede or pray for us, since they have attained our hope for the future, that is, salvation with God in Heaven. Catholics do not worship Mary and the saints but through their intercession we are reminded of their faithfulness in living the Gospel. Mary is venerated because she is The Mother of God, and holds a special place in the Catholic faith.

All: Amen

Lord have mercy / Kyrie (may be sung) Priest: Lord, have mercy. Or Kyrie, eleison. All: Lord, have mercy. Kyrie, eleison. Priest: Christ, have mercy. Christe, eleison. All: Christ, have mercy. Christe, eleison. Priest: Lord, have mercy. Kyrie, eleison. All: Lord, have mercy. Kyrie, eleison. The Kyrie, the only Greek prayer of the Mass, moves us from penitential prayer to mercy. These 3 short invocations acknowledge ‘Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ [Phil 2:11]7

THE GLORIA The Gloria, the greater doxology, liturgically originates from the early Church. It is Scripturally taken from the Angels hymn of praise of Jesus’ birth, sung to the shepherds, [Lk 2:13] and also echoes the Book of Revelation [4:8] 8

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 the glory of God the Father. Amen.

7 This is the Mass p.19-23 8 Gospel of Luke 2:14; This is the Mass p.19-23

The Collect

The Collect is the Opening Prayer of the Mass ‘ … through which the character of the celebration finds expression.’9 It’s theme is linked to the Gospel,

Priest: Let us pray.……… All: Amen LITURGY OF THE WORD

Please sit to listen to the Word of God being proclaimed to us. The readings follow an order:

I. Hebrew Scripture II. Apostle: New Testament epistle/letter

III. Gospel

THE FIRST READING

Usually taken from the Hebrew Scriptures also known as the Old Testament

(exception is made during the Easter Season when passages from Acts of the

Apostles are proclaimed). The Hebrew Scriptures thematically link to The Gospel.

Jesus came to fulfil and complete the Hebrew Scriptures, not change them.

Through the Hebrew Scriptures, we are reminded that God has always been close

to humankind, guiding us with mercy and forgiveness.

Reader: A Reading from… The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. RESPONSORIAL PSALM (should be sung)

‘The collection of 150 Hebrew Psalms … allows us to express human feelings, longings and reactions that link us to fellow pilgrims down through the centuries.’ The assembly have opportunity to respond to our active reception of the 1st Reading. In the Mass, the Psalms are shared by the Reader, offering the verse with the assembly usually responding with the refrain.10

9 GIRM 54 10 This is the Mass p.29

THE SECOND READING

The Second Reading is taken from the epistles, Acts of the Apostles or the Book of Revelation. Often an entire epistle is shared over several weeks. During the Liturgical Seasons of Lent, Advent, Easter and Christmas, the 2nd Reading proclaimed, links directly to the theme of the season, i.e. joy in week three of Lent. The importance of listening to the 2nd Reading offers advice, reprimand and lessons, taught to the early Church, still echoing today in our communities of faith.11 [

Reader: A Reading from… The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

Please stand.

Gospel Acclamation

As we stand in respect to herald the Gospel, ‘we are an Easter people, Alleluia is our song.’ [St Augustine] Alleluia, in Hebrew, means praise God! This joyful acclaim is not said during the Lenten Season, which calls us to remember ‘our need for redemption in Christ.’ Other Acclamations are used during Lent in accordance with the Lectionary.12 However, it may be omitted if not sung.’13

All: Alleluia, Alleluia!

OR the Lenten Acclamations

Verse … Alleluia.

GOSPEL

The Gospels, announced only by the Priest or Deacon, is shared over the Liturgical Calendar as follows: Matthew in Year A, Mark in Year B, Luke in Year C, with John offered for particular Liturgical Seasons and feasts. The presider’s liturgical kiss of the Gospel, reflects reverence for Jesus’ teaching as he quietly prays ‘Through the words of the Gospel may our sins be wiped away’..14

Priest: The Lord be with you All: And with your spirit. Priest: A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to… The Priest blesses the Gospel with Sign of the Cross, as we bless our mind’s, heart’s and lips, ‘allowing the Gospel to sink into our lives.’15

All: Glory to you, O Lord. 11 This is the Mass p.31 12 This is the Mass p.33 13 GIRM 63c 14 The Years of the Year p vi; Roman Missal p 559; This is the Mass p.35 15 This is the Mass p.39

The assembly makes the Sign of the Cross on the forehead, mouth and heart. This is a powerful intercession calling us to think like; speak like, and love like Jesus, as we hear the Gospel.

Priest: The Gospel of the Lord All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Please sit

HOMILY Homily, in Greek, means ‘informal discourse’, while sermo, in Latin means ‘talk.’

Therefore the Homily is a teaching by the presider, explaining the Scripture and its

context in our lives, but also its part and place in the context of the Good News.16

Please stand to profess our faith.

THE CREED - PROFESSION OF FAITH The Creed is our personal statement of faith in one Triune God; ‘we proclaim our faith together as a community, but each member of the Church confesses the faith individually… with personal responsibility. The Apostles’ Creed (c 215) is credited from St Hippolytus of Rome; the Nicene Creed comes from 2 councils, Nicaea (c 325) and Constantinople (c. 381) The Nicaea-Constantinople Creed is obviously longer than the Apostles Creed, as it was addressing Arian heresies of the time, that is, ‘Jesus is true God from true God, …consubstantial with the Father’17.

All: 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, (all bow) and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

16 This is the Mass p.41 17 This is the Mass p.43

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. Or The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, (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. Universal Prayer

The Universal Prayer also known as the Prayer of the Faithful, are general

intercessions, offered as a single prayer of the community of faith. The Universal

Prayer opens and is concluded by the priest, while the intentions are led by one of

the faithful. The General Intercessions are prepared in the parish but with universal

themes. The strength and power of having every corner of the world praying for

these particular topics reflects the potency of this prayer, which effectively is offered

for the salvation of the world. We also remember the sick and the dead, since

though they may not physically be present at Mass, they remain a conscious part of

our community of faith.18

Themes of intentions: a) Needs of the Church b) Public authorities and whole world salvation c) For those burdened d) Local community e) Intentions may be directed for particular needs.

Reader: Intercession Lord, hear us. All: Lord, hear our prayer. (or comparable response)

The Universal Prayer concludes the Liturgy of The Word

Dismissal of the Catechumens

The priest has the option of dismissing the catechumens and candidates, (those on

the conversion journey to become Catholic) before the Liturgy of the Eucharist

begins. Alternatively the priest may invite those on the conversion path to stay, and

though they are not yet in communion with us, they may participate in the

Communion Procession and receive a blessing.19

18 GIRM #69-71 19 RCIA 67

The Collection is now taken up. This dates back to Apostolic Tradition, ‘in regard to the collection …save whatever one can afford’ [1Cor 16:1-3] and ‘the wealthy among us help the needy, and we always lend one another assistance.’ [St Justin the Martyr 67] ‘Today, the money collected at Mass supplies the operational needs of the parish, sustains the clergy and assists the needy.’20

Preparation for receiving Holy Communion:

Catholics abstain from food or drink (except water or any medications) for 1 hour

before Communion.21 This can be understood as a physical prayer and preparation.

It is a self-emptying to receive the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Holy Communion unites us with the Paschal Mystery/Sacrifice of Jesus, that is, his

‘Passion, death, Resurrection, and glorious Ascension’ for our salvation.22

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Preparation or Offertory of the Gifts Please sit.

The Offertory opens what is also known as the Mass of the Faithful, the beginning of

the Eucharistic Liturgy; differentiating from the Liturgy of the Word, also called the

Mass of Catechumens. In presenting the gifts, we offer the ‘fruit of our labour and

the work of human hands’. Those taking up the gifts hand them to the priest and

respectfully bow.23

Priest: 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. All: Blessed be God forever. Priest: 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. All: Blessed be God forever. ‘Following the example of Christ, the Church has always used bread and wine with

water to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.’24

20 This is the Mass p.49 21 Ordo 2015 p24 22 Catechism of the Catholic Church Glossary 23 This is the Mass p.51 24 GIRM #319

In the Catholic Church, wine with alcohol (without additives) is used, following the example of Jesus; ‘Joy, sorrow, judgement, celebration, healing, weakness, love, friendship – all of this came together when …Jesus took the cup of blessing.’ The water, added to the Chalice of wine, represents humanity added to the blood of Christ, while the celebrant quietly prays: ‘By the mystery of the water and wine, may we come to share in the divinity if Christ, Who humbled Himself to share in our humanity.’25

The custom of cleansing has Jewish traditions linked to purification. The priest washing his hands quietly prays: ‘Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.’ 26

Priest: Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. Please stand Through the Invitation to Pray, the sacrifice we collectively offer the Father may be acceptable. We are reminded by St Paul to ‘present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, as our spiritual worship.’27

All: 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. The Priest then prays over the Offerings …

All: Amen Preface dialogue We stand

The Eucharistic Prayer Introductory Dialogue Priest: The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit. Priest: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to the Lord. Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right and just. Preface: Priest: It is truly right and just …

25 This is the Mass p.57 26 Roman Missal p 565; This is the Mass p.63 27 Rom 12:1; This is the Mass p.65

The Eucharistic Prayer is a prayer of thanksgiving with Judaic roots offering thanks for all God’s blessings. The Eucharistic Prayer is introduced with ‘The Lord be with you… And with your spirit;’ with the Eucharistic dialogue beginning ‘Lift up your hearts…’. In our consent, we let go of all earthly concerns in offering ourselves up to our Creator; ‘that is our purpose at Mass: to reach out to God, to touch heaven, to move beyond earthly cares, and communicate with our Father, Who loves us, knows our needs, and want to ‘lift all things to Himself.’’ The Preface, in Latin means, ‘a proclamation in the presence of God and His people’. The Roman Missal includes over eighty prefaces for various occasions. The Preface builds to the climactic response of the assembly with the Holy, holy, concluding the Preface.28

Sanctus All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.29 Blessed is he who comes In the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.30

The Sanctus perfectly couples the Old and New Testament. The ‘Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts…’ the first verse, echoes Isaiah [6:1-5] calling on the whole of heaven and earth, filled with God’s wonderful glory. The second verse, brings to fruition Psalm 118:26; taken from the passage in Luke’s Gospel ‘How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings…you shall not see me till the time comes when you are saying: ‘Blessed is He who is coming in the name of the Lord!…’, This context of Luke’s Gospel reminds us of the long relationship the Lord has had with the Jewish people, who rejected all former prophets. The Benedictus, ‘Blessed is He…’ acknowledges the incarnation of God in Jesus, Whose Presence is in the Eucharist, Whom we joyfully recognise.31 Please kneel for the Eucharistic Prayer.

28 St Paul’s Sunday Missal p.25; This is the Mass p.69-71 29 Book of Isaiah 6:3 30 The Gospels of Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9-10; Luke 19:38; John 12:13 31 This is the Mass p.73

Eucharistic Prayer

Institution Narrative

‘At the Last Supper, Christ instituted the Paschal Sacrifice and banquet, by which the Sacrifice of the Cross is continuously made present in the Church.’ We are also reminded that the historical act of Christ’s death transcends time; Jesus is not dying again and again in every Mass; ‘He died once for all…but it is spiritually renewed …because the Risen Christ lives a life that is beyond human history.’ John’s Gospel clarifies that when the Jews were upset by Jesus’ teaching ‘Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in Me and I live in that person,’ [Jn 6:56] He did not change His meaning after acknowledging that some did not believe His words. Many disciples left Jesus at this point. 32

Priest: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. The priest elevates the Eucharistic Host for the assembly to behold, after which the priest genuflects before the Body of Christ.33

According to local custom, a bell may be rung as the priest elevates the Host.34

Priest: In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice, and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.35

The Chalice is the mystery of the New Covenant in Christ’s Blood The priest elevates the Chalice for the assembly to behold, after which the priest genuflects before the Blood of Christ.36

According to local custom, a bell may ring as the priest elevates the chalice.37

32 GIRM 72; This is the Mass p.81 33 GIRM 274 34 GIRM 150 35 The Gospels of Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14: 22-25; Luke 22: 14-2 36 GIRM 274 37 GIRM 150

Memorial Acclamation Priest: The mystery of faith. All:

1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until You come again. OR

2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until You come again. OR

3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

We together offer one of the Memorial Acclamations, led by the priest, which is a short summary of the Mystery of our Faith. ‘The Mystery of Faith is the Paschal Mystery: Christ dying, rising and present amongst His people.’ The Greek word, mysterion, means to be visible but not clear. In our understanding of the sacred mysteries we enter into rites, which explore and discover our faith; that although we do not yet fully understand, it is not impossible or inaccessible to us. In the self-surrender of Christ, and by His suffering and death, our spiritual life is given vitality by the food and drink of the Eucharist, as is our physical strength.38

The Eucharistic Prayer continues. The priest continues the Memorial prayer with a series of intercessions.

Doxology of the Eucharistic Prayer A doxology is a short hymn of praise.

Priest: Through him, with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, forever and ever. The Great Amen All: Amen We stand The Great Amen is our joyful affirmation of the Eucharistic Prayer.

38 This is the Mass p.83

Communion Rite The Lord’s Prayer

Jesus taught this prayer to His disciples, drawing us into relationship with God the Father. Two versions of the Lord’s Prayer are found in Scripture: Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13. Matthew’s form is prayed in the Mass, gathered as sisters and brothers of Jesus to pray in unity to Our Father. The extension of the Lord’s Prayer is taken from the Didache, ‘Deliver us from evil’, with the significance of this further emphasised by the ecumenical spirit of Vatican II, ‘as we await the blessed hope… of our Saviour Jesus Christ.’ 39

Priest: At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching we dare to say: All: 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. Priest: 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. All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.

39 The Gospel of Matthew 6: 9 – 13; This is the Mass p.99

Sign of Peace Priest: 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. All: Amen

Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always. All: And with your spirit. Priest: Let us offer each other the Sign of Peace.

‘Peace be with you.’ Lk 24:36 The peace offered by the Risen Christ as He appeared to His disciples, is the Hebrew Shalom, the peace of living in harmony with God, self, others and nature. This Peace is ‘the tranquillity of order…the work of justice and the effect of charity.’ The spiritual communion of receiving the Eucharist involves ‘i. Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, confessing and repenting our sins and putting our faith in Him; ii. Acknowledging and living by His teachings entrusted to the Church He founded; iii. Making peace with our brothers and sisters.’ The Sign of Peace has varied over the history of the Mass as to where and how it is offered, which ratifies the Eucharistic Mystery and the Eucharistic assembly as one Body of Christ. The Community shares the Sign of Peace expressing ‘to one another peace, communion, and charity.’40

Breaking of the Bread All: 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.

Please kneel. This prayer comes from St John the Baptist.41 .

Priest: 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.

40 CCC #2304; GIRM 154; This is the Mass p.101-103 41 The Gospel of John 1:29

All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. These words taken from the Roman Centurion whose servant was healed by Jesus. We repeat this Gospel narrative as a prayer of humility, not to labour our unworthiness, but rather positively respond to Christ’s invitation of love.42

Communion Priest: May the Body of Christ bring me to everlasting life. The priest then consumes the Body of Christ.

Priest: May the Blood of Christ bring me to everlasting life. The priest then drinks from the Chalice.

The priest gives Communion under both the Body and Blood to the Acolytes, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion and Altar Servers, before the assembly’s Communion.

‘The Mass is both Banquet and Sacrifice.’ The priest in his role as persona Christi, (in representing Christ) is spiritual leader of the faithful. His receiving Communion is ‘an intimate moment between disciple and Master …as we watch…the faithful learn how to approach in humility, adoration and love;’ In our approach ‘make your hand a throne, since you are receiving the King,…and say Amen!’[St Cyril of Jerusalem] ‘The essence of Holy Communion is oneness with the Lord.’.43

If you are not Catholic, you are most welcome to join the Communion Procession and receive a blessing. Simply cross your hands over your chest to indicate you wish to receive a blessing.

Priest: Body of Christ. Response: Amen.

This ancient Hebrew word is an affirmation of belief.

‘In the dioceses of Australia standing is the most common posture for receiving Holy Communion, though individual members of the faithful may choose to receive Communion while kneeling. When approaching to receive Holy Communion, the faithful bow in reverence of the Sacrament that they are to receive.’ 44

Acolyte/ Extraordinary Minister of Communion: Blood of Christ. Response: Amen.

42 The Gospel of Matthew 8: 5 - 13 43 GIRM 160; This is the Mass p.111 44 GIRM 160

‘When Communion is distributed under … both the Body and Blood of Christ … the communicant may ‘drink a little from the chalice, hands it back to the minister, and then withdraws; the minister wipes the rim of the chalice with the purificator’.45

After receiving Communion, we return to our seat and pray in silence. The Mass offers opportunity for sacred silence after Holy Communion; a space for us to silently give thanks for what we have received. ‘God speaks when we are still enough to listen.’ Prayer after Communion, offers ‘renewal of the soul, body, and spirit, through Your only Son.’46

The second Collection is now taken up to support the upkeep of the Church.

Prayer After Communion Priest: Let us pray…..

Please stand. The priest offers this prayer themed on the Liturgical Season, Feast or Liturgical Celebration

All: Amen.

Concluding Rite Priest: The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit.

Priest: May almighty God bless you, The Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

We each make the Sign of the Cross All: Amen Dismissal Priest:

1. Go forth, the Mass is ended. OR 2. Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. OR 3. Go in peace, glorifying the Lord in your life. OR 4. Go in Peace.

All: Thanks be to God.

It is customary in Australia to allow the priest to process from the Church first, remembering to genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle before we leave.

Rather than seeing this as the end of Mass, consider it to be the beginning of a new week. How will we reflect Christ in our daily lives as we go forth and live the Gospel? 45 GIRM 284, 286 46 GIRM #45; This is the Mass p.123

GLOSSARY

ACCLAMATION Short spoken (preferably sung) hymn of praise. For example Alleluia –verse before the Gospel; Holy Holy; Memorial Acclamation.

ACOLYTE A minor order in the Church on the path to the Priesthood or a man instituted by the Archbishop to serve at the altar.

ADORATION A conscious act of recognition of the presence of God.

ALLELUIA Ancient Hebrew word meaning praise the Lord.

ALTAR The table upon which the Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Mass takes place.

ALTAR SERVER Person who serves in the Mass.

AMBO The stand from which the Liturgy of The Word is celebrated, also known as the Altar of The Word

AMEN A profound statement meaning ‘truly I believe’. The ‘Great Amen’ in the Mass is a unified response of praise in the Eucharistic Prayer.

ANTIPHON A short verse. For example, the antiphon is the response between the verses of the Psalm.

APOSTLE Greek meaning ‘to send’. The 12 Apostles were particularly sent by Jesus to share His mission and Good News.

APOSTLES CREED 3rd Century Statement of Christian belief.

ARCHBISHOP Head of an Archdiocese, that is, a set region of which he is the highest authority:, pastorally, spiritually and administrator.

ARCHDIOCESE A set region or district with particular boundaries under the authority of an Archbishop.

ASSUMPTION Feast Day of Mary 15th August. Traditionally we believe Mary was assumed into heaven after her death, both body and soul. This feast reminds us of the hope and joy of our own salvation.

BENEDICTION

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is a form of Liturgical worship whereby the singing and prayers of praise are made to the Blessed Sacrament as it is displayed in a Monstrance (see Monstrance). The priest or deacon concludes the worship by blessing the assembly with the Blessed Sacrament.

BISHOP Head of a Diocese or assistant to the Archbishop.

BLESSED SACRAMENT Bread and wine consecrated in the Mass becomes the Body and Blood of Christ.

BOOK OF THE GOSPELS Ornate Book from whch the Gospel is proclaimed.

CHALICE The communal cup used in the Mass, always made of a worthy material; the cup maybe coated in silver or gold, which is our human recognition that what it holds is sacred and precious to us. GIRM 328 - 330

CHRIST Greek form of the Hebrew word The Messiah or ‘anointed one’.

CIBORIUM The Chalice-like cup reserved for the Host with a fitted lid.

COLLECT The Opening Prayer of Mass from which expresses the theme of the Gospel.

COLLECTION Money or goods collected for the needy and the upkeep of the Church.

CONFESSIONAL Separate space dedicated to the Sacrament of Confession; Penance; Reconciliation.

CONFITEOR The humble prayer of penitence within the Penitential Act beginning ‘I confess to almighty God…’

CONSECRATE To set aside a person (priest or religious) or object for a sacred purpose. For example the bread and wine offered in the Mass is consecrated, becoming the Body and Blood of Christ.

CONSUBSTANTIAL Of the same substance or essence. Within Christianity the Trinity of the Father, Son and Spirit are consubstantial with each other, that is, they are of the one and same substance.

CORPORAL A square of linen on which the Consecration of the Mass takes place.

COVENANT A promise or agreement, often between 2 unequal parties, that is not restricted by time or generation.

CREED A statement of belief, ‘I believe’. Refer Apostles Creed or Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed.

CRUET The small vessel to hold water or wine presented in the Offertory for use in the Eucharist.

DEACON

Two kinds of Deacons exist: a man on the vocational pathway to priesthood or a permanent deacon who assists the Bishop and is able to offer the Sacraments of Baptism and Marriage and help in the Mass with proclaiming the Gospel and assisting the Priest in the Eucharist.

DIOCESE A set region or district with particular boundaries under the authority of a Bishop.

DISCIPLE Follower of Jesus.

DOXOLOGY Short hymn of praise.

EPISTLE Letters in the New Testament by: St Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude.

EUCHARIST Greek meaning ‘Thanksgiving’.

EVANGELIST Writer of the Gospels, being: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTER OF HOLY COMMUNION

A person who assists the priest to distribute Communion.

FEAST The key feasts of the Catholic Church refer to the Birth, Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Many other feasts celebrate Mary and the Saints and are greater or lesser in importance, depending on what the feast is dedicated to.

GENUFLECTION Catholics bow the right knee to the floor before the Blessed Sacrament. It is customary to genuflect towards the Tabernacle in a Church on entry and prior to leaving.

GOSPEL Four Books on the life of Christ titled after the authors: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

HEBREW Ancient name of the Israelites. Also the language spoken by Israelis.

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION A compulsory day to attend Mass: every Sunday and in Australia: Christmas Day and The Feast of the Assumption 15th August.

HOLY WATER Water blessed by the priest, especially used in Baptism and in the fonts in the Church’s entrance.

HOLY WATER FONT Receptacle in Church entrance or foyer for holding Holy Water.

HOMILY Presented by a Deacon or Priest in the Liturgy of the Word offering explanation of the Readings and their relation to life today.

HOST Consecrated Bread of the Blessed Sacrament.

HYMN Song of praise based on Scripture of sacred intention.

INCENSE Aromatic material that gives off smoke when burned to symbolise prayer or reflect the sacredness of the priest, people, or object such as the Gospels or Blessed Sacrament.

LECTIONARY A collection of the Readings in Mass for the three Liturgical Cycles A, B, C.

LECTURN Also spelt Lectern. A sloped stand used in presentations, normally facing the assembled.

LITANY A list of petitions to which a response is made.

LITURGY All public prayer, rites and worship of the Church.

LITURGY OF THE WORD The first half of Mass consisting of the 1st and 2nd Readings, Psalm, Verse before the Gospel, Gospel, Homily, Creed and Universal Prayer.

MARTYR A person who has sacrificed their life for their religious belief.

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION Short prayer of our belief in God’s saving grace.

MESSIAH Hebrew form of the Greek word The Christ or ‘anointed one’.

MISSAL A liturgical book which includes all the prayers and instructions for the Mass.

MONSTRANCE The vessel which holds the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration, Benediction or Veneration. The Monstrance is made from a precious material, usually silver or gold, to be worthy as a sacred vessel.

NICENO-CONSTANTINOPOLITAN

CREED

Written in 381 A.D, the Creed affirmed the divinity of Christ as fully God and Man and records the precepts of the Christian faith, inviting the world to meditate on the Trinitarian nature of God.

ORDINATION The Rites relating to Holy Orders in reference to Deacons, Priests and Bishops.

PALL A firm piece of board, usually covered in linen that covers the chalice.

PASCHAL Greek word for Easter

PASCHAL MYSTERY The Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus.

PASSOVER

Jewish Feast celebrating the night the Hebrews were liberated from Egyptian slavery. This Feast dates back to about 1300B.C and is a meal of a roasted unblemished lamb (Exodus 12:6). Jesus is now the Sacrificial Lamb freeing us from sin through His Death and Resurrection.

PATTEN A shallow vessel to hold the bread presented in the Offertory and then the Host in the Consecration of the Mass.

PENANCE A change of heart of the penitent.

PENITENCE Being sorry for sinning.

PETITION A prayer of intercession.

PREFACE Begins the Eucharistic Prayer and is a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.

PRIEST A man who has received Holy Orders and has ministerial leadership in the community. The Priest leads the Mass and is the only one who can offer the Consecration.

PSALM Song or hymn from the Book of Psalm in the Old or Hebrew Testament.

PULPIT A lectern from where the priest may preach.

PURIFIER The small cloth used to wipe the chalice.

REAL PRESENCE Holy Communion of bread and wine in the consecration in the Mass becomes truly, fully, and substantially the Real Presence of the Body and Blood of Jesus.

REDEMPTION Sin is understood as our separation from God’s love – through which the sacrifice of Jesus’ life has repaired our relationship with God the Father.

RESURRECTION All Christians believe that Jesus resurrected after His death by crucifixion, conquering death and giving us hope in His salvation.

ROMAN MISSAL The text which includes all the Readings guidelines and Prayers of the Mass.

SABBATH The holy day of the week; for Jews the Sabbath begins from sundown on Friday until sundown Saturday. Christians celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday, the day we of Jesus’ Resurrection.

SACRIFICE OF THE MASS Through the Eucharist we celebrate Jesus giving up His life in Sacrifice for the redemption of our sins.

SACRISTY The room where the Priest and servers dress in their vestments and where the sacred vessels used in the Mass.

SALVATION The saving grace we have received through the Paschal Mystery that is the life, death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus.

SANCTUARY The elevated area of the Church where the altar, tabernacle, ambo, and presider’s chair is located.

SANCTUARY LAMP The flame located near the tabernacle reminding us that the Blessed Sacrament is present.

SCRIPTURE The Bible

SIN When we consciously choose to reject God and act in a manner which separates us from God.

TABERNACLE Hebrew meaning Tent or dwelling place.

TRINITY/ TRIUNE Threefold; coeternal; one God in three Divine Persons.

VENERATE An action indicating reverence for Christ. For example: genuflection, bow, kissing a cross or Bible.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Roman Missal Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments ICEL 2010 St Paul’s Publications,

Strathfield, N.S.W Become One Body One Spirit In Christ ICEL

2010 Fraynework Multimedia Carlton, Victoria

Catechism of the Catholic Church John Paull II, Bishop 2000 St Paul’s Publications, Strathfield, N.S.W Daily Mass Book Australian Bishops Commission for Liturgy 2014 Liturgy Brisbane Making the Most of the Mass O’Brien, Jenny Edgar, Msgr Robert Tullio, Rachele Fleming, Fr John Nicholls, Andrew Retallick, Matthew

2012 Pilgrims Quest Dover Gardens South Australia

Ordo 2015 Australian Bishops Commission for Liturgy 2014 Liturgy Brisbane Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIA

Congregation of Divine Worship St Paul’s Publications

2003 St Paul’s Publications, Strathfield, N.S.W The Years of the Year Editor: Hardiman, Russell

1997 Western Australia Liturgy Commission College of Theology University of Notre Dame Australia Fremantle, Western Australia

Sursum Corda: This is the Mass: World Youth Day 08 Editor: Kerry Myers The Catholic Weekly Armstrong Miller+McLaren Sydney, Australia 2008 Imprimatur: George Cardinal Pell