SMissae Solitariae

According to the Rite of theCatholic Church of the Americas

On August 11, 2017, the Feast of St. Clare of Assisi, the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church of the Americas declared that it is the duty of the priest to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass on a daily basis. There are times when there is no one to celebrate Mass with the priest. It is thus permitted for the priest to offer Mass by himself/herself by saying the Missae Solitariae found herewith.

Here are reasons why the Missae Solitariae is desirable:

(1) We are never really alone when we celebrate Mass because the Church Triumphant and Suffering are always present, and are actively participating and answering.

(2) To eliminate this would be to overemphasize the functionalist presence of the Church Militant as a necessity and thus inadvertently justify why [some] priests don’t celebrate Mass daily.

(3) Keeping everything in tact would be simpler than having to memorize what must be eliminated; unity of rubrics would be less complicating.

If there is a server present, however, the regular Mass is said with the server saying each of the responses.

The Missae Solitariae has been approved by the Presiding Bishop. There is no need for an Ordinay or bishops’ conference to gain legal force. The bishops/priests do not approve the text but, rather, its official translation for the particular country or non-English speaking community as well as any adaptation they wish to submit to the Office of the Presiding Bishop. This being said, it is important that all clergy use the verbiage and rubrics contained herein to be in

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continuous union with the Catholic Church of the Americas. Though similar to that of the Roman Catholic Church, it is important to note that there are some differences that separate us from them.

All the same, apart from the obvious matter of fidelity to Church norms, we would observe that insofar as the Mass is a ritual, it is a human act performed on earth and as such, the ritual or external elements should reasonably respond to the concrete situation in which the celebration is carried out.

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The greeting and Introductory Rite are omitted.

Penitential ActI confess to almighty God 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 breast 3x)

through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore, I ask blessed Mary, all the Angels and saints, to pray for me to the Lord our God.May almighty God forgive me of my sins, + in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

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The priest now kisses the altar, recites the Opening Prayer and makes the Sign of the Cross.

Opening PrayerAfterwards the priest makes the sign of the Cross.

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

Extending of Peace is omitted.

Prayers of the FaithfulLet us pray.Inspire all who lead and serve in the Catholic Church of the Americas. May they know your guidance and direction.

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Help me to be understanding and forgiving of all those I encounter.

Show me how to serve others, to offer love, care and support.

Guide all those who are called to lead and advocate in the world, may they carry love with them always.

Inspire our leaders, teachers, doctors, social workers, and counselors to be bringers of hope in all situations.

Comfort those who live with grief. Help them to see the light of heaven.

Come embrace those in pain and physical suffering. May they feel you close to them.

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Watch over all those who feel isolated and alone. Calm their fears and lead them into peace and freedom.

Strengthen and encourage all those who seek to serve and protect the vulnerable.

Lead me to be generous with my time, possessions, and money.

For those who have lost loved ones recently, comfort them in their grief and heal the broken-hearted.

For the leaders of the nations, that they would promote life, peace, and justice, and work together for the common good.

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For those who are sick, suffering, or homeless, and for the poor and unemployed.

For all those who have died, especially _________________.

For my own needs and intentions, that I now recall in my heart [6 second pause].

The Liturgy of the WordPriest moves to left side of altar.

READING 1

A reading from …

To indicate the end, the priest adds:

This is the Word of the Lord

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The priest recites the psalm.

READING 2

A reading from …

To indicate the ending, the priest adds:

This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel

A reading from the Holy Gospel + according to …

The priest makes the sign of the cross on the book, and then on his/her forehead, lips, and breast.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

The Liturgy of the EucharistThe priest, standing at the middle of the altar, takes the paten with the bread, and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, says inaudibly:

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Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness I have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for me the bread of life.

Then the priest takes the chalice and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, says inaudibly:

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness I have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become my spiritual drink.

Then the priest places the chalice on the corporal.The priest bows and says inaudibly:

With humble spirit and contrite heart may I be accepted to you, O Lord, and may my sacrifice in your sight this day be pleasing to you, Lord God.

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Next the priest stands at the side of the altar and washes his/her hands, saying inaudibly:

Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sins.May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of God’s name, for my good and the good of all the Holy Church.

The Eucharistic PrayerDuring the Preface, the plural is still used. This is because the Eucharistic Prayer must always be said integrally and that it retails its plural form even when the priest is alone. As this dialogue is inseparable from the Eucharistic prayer, it should always be recited.

The Lord be with you.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.

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It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, Holy Creator, almighty and eternal God. For, although you have no need of our praise, yet our thanksgiving is itself your gift,since our praises add nothing to your greatnessbut profit us for salvation, through Christ our Lord. And so, in company with the choirs of Angels, we praise you, and with joy we proclaim:

At the end of the preface, the priest joins his/her hands and concludes it by saying:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

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The priest, with hands extended says:

Lord, you are holy indeed,The fountain of all holiness.

Priests join his/her hands and holding them outstretched over the offerings, says:

Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy,

The priest joins his/her hands and making the sign on the cross over both bread and chalice, says:

so that they may become for usthe body S and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Priest joins his/her hands, saying:

Before he was given up to death,A death he freely accepted,

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The priest takes the bread and, raising it a little above the altar continues:

He took bread and gave you thanks. He took the bread,Gave it to his disciples, and said,

The priest bows slightly:

TAKE THIS ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU

The priest raises the consecrated host, places it on the paten, and genuflects in adoration. The priest then continues:

When supper was ended, he took the cup.

The priest takes the chalice and, raising it a little above the altar, continues:

Again, he gave you thanks and praise,Gave the cup to his disciples, and said:

Priest bows slightly.

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TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALLSO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

The priest raises the chalice, places it on the corporal and genuflects in adoration.

No memorial acclamation after elevation.

In memory of his death and resurrection, I offer you, Our Creator, this life-giving Bread, this saving cup. I thank you for counting me worthy. May all who share in the body and blood of Christ be brought together in unity be the Holy Spirit.Lord, remember your Church throughout the world; make it grow in love, together with Denis our presider,

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Filipe our bishop, and all the clergy.

[Remember N., whom you have called from this life. In Baptism he/she died with Christ: may he (she) also share in the resurrection of Jesus.]Remember our brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again; bring them and all the departed into the light of your presence. Have mercy on me; make me worthy to share eternal life with Mary, the Mother of God, with the apostles, and with all the saintswho have done your will throughout the ages. I praise you in union with them and give you glory

Priest joins his/her hands.

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through your Son Jesus Christ.

The priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, lifting them up says:

Through Christ,With Christ,In Christ,In the unity of the Holy Spirit, All glory and honor is yours, almighty Creator, forever and ever. Amen.

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.

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The priest takes the host and breaks it over the paten. The priest places a small piece in the chalice, saying:

May this mingling of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring relief to me who is to receive it.

The priest genuflects. Taking the host, the priest raises it slightly above the paten and says:

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

The priest continues:

May the body of Christ bring me to everlasting life.

The priest reverently consumes the Body of Christ. The priest then takes the chalice and says:

May the Blood of Christ bring me to everlasting life.The priest then reverently drinks the blood of Christ.

The vessels are cleaned by the priest after communion. If possible at the side table. The priest says:

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Lord, I receive these gifts in purity of heart. May they bring me healing and strength, now and forever.

Moment of silent thanksgiving

Recite the Postcommunion Prayer.

The Blessing and dismissal are omitted.

Priest kisses altar, bows toward altar or genuflect toward tabernacle.

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