The Mass
The Mass is divided into four parts:
the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the
Eucharist and the Concluding Rites. The Introductory Rites include the
Entrance Song (or entrance antiphon), the Greeting, the Penitential Rite,
the Gloria (omitted on some days and seasons) and the Opening Prayer. The
Liturgy of the Word includes the Scripture Readings, the Homily, the Creed
and the General Intercessions (Prayers of the Faithful). The Liturgy of the
Eucharist includes the Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts, the Prayer
Over the Gifts, the Eucharistic Prayer and the Communion Rite (the Communion
Rite includes the Our Father, the Sign of Peace, the Breaking of the Bread,
Communion, the Communion Song or antiphon, a Period of Silence or a Song of
Praise and the Prayer After Communion). The Concluding Rites include any
Announcements, a Greeting, the Blessing, the Dismissal and the Recessional
Song.
The Mass is divided into four parts: the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of
the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites. The two
main parts are the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the Preparation of the Altar and
the Gifts. During this time a collection is taken as this collection
represents the prepared gifts of the assembly, which are presented along
with the bread and wine. Those who present these gifts are chosen by the
ushers (hospitality ministers) and told when to go forward. It is best to
rotate those who present these gifts so that a larger number of people
participate in the celebration. Please, if you are approached to do this
service, be open about helping. God calls each of us in different ways, and
sometimes that call is through another person or minister at Church.
The Mass is divided into 4 parts: the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the
Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites. The two main
parts are the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The
Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the Preparation of the Altar and the
Gifts. After the Prayer Over the gifts we begin the Eucharistic Prayer. The
Eucharistic Prayer includes Preface, Holy, Holy and a specific Eucharistic
Prayer (currently there are 13 choices: Prayers 1-4 as well as two for
Reconciliation – listed in the missalette, 3 Eucharistic Prayers for
Children and 4 others for various needs and occasions – not listed in the
missalette). Because the Eucharistic Prayer contains Jesus’ words from the
Last Supper, many think we are reenacting or celebrating the Last Supper.
Actually, on Holy Thursday each year we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s
Supper. While the Eucharistic Prayer contains words from the Last Supper,
what is celebrated at Mass is the Paschal Mystery (the death and
resurrection of Jesus). May these days of Lent enable us to enter more
fully the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. |
