General Introduction to the Mass

General Introduction to Mass celebrated in the

communion of the Catholic Church in America

(Revised July 5th, 2021)

This document is only an introduction. Other instructions and guidance will be added to provide further clarity in the near future.

For the Faithful

The Divine Liturgy is the heart and soul of Catholic worship. This is due to our faith that, in the Eucharistic Liturgy, we encounter the "Real Presence" of our Lord within the "accidents"(material elements) of ordinary bread and wine. In this understanding, we also believe the warnings of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 11:17-34) that we fully examine our conscience, and to the best of our ability, approach the Holy Meal with a contrite heart, free of mortal sin. We ask (without being judgmental) that those of conflicted conscience, as well as those not baptized, refrain from partaking of this sacred encounter.

We highly recommend that all faithful Christians attend these sacred liturgies and receive the Eucharist frequently, as we consider it to be food four our soul, drawing us more fully into communion with Christ and one another as brothers and sisters in faith -- the Church.

Our faithful members are also encouraged to prepare their hearts to be receptive to God's word, which is read at each mass, as well as spoken by our bishops, priests, and deacons in the homily. This is best done by making a heartfelt prayerful act of contrition and contemplating the daily readings prior to attending these Holy Rites. Participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly is also encouraged. Additionally, to the best of your ability, we are cautioned not to bring our quarrels with us to Church. As outlined in the" Lord's Prayer" our ability to forgive others is intrinsically linked to our own salvation. Do your best to love your neighbor as yourself, and always be open to forgiving all who have sinned against you.

For the Clergy, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons

As Eucharistic liturgies are the holiest of our faith, we must be careful, too in the best of our ability, preserving the sacred dignity and integrity of the Rites which we celebrate. All we do and say becomes purposeful and intentional, for the sole purpose of worshipping and adoring our Most High God. We, as a particular Church, recognize that there has been an abundance of liturgical rites used throughout the centuries, and many dignified modifications have been made based upon local spirituality, language, and customs. With that stated though, the common ground of all these Rites has been our communal and central dedication and to Most Holy Eucharist, not wavering from this as a core element. Therefore, while we recognize differences in tradition and local worship practices, We as a jurisdiction choose to maintain the Eucharistic Liturgy as a common element within our particular part of the Body of Christ.

Prior to the official Introductory rights, it is appropriate (according to local customs), to begin the celebrations with songs of praise and worship. However, before beginning any liturgical celebration, praise, worship, the entrance procession, veneration of the altar, sign of the cross and greeting of the assembly, the celebrant and ministers at the altar take care that they have carefully prepared, having read the words and followed the actions prescribed in the liturgy of the day, and are, themselves in a prayerful state of grace.

After the initial greeting and Sign of Peace, the priest, deacon or a lay minister may introduce the Mass of the day using personal remarks. That the introduction should be brief -- not a homily, but all else–the content, form and phrasing–is left entirely to the discretion of the one delivering the opening comments.

Teachers of liturgy suggest several sources that may serve as inspiration for the words of the introduction. Among them are: the entrance song, scripture readings, the particular season or feast, those in attendance and the circumstances of the celebration.

Entrance Song :

The congregation collectively intoned the entrance song. While still fresh in the assembly’s mind, some priests choose to expand on one of the motifs presented in the song and use its topic as a natural transition to introduce the day’s celebration.

Scripture Readings:

Another method is to highlight the underlying message from the day’s readings. Typically there is a common theme that unites the first and second reading, the Responsorial Psalm and the Gospel proclamation. The priest may choose to focus on this connective motif rather than emphasize a particular reading or verse.

Seasons:

The Liturgical cycle itself can provide inspiration as every mass is particular– each taking place on a specific day in the Church year. Whether it is the first Sunday in Advent, the Second Sunday after Christmas, or the Third Sunday of Easter, every mass moves the Church along a circular path on the temporal cycle– that is days commemorating key events in the life of Christ. Each season has its own character which may be emphasized in the introduction.

“Holy Mother Church is conscious that she must celebrate the saving work of her divine Spouse by devoutly recalling it on certain days throughout the course of the year…Within the cycle of a year, moreover, she unfolds the whole mystery of Christ, from the incarnation and birth until the ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of blessed hope and of the coming of the Lord.”

Feasts:

The sanctoral cycle of the Church year commemorates the people close to Jesus such as the Blessed Mother, Joseph, and John the Baptist.

“In celebrating this annual cycle of Christ’s mysteries, holy Church honors with especial love the Blessed Mary, Mother of God, who is joined by an inseparable bond to the saving work of her Son.”

Each day of the Church calendar is also devoted to saints and martyrs making all masses inherently unique.

“The Church has also included in the annual cycle days devoted to the memory of the martyrs and the other saints. Raised up to perfection by the manifold grace of God, and already in possession of eternal salvation, they sing God’s perfect praise in heaven and offer prayers for us. ”

The celebrant may choose to use these solemnities, feasts, and memorials as the basis for the introductory comments.

Those in Attendance:

Special parish groups may be recognized in part of the introduction, such as departing missionaries, those completing a retreat, or a club celebrating their founding.

In order that they feel included, children may be specifically welcomed in the introduction and referred to in other parts of the mass21.

“Nevertheless, in Masses of this kind, it is necessary to take great care that the children present do not feel neglected because of their inability to participate or to understand what happens and what is proclaimed in the celebration. Some account should be taken of their presence: for example, by speaking to them directly in the introductory comments (as at the beginning and the end of Mass) and at some point in the homily.”

If it affects the parish community, special guests such as religious or governmental officials may also be acknowledged in the introduction.

Celebration Circumstances:

If it is a nuptial mass, the celebrant may recognize the bride and groom in the introduction. A married couple renewing their wedding vows may be acknowledged as would those becoming part of the Church if there is a baptism within the context of the liturgy. When the Mass is joined to the celebration of a sacrament or the Divine Office, the priest may make mention of this in the introduction.

These and other sources provide an inexhaustible font from where the priest, deacon, or lay minister may draw from to compose an introduction. The succinct words we use should crystallize the importance of the day’s liturgy, heighten the mass's communal nature, and draw the assembly more fully into the Eucharistic celebration.

The Different Elements of the Mass

Reading and Explaining the Word of God

When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his

people, and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel. Therefore, the readings from the Word of God are to be listened to reverently by

everyone, for they are an element of the greatest importance in the Liturgy. Although in the readings from Sacred Scripture the Word of God is addressed to all people of whatever era, by the moving of the Holy Spirit, is understandable to them, a fuller understanding and a greater efficaciousness of the word is nevertheless fostered by a living commentary on the word, that is, by the Homily, as part of the liturgical action.

The Prayers and Other Parts Pertaining to the Priest

Among those things assigned to the Priest, the prime place is occupied by the

Eucharistic Prayer, which is the high point of the whole celebration. Next are the orations, that is to say, the Collect, the Prayer over the Offerings, and the Prayer after Communion. These prayers are addressed to God by the Priest who presides over the assembly in the person of Christ, in the name of the entire holy people and of all present. Hence they are rightly called the ‘presidential prayers’.

Likewise it is also for the Priest, in the exercise of his office of presiding over the gathered assembly, to offer certain explanations that are foreseen in the rite itself. Where the Structure of the Mass, Its Elements and Its Parts 9

this is laid down by the rubrics, the celebrant is permitted to adapt them somewhat so that they correspond to the capacity for understanding of those participating. However, the Priest should always take care to keep to the sense of the explanatory text given in the Missal and to express it in just a few words. It is also for the presiding Priest to regulate the Word of God and to impart the final blessing. He is permitted, furthermore, in a very few words, to give the faithful an introduction to the Mass of the day (after the initial Greeting and before the Penitential Act), to the Liturgy of the Word (before the readings), and to the Eucharistic Prayer (before the Preface), though never during the Eucharistic Prayer itself; he may also make concluding comments regarding the entire sacred action before the Dismissal.

The nature of the ‘presidential’ parts requires that they be spoken in a loud and clear voice and that everyone listen to them attentively. Therefore, while the Priest is pronouncing them, there should be no other prayers or singing, and the organ or other musical instruments should be silent.

For though the Priest, as the one who presides, expresses prayers in the name of the Church and of the assembled community, at times he prays only in his own name, asking that he may exercise his ministry with greater attention and devotion. Prayers of this kind, which occur before the reading of the Gospel, at the Preparation of the Gifts, and also before and after the Communion of the Priest, are said quietly.

Other Formulae Occurring during the Celebration

Since the celebration of Mass by its nature has a ‘communitarian’ character, both the dialogues between the Priest and the assembled faithful, and the acclamations are of great significance; for they are not simply outward signs of communal celebration but foster and bring about communion between Priest and people.

The acclamations and the responses of the faithful to the Priest’s greetings and prayers constitute that level of active participation that is to be made by the assembled faithful in every form of the Mass, so that the worshipful action and intent of the whole community may be clearly expressed and fostered.

Other parts, most useful for expressing and fostering the active participation

of the faithful, and which are assigned to the whole gathering, include especially the Penitential Act, the Profession of Faith, the Universal Prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer.

Finally, among other formulae:

• Some constitute an independent rite or act, such as the Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest), the Responsorial Psalm, the Alleluia and Verse before the Gospel, the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy), the Memorial Acclamation, and the chant after Communion;

• Others, on the other hand, accompany some other rite, such as the chants at the Entrance, at the Offertory, at the fraction (Agnus Dei, Lamb of God) and at Communion.

The Manner of Pronouncing the Different Texts

In texts that are to be pronounced in a loud and clear voice, whether by the Priest or the Deacon, or by a reader, or by everyone, the voice should correspond to the genre of the text itself, that is, depending upon whether it is a reading, a prayer, an explanatory comment, an acclamation, or a sung text; it should also be suited to the form of celebration and to the solemnity of the gathering. Consideration should also be given to the characteristics of different languages and of the culture of different peoples.

Therefore, in the rubrics and in the norms that follow, words such as ‘say’ and

‘proclaim’ are to be understood either of singing or of reciting, with due regard for the principles stated here above.

The Importance of Singing

The Christian faithful who come together as one in expectation of the Lord’s

coming are instructed by the Apostle Paul to sing together Psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles (cf. Col 3: 16). Singing is the sign of the heart’s joy (cf. Acts 2: 46). Thus St. Augustine says rightly, ‘Singing is for one who loves’,48 and there is also an ancient proverb: ‘Whoever sings well prays twice over’. This is just one of the reasons why the Catholic Church in America encourages songs of praise and worship prior to beginning the more formal and scripted rites of our liturgical rubrics for worship.

Great importance should therefore be attached to the use of singing in the

celebration of the Mass, with due consideration for the culture of peoples and abilities of each liturgical assembly. Although it is not always necessary (e.g., in weekday Masses) to sing all the texts that are in principle meant to be sung, every care should be taken that singing by the ministers and the people not be absent in celebrations that occur on Sundays and on Holydays of Obligation.

However, in the choosing of the parts actually to be sung, preference is to be given to those that are of greater importance and especially to those which are to be sung by the Priest or the Deacon or a reader, with the people replying, or by the Priest and people together.

The main place should be given, all things being equal, to Gregorian chant, as being proper to the Roman Liturgy. Other kinds of sacred music, in particular polyphony, are in no way excluded, provided that they correspond to the spirit of the liturgical action and that they foster the participation of all the faithful.

Since the faithful from different countries come together ever more frequently, it is desirable that they know how to sing together at least some parts of the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin, especially the Profession of Faith and the Lord’s Prayer, according to the simpler settings.

Gestures and Bodily Posture

The gestures and bodily posture of both the Priest, the Deacon, and the ministers, and also of the people, must be conducive to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, to making clear the true and full meaning of its different parts, and to fostering the participation of all.52 Attention must therefore be paid to what is determined by this General Instruction and by the traditional practice of the Roman Rite and to what serves the common spiritual good of the People of God, rather than private inclination or arbitrary choice.

A common bodily posture, to be observed by all those taking part, is a sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community gathered together for the Sacred Liturgy, for it expresses the intentions and spiritual attitude of the participants and also fosters them.

The Structure of the Mass, Its Elements and Its Parts

The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance Chant, or while the Priest approaches the altar, until the end of the Collect; for the Alleluia Chant before the Gospel; while the Gospel itself is proclaimed; during the Profession of Faith and the Universal Prayer; and from the invitation, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren), before the Prayer over the Offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated here below.

The faithful should sit, on the other hand, during the readings before the Gospel and the Responsorial Psalm and for the Homily and during the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory; and, if appropriate, during the period of sacred silence after Communion. They should kneel, on the other hand, at the Consecration, except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause. However, those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the Priest genuflects after the Consecration.

It is for our Conference of Bishops to adapt the gestures and bodily postures described in the Order of Mass to the culture and reasonable traditions of peoples. However, attention must be paid to ensuring that such

adaptations correspond to the meaning and character of each part of the celebration.

Where it is the practice for the people to remain kneeling after the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until the end of the Eucharistic Prayer and before Communion when the Priest says, Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the Lamb of God), it is laudable for this practice to be retained.

For the sake of uniformity in gestures and bodily postures during one and the same celebration, the faithful should follow the instructions which the Deacon, a lay minister, or the Priest gives, according to what is laid down in the Missal.

Among gestures are included also actions and processions, by which the Priest, with the Deacon and ministers, goes to the altar; the Deacon carries the Evangeliary or Book of the Gospels to the ambo before the proclamation of the Gospel; the faithful bring up the gifts and come forward to receive Communion. It is appropriate that actions and processions of this sort be carried out with decorum while the chants proper to them are sung, in accordance with the norms laid down for each.

Holy Silence

Holy silence is a a valuable opportunity for the faithful gathered to allow the Holy Spirit to form within them an sacred attitude of awe for the sacred mysteries that are beginning. Sacred silence also, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times. Its nature, however, depends on the moment when it occurs in the different parts of the celebration. For in the Penitential Act and again after the invitation to pray, individuals recollect themselves; whereas after a reading or after the Homily, all meditate briefly on what they have heard; then after Communion, they praise God in their hearts and pray to him.

Even before the celebration itself, it is a praiseworthy practice for silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred celebration in a devout and fitting manner.

The Introductory Rites

The Introductory rites are distinctly different than any praise and worship activity that may precede in some communities.

The Introductory Rites are those which precede the Liturgy of the Word, namely, the Entrance, the Greeting, the Penitential Act, the Kyrie, the Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) and Collect, have the character of a beginning, an introduction, and a preparation. Their purpose is to ensure that the faithful, who come together as one, establish communion and dispose themselves properly to listen to the Word of God and to celebrate the Eucharist worthily.

In certain celebrations that are combined with Mass according to the norms of the liturgical books, the Introductory Rites are omitted or take place in a particular way.

The Entrance

When the people are gathered, and as the Priest enters with the Deacon and

ministers, the Entrance Chant begins. Its purpose is to open the celebration, foster the unity of those who have been gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical time or festivity, and accompany the procession of the Priest and ministers.

The entrance song should be chosen to merge well with the spirit of the daily readings. It is also appropriate to utilize the proscribed entrance chants outlined in the rubrics for the day. These are to be sung by the choir and the people or similarly by a cantor and the people, or entirely by the people, or by the choir alone.

If there is no singing at the Entrance, the antiphon given in the Missal is recited either by the faithful, or by some of them, or by a reader; otherwise, it is recited by the Priest himself, who may even adapt it as an introductory explanation

Reverence to the Altar and Greeting of the Assembled People

When they have arrived at the sanctuary, the Priest, the Deacon, and the ministers reverence the altar with a profound bow.

Moreover, as an expression of veneration, the Priest and Deacon then kiss the altar itself; the Priest, if appropriate, also incenses the cross and the altar.

When the Entrance Chant is concluded, the Priest stands at the chair and, together with the whole gathering, signs himself with the Sign of the Cross. Then by means of the Greeting he signifies the presence of the Lord to the assembled community. By this greeting and the people’s response, the mystery of the Church gathered together is made manifest.

After the greeting of the people, the Priest, or the Deacon, or a lay minister may very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of the day.

The Penitential Act

After this, the Priest calls upon the whole community to take part in the Penitential Act, which, after a brief pause for silence, it does by means of a formula of general confession. The rite concludes with the Priest’s absolution, which, however, lacks the efficacy of the Sacrament of Penance.

From time to time on Sundays, especially in Easter Time, instead of the customary

Penitential Act, the blessing and sprinkling of water may take place as a reminder of Baptism.

The Kyrie Eleison

After the Penitential Act, the Kyrie, eleison (Lord, have mercy), is always begun,

unless it has already been part of the Penitential Act. Since it is a chant by which the faithful acclaim the Lord and implore his mercy, it is usually executed by everyone, that is to say, with the people and the choir or cantor taking part in it.

Each acclamation is usually pronounced twice, though it is not to be excluded that it be repeated several times, by reason of the character of the various languages, as well as of the artistry of the music or of other circumstances. When the Kyrie is sung as a part of the Penitential Act, a ‘trope’ precedes each acclamation.

The Gloria in Excelsis

The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is a most ancient and venerable hymn by which the Church, gathered in the Holy Spirit, glorifies and entreats God the Father and the Lamb. The text of this hymn may not be replaced by any other. It is intoned by the Priest or, if appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir; but it is sung either by everyone together, or by the people alternately with the choir, or by the choir alone.

If not sung, it is to be recited either by everybody together or by two choirs responding one to the other.

It is sung or said on Sundays outside Advent and Lent, and also on Solemnities and Feasts, and at particular celebrations of a more solemn character.

The Collect

Next the Priest calls upon the people to pray and everybody, together with the Priest, observes a brief silence so that they may become aware of being in God’s presence and may call to mind their intentions. Then the Priest pronounces the prayer usually called the ‘Collect’ and through which the character of the celebration finds expression. Though the missal contains Collects for most every liturgical day, it is appropriate that may compose his own prayer to better address the timbre of the day's liturgy.

By an ancient tradition of the Church, the Collect prayer is usually addressed to God the Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit, and is concluded with a Trinitarian ending, or longer ending, in the following manner:

• If the prayer is directed to the Father: Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever;

• If it is directed to the Father, but the Son is mentioned at the end: Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever;

• If it is directed to the Son: Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

The people, joining in this petition, make the prayer their own by means of the

acclamation Amen.

At Mass only a single Collect is ever said.

The Liturgy of the Word

The main part of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of the readings from Sacred Scripture together with the chants occurring between them. As for the Homily, the Profession of Faith and the Universal Prayer, they develop and conclude it. For in the readings, as explained by the Homily, God speaks to his people, opening up to them the mystery of redemption and salvation, and offering spiritual nourishment; and Christ himself is present through his word in the midst of the faithful. By Holy silence and by singing, the people make this divine word their own, and affirm their adherence to it by means of the Profession of Faith; finally, having been nourished by the divine word, the people pour out their petitions by means of the Universal Prayer for the needs of the whole Church and for the salvation of the whole world.

Holy Silence

The Liturgy of the Word is to be celebrated in such a way as to favour meditation, and so any kind of haste such as hinders recollection is clearly to be avoided. In the course of it, brief periods of silence are also appropriate, accommodated to the assembled congregation; by means of these, under the action of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God may be grasped by the heart and a response through prayer may be prepared. It may be appropriate to observe such periods of silence, for example, before the Liturgy of the Word itself begins, after the First and Second Reading, and lastly at the conclusion of the Homily.

The Biblical Readings

In the readings, the table of God’s Word is spread before the faithful, and the

treasures of our sacred texts are opened to them. Hence, it is preferable that the arrangement of the biblical readings be maintained, for by them the unity of both Testaments and of salvation history (soteriology) is brought out. It should never be seen as optional to replace the readings and Responsorial Psalm, which contain the Word of God, with other, non-biblical texts.

In the celebration of the Mass with the people, the readings are always read from the ambo, as this isn't merely a reading, but a sacred proclamation.

The function of proclaiming these readings is by tradition not presidential but

ministerial. Therefore the readings are to be read by a reader/lector, but the Gospel by the Deacon or, in his absence, by another Priest. If, however, a Deacon or another Priest is not present, the Priest Celebrant himself should read the Gospel, and moreover, if no other suitable reader is present, the Priest Celebrant should also proclaim the other readings as well.

After each reading, whoever reads it pronounces the acclamation, and by means of the reply the assembled people give honour to the Word of God that they have received in faith and with gratitude.

The reading of the Gospel constitutes the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy itself teaches the great reverence that is to be shown to this reading by setting it off from the other readings with special marks of honor, by the fact of which minister is appointed to proclaim it and by the blessing or prayer with which he prepares himself; and also by the fact that through their acclamations the faithful acknowledge and confess that Christ is present and is speaking to them and stand as they listen to the reading; and by the mere fact of the marks of reverence that are given to the Book of the Gospels.

The Responsorial Psalm

After the First Reading follows the Responsorial Psalm, which is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and which has great liturgical and pastoral importance, since it fosters meditation on the Word of God.

The Responsorial Psalm should correspond to each reading and should usually be taken from the Lectionary.

It is preferable for the Responsorial Psalm to be sung, at least as far as the people’s response is concerned. Hence the psalmist, or cantor of the Psalm, sings the Psalm verses at the ambo or another suitable place, while the whole congregation sits and listens, normally taking part by means of the response, except when the Psalm is sung straight through, that is, without a response. However, in order that the people may be able to sing the Psalm response more easily, texts of some responses and Psalms have been chosen for the different times of the year or for the different categories of Saints. These may be used instead of the text corresponding to the reading whenever the Psalm is sung. If the Psalm cannot be sung, then it should be recited in a way that is particularly suited to fostering meditation on the Word of God.

Instead of the Psalm assigned in the Lectionary, there may be sung either the

Responsorial Gradual from the Graduale Romanum, or the Responsorial Psalm or a suitable song that compliments the spirit of the Psalm.

Acclamation before the Gospel

After the reading that immediately precedes the Gospel, the Alleluia or another chant laid down by the rubrics is sung, as the liturgical time requires. An acclamation of this kind constitutes a rite or act in itself, by which the gathering of the faithful welcomes and greets the Lord who is about to speak to them in the Gospel and profess their faith by means of the chant. It is sung by everybody, standing, and is led by the choir or a cantor, being repeated as the case requires. The verse, on the other hand, is sung either by the choir or by a cantor.

The Alleluia is sung in every time of year other than Lent. The verses are taken from the Lectionary or the Graduale.

During Lent, instead of the Alleluia, the Verse before the Gospel as given in the Lectionary is sung. It is also possible to sing another Psalm or Tract, as found in the Graduale.

When there is only one reading before the Gospel:

• During a time of year when the Alleluia is prescribed, either an Alleluia Psalm or the Responsorial Psalm followed by the Alleluia with its verse may be used;

• During a time of year when the Alleluia is not foreseen, either the Psalm and the Verse before the Gospel or the Psalm alone may be used;

• the Alleluia or the Verse before the Gospel, if not sung, may be omitted.

• The Sequence which, except on Easter Sunday and on Pentecost Day, is optional, is sung before the Alleluia.

The Homily

The Homily is an essential part of the Liturgy should not be neglected, for it is necessary for the catechizing and nurturing of the Christian life. It should be an explanation of some aspect of the readings from Sacred Scripture or of another text from the Ordinary or the Proper of the Mass of the day and should take into account both the mystery being celebrated and the particular moral and spiritual themes of the readings.

The Homily should ordinarily be given by the Priest Celebrant himself or be

entrusted by him to a concelebrating Priest, or from time to time and, if appropriate, to the Deacon, but never to an uncertified lay person.

In particular cases and for a just cause, the Homily may even be given by a Bishop or a Priest who is present at the celebration but

cannot concelebrate.

Easter Time, as well as on other festive days and occasions when the people come to church in greater numbers, it is appropriate for a brief period of silence to be observed after the Homily.

The Profession of Faith

The purpose of the symbolism of the Profession of Faith or Creed is that the whole gathered people may respond to the Word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the Homily and that they may also honor and confess the great mysteries of the faith by pronouncing the rule of faith in a formula approved for liturgical use and before the celebration of these mysteries in the Eucharist begins.

As a particular Church which bases our theology and practices upon the ancient teachings of the Church, we find it essential to utilize the original version Nicene Creed promulgated prior to the Great Schism. It is also appropriate that the Apostle's Creed may be substituted in all masses, except for our High Holy Days celebrations.

The Creed is to be sung or said by the Priest together with the people on Sundays and Solemnities. It may be said also at particular celebrations of a more solemn character.

If it is sung, it is intoned by the Priest or, if appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir. It is then sung either by everybody together or by the people alternating with the choir.

If it is not sung, it is to be recited by everybody together or by two choirs responding one to the other.

The Universal Prayer

In the Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in some sense to the Word of God which they have received in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is desirable that there usually be such a form of prayer in Masses celebrated with the people, so that petitions may be offered for holy Church, for those who govern with authority over us, for those weighed down by various needs, for all humanity, and for the salvation of the whole world.

The series of intentions is usually to be:

• for the needs of the Church;

• for public authorities and the salvation of the whole world;

• for those burdened by any kind of difficulty;

• for the local community.

Nevertheless, in any particular celebration, such as a Confirmation, a Marriage, or at a Funeral, the series of intentions may be concerned more closely with the particular occasion.

It is for the Priest Celebrant to regulate this prayer from the chair. He himself

begins it with a brief introduction, by which he calls upon the faithful to pray, and likewise he concludes it with an oration. The intentions announced should be sober, be composed with a wise liberty and in few words, and they should be expressive of the prayer of the entire community.

They are announced from the ambo or from another suitable place, by the Deacon or by a cantor, a reader, or one of the lay faithful. The people, for their part, stand and give expression to their prayer either by an invocation said in common after each intention or by praying in silence.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

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 whenever the Priest, representing Christ the Lord, carries out what the Lord himself did and handed over to his disciples to be done in his memory.

For Christ took the bread and the chalice, gave thanks, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat and drink: this is my Body; this is the chalice of my Blood. Do this in memory of me. Hence, the Church has arranged the entire celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in parts corresponding to precisely these words and actions of Christ, namely:

At the Preparation of the Gifts, bread and wine with water are brought to the altar, the same elements, that is to say, which Christ took into his hands.

In the Eucharistic Prayer, thanks is given to God for the whole work of salvation, and the offerings become the Body and Blood of Christ.

Through the fraction and through Communion, the faithful, though many, receive from the one bread the Lord’s Body and from the one chalice the Lord’s Blood in the same way that the Apostles received them from the hands of Christ himself.

The Preparation of the Gifts

At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist the gifts which will become Christ’s Body and Blood are brought to the altar.

First of all, the altar or Lord’s table, which is the centre of the whole Liturgy of the Eucharist, is made ready when on it are placed the corporal, purificator, Missal and chalice (unless this last is prepared at the credence table).

The offerings are then brought forward. It is a praiseworthy practice for the bread and wine to be presented by the faithful. They are then accepted at an appropriate place by the Priest or the Deacon to be carried to the altar. Even though the faithful not often brought from their own possessions the bread and wine intended for the liturgy as was once the case, nevertheless the rite of carrying up the offerings still keeps its spiritual efficacy and significance. Even money or other gifts for the poor or for the Church, brought by the faithful or collected in the church, are acceptable; given their purpose, they are to be put in a suitable place away from the Eucharistic table.

The procession bringing the gifts is accompanied by the Offertory Chant , which continues at least until the gifts have been placed on the altar. The norms on the manner of singing are the same as for the Entrance Chant. Singing may always accompany the rite at the Offertory, even when there is no procession with the gifts.

The bread and wine are placed on the altar by the Priest to the accompaniment of the prescribed formula; the Priest may incense the gifts placed on the altar and then incense the cross and the altar itself, so as to signify the Church’s offering and prayer rising like incense in the sight of God.

Next, the Priest, because of his sacred ministry, and the people, by reason of their baptismal dignity, may be incensed by the Deacon or by another minister.

Then the Priest washes his hands at the side of the altar, a rite in which the desire for interior purification finds expression.

Once the offerings have been placed on the altar and the accompanying rites completed, by means of the invitation to pray with the Priest and by means of the Prayer over the Offerings, the Preparation of the Gifts is concluded and preparation made for the Eucharistic Prayer.

At Mass, a single Prayer over the Offerings is said, and it ends with the shorter conclusion, that is: Through Christ our Lord. If, however, the Son is mentioned at the end of this prayer, the conclusion is: Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. The people, joining in this petition, make the prayer their own by means of the acclamation Amen.

The Concluding Rites

To the Concluding Rites belong the following:

• brief announcements, should they be necessary;

• the Priest’s Greeting and Blessing, which on certain days and occasions is expanded and expressed by the Prayer over the People or another more solemn formula;

• the Dismissal of the people by the Deacon or the Priest, so that each may go back to doing good works, praising and blessing God;

• the kissing of the altar by the Priest and the Deacon, followed by a profound bow to the altar by the Priest, the Deacon, and the other ministers.