THE MASS

                 Catechism #1066-1112, 1322-1419,  277-88,  334-56

 

Outline

 

1.  Nature of the Mass

2.  Beginning Parts of the Mass

3.  Middle Parts of the Mass   

4.  Parts of the Eucharistic Prayer

5.  Concluding Parts of the Mass

6.  Articles Used for the Liturgy

7.  Liturgical Year

8.  Liturgical Colors

9   Masses of Various Types

10,11 Scripture Background

                          

1.  Nature of the Mass    

 

The Mass is our main act of worship as Catholics

We adore, we thank, we ask forgiveness, we petition God

It is a liturgical service at which bread and wine

       are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit

       into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ

This Holy Sacrifice completes and surpasses the

       sacrifices of the Old Testament

It carries out the command of the Lord at the Last Supper

       Passover Meal  "Do this in remembrance of Me". 

It is sometimes referred to as the breaking of the bread

       or the memorial of Lord's Passion and Resurrection

At Communion we receive our spiritual nourishment

 

2  Beginning Parts of the Mass    

 

Entrance Rite, veneration of the altar, greeting the people

Penitential Rite  (I Confess, asking forgiveness),

Gloria (praise of God), Opening Prayer (varies with the day)

Liturgy of the Word:  Lector reads 1st Reading, Responsorial Psalm (sometimes sung),  2nd Reading, Gospel (proclaimed by Priest or Deacon), homily, creed recited together

Usually 1st Reading is from the Old Testament, 2nd from an Epistle Intercessions or Petitions in the order:  1. needs of Church,

       2. public authorities and salvation of the world,

       3. oppressed and needy, 4. local community, 5. others 

       (possibly some from the congregation)

Each petition ends with: Lord, hear our prayer

 

3.  Middle Parts of the Mass    

 

Liturgy of the Eucharist - preparation of altar, bringing up the gifts         (Bread, wine, collection) by members of congregation

Optional incensing, priest washes his hands

Prayer over the gifts (varies with the day) 

Eucharistic Prayer, main part of Mass, there are four usual choices

       Other choices are for children and Masses of Reconciliation

Focal point of the Eucharistic Prayer is the Consecration

       Transforming bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ

       This part is the same in all the Eucharistic Prayers

 

4. Parts of the Eucharistic Prayer

 

Thanksgiving expressed in the Preface which ends with 

       Acclamation or Sanctus - Holy, Holy, Holy Lord  

Calling on God to consecrate the gifts (Epiclesis)

Institution narrative and Consecration (this is my body, etc.)

Memorial (Anamnesis) of Passion, Death and Resurrection

Offering of spotless victim to Father and Holy Spirit  

Intercessions,  We celebrate in union with entire Church

Final Praise of God (doxology) and conclusion      

 

5. Concluding Parts of the Mass   

 

Communion Rite: Lord's Prayer (said together),

Prayer - "Deliver us oh Lord" (Embolism) then rite of peace Breaking (fraction) of bread, Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) dropping

       particle of host into chalice (commingling)

Preparation for reception, "Lord I am not worthy", 

Distribution of communion, perhaps a hymn, silent prayer

       prayer after Communion (varies with the day).

Concluding Rite:  Greeting and blessing, dismissal

 

6.  Articles Used for the Liturgy   

 

Chalice or cup for Precious Blood

Purificator (white cloth) for wiping chalice

Paten (plate) and ciborium (container) for hosts,

Pall (square card) and chalice veil to cover chalice

Corporal (cloth on center of altar)

Priest wears alb (white), stole and chasuble (outer

       garment, both color of day)

Deacon wears alb (white) and stole (color of day)

Other ministers: acolyte (server), lector (reader), cantor

      

7.  Liturgical Year    

 

Starts with beginning of Advent

       Ends with feast of Christ the King

Time periods with number of weeks indicated

       Advent 3½, Christmas 2, Ordinary Time 4½ to 8½,

       Lent 6½,  Easter 7, Ordinary Time 29 to 25.    

Numbers for ordinary time depend on date of Easter

Years Have  Sunday and Weekday Cycles

Sunday Cycles A, B, and C     

       Gospel - Matthew (A), Mark (B) and Luke (C)

Weekday Cycles 1 and  2 

Sanctorial Cycle  (Saints Days)

 

8.  Liturgical Colors    

 

White - Easter, Christmas, Feasts of the Lord, Mary, Angels,

       Saints, for funeral

Red - Passion Sunday, Good Friday, Pentecost, Martyrs

Green - during Ordinary Time 

Violet -  Lent,  Advent       

Rose - only two Sundays of the Year -

       Gaudete (3rd Advent) and Laetare (4th Lent)

Black - no longer in general use, formerly for funeral Masses 

 

9.  Masses of Various Types    

 

Sunday Masses have 2 Readings plus Gospel

Weekday Masses have 1 Reading plus Gospel

Proper of Seasons (Lent, Easter, etc)

Proper of Saints (Martyrs, Bishops, etc)

Ritual (e.g. ordination, religious profession, wedding)

For the Dead (funeral, anniversary, other)

Various Needs and Occasions (e.g. for Unity of Christians)

Votive (e.g. Sacred Heart, Blessed Virgin Mary, Apostles)

For children and for reconciliation (Special Prefaces)

 

10.  Scripture Background     

 

Consecration narrative "This is my body, this is my blood"          

    is in the Synoptic Gospels Matthew (Ch 26), Mark (Ch 14),                  

    and Luke (Ch 22), plus St. Paul 1 Cor 11:24,25

Road to Emmaus - the disciples recognized Jesus at the breaking       

    of the bread  Luke 24:30-32

Bread of Life Discourse (John Ch 6) "Unless you eat flesh of the      

    Son of Man and drink his blood you have no life in you"

    Many followers left Jesus, they could not accept this

Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily.....      

    profanes the body and blood of the Lord 2 Cor 11:27

 

11.  Scripture Quotations in the Mass      

 

In the name of the Father....Son....Holy Spirit...  Matth 28:19

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ...................  2 Cor 13:13

The Lord be with you.........................................  Ruth 2:4

Glory to God in the highest, and peace.............  Luke 2:14

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power & might....  Isaiah 6:3

Take and eat, this is my body.......my blood......  Matth 26:27

Look with favor on these offerings.........Abel....  Gen 14:18 

Through him, with him, in him, in the unity.......   Rom 11:36

The peace of the Lord be with you...................   John 20:19

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins ....world  John 1:29

Lord I am not worthy......only say the word......     Matth 8:8

Our help is in the name of the Lord.........& earth  Ps 124:8

Thanks be to God............................................    2 Cor 9:15 

 

CPP November 3,  2000. October 13, 200