Parts of the Mass Flashcards
Introductory Rites
When we have group meetings to fulfill a certain purpose, everyone often has separate conversations with other members of the group. When the meeting begins, there is always someone who catches everyone’s attention, letting them know that the meeting will start. This is what the Introductory Rites of the Mass hopes to accomplish.
The purpose of the Introductory Rites of the Mass is to gather the minds and hearts of all those who assist in the Mass, and gather them for the purpose of praise, thanksgiving, contrition of sins, and worship.
It is a time to center ourselves, separate ourselves from the world’s affairs, be contrite for our sins, and to place, both a singular and personal purpose for what we hope to achieve in this Holy Mass.
Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Word is the part of the Liturgy which deals directly with the proclamation of Sacred Scripture.
In the Sacred Scriptures, before we were introduced to God in the flesh, God first revealed Himself in His eternal Word.
In the same way, before we receive Our Lord in Holy Communion, we first receive him in our hearts in the Word of God.
Just as we believe solemnly that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Holy Eucharist, likewise, He is truly present in His eternal Word, proclaimed to us in the Mass.
As we all know, the Holy Mass is a sacrifice. This means that the entirety of the Mass contributes to this objective.
The Liturgy of the Word is how the Church offers
“the sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15).
In this part of the Liturgy, The Church prepares us for the sacrifice of the Eucharist.
Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh, becomes present among us in the Word of God.
It is precedes the Eucharist because before there was the Flesh, there was the Word.
First, we encounter God through the scriptures of the Old Testament, then the New Testament, finally we encounter His Presence in the Holy Gospels. After this, we are given an explanation to the readings called the Homily. We then profess our faith through the Credo, and lift up our intentions for offering the Holy Sacrifice through the Prayers of the Faithful.
This is indeed a fitting preparation for what we will experience in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
The second half of the Mass seeks to re-present the Sacrifice of Christ to the Father. It accomplishes the commandment of Christ to gather and imitate what happened on the night of the Last Supper.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist is how the Church offers the “fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2) which is the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.
In the Liturgy of the Word, we encountered Christ in His Word, in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we encounter Christ in his true flesh and blood.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the offering of the sacred gifts of bread and wine, known as the oblations; the sacred things which are offered to God, and will become the Sacred Victim of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In this part called the Offertory, the sacred oblations are solemnly offered to God and placed on the corporal. The use of incense throughout this Liturgy signifies the rising of our offerings and prayers to God.
The priest begins the solemn Eucharistic prayer (also known as the Canon of the Mass, with a prayer which calls to mind the theme and intention of the Mass, we call this prayer the Preface. He then consecrates the sacred oblations, and with the words of consecration, he turns them into the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He then continues the Canon by praying for the living, the dead, and for all the intentions of the Christian people. This most solemn prayer of the Church is concluded with the Doxology, offering the Sacred Oblations to God the Father.
Communion Rite
Now that the Sacrifice is offered, the Divine Law handed down by God tells us that it must now be consumed by those who offer it.
In this part of the Mass, we consume the Sacrifice who was offered on our behalf, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
God has become present among us in the preceding Liturgy in the holy oblations, and now God becomes united with us by the consumption of these gifts.
It ultimately seeks to unite us intimately with God. To make us one with him in a perfect, physical union; hence the term Holy Communion, which is the highest part of the Holy Mass.
This rite of the Mass begins with a preparation for the sacred union with God. The Church finds it fitting that we prepare ourselves with the prayer which Christ Himself hands down to us, the Pater Noster (Our Father). Then the priest places a particle of the Sacred Host in the Chalice to represent the Resurrected Lord. He then offers prayers to prepare himself for Holy Communion, and exposes the Lamb of God to the faithful. Then all receive Holy Communion, starting with the priest, and then the faithful. After Holy Communion, the Priest purifies the Sacred Vessels, careful to protect every particle of the Holy Eucharist.
This great act of unity with God is indeed adorned with the most beautiful of rites.
Concluding Rites
The word ‘Mass’ is a term which means to send forth.
In the Concluding Rites this ‘sending forth’ is observed. We are sent away into the world as witnesses of the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
As we receive the Final Blessing, we are taking the blessing of God Himself, into the world.
It is a rite that brings the Mass to a solemn and beautiful close.
The Concluding Rites begin with the Final Blessing, if it is a Bishop who presided the Mass, it will be Solemn Episcopal Blessing.
On special occasions, there may be a special form of the Final Blessing called a Solemn Blessing.
After, the deacon or the priest (or Bishop) dismisses the faithful.
The clergy venerate the altar with a kiss, all line up for the procession, and all venerate the Lord with a genuflect.
They then process, receding to the Sacristy, and thus concluding the Mass.
Introductory Rites(parts in order)
Entrance Procession/Introit
Incensing of the Altar
Sign of the Cross
Greeting
Confiteor
Kyrie
Gloria
Collect
Liturgy of the Word(parts in order)
First Reading
Psalm
Second Reading
Gospel Acclamation
Imposition of Incense/Gospel Procession
Gospel
Homily
Credo
General Intercessions
Liturgy of the Eucharist(parts in order)
Offering of Bread
Infusion of wine and water
Offering of the Chalice
Incensing of the Oblations/Cross/Altar/Priest/Faithful
Lavabo
Orate, fratres
Prayer over the Offerings
Preface
Sanctus
Canon of the Mass
Epiclesis
Consecration
Doxology
Communion Rite(parts in order)
Pater Noster
Pax
Fraction
Agnus Dei
Holy Communion of the Priest
Holy Communion of the faithful
Ablutions
Prayer after Communion
Concluding Rites(parts in order)
Final Blessing
Dismissal
Recession
