Parts of the Mass Flashcards
What are three ways that Jesus is with us during the Mass.
- The Assembly of Faith (gather),
- In Eucharist (body and blood of Christ)
- With the Priest (in persona Christi) and Scriptures (The Word).
Four main parts of the Mass
- Introductory Rite (We gather)
- Liturgy of the Word (We Listen)
- Liturgy of the Eucharist and Communion Rite (We give thanks)
- Concluding Rite. (We go)
What is the purpose of the Introductory Rite/We Gather
To prepare the faithful to participate in the Mass and to start to focus their attention on the coming celebration of the Eucharist.
What is involved during the We Gather
- Sign of the Cross: Everyone makes the Sign of the Cross by touching their forehead, chest, and shoulders. This is a way to start the Mass by remembering the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
- Penitential Act: Everyone thinks about their mistakes and asks God for forgiveness. This helps people start the Mass with a clean heart.
- Gloria: This is a joyful song or prayer that praises God. It’s like saying, “Thank you, God, for being so great!”
- Collect: The priest says a special prayer called the Collect (pronounced KOL-ekt). This prayer gathers everyone’s thoughts and prayers together and asks God to help them during the Mass.
What is the purpose of the Liturgy of the Word/We Listen
To deepen their understanding of the Scriptures
What is involved in the Liturgy of the Word/We Listen
- Readings from the Bible: We hear three different readings:
* Old Testament: These are stories and teachings from the time before Jesus was born.
* New Testament: These are writings about Jesus and the early Christian community.
* Gospel: This is a special reading about the life and teachings of Jesus. - Homily: After the readings, the priest gives a talk called a homily. In the homily, they explain what the readings mean and how we can use these lessons in our everyday lives.
What is the purpose of the Liturgy of the Eucharist/ We Give Thanks
the bread and wine are consecrated (declared sacred)
Why is the Liturgy of the Eucharist the most important part of the Catholic Mass. Here’s what happens:
- Presentation of the Gifts: People bring bread and wine to the altar. These gifts represent the work of the people and their lives.
- Eucharistic Prayer: The priest says a special prayer over the bread and wine. During this prayer, Catholics believe that the bread and wine become the actual Body and Blood of Jesus. This change is called consecration.
- Communion Rite: After the bread and wine are consecrated, everyone prays together and then receives Communion. When Catholics receive Communion, they eat the bread and drink the wine, which they believe is Jesus’ Body and Blood. This helps them feel very close to Jesus.
Explain why Eucharist means thanksgiving
The term “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word “eucharistia,” which means “thanksgiving”. This name reflects the essence of the Eucharist in Christian practice, which is a profound act of giving thanks to God.
During the Last Supper, Jesus “gave thanks” before breaking the bread and sharing the wine with his disciples, which is a key moment commemorated in the Eucharist. This act of thanksgiving is central to the celebration, symbolizing gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice and the salvation it brings3.
What does the Last Supper and the Mass have in common.
Sharing Bread and Wine: At the Last Supper, Jesus shared bread and wine with his friends, saying, “This is my body” and “This is my blood.” In Mass, the priest does the same thing, sharing bread and wine with everyone in the church.
Special Words: Jesus told his friends to “Do this in memory of me” at the Last Supper. During Mass, the priest repeats these words to remind everyone of what Jesus did.
Eating Together: The Last Supper was a meal Jesus had with his friends. In Mass, everyone comes together to share in the Eucharist, which is like a special meal that brings people together.
Giving Thanks: The Last Supper was a time for Jesus to give thanks to God. The word “Eucharist” actually means “thanksgiving.” In Mass, we also give thanks to God for everything, especially for Jesus’ sacrifice.
.
What is the purpose of We Go
It sends the faithful forth to live out their faith in the world.
It encourages the people to take what they’ve learned and experienced during the Mass and use it in their everyday lives. Spread the good news.
Jesus is connected to the people who gather at Mass in several important ways
The Eucharist: During Mass, the bread and wine are consecrated and become the Body and Blood of Christ. When people receive the Eucharist, they are united with Jesus in a very special way12.
The Priest: Jesus is present in the priest who leads the Mass. The priest acts in the person of Christ, especially during the consecration of the bread and wine12.
The Scriptures: Jesus is present in the readings from the Bible. When the Scriptures are read aloud during Mass, it is Jesus speaking to the congregation through those words2.
The Assembly: Jesus is present in the people who gather for Mass. He promised that whenever people gather in his name, he would be there with them. The community of believers, also known as the Body of Christ, represents Jesus’ ongoing presence in the world2.
These connections help make the Mass a powerful experience of Jesus’ presence and love for those who participate.
