Journey through the Mass Entrance: After the people are assembled the entrance song begins. Like every single part of the Mass, the opening song and procession have intended meaning. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? Make an effort to sing. This makes you more open to every part of the Mass.
Journey through the Mass Penitential Act: This is the moment when we acknowledge that some of our thoughts, words, and actions have not helped us become the best version of ourselves, have prevented other people from being all God created them to be, and ultimately have created an obstacle between us and the infinite love of God. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? Identify a specific thought, word, or action that created an obstacle between you and God.
Journey through the Mass Gloria~ Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of good will . . . The Gloria is an ancient hymn that praises God. Praising God has become something that we neglect and need to do more often. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? Set yourself and your life aside for a moment, and praise God for something specific. Praise God for his goodness. Praise God for his creation.
Journey through the Mass Opening Prayer: This prayer gives us some idea of what will follow. The opening prayer is designed to place us in the presence of God and focus our hearts and minds on God. The opening prayers of the Mass guide us to focus on the themes that will emerge in the readings that day. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? Open the Missalette and begin to follow the prayers of the Mass or just listen intently.
Journey through the Mass Liturgy of the Word This consists of the Scripture readings, homily, profession of faith, and the general intercessions. Open the Missalette and begin to follow the prayers of the Mass or just listen intently.
Journey through the Mass Scripture Readings: The readings that make up the Liturgy of the Word for Sunday Mass include an Old Testament reading, a responsorial Psalm, a New Testament reading, and a Gospel reading. The readings are not randomly selected; they are related to each other in some way. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? Before attending Mass, find the readings in your Bible; read and underline them.
Journey through the Mass Homily: This is the priest’s moment to speak to the community. This is the priest’s opportunity to convince people that Jesus has answers to the issues and questions they are struggling with, and that the life Jesus invites us to is simply the best way to live. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? Stay open to what God might be trying to say to you.
Journey through the Mass Our Profession of Faith: This is where we proclaim our faith as individuals and as a community. If you really reflect on the Creed, you will my have questions or doubts almost every time you say it. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? Explore the questions you may have about the Creed. Examine what the Church teaches and why. Allow your questions to strengthen your faith.
Journey through the Mass General Intercessions: The Mass is a powerful prayer. At every moment of every day, a Mass is taking place somewhere, and we are praying for the entire human family. At this point in the Mass we offer specific intentions to God as a community. There usually include a prayer for world leaders, for those who are oppressed, for those in need, and prayer for the local community. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? Think about who and what you are praying for. Consider that person(s)’ need, responsibilities, or pain. Lift their needs and concerns up to God.
Journey through the Mass Liturgy of the Eucharist ***This is the “center and the summit of the entire celebration” and consists of the Eucharistic prayer, Consecration, the Our Father and Sign of Peace, and Communion. Think about who and what you are praying for. Consider that person(s)’ need, responsibilities, or pain. Lift their needs and concerns up to God.
Journey through the Mass The Offertory: Representatives from the community bring forward the bread and wine, along with our offerings for the Church and the poor. At the same time, the priest and servers are preparing the altar for our offering. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? As the gifts are being brought forward and as the priest is preparing the gifts, in your heart bring the different aspects of your life forward and offer them to God.
Journey through the Mass Eucharistic Prayer: The word Eucharist means “thanksgiving.” During this time the priest invites us to lift up our hearts to the Lord. In this way we are offering ourselves with Jesus to God the Father. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? Place your heart on the altar and allow God to transform it as he will transform the bread and wine.
Journey through the Mass The Consecration: Leading up to the consecration, the priest recites the words Jesus spoke at the Last Supper connecting what we experience in every Mass with Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist. The actual consecration is the moment when the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. “This is my body which is given up for you; this is the blood of the new and everlasting covenant, do this in memory of me.” What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? Simply allow yourself to be in the presence of God. Imagine yourself close to Jesus at the Last Supper or at the Crucifixion. As the priest elevates the host and chalice, say with Thomas in your heart, “My Lord and my God.”
Journey through the Mass The Lord’s Prayer: Now we join together as a community to pray in the way Jesus taught us. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? You have heard these words before, but allow them to be new and fresh. Focus on a particular word or phrase. Maybe thy will be done or give us this day our daily bread. Or perhaps you are struggling with a particular temptation –lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Journey through the Mass Sign of Peace: The priest has asked God to grant us peace and unity. Jesus has loved us in this Eucharist by sharing his peace with us, and now we share the peace and love of Christ with those around us. This reminds us that we are called to take the peace and love of Jesus out into the world. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? As you offer the Sign of Peace to those around you at Mass be mindful that while they may look happy and seem like they have it all together, we all have a broken heart that needs healing.
Journey through the Mass Communion: This is the moment when we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the form of bread and wine. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? As you approach the altar to receive Communion or a blessing, be mindful of what is about to take place. To help you focus on what is happening you might pray I wish to receive you, my Lord, as generously as your holy mother Mary did.
Journey through the Mass Thanksgiving: These moments of reflection after receiving the Eucharist can be extremely powerful if we make ourselves present to them. We are united with Jesus and he nourishes us with a hunger to do God’s will. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? As Jesus is present to you, you may want to kneel or sit, close your eyes, and just thank God in your own words for all the blessings in your life. Name them –people, places, things, and opportunities that you are grateful for.
Journey through the Mass Concluding Rites: The concluding rites are made up of the final blessing and the dismissal. What could you do to be more engaged during this part of the Mass? Adapted from Rediscover Catholicism by Matthew Kelly As you leave Church and return to the world, consider how you might live out your Christian mission this week.