1. Parts of the Mass You Need to Know http://catholic-resources

2. I. Gathering As a community we gather to celebrate the Mass
It is a representation of the sacrifice of Christ
We sing a hymn as a display of unity
We are reminded of Christ’s presence in our midst.

3. II. Penitential Rite Reflection on our sins in silence
Ask for God’s forgiveness and mercy
Doesn’t take the place of the sacrament of confession

4. III. Liturgy of the Word First major part of the Mass
Hear the Word of God from Old and New Testament
Identify the relevance it has for our lives
Readings are usually connected by a central theme
Everything that occurs from the first reading to the intercessions are part of the Liturgy of the Word

5. IV. First Reading Usually taken from the Old Testament
Identify the heritage that we share with the Jewish religion

6. V. Responsorial Psalm
We use God’s word to sing his praise and to pray over the word He has spoken
Psalms are from the Old Testament (most of which were written by David)

7. VI. Second Reading
Usually from the Acts of the Apostles or the epistles of Paul
Identify issues of the early Church
Identify how the early Church lived the teachings of Jesus

8. VII. Gospel Follows the Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia)
Taken from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John
The most important of the readings
Recounts details about the life and ministry of Christ on earth

9. VIII. Homily Priest explains the readings
Shows the relevancy to our lives today
Addresses issues facing the Church, society, etc.

10. IX. Profession of Faith
We proclaim our faith, that has been handed down since the time of the Apostles
Apostles’ Creed contains 12 key articles of the faith
Common forms are the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed

11. X. Intercessions We plead with God for the needs of:
The Church and its leaders
The world
Our nation
Our parish
The dead
The sick and the suffering
For ourselves
Etc.

12. XI. Liturgy of the Eucharist
the second general part of the Mass
The most important part of the Mass
In which the priest consecrates the bread and wine
We prepare to receive Christ through the Eucharist
The following parts occur during the Liturgy of the Eucharist

13. XII. Offertory We take up the gifts as offerings for the consecration
We take up our offerings for the poor and the Church
The priest accepts the gifts on our behalf and mingles the wine and water (to represent Christ’s dual natures)
Priest washes his hands to ask God to sanctify the assembly to be worthy to celebrate the Eucharist

14. XIII Eucharistic Prayer
We praise God through the “Holy, holy holy…”
The Act of TRANSUBSTANTIATION occurs in this part
Priest asks God to transform the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ
Eucharistic Prayer contains the Preface Acclamation, the Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy), the Memorial Acclamation and the Great Amen

15. XIV. Preface Acclamation
The prayer is one of Thanksgiving
Its form is handed down through Jewish traditions for blessing and praising God
Sanctus comes after this

16. XV. Memorial Acclamation
After asking God to transform the bread and wine, we ask that we too be filled with the Holy Spirit and be united with Christ
Great Amen (Doxology) follows

17. XVI. Communion Rite Includes the following parts The Lord’s Prayer
The Rite of Peace
The Breaking of the Bread
Communion
Prayer after the Communion

18. XVII. Concluding Rite We are given a final blessing
We are instructed to “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”