I
▲ Stand
The Introductory Rites
Ritus initiales
As the bell rings or the opening hymn begins, stand. The priest and servers process to the altar. He venerates it with a kiss, then goes to his chair. Everyone signs themselves together.
P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
R: Amen.
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (Or: The Lord be with you.)
R: And with your spirit.
The Penitential Act
A short pause for silence. The priest invites all to recall their sins. The most familiar form is the Confiteor — strike your breast lightly at "through my fault":
A: I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, [strike breast] through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
The priest prays for forgiveness, and all respond:
The Kyrie
P: Lord, have mercy.
R: Lord, have mercy.
P: Christ, have mercy.
R: Christ, have mercy.
P: Lord, have mercy.
R: Lord, have mercy.
The Gloria (omitted in Advent & Lent)
A: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Collect
The priest says "Let us pray," pauses, then prays the opening prayer of the day — which "collects" the silent prayers of all. It ends:
P: ...through Christ our Lord. (or) ...for ever and ever.
R: Amen.
II
■ Sit, then ▲ Stand for Gospel
The Liturgy of the Word
Liturgia Verbi
Sit. Here God speaks to His people through Scripture. Listen as you would to a father who has waited all week to speak with you.
First Reading (usually from the Old Testament)
Reader: The word of the Lord.
R: Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
The cantor sings a refrain; all repeat it. Then the cantor sings the verses; all repeat the refrain between each.
Second Reading (Sundays & solemnities, usually a New Testament letter)
Reader: The word of the Lord.
R: Thanks be to God.
▲ Stand · Gospel Acclamation
Stand when the Gospel acclamation begins. Outside of Lent, all sing:
A: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
(In Lent, "Alleluia" is replaced — commonly: "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.")
The Gospel
P: The Lord be with you.
R: And with your spirit.
P: A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.
R: Glory to you, O Lord.
While responding, trace a small cross with your thumb on your forehead, lips, and heart — that Christ's Gospel be in your mind, on your lips, and in your heart.
After the reading — P: The Gospel of the Lord.
R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
■ Sit · The Homily
The priest or deacon breaks open the readings. Listen. If your mind wanders, simply return to the voice speaking — grace is in the listening.
▲ Stand · The Nicene Creed
At the words "and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man" — all bow the head.
A: I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
[bow] and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayer of the Faithful
Also called the Universal Prayer. A deacon or lector reads intentions; after each, all respond. The common response:
R: Lord, hear our prayer.
III
■ Sit, then ▲ Stand, then ▼ Kneel
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
Liturgia Eucharistica
Now comes the sacrifice itself. What began on Calvary is made present on this altar. Quiet your heart.
■ Sit · Preparation of the Gifts
Bread and wine are brought to the altar, often with a collection. The priest blesses each in turn; if spoken aloud you may respond:
P: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread / wine we offer you...
R: Blessed be God for ever.
▲ Stand · Invitation to Prayer
P: Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
R: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.
The Preface Dialogue
P: The Lord be with you.
R: And with your spirit.
P: Lift up your hearts.
R: We lift them up to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R: It is right and just.
The Sanctus
A: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
▼ Kneel · The Eucharistic Prayer
After the Sanctus, kneel. The priest now prays the great Eucharistic Prayer. Listen closely at the words of institution — "This is my Body... this is the chalice of my Blood..." — spoken over the bread and wine. At these words Christ becomes truly present. A bell may ring; bow your head slightly. The priest elevates the Host, then the Chalice. Gaze and adore. An ancient tradition: whisper interiorly "My Lord and my God."
The Memorial Acclamation
The priest says "The mystery of faith." Respond with one of three options (the parish will use one consistently):
A: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
— or —
A: When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
— or —
A: Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
The Great Amen
The priest elevates the Host and Chalice together, praying: "Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever." All respond with a firm, sung Amen:
▲ Stand · The Lord's Prayer
A: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
The priest continues with the embolism ("Deliver us, Lord..."), then:
A: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.
The Sign of Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
R: And with your spirit.
Offer a sign of peace to those near you — a handshake, a nod, a brief "Peace be with you." Brief. Then return to prayer.
The Lamb of God
A: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
▼ Kneel · Behold the Lamb of God
The priest holds up the consecrated Host:
P: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
R: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Holy Communion
When it is your turn, process reverently. Before receiving, bow your head. The priest or extraordinary minister says:
P: The Body of Christ.
R: Amen.
You may receive on the tongue (the traditional and always-permitted way) or in the hand (one flat hand atop the other, like a throne; consume immediately in front of the minister — never walk away with the Host). Return to your pew and kneel. Pray silently in thanksgiving until the tabernacle is closed.
If you cannot receive
Non-Catholics, and Catholics not in a state of grace or not keeping the fast, should not receive. You are warmly invited to come forward with arms crossed over your chest — a sign asking for a blessing instead. You may also remain in the pew and pray a spiritual communion: "My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there, and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen."
