Rites
· Procession: Usually from the back or main entrance of the Church down the centre aisle. Usual participants: Cross bearer, Other Servers, Lector, Concelebrants, Deacon, and Priest. The order of
procession is usual y as follows:
i.
A Server with a lighted censer, if incense is used
ii.
The Servers, who, according to the occasion, carry lighted candles, and between them the cross-
bearer if the cross is to be carried.
i i.
Acolytes and other ministers
iv.
A reader, who may carry the Book of the Gospel
Where a Deacon is part of the procession he carries the Book of the Gospels.
v.
The Priest who is to celebrate the Mass.
If incense is used, the Priest puts some in the censer before the procession begins.
· Veneration of the altar and Greeting: Upon reaching the sanctuary, the main celebrant, together with other ministers make a bow or genuflection. Afterwards, the Priest(s) kiss the altar. The main celebrant then incenses the altar and introduces the Mass.
· Blessing and sprinkling holy water: This is not always done, depending on the feast and local custom.
When it is done, the Kyrie is omitted.
· Penitential Rite: This can be done in various ways.
· Kyrie (Lord, have mercy): Said or sung unless used in one of the penitential rites.
· Gloria: This is an ancient hymn, in which the Church, assembled in the Holy Spirit, praises and entreats the Father and the Lamb. It is sung on all Sundays and Solemnities except during Lent and Advent. If any Solemnity falls in the season of Lent or Advent, the Gloria is sung.
· Opening prayer or Col ect: The Opening prayer or Col ect ends the Introductory Rites.
Liturgy of the Word
Through the Scripture readings God speaks to His people. Al are expected to remain silent and attentive to the Word of God. Movements should be minimized at this point so as to avoid distracting attention.
· First Reading: Read by a Lector, usually (but not always) from the Old Testament
· Responsorial Psalm: Usually led by the Cantor (song leader) but may be recited. It is never omitted.
· Second Reading: Usually from the New Testament Letters or Epistles. Also read by the Lector. On most weekdays, there is no second reading. When incense is used at Mass (especially during weddings and
funerals), the thurifer should find out if there will be a second reading or not. This enables him to know when to go out for hot coals in the thurible for use during the Gospel reading.
· Gospel Acclamation: This is the verse before the Gospel reading, and it is either read or sung by the lector or Cantor. During the singing of the Alleluia or other chant (as done during the season of Lent), if incense is used, the Priest puts some into the thurible. If the Book of the Gospels is on the altar, the
Priest or Deacon takes it and proceeds to the lectern, while the Servers, carrying the thurible and candles walk ahead of him.
· Gospel: Taken from one of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), it is read by the Priest or Deacon.
· Homily: By Priest or Deacon, explaining the Scriptures. While some call this part homily, others call it sermon. The difference between homily and sermon would be looked at later in this book.
· Profession of faith: The symbol of the profession of faith in the Mass serves as a means by which the Priest and people gathered give assent to the words of Scripture and cal to mind the truths of faith. As an obligation, it is said by all on Sundays and on Solemnities.
· The Universal Prayer: We also cal these the Prayer of the Faithful. As a rule the sequence of intentions is to be:
i.
For the needs of the Church
ii.
For public authorities and the salvation of the world
i i.
For those oppressed by any need
iv.
For the local community.
In particular celebrations, such as confirmations, marriages, funerals, the series of intercessions may refer more specifically to the occasion (GIRM 70).
Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Eucharist or Lord's Supper, is the central rite of the Christian religion, in which bread and wine are consecrated by an ordained minister and consumed by the minister and members of the congregation in
obedience to Jesus' command at the Last Supper, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
The Liturgy of the Eucharist is made up of the fol owing components:
· Presentation of the gifts: This is also cal ed the offertory. Usually, the cross-bearer, the candle-bearers, the thurifer and boat-bearer, go and lead the people bearing the gifts up to the altar. Meanwhile other Servers help prepare the altar. The purificators, the chalice and the Roman Missal are also placed on the altar. Servers then accompany the Priest to receive the offertory gifts.
· Preparation of the Gifts: Here the focus is on the praise of God rather than on offering. The Priest, with both hands, slightly raises the paten with the bread above the altar and says the accompanying prayer.
Then he places the paten with the bread on the corporal. Next, as a Server presents the cruets, the Priest stands at the side of the altar and pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying the accompanying prayer softly. He returns to the middle of the altar, takes the chalice, raises it a little with both hands, and says the approved prayer. Then he places the chalice on the corporal and may cover it with a pal .
· Incensation: Incense is a traditional symbol of prayer rising to God. If incense is used, the Priest incenses the gifts and the altar. A Server incenses the Priest and the congregation. During the
incensation of the altar, the Roman Missal and other books are taken from the altar and returned after the Priest has been incensed.
