Order of the Mass
Note:
to watch a video of the traditional Mass, see this
page
Just so you'll know how to budget your time, the Mass outlined below is
a High Mass -- the sort of Mass that is usually offered each Sunday. If
it is sung with a Deacon or Sub-deacon, it is also called a
"Solemn Mass"; if it is sung without the help of a Deacon and
Sub-deacon, it is also called a "Sung Mass" or "Missa Cantata." A High
Mass typically lasts for 1.5 to 2 hours.
A Low Mass is not sung, but is recited, and can seem very, very plain
to the senses in comparison to the normative Sunday Mass. It is usually
heard during the week (the "daily Masses"), but sometimes one will see
Low Masses on Sundays. A Low Mass typically lasts around 45 min. to 1
hr.
What Happens at Mass
and What to
Do
First, dress properly and, if you are to receive
Communion, fast for the appropriate time.
Know that offerings are taken up right before the Offertory (at the
beginning of the second half of the Mass) and that they should be
prepared beforehand and easily accessible so there's no last minute
digging around in purses or wallets trying to get it together.
Catholics don't tithe, but we give voluntarily as our conscience
dictates in response to the Precept of the
Church that requires us to support the needs of the Church
according to our ability and our station in life.
Now you arrive at the church and enter the church building. First, look
in the Narthex for parish bulletins, Missal booklets, and papers which
will have today's hymns and Propers. Some churches might not offer any
or all of these things, or may offer them inside the church itself.
Some churches may provide headcoverings for women who don't have their
own (some priests might not offer the Eucharist to women whose heads
are left bare).
Now you enter the nave area of the church and bless yourself with Holy Water, signing yourself
with it as you recall your Baptism. You
find a pew and genuflect by it, facing the
Tabernacle in the Sanctuary, before you take your seat. The choir
begins to sing. The procession enters, with the thurifer (the boy
bearing the incense) first, followed by the cross-bearer (the boy
carrying the Crucifix), two candle-bearers, and the priest...
Below is what happens next -- the Order of the Mass. Know, however,
that you don't have to feel as though you must memorize all the details
of when to stand and kneel, etc; just follow what others do around you.
Maybe the first few times you go to a traditional Mass, you can sit
towards the back so you'll have people in front of you whom you can
imitate. No one's going to point and stare if you accidentally sit
instead of kneel; they probably wouldn't even notice. Trust me, it all reads
more complicated than it is in practice, and after a while, it
will become second nature! And whatever you do, pray along with the
words in the Missal; pray the Mass with all your heart!
Another note: in some parishes and chapels, the parishioners might join
with the choir or servers and read or chant the responses; in others,
the choir or servers will handle that by themselves. Just follow the
lead of others around you, and if, in the former case, you are not
comfortable with reading or chanting in Latin,
that is fine! Please don't feel compelled to vocally join in -- but, as
always, do pray the words mentally.
Key:
P
|
Priest will say
these words. If neither a P nor an S appears before the text, the words
are spoken by the priest. |
S
|
Server or choir
will speak/sing these words. In most traditional Masses, the server or
choir speaks for the parishioners. Some priests prefer that
the people say these words, too (thereby making the Mass a "dialogue
Mass"). Follow your priest's instructions and just watch the people
arond you. |
|
Click to hear
MP3 file of this part of the Mass |
words in red
|
instructions
concerning your gestures and postures. Note that in addition to the
gestures and postures in red, one is to bow the head ANY TIME (inside
or outside of Mass) the Name "Jesus" is mentioned (and men remove their
hats when doing so outside of Mass). This would include during the
Epistle and Gospel readings, and during the homily if the priest were
to mention His Name. |
+
|
the priest makes
the Sign of the Cross (he will make the Sign 52 times) |
[brackets]
|
spoken inaudibly
by the priest |
Grey boxes
|
notes on what
the priest is doing or general information about the part of the Mass
in question |
|
when you see the
word "Proper," this means that the text for this part of the Mass
changes from Mass to Mass. When following along, find the page of your
Missal (or the handout some churches have) for the text to this Mass's
Propers |
|
the bell will
ring, the no. of bells = no. of rings.
|
|
As the priest
enters and walks down the aisle toward the Altar, bow
your head or make a profound bow toward him. |
The
Aspérges
Aspérges Me (during the year) or Vidi Aquam (during Paschaltide)
|
The priest,
wearing a cope, blesses the Altar, himself, the servers, and the people
with Holy Water. We beg God's mercy (or, during Paschaltide, we praise
His mercy) and asks Him to send our church's Guardian Angel to protect
us.
|
Stand. Make a
profound bow and cross yourself as the priest passes
by and blesses the people of your pew with holy water.
|
Aspérges
(outside of Paschaltide): |
Aspérges me.
Dómine, hyssópo, et mundábor: lavábis me, et super nivem dealbábor.
|
Thou shalt
sprinkle me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt
wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow.
|
Miserére mei,
Deus, secúndum magnam misericórdiam tuam.
|
Have mercy on
me, O God, according to Thy great mercy. [Psalm 50]
|
P.Glória Patri,
et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. |
P.Glory be to
the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
|
Here, at the
mention of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost together, the priest will
pause in his blessing of the people. |
S.Sicut erat in
princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
|
S.As it was in
the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
|
Aspérges me.
Dómine, hyssópo, et mundábor: lavábis me, et super nivem dealbábor.
|
Thou shalt
sprinkle me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt
wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow.
|
Vidi Aquam
(replaces the Aspérges during Paschaltide): |
Vidi aquam
egrediéntem de templo, a látere dextro, allelúia: et omnes ad quos
pervénit aqua ista salvi facti sunt et dicent: allelúia, allelúia.
|
I saw water
flowing from the right side of the temple, alleluia; and all they to
whom that water came were saved, and they shall say, alleluia, alleluia.
|
Confitémini
Dómino, quóniam bonus: quóniam in sæculum misericórdia ejus.
|
Praise the Lord,
for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. [Psalm 117].
|
P.Glória Patri,
et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
|
P.Glory be to
the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
|
S.Sicut erat in
princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
|
S.As it was in
the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
|
Vidi aquam
egrediéntem de templo, a látere dextro, allelúia: et omnes ad quos
pervénit aqua ista salvi facti sunt et dicent: allelúia, allelúia.
|
I saw water
flowing from the right side of the temple, alleluia; and all they to
whom that water came were saved, and they shall say, alleluia, alleluia.
|
After either the
Aspérges or the Vidi Aquam, the priest returns to the foot of the Altar
|
Osténde nobis,
Dómine, misericórdiam tuam. |
Show us, O Lord,
Thy mercy. |
S.Et salutáre
tuum da nobis. |
S.And grant us
Thy salvation. |
P.Dómine, exáudi
oratiónem meam. |
P.O Lord, hear
my prayer. |
S.Et clamor meus
ad te véniat. |
S.And let my cry
come unto Thee. |
P.Dóminus
vobíscum. |
P.The Lord be
with you. |
S.Et cum spíritu
tuo. |
S.And with thy
spirit. |
P.Orémus. |
P.Let us pray. |
Exáudi nos,
Dómine sancte, Pater omnípotens, ætérne Deus, et míttere dignéris
sanctum Angelum tuum de cælis, qui custódiat, fóveat, prótegat,
vísitet, atque deféndat omnes habitántes in hoc habitáculo. Per
Christum Dóminum nostrum.
|
Hear us, O holy
Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, and vouchsafe to send Thy holy
Angel from heaven, to guard, cherish, protect, visit and defend all
that are assembled in this place: Through Christ our Lord.
|
S. Amen |
S. Amen |
The Mass is in
two main parts: The Mass of the Catechumens and the Mass of the
Faithful. The Mass of the Catechumens is that first part of the Mass
which centers around penance and the Word and is meant to instruct. In
the early Church, the uninitiated and unbaptized were allowed to attend
only that part of the Mass and had to leave before the Mass of the
Faithful, which centers around the Sacrifice, began.
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Sit while the
priest vests for Mass, replacing his cope with a chasuble
|
|
Prayers
at the Foot of the Altar
Júdica
Me and the Confiteor
|
The priest
returns to the foot of the Altar.
|
Stand
|
The priest
genuflects at the foot of the Altar and recites the "Júdica Me," a part
of Psalm 42 written by an Israelite priest 800 years before our Lord
was born and which speaks of his yearning to worship on the holy hill
of Jerusalem. The Júdica Me is omitted from Passion Sunday to Holy
Saturday inclusive and in Masses for the Dead.
Then he will say the Confiteor, confessing and begging God's
forgiveness for his sins. The server, speaking for the people -- the
unordained royal priesthood -- then says the Confiteor on our
behalf as we mentally accuse ourselves of our sins and ask the Saints
to pray for us. The priest then absolves us (this does not obviate
private Confession).
|
Kneel
|
In nómine
Patris, et Fílii, + et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.
|
In the Name of
the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
|
Introíbo ad
altáre Dei. S.Ad Deum qui lætíficat juventútem meam.
|
I will go in
unto the Altar of God. S.To God, Who giveth joy to my youth.
|
Júdica me
(Psalm 42): |
The priest joins
hands and says:
|
Júdica me, Deus,
et discérne causam meam de gente non sancta: ab hómine iníquo, et
dolóso érue me.
|
Judge me, O God,
and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me
from the unjust and deceitful man.
|
S.Quia tu es,
Deus, fortitúdo mea: quare me repulísti, et quare tristis incédo, dum
afflígit me inimícus?
|
S.For Thou, O
God, art my strength: why hast Thou cast me off? and why do I go
sorrowful whilst the enemy afflictech me?
|
P.Emítte lucem
tuam, et veritátem tuam: ipsa me deduxérunt, et aduxérunt in montem
sanctum tuum, et in tabernácula tua.
|
P.Send forth Thy
light and Thy truth: they have led me and brought me unto Thy holy
hill, and into Thy tabernacles.
|
S.Et introíbo ad
altáre Dei: ad Deum qui lætíficat juventútem meam.
|
S.And I will go
in unto the Altar of God: unto God, Who giveth joy to my youth.
|
P.Confitébor
tibi in cíthara, Deus, Deus meus: quare tristis es, ánima mea, et quare
contúrbas me?
|
P.I will praise
Thee upon the harp, O God, my God: why art thou sad, O my soul? and why
dost thou disquiet me?
|
S.Spera in Deo,
quóniam adhuc confitébor illi: salutáre vultus mei, et Deus meus.
|
S.Hope thou in
God, for I will yet praise Him: Who is the salvation of my countenance,
and my God.
|
P.Glória Patri,
et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
|
P.Glory be to
the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
|
S.Sicut erat in
princípio et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
|
S.As it was in
the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
|
P.Introíbo ad
altáre Dei.
|
P.I will go in
unto the Altar of God.
|
S.Ad Deum qui
lætíficat juventútem meam.
|
S.Unto God, Who
giveth joy to my youth.
|
Adjutórium
nostrum + in nómine Dómini.
|
Our help + is in
the Name of the Lord.
|
S.Qui fecit
cælum et terram.
|
S.Who hath made
heaven and earth.
|
Confiteor by
the Priest first, and then the People: |
The priest
enters the Throne Room of God. He humbles himself and makes a public
confession, bowing down to say the Confiteor for his own sins:
|
Confíteor Deo
omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo,
beáto Joanni Baptístæ, sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo, ómnibus
Sanctis, et vobis, fratres: quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo et
ópere: He strikes his breast three times mea culpa, mea culpa, mea
máxima culpa. Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, beátum
Michaélem Archángelum, beátum Joánnem Baptístam, sanctos Apóstolos
Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et vos, fratres, oráre pro me ad
Dóminum Deum nostrum.
|
I confess to
Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed
Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy
Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you, brethren, that
I have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word and deed: He strikes his
breast three times through my fault, through my fault, through my most
grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed
Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles
Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, brethren, to pray to the Lord
our God for me.
|
S.Misereátur tui
omnípotens Deus, et dimíssis peccátis tuis, perdúcat te ad vitam
ætérnam.
|
S.May Almighty
God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to life
everlasting. .
|
P.Amen. |
P.Amen |
We enter the
Throne Room of God and, standing before Him, accuse ourselves of our
sins. The server says the Confiteor on our behalf:
|
Confíteor Deo
omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo,
beáto Joanni Baptístæ, sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo, ómnibus
Sanctis, et tibi, Pater: quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo et
ópere: mea culpa [strike
breast] , mea culpa [strike breast] , mea máxima
culpa [strike
breast]. Ideo precor
beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, beátum Michaélem Archángelum, beátum
Joánnem Baptístam, sanctos Apóstolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos,
et te, Pater, oráre pro me ad Dóminum Deum nostrum.
|
I confess to
Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed
Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy
Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you Father, that I
have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word and deed: through my fault [strike breast], through my fault
[strike
breast], through my most
grievous fault [strike
breast]. Therefore I
beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel,
blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the
Saints, and Thee Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
|
The priest joins
hands and grants us absolution of our venial sins:
|
P.Misereátur
vestri omnípotens Deus, et dimíssis peccátis vestris, perdúcat vos ad
vitam ætérnam.
|
P.May Almighty
God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins and bring you to life
everlasting.
|
S. Amen.
|
S. Amen.
|
P.Indulgéntiam
+, [cross yourself] absolutiónem,
et remissiónem peccatórum nostrórum tríbuat nobis omnípotens et
miséricors Dóminus.
|
P.May the
Almighty and merciful God grant us pardon +, [cross
yourself] absolution, and remission of our sins.
|
S.Amen. |
S.Amen. |
Deus, tu
convérsus vivificábis nos.
|
Thou wilt turn,
O God, and bring us to life.
|
S.Et plebs tua
lætábitur in te.
|
S.And Thy people
shall rejoice in Thee.
|
P.Osténde nobis,
Dómine, misericórdiam tuam.
|
P.Show us, O
Lord, Thy mercy.
|
S.Et salutáre
tuum da nobis. |
S.And grant us
Thy salvation. |
P.Dómine, exáudi
oratiónem meam. |
P.O Lord, hear
my prayer. |
S.Et clamor meus
ad te véniat.
|
S.And let my cry
come unto Thee.
|
P.Dóminus
vobíscum. |
P.The Lord be
with you. |
S.Et cum spíritu
tuo. |
S.And with thy
spirit. |
P.Orémus. |
S.Amen. |
The
Priest Ascends the Altar
|
He goes to the
Altar and prays silently for purity:
|
[Aufer a nobis,
quæsumus, Dómine, iniquitátes nostras: ut ad Sancta sanctórum puris
mereámur méntibus introíre. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.]
|
[Take away from
us our iniquities, we entreat Thee, O Lord, that with pure minds we may
worthily enter into the Holy of Holies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.]
|
[Orámus te,
Dómine, per mérita Sanctórum tuórum...]
|
[We beseech
Thee, O Lord, by the merits of Thy Saints, whose relics are here...]
|
Here, he bows
and kisses the Altar where a Saint's relics are enclosed.
|
[...quorum
relíquiæ hic sunt, et ómnium Sanctórum: ut indulgére dignéris ómnia
peccáta mea. Amen.]
|
[...and of all
the Saints, that Thou wilt deign to pardon me all my sins. Amen.]
|
At a high Mass
the priest will bless the Altar after blessing the incense with these
words:
|
[Ab ilio +
benedicáris, in cujus honóre cremáberis. Amen.]
|
[Be blessed + by
Him in whose honour thou art burnt. Amen.]
|
Introit
(Proper)
|
The Introit,
along with the Collects, Epistle, Gradual, Gospel, Offertory, Secrets,
Communion Verse, and Postcommunions change from Mass to Mass depending
on the Sunday or the Feast Day being celebrated. These parts of the
Mass that change are called the "Proper Prayers" or simply the
"Propers." These prayers will be contained in your Missal. Some
churches print them out and make them available either in the pews or
in the Narthex when you enter the church.
"Introit" means "Entrance" and it marks the time when the priest enters
the sanctuary to begin Mass. The priest will go to the Epistle Side of
the Altar (the right side), make the Sign of the Cross and chant
the verse from the Psalms which constitutes today's Introit.
|
Kyrie
|
The Kyrie is the
only part of the Mass that is in Greek. It is a prayer of mercy
repeated 9 times, 3 each in honor first of the Father Monarch, then of
the Son, and then of the Holy Ghost, a symbol within a symbol of the
Most Holy Trinity. The priest moves to the middle of the Altar, joins
his hands and says alternately with the server (or else the choir will
sing) the following:
|
|
P.Kýrie, eléison. |
P.Lord, have
mercy. |
S.Kýrie, eléison. |
S.Lord, have
mercy. |
P.Kýrie, eléison. |
P.Lord, have
mercy. |
S.Christe,
eléison. |
S.Christ, have
mercy. |
P.Christe,
eléison. |
P.Christ, have
mercy. |
S.Christe,
eléison. |
S.Christ, have
mercy. |
P.Kýrie, eléison. |
P.Lord, have
mercy. |
S.Kýrie, eléison. |
S.Lord, have
mercy. |
P.Kýrie, eléison. |
P.Lord, have
mercy. |
Gloria
|
Stand if it's a High Mass (i.e., a Sung Mass, or
"Missa Cantata").
You may sit again when the priest sits while the choir sings.
|
The Gloria, also
known as the "hymnus angelicus," is the Church's greatest hymn of
praise, adoration, and thanksgiving addressed to each Person of the
Most Holy Trinity. It begins with the words the angels sang when Jesus
was born [Luke 2]. It is omitted during Advent, Septuagesima, Lent, and
for Masses for the Dead.
The priest stands at the middle of the Altar, extends and then joins
his hands, makes a slight bow, and says:
|
|
Glória in
excélsis Deo, et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis. Laudámus te.
Benedícimus te. Adorámus te. Glorificámus te. Grátias ágimus tibi
propter magnam glóriam tuam. Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis, Deus
Pater omnípotens. Dómine Fili unigénite, Jesu Christe [Bow head]. Dómine Deus,
Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris. Qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis. Qui
tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram. Qui sedes ad
déxteram Patris, miserére nobis. Quóniam tu solus Sanctus. Tu solus
Dóminus. Tu solus Altíssimus, Jesu Christe [Bow head]. Cum Sancto
Spíritu, + in glória Dei Patris. Amen.
|
Glory be to God
on high. And on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee. We
bless Thee We adore Thee. We glorify Thee. We give Thee thanks for Thy great
glory. Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. Lord Jesus
Christ [Bow head], Only-begotten
Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. Thou Who takest away the
sins of the world have mercy on us. Thou who takest away the sins of
the world, receive our prayer. Thou Who sittest at the right hand of
the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou alone art holy. Thou alone, O
Jesus Christ [Bow head], art most high.
With the Holy Ghost, + in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
|
The priest
kisses the Altar and, turning toward the people, says:
|
P.Dóminus
vobíscum |
P.The Lord be
with you. |
S.Et cum spíritu
tuo. |
S.And with thy
spirit. |
The priest turns
back to the Missal to begin the Collect.
|
P.Orémus. |
P.Let us pray |
The
Collect (Proper)
|
The Collect is
the "collected prayers" of petition for all of the faithful at Mass.
They are recited in honor of a Saint or Mystery of the day or for
specific Mass intentions. Sometimes more than one Collect is prayed
(but never more than three). At the end of this prayer, the server
responds:
|
S.Amen |
S.Amen |
Sit
|
The
Epistle (Proper)
|
The Epistle is a
Bible reading, usually taken from one of the Pauline letters, but often
from those from another Apostle or even from the Old Testament. After
the reading, the server responds:.
|
S.Deo grátias. |
S.Thanks be to
God. |
The
Gradual and Alleluia (Proper)
|
The Gradual
consists of a short thanksgiving verse(s), usually from a Psalm, that
relates to the Epistle reading. The Gradual is so called because it
used to be intoned by a cantor standing on the steps of the pulpit or
altar.
The Gradual is followed by the joyous Alleluia acclamation. In times of
penance, a "Tract" -- i.e., a Psalm or part of a Psalm -- replaces the
Alleluia.
After the Gradual and Alleluia, the Missal is moved to the Gospel side
(the left side) of the Altar to symbolize the passing of Faith from the
Jews to the Gentiles. The priest then returns to the middle of the
Altar and bows with his hands joined. He then says the Munda Cor Meum:
|
Munda
Cor Meum
|
Munda cor meum
ac lábia mea, omnípotens Deus, qui lábia Isaíæ Prophétæ cálculo
mundásti igníto: ita me tua grata miseratióne dignáre mundáre, ut
sanctum Evangélium tuum digne váleam nuntiáre. Per Christum Dóminum
nostrum. Amen.
|
Cleanse my heart
and my lips, O Almighty God, Who didst cleanse the lips of the prophet
Isaias with a burning coal; through Thy gracious mercy so purify me
that I may worthily proclaim Thy holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
|
The following
prayer is said in Low Masses:
|
Jube, Dómine,
benedícere. Dóminus sit in corde meo, et in lábiis meis: ut digne et
competénter annúntiem Evangélium suum. Amen |
Grant, O Lord,
Thy blessing. May the Lord be in my heart and on my lips that I may
worthily and fittingly proclaim His Gospel. Amen |
The
Gospel (Proper)
|
Stand
|
Now the priest
prepares to read to us from one of the Books written by either St.
Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, or St. John. |
Dóminus vobíscum. |
The Lord be with
you. |
S.Et cum spíritu
tuo. |
S.And with thy
spirit. |
As the priest
says the following words, he signs the Book and then, with his thumb,
makes 3 small Crosses on his forehead, lips, and breast to signify
keeping the Gospel in his mind, on his lips, and in his heart. The
people make these signs with him.
|
[Sign forehead, lips and breast] Sequéntia
sancti Evangélii secúndum N.+
|
[Sign forehead, lips and breast] The
continuation of the Holy Gospel according to N.+
|
S.Glória tibi,
Dómine. |
S.Glory be to
Thee, O Lord. |
The Gospel is
read with the people still standing. When the reading is over, the
server says:
|
S.Laus tibi,
Christe. |
S.Praise be to
Thee, O Christ. |
Unless it is a
Mass for the Dead, the priest kisses the Book. Then he says:
|
Per evangélica
dicta, deleántur nostra delícta.
|
By the words of
the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.
|
Sermon
|
Sit
|
Some priests
will now read the Epistle and Gospel in English at this point; others
won't. Then the priest will now give a sermon, usually having something
to do with the Gospel reading.
|
Credo
|
Stand
|
The Credo -- the
Nicene Creed -- is our public and solemn declaration of Faith. It was
drawn up at the Councils of Nicaea (A.D. 325) and Constantinople (A.D.
381).
In honor of the Incarnation, the incredible expression of God's love
manifest in His taking on flesh in order to die for us and become the
perfect Sacrifice, we kneel at the words that describe His being born
of the Virgin Mary.
|
Credo in unum
Deum, Patrem omnipoténtem, factórem cæli et terræ, visibílium ómnium et
invisibílium. Et in unum Dóminum Jesum [Bow head]
Christum, Fílium
Dei unigénitum. Et ex Patre natum ante ómnia sæcula. Deum de Deo, lumen
de lúmine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Génitum, non factum,
consubstantiálem Patri: per quem ómnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos
hómines et propter nostram salútem descéndit de cælis
|
I believe in one
God, the Father Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things
visible and invisible. and in one Lord Jesus [Bow head] Christ, the
Only-begotten Son of God. Born of the Father before all ages. God of
God, Light of Light, true God of true God. Begotten, not made:
consubstantial with the Father; by Whom all things were made. Who for
us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven.
|
[Kneel]
Et incarnátus
est de Spíritu Sancto ex María Vírgine: Et homo factus est.
[Stand]
|
[Kneel]
And was
incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: and was made man.
[Stand]
|
Crucifíxus étiam
pro nobis: sub Póntio Piláto passus, et sepúltus est. Et resurréxit
tértia die, secúndum Scriptúras. Et ascéndit in cælum: sedet ad
déxteram Patris. Et íterum ventúrus est cum glória judicáre vivos et
mórtuos: cujus regni non erit finis.
|
He was crucified
also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And on the
third day He rose again according to the Scriptures. And He ascended
into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And He shall
come again with glory to judge the living and the dead: of Whose
kingdom there shall be no end.
|
Et in Spíritum
Sanctum, Dóminum et vivificántem: qui ex Patre, Filióque procédit. Qui
cum Patre, et Fílio simul adorátur [Bow head], et
conglorifícatur: qui locútus est per Prophétas. Et unam, sanctam,
cathólicam et apostólicam Ecclésiam. Confíteor unum baptísma in
remissiónem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum. Et vitam +
ventúri sæculi. Amen.
|
And in the Holy
Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life: Who proceedeth from the Father and
the Son. Who together with the Father and the Son is adored [Bow head] and glorified:
Who spoke through the Prophets. And in One, Holy, Catholic and
Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. And
I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life + of the world to
come. Amen.
|
The Mass of the
Catechumens is ended and now the Mass of the Faithful begins.
|
|
The Mass of the
Faithful is in 4 main sections:
I.
The Offertory
The priest presents the bread and wine
Offertory VerseOffertory PrayersLavabo
Prayer to the Holy
TrinityOrate
FratresSecretPrefaceSanctus
II. The Canon
The Holy Ghost, through His priest acting in Persona Christi, changes
the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, Who is offered to
the Father for the remission of sins
Prayers Before Consecration Prayers at ConsecrationConsecration
Prayers After
ConsecrationFinal
Doxology and Minor Elevation
III. Communion
We receive the the Body of Christ
Pater NosterBreaking of the Sacred
Host
Agnus DeiPrayers for CommunionCommunion
IV. Prayers after Communion
AblutionsCommunion VersePostcommunionsBlessing Last
Gospel
At
this point, the offering basket is brought around by the ushers for
us to place our financial gifts in. They will move from the front of
the church toward the back, away from the Altar.
Have any offerings ready for the collection basket
Now the priest kisses the Altar, then turns to the people and says:
|
Stand
|
P.Dóminus
vobíscum |
P.The Lord be
with you. |
S.Et cum spíritu
tuo. |
S.And with thy
spirit. |
P.Orémus. |
P.Let us pray |
Offertory
|
Offertory
Verse (Proper)
|
Sit
|
After the priest
reads the Offertory, he moves to the
middle of the Altar and reads the Offertory Verse:
|
|
Offertory
Prayers
|
The priest
uncovers the chalice. Then he places the unconsecrated host on the
paten, and offers it. "Host" comes from the Latin "hostia," which means
"victim." This bread must be a baked wheat bread with no flavorings,
sugars, etc. -- only wheat and water (in the Eastern ritual churches,
leavening may be used, though this is not the oldest practice):
|
[Súscipe, sancte
Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus, hanc immaculátam hóstiam, quam ego
indígnus fámulus tuus óffero tibi Deo meo vivo et vero, pro
innumerabílibus peccátis, et offensiónibus, et negligéntiis meis, et
pro ómnibus circumstántibus, sed et pro ómnibus fidélibus christiánis
vivis atque defúunctis: ut mihi et illis profíciat ad salútem in vitam
ætérnam. Amen.]
|
[Accept, O Holy
father, Almighty and Eternal God, this spotless host, which I, Your
unworthy servant, offer to You, my living and true God, to atone for my
numberless sins, offences, and negligences; on behalf of all here
present and likewise for all faithful Christians living and dead, that
it may profit me and them as a means of salvation to life everlasting.
Amen.]
|
He makes the
Sign of the Cross with the paten and places it on the corporal. He goes
to the right side of the Altar (the Epistle side) and pours the wine
into the chalice (only a true grape wine may be used). He blesses water
(except in Masses for the Dead), representing the water that flowed
from the wound in His side, and mixes a few drops into the chalice:
|
[Deus, + qui
humánæ substántiæ dignitátem mirabíliter condidísti et mirabílius
reformásti: da nobis, per hujus aquæ et vini mystérium, ejus
divinitátis esse consórtes, qui humanitátis nostræ fíeri dignátus est
párticeps, Jesus Christus, Fílius
tuus, Dóminus noster: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus
Sancti Deus: per ómnia sæcula sæculórum. Amen.]
|
[O God, + Who in
creating man didst exalt his nature very wonderfully and yet more
wonderfully didst establish it anew; by the Mystery signified in the
mingling of this water and wine, grant us to have part in the Godhead
of Him Who hath deigned to become a partaker of our humanity, Jesus
Christ, Thy Son our Lord; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the
unity of the Holy Ghost, God. World without end. Amen.]
|
He returns to
the middle of the Altar and offers the chalice to God.
|
[Offérimus tibí,
Dómine, cálicem salutáris, tuam deprecántes cleméntiam: ut in conspéctu
divínæ majestátis tuæ, pro nostra et totíus mundi salúte, cum odóre
suavitátis ascéndat. Amen.]
|
[We offer unto
Thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, entreating Thy mercy that our
offering may ascend with a sweet fragrance in the sight of Thy divine
Majesty, for our own salvation, and for that of the whole world. Amen.]
|
He makes the
Sign of the Cross with the chalice and places it, too, on the corporal.
He covers it with a pall and, bowing down, says:
|
[In spíritu
humilitátis, et in ánimo contríto suscipiámur a te, Dómine: et sic fiat
sacrifícium nostrum in conspéctu tuo hódie, ut pláceat tibi, Dómine
Deus.]
|
[Humbled in
spirit and contrite of heart, may we find favor with Thee, O Lord: and
may our sacrifice be so offered this day in Thy sight as to be pleasing
to Thee, O Lord God.]
|
Now the priest
calls on the Holy Ghost. He extends his hands and raises his eyes
toward Heaven, asking the Holy Ghost to bless the bread and wine:
|
[Veni,
Sanctificátor omnípotens ætérne Deus: et bénedic + hoc sacrifícium, tuo
sancto nómini præparátum.]
|
[Come Thou, the
Sanctifier, Almighty and Everlasting God, and bless + this sacrifice
which is prepared for the glory of Thy holy Name.]
|
Now the priest
will bless the incense and then use it to bless the bread and wine,
then the Crucifix and Altar, and then himself and us so that we will be
be made a more pure offering to God. First he blesses the incense,
calling on the intercession of St. Michael:
|
[Per
intercessiónem beáti Michaélis Archángeli, stantis a dextris altáris
incénsi, et ómnium electórum suórum, incénsum istud dignétur Dóminus
bene + dícere, et in odórem suavitátis accípere. Per Christum Dóminum
nostrum. Amen.]
|
[Through the
intercession of Blessed Michael the Archangel, standing at the right
hand of the altar of incense, and of all His elect may the Lord
vouchsafe to bless + this incense and to receive it in the odor of
sweetness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.]
|
Now he incenses
the bread and wine:
|
[Incénsum istud
a te benedíctum, ascéndat ad te, Dómine: et descéndat super nos
misericórdia tua.]
|
[May this
incense blessed by You, arise before You, O Lord, and may Your mercy
come down upon us.]
|
Now he incenses
the Crucifix and Altar:
|
[Dirigátur,
Dómine, orátio mea, sicut incénsum, in conspéctu tuo: elevátio mánuum
meárum sacrifícium vespertínum. Pone, Dómine, custódiam ori meo, et
óstium circumstántiæ lábiis meis: ut non declínet cor meum in verba
malítiæ, ad excusándas excusatiónes in peccátis.] [Psalm 140]
|
[Let my prayer,
O Lord, like incense before You; the lifting up of my hands, like the
evening sacrifice. O Lord, set a watch before my mouth, a guard at the
door of my lips. Let not my heart incline to the evil of engaging in
deeds of wickedness.] [Psalm 140]
|
Now the priest
and we of the royal priesthood are blessed with incense:
|
Stand. Make a profound bow toward the acolyte after
he blesses you with incense.
|
[Accéndat in
nobis Dóminus ignem sui amóris, et flámmam ætérnæ caritátis. Amen.]
|
[May the Lord
enkindle in us the fire of His love and the flame of everlasting
charity. Amen.]
|
Lavabo
|
Sit
|
Now the priest
recites Psalm 25 and washes his fingers to symbolize the purity of
those taking part in this Sacrifice:
|
[Lavábo inter
innocéntes manus meas: et circúmdabo altáre tuum, Dómine. Ut áudiam
vocem laudis: et enárrem univérsa mirabília tua. Dómine, diléxi decórem
domus tuæ: et locum habitatiónis glóriæ tuæ. Ne perdas cum ímpiis,
Deus: ánimam meam, et cum viris sánguinum vitam meam. In quorum mánibus
iniquitátes sunt: déxtera eórum repléta est munéribus]
|
[I will wash my
hands among the innocent, and I will encompass Thine Altar, O Lord.
That I may hear the voice of praise, and tell of all Thy wondrous
works. I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of Thy house, and the place
where Thy glory dwelleth. Take not away my soul, O God, with the
wicked, nor my life with men of blood. In whose hands are iniquities,
their right hand is filled with gifts.]
|
[Ego autem in
innocéntia mea ingréssus sum: rédime me, et miserére mei. Pes meus
stetit in dirécto: in ecclésiis benedícam te, Dómine.]
|
[But as for me,
I have walked in my innocence; redeem me, and have mercy on me. My foot
hath stood in the right way; in the churches I will bless Thee, O
Lord.]
|
The following
concluding Gloria is omitted during Passiontide and in Masses for the
Dead:
|
[Glória Patri,
et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et
semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen].
|
[Glory be to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the
beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.]
|
Prayer
to the Most Holy Trinity
|
Now he goes to
the middle of the Altar and bows, with hands joined, praying to the
Holy Trinity to accept our offering and asking the greatest Saints to
intercede for us.
|
[Súscipe, Sancta
Trínitas, hanc oblatiónem, quam tibi offérimus ob memóriam passiónis,
resurrectiónis, et ascensiónis Jesu Christi Dómini nostri, et in
honórem beátæ Maríæ semper Vírginis, et beáti Joánnis Baptístæ, et
sanctórum Apostolórum Petri et Pauli, et istórum, et ómnium Sanctórum:
ut illis profíciat ad honórem, nobis autem ad salútem: et illi pro
nobis intercédere dignéntur in cælis, quorum memóriam ágimus in terris.
Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum.] Amen.
|
[Receive, O Holy
Trinity, this oblation which we make to Thee in memory of the Passion,
Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ; and in honor of
Blessed Mary ever Virgin, of blessed John the Baptist, the holy
Apostles Peter and Paul, of these and of all the Saints. To them let it
bring honor, and to us salvation, and may they whom we are
commemorating here on earth deign to plead for us in heaven. Through
the same Christ our Lord. Amen.]
|
Orate
Fratres
|
Now he kisses
the Altar and, turning toward the people, extends and joins his hands.
He asks us to "Pray, brothers" that the Sacrifice will be acceptable.
Only the first two words, "Orate, Fratres" are said aloud; the rest the
priest prays inaudibly.
|
Oráte fratres:
[ut meum ac vestrum sacrifícium acceptábile fiat apud Deum Patrem
omnipoténtem.]
|
Pray, brethren,
[that my Sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father
Almighty.]
|
S. [Suscípiat
Dóminus sacrifícium de mánibus tuis ad laudem et glóriam nóminis sui,
ad utilitátem quoque nostram, totiúsque Ecclésiæ suæ sanctæ.]
|
S. [May the Lord
accept the Sacrifice from thy hands, to the praise and glory of His
Name, for our benefit and for that of all His holy Church.]
|
[P. Amen.] |
[P. Amen.] |
The
Secret (Proper)
|
The Secret is
another prayer that is prayed inaudibly except for the "per omnia
saecula saeculorum." It is a prayer of petition, similar to the
Collect, and its name comes from the Latin word "secernere," meaning
"to set apart," as the prayer sets apart the offerings to be
consecrated.
|
Per ómnia sæcula
sæculórum. |
World without
end. |
S. Amen. |
S. Amen. |
Stand
|
P. Dóminus
vobíscum. |
P. The Lord be
with you. |
S. Et cum
spíritu tuo. |
S. And with thy
spirit. |
P. Sursum corda. |
P. Lift up your
hearts. |
S. Habémus ad
Dóminum |
S. We have
lifted them up to the Lord. |
P. Grátias
agámus Dómino Deo nostro. |
P. Let us give
thanks to the Lord our God. |
S. Dignum et
justum est. |
S. It is right
and just. |
Preface
(Proper)
|
The preface (it
will be different during Lent, Paschaltide, Ascension, and for Feasts
that have their own Preface) is a prayer of thanksgiving and total
praise. It leads right into the Sanctus (the "Trisagion" or
"Tersanctus," meaning "Thrice Holy") -- the words of Psalm 117 and
Matthew 21:9 blended with the words of the Angels of Isaias 6:3 and
Apocalypse 4 who sing "holy, holy, holy" day and night without ceasing
and who sing with us now:
|
(Note: This
audio is of a different preface, the one called Praefatio Sanctae
Crucis.
The melody is the same, however.)
|
Vere dignum et
justum est, æquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper, et ubíque grátias
ágere: Dómine sancte, Pater omnípotens, ætérne Deus: Qui cum unigénito
Fílio tuo, et Spíritu Sancto, unus es Deus, unus es Dóminus: non in
uníus singularitáte persónæ, sed in uníus Trinitáte substántiæ. Quod
enim de tua glória, revelánte te, crédimus, hoc de Fílio tuo, hoc de
Spíritu Sancto, sine differéntia discretiónis sentímus. Ut in
confessióne veræ sempiternæque Deitátis, et in persónis propríetas, et
in esséntia ùnitas, et in majestáte adorétur æquálitas. Quam laudant
Angeli atque Archángeli, Chérubim quoque ac Séraphim: qui non cessant
clamáre quotídie, una voce dicéntes...
|
It is truly meet
and just, right for our salvation, that we should at all times and in
all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty,
everlasting God; Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and the
Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord: not in the oneness of a single
Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what we believe by Thy
revelation of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of
the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation. So that in confessing
the true and everlasting Godhead, distinction in persons, unity in
essence, and equality in majesty may be adored. Which the Angels and
Archangels, the Cherubim also and the Seraphim do praise: who cease not
daily to cry out, with one voice saying...
|
Kneel |
Sanctus
(Trisagion)
|
|
|
...Sanctus,
Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra glória
tua. Hosánna in excélsis. + Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini.
Hosánna in excélsis.
|
...Holy, holy,
holy, Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy Glory.
Hosanna in the highest. + Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the
Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
|
|
The
Canon
|
Prayers
Before Consecration
|
Now begin a
series of prayers: one for the Church (Te Igitur), one for the living
(Meménto), and one to invoke the Saints (Communicantes). These prayers,
and all up to the Pater Noster, will be inaudible.. (In Easter Week, on
the Ascension and in the Week of Pentecost, the Communicantes prayer
will be slightly different)
|
Te Igitur:
For the Church
[Te ígitur, clementíssime Pater, per Jesum Christum Fílium tuum,
Dóminum nostrum, súpplices rogámus, ac pétimus, uti accépta hábeas, et
benedícas, hæc + dona, hæc + múnera, hæc + sancta sacrifícia illibáta,
in primis, quæ tibi offérimus pro Ecclésia tua sancta cathólica: quam
pacificáre, custodíre, adunáre, et régere dignéris toto orbe terrárum:
una cum fámulo tuo Papa nostro N . . . et Antístite nostro N . . . et
ómnibus orthodóxis, atque cathólicæ et apostólicæ fídei cultóribus.]
|
Te Igitur:
For the Church
[Most merciful Father, we humbly pray and beseech Thee, through Jesus
Christ Thy Son, Our Lord, to accept and to bless these + gifts, these +
presents, these + holy unspotted Sacrifices, which we offer up to Thee,
in the first place, for Thy Holy Catholic Church, that it may please
Thee to grant her peace, to preserve, unite, and govern her throughout
the world; as also for Thy servant N . . . our Pope, and N . . . our
Bishop, and for all orthodox believers and all who profess the Catholic
and Apostolic faith.]
|
For the Living
[Meménto, Dómine, famulórum famularúmque tuárum N . . . et N . . . et
ómnium circumstántium, quorum tibi fides cógnita est, et nota devótio,
pro quibus tibi offérimus: vel qui tibi ófferunt hoc sacrifícium
laudis, pro se, suísque ómnibus: pro redemtióne et incolumitátis suæ:
tibíque reddunt vota sua ætérno Deo, vivo et vero.]
|
For the Living
[Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants and handmaids N . . . and N . . .
and of all here present, whose faith and devotion are known to Thee,
for whom we offer, or who offer up to Thee this Sacrifice of praise for
themselves and all those dear to them, for the redemption of their
souls and the hope of their safety and salvation: who now pay their
vows to Thee, the everlasting, living and true God.]
|
Communicantes:
To invoke the Saints
[Communicántes, et memóriam venerántes, in primis gloriósæ semper
Vírginis Maríæ, Genitrícis Dei et Dómini nostri Jesu Christi: sed et
beáti Joseph ejúsdem Vírginis Sponsi, et beatórum Apostolórum ac
Mártyrum tuórum, Petri et Pauli, André æ, Jacóbi, Joánnis, Thomæ,
Jacóbi, Philíppi, Bartholomæi, Matthæi, Simónis et Thaddæi: Lini,
Cleti, Cleméntis, Xysti, Cornélii, Cypriáni, Lauréntii, Chrysógoni,
Joánnis et Pauli, Cosmæ et Damiáni: et ómnium Sanctórum tuórum; quorum
méritis precibúsque concédas, ut in ómnibus protectiónis tuæ muniámur
auxílio. Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.]
|
Communicantes:
To Invoke the Saints
[In communion with, and honoring the memory in the first place of the
glorious ever Virgin Mary Mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ; also
of blessed Joseph, her Spouse; and likewise of Thy blessed Apostles and
Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip,
Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus, Linus, Cletus, Clement,
Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul,
Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy Saints. Grant for the sake of their
merits and prayers that in all things we may be guarded and helped by
Thy protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.]
|
Prayers
at Consecration
|
|
The priest
spreads his hands out over the oblation and asks God to accept our
Sacrifice. (In Easter Week, on the Ascension and in the Week of
Pentecost, the Hanc Igitur prayer will be slightly different)
|
Hanc Igitur:
Oblation of the Victim to God
[Hanc ígitur oblatiónem servitútis nostræ, sed et cunctæ famíliæ tuæ,
quæsumus, Dómine, ut placátus accípias: diésque nostros in tua pace
dispónas, atque ab ætérna damnatióne nos éripi, et in electórum tuórum
júbeas grege numerári. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.]
|
Hanc Igitur:
Oblation of the Victim to God
[O Lord, we beseech Thee, graciously to accept this oblation of our
service and that of Thy whole household. Order our days in Thy peace,
and command that we be rescued from eternal damnation and numbered in
the flock of Thine elect. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.]
|
He blesses the
offering once again, making a last plea to God that He be pleased and
that our offering be good enough to become the Body and Blood of Christ.
|
[Quam oblatiónem
tu, Deus, in ómnibus, Qæsumus, bene+díctam, adscríp+tam, ra+tam,
rationábilem, acceptabilémque fácere dignéris: ut nobis Cor+pus, et
San+guis fiat dilectíssimi Fílii tui Dómini nostri Jesu Christi.]
|
[Humbly we pray
The, O God, be pleased to make this same offering wholly blessed +, to
consecrate + it and approve + it, making it reasonable and acceptable,
so that it may become for us the Body + and Blood + of Thy dearly
beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.]
|
Consecration
|
Now is the
moment of the miracle! The priest takes the host into his hands and
says:
|
[Qui prídie quam
paterétur, accépit panem in sanctus ac venerábiles manus suas, et
elevátis óculis in cælum ad te Deum Patrem suum omnipoténtem, tibi
grátias agens, bene+díxit, fregit, dedítque discípulis suis, dicens:
Accípite, et manducáte ex hoc omnes.]
|
[Who, the day
before He suffered , took bread into His Holy and venerable hands, and
having lifted up His eyes to heaven, to Thee, God, His Almighty Father,
giving thanks to Thee, blessed it +, broke it, and gave it to His
disciples, saying: Take and eat ye all of this.]
|
...the priest is
fully identifying with Christ, Who is both our High Priest and the
Sacrificed. He uses the words Our Lord spoke when He instituted the
Mass, and Who repeats them now as High Priest. On Holy Thursday, He
spoke the reality of the bread and wine becoming His Body and Blood, in
the same way He spoke all Creation into existence. With the following
Words of Institution, the priest speaks those same words Our Lord
spoke, and the bread and wine become, truly, His Body and Blood. The
Sacrifice now begins:
|
[HOC
EST ENIM CORPUS MEUM]
|
[FOR
THIS IS MY BODY]
|
The priest
genuflects and adores the Sacred Host.
|
He elevates the
Body of Christ for the veneration of the faithful.
Like St. Thomas (John 20:28), we marvel, "My Lord and my God" ("Dominus
meus et Deus meus"). If your senses betray you, pray the prayer of the
father of the demoniac, "I do believe, Lord! Help my unbelief!" (Mark
9:24)
|
He places the
Host on the corporal, genuflects, and adores Him again.
After this, to
help ensure that not even the tiniest particle of the consecrated Host
that might adhere to his fingers is lost, he never disjoins his fingers
and thumb (except when he is to take the Host) until he washes his
fingers at the ablutions after Communion. Now he uncovers the chalice.
|
[Símili modo
postquam coenátum est,] |
[In like manner,
after He had supped,] |
He takes the
chalice into both hands and says:
|
[accípiens et
hunc præclárum Cálicem in sanctas ac venerábiles manus suas: item tibi
grátias agens, bene+díxit, dedítque discípulis suis, dicens: Accípite,
et bíbite ex eo omnes.]
|
[taking also
into His holy and venerable hands this goodly chalice, again giving
thanks to Thee, He blessed it +, and gave it to His disciples, saying:
Take and drink ye all of this.]
|
He bends over
the chalice and says slowly, without pausing:
|
[HIC
EST ENIM CALIX SANGUINIS MEI, NOVI ET AETERNI TESTAMENTI: MYSTERIUM
FIDEI: QUI PRO VOBIS ET PRO MULTIS EFFUNDETUR IN REMISSIONEM PECCATORUM]
|
[FOR
THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL TESTAMENT: THE
MYSTERY OF FAITH: WHICH SHALL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY UNTO THE
REMISSION OF SINS]
|
[Hæc
quotiescúmque fecéritis, in mei memóriam faciétiss] |
[As often as ye
shall do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of Me.] |
The priest
genuflects and adores the Precious Blood.
|
He elevates the
Chalice for the veneration of the faithful.
We thank Jesus for shedding His blood for our redemption. How lost we
would be without Him!
|
He sets the
Chalice down, covers it, genuflects, and adores again.
|
Prayers
After Consecration
|
Unde et
memores: To Offer the Victim
[Unde et mémores, Dómine, nos servi tui, sed et plebs tua sancta,
ejústdem Christi Fílii tui Dómini nostri tam beátæ passiónis necnon et
ab ínferis resurrectiónis, sed et in cælos gloriósæ ascensiónis:
offérimus præcláræ majestáti tuæ de tuis donis, ac datis...]
|
Unde et
memores: To Offer the Victim
[And now, O Lord, we, Thy servants, and with us all Thy holy people,
calling to mind the blessed Passion of this same Christ, Thy Son, our
Lord, likewise His Resurrection from the grave, and also His glorious
Ascension into heaven, do offer unto Thy most sovereign Majesty out of
the gifts Thou hast bestowed upon us...]
|
He brings his
hands together and makes the Sign of the Cross 5 times
|
[...hóstiam +
puram, hóstiam + sanctam, hóstiam + immaculátem, Panem + sanctum vitæ
ætérnæ, et Cálicem + salútis perpétuæ.]
|
[...a Victim +
which is pure, a Victim + which is holy, a Victim + which is spotless,
the holy Bread + of life eternal, and the Chalice + of everlasting
Salvation.]
|
He extends his
hands and continues:
|
Supra Quæ: To
Ask God to Accept our Offering
[Supra quæ propítio ac seréno vultu respícere dignéris: et accépta
habére, sícuti accépta habére dignátus es múnera púeri tui justi Abel,
et sacrifícium Patriárchæ nostri Abrahæ: et quod tibi óbtulit summus
sacérdos tuus Melchísedech, sanctum sacrifícium, immaculátam hóstiam.]
|
Supra Quæ: To
Ask God to Accept our Offering
[Deign to look upon them with a favorable and gracious countenance, and
to accept them as Thou didst accept the offerings of Thy just servant
Abel, and the sacrifice of our Patriarch Abraham, and that which Thy
high priest Melchisedech offered up to Thee, a holy Sacrifice, an
immaculate Victim.]
|
He bows down
over the Altar with hands joined on the Altar:
|
Súpplices te
rogámus: For Blessings
[Súpplices te rogámus, omnípotens Deus: jube hæc perférri per manus
sancti Angeli tui in sublíme altáre tuum, in conspéctu divínæ
majestátis tuæ: ut quotquot ex hac altáris participatióne sacrosánctum
Fíii tui, Cor+pus, et Sán+guinem sumpsérimus, omni benedictióne cælésti
et grátia repleámur. Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.]
|
Súpplices te
rogámus: For Blessings
[Humbly we beseech Thee, almighty God, to command that these our
offerings be carried by the hands of Thy holy Angel to Thine Altar on
high, in the sight of Thy divine Majesty, so that those of us who shall
receive the most sacred Body + and Blood + of Thy Son by partaking
thereof from this Altar may be filled with every grace and heavenly
blessing: Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.]
|
Now he mentions
the dead for whom he wishes to pray. This is a time to mentally pray
for your dead ancestors and friends:
|
Commemoratio
pro defunctis: For the Dead
[Meménto étiam, Dómine, famulórum famularúmque tuárum N . . . et N . .
. qui nos præcessérunt cum signo fídei, et dórmiunt in somno pacis.
Ipsis, Dómine, et ómnnibus in Christo quiescéntibus, locum refrigérii,
lucis et pacis, ut indúlgeas, deprecámur. Per eúndem Christum Dóminum
nostrum. Amen.]
|
Commemoratio
pro defunctis: For the Dead
[Be mindful, also, O Lord, of Thy servants and handmaids N . . . and N
. . . who are gone before us with the sign of faith and who sleep the
sleep of peace. To these, O Lord, and to all who rest in Christ, grant,
we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light and peace. Through the
same Christ our Lord. Amen.]
|
He strikes his
breast, saying the first three words of the prayer below aloud in an
act of public self-humiliation and contrition.
|
Nobis quoque
peccatóribus: For Eternal Happiness
Nobis quoque peccatóribus [fámulis tuis, de multitúdine miseratiónum
tuárum sperántibus, partem áliquam, et societátem donáre dignéris, cum
tuis sanctis Apóstolis et Martýribus: cum Joánne, Stéphano, Matthía,
Bárnaba, Ignátio, Alexándro, Marcellíno, Petro, Felicitáte, Perpétua,
Agatha, Lúcia, Agnéte, Cæcília, Anastásia, et ómnibus Sanctis tuis:
intra quorum nos consórtium, non æstimátor mériti, sed véniæ, quæsumus,
largítor admítte. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.]
|
Nobis quoque
peccatóribus: For Eternal Happiness
To us also Thy sinful servants, [who put our trust in the multitude of
Thy mercies, vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with Thy holy
Apostles and Martyrs: with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius,
Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy,
Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and all Thy Saints. Into their company we
beseech Thee admit us, not considering our merits, but freely pardoning
our offenses. Through Christ our Lord.]
|
Final
Doxology and Minor Elevation
|
[Per quem hæc
ómnia, Dómine, semper bona creas, sanctí+ficas, viví+ficas, bene+dícas,
et præstas nobis.]
|
[By whom, O
Lord, Thou dost always create, sanctify +, quicken +, bless +, and
bestow upon us all these good things.]
|
He uncovers the
Chalice and genuflects. He takes the Host in his right hand and the
Chalice in his left, and makes the Sign of the Cross over the Chalice 5
times, saying the words below. We end with the "Great Amen" that ends
the Canon.: |
[Per ip+sum, et
cum ip+so, et in ip+so, est tibi Deo Patri + omnipoténti, in unitáte
Spíritus + Sancti, onis honor, et glória.]
|
[Through Him +,
and with Him +, and in Him +, is unto Thee, God the Father + Almighty,
in the unity of the Holy + Ghost, all honor and glory.]
|
Per ómnia sæcula
sæculórum. |
World without
end. |
S. Amen. |
S. Amen. |
|
Communion
|
Orémus.
Præcéptis salutáribus móniti, et divína institutióne formáti, audémus
dícere:
|
Let us pray.
Admonished by Thy saving precepts and following Thy divine instruction,
we make bold to say:
|
He extends his
hands, directs his eyes toward the Sacrament, and says:
|
Pater
Noster
|
|
Pater noster,
qui es in cælis: Sanctificétur nomen tuum: Advéniat regnum tuum: Fiat
volúntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidiánum da
nobis hódie: Et dimítte nobis débita nostra, sicut et nos dimíttimus
debitóribus nostris. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.
|
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.
|
S. Sed líbera
nos a malo. |
S. But deliver
us from evil. |
P. Amen. |
P. Amen. |
The priest takes
the paten between his first and second fingers, saying:
|
[Líbera nos,
quæsumus, Dómine, ab ómnibus malis, prætéritis, præséntibus, et
futúris: et intercedénte beáta et gloriósa semper Vírgine Dei Genitríce
María, cum beátis Apóstolis tuis Petro et Paulo, atque Andréa, et
ómnibus anctis, + da propítius pacem in diébus nostris: ut ope
misericórdiæ tuæ adjúti, et a peccáto simus semper líberi, et ab omni
perturbatióne secúri.]
|
[Deliver us, we
beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present and to come, and by
the intercession of the Blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother
of God, together with Thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and Andrew,
and all the Saints, + mercifully grant peace in our days, that through
the bounteous help of Thy mercy we may be always free from sin, and
safe from all disquiet.]
|
Fraction:
Breaking of the Sacred Host (Fractio Panis)
|
He uncovers the
chalice, genuflects, takes the Host and, breaking it down the middle
over the Chalice, says:
|
[Per eúndem
Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum,]
|
[Through the
same Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord,]
|
He breaks off a
Particle of the Host...
|
[Qui tecum vivit
et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus,]
|
[Who is God
living and reigning with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost,]
|
P. Per ómni
sæcula sæculorum. |
P. World without
end. |
S. Amen. |
S. Amen. |
He makes the
Sign of the Cross over the chalice, saying:
|
P. Pax+Dómini
sit + semper vobís +cum. |
P. May the peace
+ of the Lord be +always +with you. |
S. Et cum
spíritu tuo. |
S. And with thy
spirit. |
He places the
Particle in the chalice and says quietly:
|
[Hæc commíxtio
et consecrátio Córprois et Sánguinis Dómini nostri Jesu Christi, fiat
accipiéntibus nobis in vitam ætérnam. Amen.]
|
[May this
mingling and hallowing of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
be for us who receive it a source of eternal life. Amen.]
|
The priest
covers the Chalice and genuflects.
|
Agnus Dei
|
|
Bowing down, and
striking his breast three times [the breast-striking is omitted in
Requiem Masses to indicate that the priest is thinking more of the dead
than himself], the priest speaks the words of John the Baptist who
proclaimed Christ as the Messiah.
|
Agnus Dei, qui
tollis peccáta mundi: miserére nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta munid: miserére nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi: dona nobis pacem.
|
Lamb of God, Who
takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
|
Prayers
for Holy Communion
|
|
The priest prays
silently. This first prayer is omitted in Masses for the Dead:
|
Prayer for
Peace and Fidelity:
[Dómine Jesu Christe, qui dixísti Apóstolis tuis: Pacem relínquo vobis,
pacem meam do vobis: ne respícias peccáta mea, sed fidem Ecclésiæ tuæ;
eámque secúndum voluntátem tuam pacificáre et coadunáre dignéris: Qui
vivis et regnas Deus per ómnia sæcula sæculórum. Amen.]
|
Prayer for
Peace and Fidelity:
[O Lord, Jesus Christ, Who didst say to Thine Apostles: Peace I leave
you, My peace I give to you: look not upon my sins, but upon the faith
of Thy Church; and deign to give her that peace and unity which is
agreeable to Thy will: God Who livest and reignest world without end.
Amen.]
|
At a Solemn High
Mass, at this point the priest and deacon or sub-deacon will give each
other the highly stylized Kiss of Peace (omitted in Masses for the
Dead). |
Prayer for
Holiness:
[Dómine Jesu Christe, Fili Dei vivi, qui ex voluntáte Patris,
cooperánte Spíritu Sancto, per mortem tuam mundum vivificásti: líbera
me per hoc sacrosánctum Corpus et Sánguinem tuum ab ómnibus
iniquitátibus meis, et univérsis malis: et fac me tuis semper inhærére
mandátis, et a te numquam separári permíttas: Qui cum eódem Deo Patre,
et Spíritu Sancto vivis et regnas Deus in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.]
|
Prayer for
Holiness:
[O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who, by the will of the
Father and the co-operation of the Holy Ghost, hast by Thy death given
life to the world: deliver me by this, Thy most sacred Body and Blood,
from all my iniquities and from every evil; make me cling always to Thy
commandments, and permit me never to be separated from Thee. Who with
the same God, the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest God,
world without end. Amen.]
|
Prayer for
Grace:
[Percéptio Córporis tui, Dómine Jesu Christe, quod ego indígnus súmere
præsúmo, non mihi provéniat in judícium et condemnatiónem: sed pro tua
pietáte prosit mihi ad tutaméntum mentis et córporis, et ad medélam
percipiéndam: Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritus
Sancti Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum. Amen.]
|
Prayer for
Grace:
[Let not the partaking of Thy Body, O Lord Jesus Christ, which I,
though unworthy, presume to receive, turn to my judgment and
condemnation; but through Thy mercy may it be unto me a safeguard and a
healing remedy both of soul and body. Who livest and reignest with God
the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
Amen.]
|
Communion
of the Priest
|
He takes the
Host, genuflecting, and says:
|
[Panem cæléstem
accípiam, et nomen Dómini invocábo.]
|
[I will take the
Bread of Heaven, and will call upon the name of the Lord.]
|
Striking his
breast, he repeats the prayer of the Roman Centurion three times [Luke
7:1-10]
|
|
[Dómine, non sum
dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanábitur
ánima mea.] |
|
[Lord, I am not
worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word,
and my soul shall be healed.] |
|
[Dómine, non sum
dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanábitur
ánima mea.] |
|
[Lord, I am not
worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word,
and my soul shall be healed.] |
|
[Dómine, non sum
dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanábitur
ánima mea.] |
|
[Lord, I am not
worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word,
and my soul shall be healed.] |
|
He makes the
Sign of the Cross with the Host over the paten, saying silently:
|
[Corpus Dómini
nostri Jesu Christi custódiat ánimam meam in vitam ætérnam. Amen.
|
[May the Body of
Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto life everlasting. Amen.]
|
He consumes the
Host, uncovers the Chalice, genuflects and continues silently:
|
[Quid retríbuam
Dómino pro ómnibus quæ retríbuit mihi? Cálicem salutáris accípiam, et
nomen Dómini invocábo. Laudans invocábo Dóminum, et ab inimícis meis
salvus ero.].
|
[What return
shall I make to the Lord for all the things that He hath given unto me?
I will take the chalice of salvation, and call upon the Name of the
Lord. I will call upon the Lord and give praise: and I shall be saved
from mine enemies.]
|
He makes a Sign
of the Cross over the Chalice, saying:
|
[Sanguis Dómini
nostri Jesu Christi custódiat ánimam meam in vitam ætérnam. Amen.]
|
[May the Blood
of Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto life everlasting. Amen.]
|
He drinks the
Precious Blood. The Sacrifice is now complete. Next, we of the
non-ordained royal priesthood receive the special fruits of the
Sacrifice. The priest genuflects, elevates the Host, and, turning
towards the people, tells us to behold the Lamb of God. The people
respond with the same prayer of the Roman centurion that the priest
prayed just moments ago.
|
Communion
of the People
|
P. Ecce Agnus
Dei, ecce qui tollit peccáta mundi.
|
P. Behold the
Lamb of God, behold Him Who taketh away the sins of the world.
|
|
Dómine, [strike breast] non sum dignus,
ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanábitur ánima mea. |
|
Lord, [strike breast] I am not worthy
that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my
soul shall be healed. |
|
Dómine, [strike breast] non sum dignus,
ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanábitur ánima mea. |
|
Lord, [strike breast] I am not worthy
that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my
soul shall be healed. |
|
Dómine, [strike breast] non sum dignus,
ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et sanábitur ánima mea. |
|
Lord, [strike breast] I am not worthy
that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my
soul shall be healed. |
|
First things
first, do not receive Communion if you are not a Catholic or have not
been properly initiated into the Church, if you are in a state of
mortal sin or think you might be. If you are not going to receive, just
remain in your pew, making sure the kneeler is raised for others to
pass by if need be. Know that it is not a sin to not receive Communion
even if you are able; though frequent Communion is recommended, it is
only required once a year.
Now, at this time those laypeople who are able to receive all line up
to receive the Eucharist, kneeling at the Altar rail. We kneel and wait
for the priest to come to us. The acolyte will hold a communion plate
and/or a cloth called a "houseling cloth" under our chins so that in
case the Host is dropped, it won't fall to the floor. If a houseling
cloth is used, place your hands under it. If a linen cloth covers the
communion rails, place your hands under it, but don't touch it.
Otherwise, fold your hands in the prayer position, and don't touch the
communion rail.
When we receive the Host, the priest will whisper to us the words below
as he makes a Sign of the Cross with the Host (the communicant does not
respond "Amen" as in the Novus Ordo). Most people make the Sign of the
Cross after receiving Communion. Note that one is not to chew on the
Host but should let it moisten in the mouth until one is able to
swallow the Host whole.
Also, it is a beautifully common thing for Catholics to "offer their
Communion" for another person, e.g., for the soul of a dead loved one,
for someone's conversion, for a friend in trouble, etc. |
Corpus Dómini
nostri Jesu Christi custódiat ánimam tuam in vitam æternam. Amen.
|
May the Body of
Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto life everlasting. Amen.
|
Prayers
after Communion
|
Ablutions
|
After Communion
the priest puts any extra Hosts into the Tabernacle. Then, taking the
Chalice, has a server pour in wine to rinse away any remnants of the
Precious Blood. He drinks it and says quietly:
|
[Quod ore
súmpsimus, Dómine, pura mente capiámus: et de múnere temporáli fiat
nobis remédium sempitérnum.]
|
[Grant, O Lord,
that what we have taken with our mouth, we may receive with a pure
mind; and that from a temporal gift it may become for us an everlasting
remedy.]
|
Wine and water
are poured into the Chalice over the priest's fingers. As he dries them
he says quietly: |
[Corpus tuum,
Dómine, quod sumpsi, et Sanguis, quem potávi, adhæreat viscéribus meis:
et præsta; ut in me non remáneat scélerum mácula, quem pura et sancta
refecérunt sacraménta: Qui vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.]
|
[May Thy Body, O
Lord, which I have received and Thy Blood which I have drunk, cleave to
my inmost parts, and grant that no stain of sin remain in me; whom
these pure and holy Sacraments have refreshed. Who livest and reignest
world without end. Amen.]
|
He drinks the
wine and water, purifies the Chalice and veils it.
|
Communion
Antiphon (Proper)
|
Stand
|
The priest goes
to the right side of the Altar and reads the Communion verse.
|
P. Dóminus
vobíscum. |
P. The Lord be
with you. |
S. Et cum
spíritu tuo. |
S. And with thy
spirit. |
P. Orémus. |
P. Let us pray. |
Postcommunions
(Proper)
|
The priest
returns to the Missal at the right side of the Altar and reads the
Postcommunion.
|
S. Amen. |
S. Amen. |
Returning to the
middle of the Altar, he kisses it and turns to the people, saying:
|
P. Dóminus
vobíscum. |
P. The Lord be
with you. |
S. Et cum
spíritu tuo. |
S. And with thy
spirit. |
Dismissal
|
P. Ite, Missa
est. |
P. Go, the Mass
is ended. |
S. Deo grátias. |
S. Thanks be to
God. |
Alternate
Dismissals:
During Advent,
Septuagesima, Lent:
|
P. Benedicámus
Dómino
S. Deo Grátias |
P. Let us bless
the Lord
S. Thanks be to God. |
|
During Easter
Week: |
P. Ite, Missa
est. Alleluia. Alleluia.
S. Deo grátias.
Alleluia. Alleluia. |
P. Go, the Mass
is ended. Alleluia. Alleluia.
S. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia. |
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During Masses
for the Dead:
|
P. Requiéscant
in pace
S. Amen |
P. Let them rest
in peace
S. Amen. |
Note: it is from
the dismissal's use of the word "missa" that the word "Mass" comes.
"Ite missa est" is an archaic phrase whose exact meaning is unclear.
It's been translated as above, and as "Go, it is sent," and as "Go, you
are sent forth" (i.e., to evangelize the world).
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The Last
Blessing
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Kneel
|
The priest bows
before the Altar, saying silently:
|
Pláceat tibi,
sancta Trínitas, obséquium servitútis meæ: et præsta; ut sacrifícium,
quod óculis tuæ majestátis in indígnus óbtuli, tibi sit acceptábile,
mihíque, et ómnibus, pro quibus illud óbtuli, sit, te miseránte,
propitiábile. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.
|
May the tribute
of my homage be pleasing to Thee, O most holy Trinity. Grant that the
Sacrifice which I, unworthy as I am, have offered in the presence of
Thy Majesty, may be acceptable to Thee. Through Thy mercy may it bring
forgiveness to me and to all for whom I have offered it. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
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He kisses the
Altar and turns to us (except in Masses for the Dead), blessing us
saying:
|
Benedícat vos
omnípotens Deus, Pater, + et Fílius, et Spíritus Sanctus |
May Almighty God
bless you: the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Ghost. |
S. Amen.[Cross yourself] |
S. Amen.[Cross yourself] |
The Last
Gospel
|
Stand
|
The priest goes
to the Gospel side and says the words of John 1:1-14
|
P. Dóminus
vobíscum. |
P. The Lord be
with you. |
S. Et cum
spíritu tuo. |
S. And with thy
spirit. |
P. + Inítium
sancti Evangélii secúndum Joánnem. |
P. + The
beginning of the holy Gospel according to Saint John. |
S. Glória tibi,
Dómine. |
S. Glory be to
Thee, O Lord. |
In princípio
erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in
princípio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt: et sine ipso factum
est nihil, quod factum est: in ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux
hóminum: et lux in ténebris lucet, et ténebræ eam non comprehendérunt.
|
In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same
was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without
Him was made nothing that was made. In Him was life, and the life was
the Light of men: and the Light shineth in darkness, and the darkness
did not comprehend it.
|
Fuit homo missus
a Deo, cui nomen erat Joánnes. Hic venit in testimónium, ut testimónium
perhibéret de lúmine, ut omnes créderent per illum. Non erat ille lux,
sed ut testimónium perhibéret de lúmine.
|
There was a man
sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to
bear witness of the Light, that all men through Him might believe. He
was not the Light, but was to bear witness of the Light.
|
Erat lux vera,
quæ illúminat omnem hóminem veniéntem in hunc mundum. In mundo erat, et
mundus per ipsum factus est, et mundus eum non cognóvit. In própria
venit, et sui eum non recepérunt. Quotquot autem recepérunt eum, dedit
eis potestátem fílios Dei fíeri, his, qui credunt in nómine ejus: qui
non ex sanguínibus, neque ex voluntáte carnis, neque ex voluntáte viri,
sed ex Deo nati sunt.
|
That was the
true Light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew
Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as
many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God;
to them that believe in His name: who are born, not of blood, nor of
the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
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Kneel
|
Kneel
|
ET VERBUM CARO
FACTUM EST... |
AND THE WORD WAS
MADE FLESH... |
Stand
|
Stand
|
...et habitávit
in nobis: et vídimus glóriam ejus, glóriam quasi Unigéniti a Patre,
plenum grátiæ et veritátis.
|
...and dwelt
among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of
the Father, full of grace and truth.
|
S. Deo grátias. |
S. Thanks be to
God. |
Now a
Recessional Hymn is sung as the priest leaves the Altar (High Mass). As
the processional Cross passes by, it is customary to bow (profound bow or a bow of the head), cross
yourself, and say a silent prayer for the priest.
When the Hymn is finished, you may leave, though it is most good to
stay for a few minutes and pray a personal prayer of thanksgiving.
Usually those sitting in the front of the church leave first. As you
exit your pew, genuflect toward the Tabernacle on the Altar, just as
you did before you sat down. Some Catholics bless themselves with Holy
Water when exiting the Church, just as they did when entering it, but
this isn't necessary (or wrong!).
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These prayers
(all but the last appeal to the Sacred Heart) are called the "Leonine
prayers" as they were added by Pope Leo XIII (A.D. 1810-1903). The
appeal to the Sacred Heart was added by Pope Pius X. These prayers are
for after Low Mass only (some types of Low Masses excepted).
The Leonine Prayers were added after the Mass when Pope Leo XIII had a
vision. The story goes:
A rather
peculiar cirumstance induced Pope Leo XIII to compose this powerful
prayer. After celebrating Mass one day he was in conference with the
Cardinals. Suddenly he sank to the floor. A doctor was summoned and
several came at once. There was no sign of any pulse-beating; the very
life seemed to have ebbed away from the already weakened and aged body.
Suddenly he recovered and said: “What a horrible picture I was
permitted to see!” He saw what was going to happen in the future, the
misleading powers and the ravings of the devils against the Church in
all countries. But St. Michael had appeared in the nick of time and
cast Satan and his cohorts back into the abyss of hell. Such was the
occasion that caused Pope Leo XIII to have this prayer recited over the
entire world at the end of Mass.
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Kneel
|
Salve Regina,
Mater misericordiae, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
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Hail, holy
Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
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R. Ad te
clamamus, exsules filii Evae.
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R. To thee do we
cry, poor banished children of Eve.
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V. Ad te
suspiramus gementes flentes in hac lacrymarum valle.
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V. To thee do we
send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
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R. Eia ergo,
Advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
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R. Turn then,
most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us.
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V. Et Jesum,
benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis, post hoc exilium, ostende.
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V. And after
this our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
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R. O clemens, o
pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria. |
R. O clement, O
loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. |
V. Ora pro
nobis, sancta Dei Genetrix. |
V. Pray for us,
O holy Mother of God. |
R. Ut digni
efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
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R. That we may
be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
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Oremus. Deus,
refugium nostrum et virtus, populum ad te clamantem propitius respice;
et intercendente gloriosa et immaculata Virgine Dei Genetrice Maria,
cum beato Joseph, ejus Sponso, ac beatis Apostolis tuis Petro et Paulo,
et omnibus Sanctis, quas pro conversione peccatorum, pro libertate et
exaltatione sanctae Matris Ecclesia, preces effundimus, misericors et
benignus exaudi. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum.
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Let us pray. O
God, our refuge and our strength, look down in mercy on Thy people who
cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of St. Joseph her Spouse, of Thy blessed
Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, in mercy and goodness
hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and
exaltation of our holy Mother and Church. Through the same Christ our
Lord.
|
R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
Sancte Michael
Archangele, defende nos in proelio, contra nequitiam et insidias
diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur:
tuque, Princeps militiae coelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos,
qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute, in
infernum detrude.
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Holy Michael
Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the
wickedness and snares of the devil. -- May God rebuke him, we humbly
pray: and do thou, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God
thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits, who wander through
the world for the ruin of souls.
|
R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
V. Cor Jesu [bow head] sacratissimum, |
V. Most Sacred
Heart of Jesus [bow head] , |
R. Miserere
nobis. |
R. Have mercy
upon us. |
V. Cor Jesu [bow head] sacratissimum, |
V. Most Sacred
Heart of Jesus [bow head] , |
R. Miserere
nobis. |
R. Have mercy
upon us. |
V. Cor Jesu [bow head] sacratissimum, |
V. Most Sacred
Heart of Jesus [bow head] , |
R. Miserere
nobis. |
R. Have mercy
upon us. |
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For
your convenience, here's a graphic you can use as a quick reference to
bodily posture at Mass:
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Catholic
Index
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