THE ORDER OF MASS

Annotated with Scripture References

The Introductory Rites

All stand. The Priest approaches the altar with the ministers and venerates it while the Entrance Song is sung

Sign of the Cross

All make the Sign of the Cross as the Priest says.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Mt 28:19

The people reply:

Amen.1 Chr 16:36

Greeting

Then the Priest greets the people:

Either:The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit

be with you all.2 Cor 13:13

Or: Grace to you and peace from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.Rom 1:7

Or: The Lord be with you.

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

The Priest, or a Deacon, or another minister, may very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of the day.

Penitential Act

The Priest invites the faithful to the Penitential Act.

Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins,

and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

A brief pause for silence follows, and then one of the following Penitential Acts:

All say:

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,

And, striking their breast, they say:

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 absolution by the Priest follows:

May almighty God have mercy on us,

forgive us our sins,

and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

The Kyrie

The Kyrie, eleison (Lord, have mercy) invocations may follow:

V. Lord, have mercy.

R. Lord, have mercy.

V. Christ, have mercy.

R. Christ, have mercy.

V. Lord, have mercy.

R. Lord, have mercy.

Or:

V. Kyrie, eleison.

R. Kyrie, eleison.

V. Christe, eleison.

R. Christe, eleison.

V. Kyrie, eleison.

R. Kyrie, eleison.

The Gloria

When indicated this hymn is either sung or said.

Glory to God in the highest,Lk 2:14

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,Jn 1:29

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,Mk 16:19

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.

And all pray in silence with the Priest for a while. Then the Priest says the Collect prayer, at the end of which the people acclaim:

Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

All sit

First Reading

To indicate the end of these readings, the reader acclaims:

The word of the Lord.

All reply:

Thanks be to God.

Psalm

After the First Reading the psalmist or cantor sings or says the Psalm, with the people making the response.

Second Reading

On Sundays and certain other days there is a second reading. It concludes with the same responsory as above.

Gospel

The assembly stands to sing the Gospel Acclamation to welcome the Gospel. They remain standing in honour of the Gospel reading, the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. At the ambo the Deacon, or the Priest says:

The Lord be with you.

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

The Deacon, or the Priest:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.

He makes the Sign of the Cross on the book and, together with the people, on his forehead, lips, and breast. At the same time the people acclaim:

Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

After the proclamation of the Gospel the congregation is seated.

The Homily

At the end of the Homily it is appropriate for there to be a brief silence for recollection. The congregation then stands.

The Creed

On Sundays and Solemnities, the Profession of Faith or Creed will follow. During Lent and Easter Time, especially, the Apostles’ Creed may be used.

The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,Gn 14:19

of all things visible and invisible.Col 1:16

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;Heb 1:3

through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,Jn 3:13

At the words that follow, up to and including ‘and became man’, all bow.

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,Lk 1:35

and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,Jn 19:16

he suffered death and was buried,

and rose again on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures.1 Cor 15:3-4

He ascended into heavenLk 24:51

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.Col 3:1

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead2 Tim 4:1

and his kingdom will have no end.Lk 1:33

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,Jn 6:63

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,Jn 15:26

who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.2 Pt 1:21

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sinsActs 2:38

and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayer of the Faithful (Bidding Prayers)

After each intention there is a pause while the faithful pray. The minister says:

Lord, in your mercy.

All reply:

Hear our prayer.

The Priest concludes the Prayer with a collect. When the Liturgy of the Word has been completed, the people sit.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Offertory

During the Offertory Song the faithful usually express their participation by making an offering, bringing forward bread and wine for the celebration of the Eucharist and perhaps other gifts to relieve the needs of the Church and of the poor.

When he has received the bread and wine for the celebration, the Priest offers prayer of blessing quietly at the altar. Sometimes these prayers are said aloud. If the priest says the prayers aloud the assembly’s acclamation each time is

Blessed be God for ever.

The Priest completes additional personal preparatory rites, and the people rise as he says:

Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters),

that my sacrifice and yours

may be acceptable to God,

the almighty Father.

The people reply:

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.

Then the Priest says the Prayer over the Offerings, at the end of which the people acclaim:

Amen.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Extending his hands, the Priest says:

The Lord be with you.

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

The Priest, raising his hands, continues:

Lift up your hearts.

The people:

We lift them up to the Lord.

The Priest, with hands extended, adds:

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

The people:

It is right and just.

The Priest continues with the Preface.

Eucharistic Prayer I

The Roman Canon: Dating back to the late 4th century, this was the only prayer used in the Roman Rite for over a millennium; it is characterized by its long list of saints and its formal, repetitive structure that emphasizes the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist.

The Priest concludes the Preface with the people singing or saying aloud:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.Is 6:3

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Mk 11:9

Hosanna in the highest.

After the singing of the Sanctus the congregation kneels for the remainder of the Eucharistic Prayer.

The Priest alone recites:

To you, therefore, most merciful Father,

we make humble prayer and petition

through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord:

that you accept

and bless ✠ these gifts, these offerings,

these holy and unblemished sacrifices,

which we offer you firstly

for your holy catholic Church.

Be pleased to grant her peace,

to guard, unite and govern her

throughout the whole world,

together with your servant N. our Pope

and N. our Bishop,

and all those who, holding to the truth,

hand on the catholic and apostolic faith.

Remember, Lord, your servants (N. and N.)

and all gathered here,

whose faith and devotion are known to you.

For them, we offer you this sacrifice of praise

or they offer it for themselves

and all who are dear to them:

for the redemption of their souls,

in hope of health and well-being,

and paying their homage to you,

the eternal God, living and true.

In communion with those whose memory we venerate,

especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary,

Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ,

and blessed Joseph, her Spouse,

your blessed Apostles and Martyrs,

Peter and Paul, Andrew,

(James, John,

Thomas, James, Philip,

Bartholomew, Matthew,

Simon and Jude;

Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus,

Cornelius, Cyprian,

Lawrence, Chrysogonus,

John and Paul,

Cosmas and Damian)

and all your Saints;

we ask that through their merits and prayers,

in all things we may be defended

by your protecting help.

(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Therefore, Lord, we pray:

graciously accept this oblation of our service,

that of your whole family;

order our days in your peace,

and command that we be delivered from eternal damnation

and counted among the flock of those you have chosen.

(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Be pleased, O God, we pray,

to bless, acknowledge,

and approve this offering in every respect;

make it spiritual and acceptable,

so that it may become for us

the Body and ✠ Blood of your most beloved Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the day before he was to suffer,

he took bread in his holy and venerable hands,

and with eyes raised to heaven

to you, O God, his almighty Father,

giving you thanks, he said the blessing,

broke the bread

and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it,

for this is my Body,Mt 26:26

which will be given up for you.

In a similar way, when supper was ended,

he took this precious chalice

in his holy and venerable hands,

and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing

and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it,

for this is the chalice of my Blood,

the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,Lk 22:20

which will be poured out for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sins.Mt 26:28

Do this in memory of me.1 Cor 11:24–25

After the words of Consecration the priest says:

The mystery of faith.

The people continue, acclaiming:

Either:

We proclaim your Death, O Lord,

and profess your Resurrection

until you come again.

Or:

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,

we proclaim your Death, O Lord,

until you come again.

Or:

Save us, Saviour of the world,

for by your Cross and Resurrection

you have set us free.

Then the Priest alone continues:

Therefore, O Lord,

as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion,

the Resurrection from the dead,

and the glorious Ascension into heaven

of Christ, your Son, our Lord,

we, your servants and your holy people,

offer to your glorious majesty

from the gifts that you have given us,

this pure victim,

this holy victim,

this spotless victim,

the holy Bread of eternal life

and the Chalice of everlasting salvation.

Be pleased to look upon these offerings

with a serene and kindly countenance,

and to accept them,

as once you were pleased to accept

the gifts of your servant Abel the just,

the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,

and the offering of your high priest Melchizedek,

a holy sacrifice, a spotless victim.

In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God:

command that these gifts be borne

by the hands of your holy Angel

to your altar on high

in the sight of your divine majesty,

so that all of us, who through this participation at the altar

receive the most holy Body and Blood of your Son,

may be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing.

(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Commemoration of the Dead

Remember also, Lord, your servants N. and N.,

who have gone before us with the sign of faith

and rest in the sleep of peace.

Grant them, O Lord, we pray,

and all who sleep in Christ,

a place of refreshment, light and peace.

(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

To us, also, your servants, who, though sinners,

hope in your abundant mercies,

graciously grant some share

and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs:

with John the Baptist, Stephen,

Matthias, Barnabas,

(Ignatius, Alexander,

Marcellinus, Peter,

Felicity, Perpetua,

Agatha, Lucy,

Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia)

and all your Saints;

admit us, we beseech you,

into their company,

not weighing our merits,

but granting us your pardon,

through Christ our Lord.

Through whom

you continue to make all these good things, O Lord;

you sanctify them, fill them with life,

bless them, and bestow them upon us.

At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer the Priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he alone says:

Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honour is yours,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

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Eucharistic Prayer II

Based on the 3rd-century Apostolic Tradition attributed to St. Hippolytus, this is the shortest prayer and is frequently used on weekdays due to its concise, clear focus on Christ as the "Word" and "Redeemer."

Eucharistic Prayer II has its own Preface, but other Prefaces can also be used.

The Priest concludes the Preface with the people singing or saying aloud:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.Is 6:3

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Mk 11:9

Hosanna in the highest.

After the singing of the Sanctus the congregation kneels for the remainder of the Eucharistic Prayer.

The Priest alone recites:

You are indeed Holy, O Lord,

the fount of all holiness.

Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,

by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall,

so that they may become for us

the Body and ✠ Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the time he was betrayed

and entered willingly into his Passion,

he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,

and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it,

for this is my Body,

which will be given up for you.

In a similar way, when supper was ended,

he took the chalice

and, once more giving thanks,

he gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it,

for this is the chalice of my Blood,

the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,

which will be poured out for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in memory of me.

After the words of Consecration the priest says:

The mystery of faith.

The people continue, acclaiming:

Either:

We proclaim your Death, O Lord,

and profess your Resurrection

until you come again.

Or:

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,

we proclaim your Death, O Lord,

until you come again.

Or:

Save us, Saviour of the world,

for by your Cross and Resurrection

you have set us free.

Then the Priest alone continues:

Therefore, as we celebrate

the memorial of his Death and Resurrection,

we offer you, Lord,

the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation,

giving thanks that you have held us worthy

to be in your presence and minister to you.

Humbly we pray

that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,

we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.

Remember, Lord, your Church,

spread throughout the world,

and bring her to the fullness of charity,

together with N. our Pope and N. our Bishop

and all the clergy.

In Masses for the Dead, the following may be added:

Remember your servant N.,

whom you have called (today)

from this world to yourself.

Grant that he (she) who was united with your Son in a death like his,

may also be one with him in his Resurrection.

Remember also our brothers and sisters

who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,

and all who have died in your mercy:

welcome them into the light of your face.

Have mercy on us all, we pray,

that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,

with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,

with the blessed Apostles,

and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages,

we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life,

and may praise and glorify you

through your Son, Jesus Christ.

At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer the Priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he alone says:

Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honour is yours,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

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Eucharistic Prayer III

Composed following the Second Vatican Council (1960s), this prayer highlights the work of the Holy Spirit and the gathering of a diverse, global People of God "from the rising of the sun to its setting."

The Priest concludes the Preface with the people singing or saying aloud:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.Is 6:3

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Mk 11:9

Hosanna in the highest.

After the singing of the Sanctus the congregation kneels for the remainder of the Eucharistic Prayer.

The Priest alone says:

You are indeed Holy, O Lord,

and all you have created

rightly gives you praise,

for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,

by the power and working of the Holy Spirit,

you give life to all things and make them holy,

and you never cease to gather a people to yourself,

so that from the rising of the sun to its setting

a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.Mal 1:11

Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you:

by the same Spirit graciously make holy

these gifts we have brought to you for consecration,

that they may become the Body and ✠ Blood

of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,

at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.

For on the night he was betrayed

he himself took bread,

and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,

broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it,

for this is my Body,

which will be given up for you.

In a similar way, when supper was ended,

he took the chalice,

and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,

and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it,

for this is the chalice of my Blood,

the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,

which will be poured out for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in memory of me.

After the words of Consecration the priest says:

The mystery of faith.

The people continue, acclaiming:

Either:

We proclaim your Death, O Lord,

and profess your Resurrection

until you come again.

Or:

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,

we proclaim your Death, O Lord,

until you come again.

Or:

Save us, Saviour of the world,

for by your Cross and Resurrection

you have set us free.

Then the Priest alone continues:

Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial

of the saving Passion of your Son,

his wondrous Resurrection

and Ascension into heaven,

and as we look forward to his second coming,

we offer you in thanksgiving

this holy and living sacrifice.

Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your Church

and, recognizing the sacrificial Victim by whose death

you willed to reconcile us to yourself,

grant that we, who are nourished

by the Body and Blood of your Son

and filled with his Holy Spirit,

may become one body, one spirit in Christ.

May he make of us

an eternal offering to you,

so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,

especially with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,

with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,

with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs

(with Saint N.: the Saint of the day or Patron Saint)

and with all the Saints,

on whose constant intercession in your presence

we rely for unfailing help.

May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation,

we pray, O Lord,

advance the peace and salvation of all the world.

Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity

your pilgrim Church on earth,

with your servant N. our Pope and N. our Bishop,

the Order of Bishops, all the clergy,

and the entire people you have gained for your own.

Listen graciously to the prayers of this family,

whom you have summoned before you:

in your compassion, O merciful Father,

gather to yourself all your children

scattered throughout the world.

To our departed brothers and sisters

and to all who were pleasing to you

at their passing from this life,

give kind admittance to your kingdom.

There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory

through Christ our Lord,

through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.

When this Eucharistic Prayer is used in Masses for the Dead, the following may be said instead:

Remember your servant N.

whom you have called (today)

from this world to yourself.

Grant that he (she) who was united with your Son in a death like his,

may also be one with him in his Resurrection,

when from the earth

he will raise up in the flesh those who have died,

and transform our lowly body

after the pattern of his own glorious body.

To our departed brothers and sisters, too,

and to all who were pleasing to you

at their passing from this life,

give kind admittance to your kingdom.

There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory,

when you will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

For seeing you, our God, as you are,

we shall be like you for all the ages

and praise you without end,

through Christ our Lord,

through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.

At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer the Priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he alone says:

Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honour is yours,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

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Eucharistic Prayer IV

Modeled after the expansive Eastern Christian traditions (Anaphoras), it provides a sweeping poetic summary of salvation history, tracing God's relationship with humanity from the creation of the world through the incarnation of Christ.

It is truly right to give you thanks,

truly just to give you glory, Father most holy,

for you are the one God living and true,

existing before all ages and abiding for all eternity,

dwelling in unapproachable light;

yet you, who alone are good, the source of life,

have made all that is,

so that you might fill your creatures with blessings

and bring joy to many of them by the glory of your light.

And so, in your presence are countless hosts of Angels,

who serve you day and night

and, gazing upon the glory of your face,

glorify you without ceasing.

With them we, too, confess your name in exultation,

giving voice to every creature under heaven,

as we acclaim:

The Priest concludes the Preface with the people singing or saying aloud:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.Is 6:3

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Mk 11:9

Hosanna in the highest.

After the singing of the Sanctus the congregation kneels for the remainder of the Eucharistic Prayer.

The Priest alone says:

We give you praise, Father most holy,

for you are great

and you have fashioned all your works

in wisdom and in love.

You formed man in your own image

and entrusted the whole world to his care,

so that in serving you alone, the Creator,

he might have dominion over all creatures.

And when through disobedience he had lost your friendship,

you did not abandon him to the domain of death.

For you came in mercy to the aid of all,

so that those who seek might find you.

Time and again you offered them covenants

and through the prophets

taught them to look forward to salvation.

And you so loved the world, Father most holy,

that in the fullness of time

you sent your Only Begotten Son to be our Saviour.

Made incarnate by the Holy Spirit

and born of the Virgin Mary,

he shared our human nature

in all things but sin.

To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation,

to prisoners, freedom,

and to the sorrowful of heart, joy.

To accomplish your plan,

he gave himself up to death,

and, rising from the dead,

he destroyed death and restored life.

And that we might live no longer for ourselves

but for him who died and rose again for us,

he sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father,

as the first fruits for those who believe,

so that, bringing to perfection his work in the world,

he might sanctify creation to the full.

Therefore, O Lord, we pray:

may this same Holy Spirit

graciously sanctify these offerings,

that they may become

the Body and ✠ Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ

for the celebration of this great mystery,

which he himself left us

as an eternal covenant.

For when the hour had come

for him to be glorified by you, Father most holy,

having loved his own who were in the world,

he loved them to the end:

and while they were at supper,

he took bread, blessed and broke it,

and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it,

for this is my Body,

which will be given up for you.

In a similar way,

taking the chalice filled with the fruit of the vine,

he gave thanks,

and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it,

for this is the chalice of my Blood,

the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,

which will be poured out for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in memory of me.

After the words of Consecration the priest says:

The mystery of faith.

The people continue, acclaiming:

Either:

We proclaim your Death, O Lord,

and profess your Resurrection

until you come again.

Or:

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,

we proclaim your Death, O Lord,

until you come again.

Or:

Save us, Saviour of the world,

for by your Cross and Resurrection

you have set us free.

Then the Priest alone continues:

Therefore, O Lord,

as we now celebrate the memorial of our redemption,

we remember Christ’s Death

and his descent to the realm of the dead,

we proclaim his Resurrection

and his Ascension to your right hand,

and, as we await his coming in glory,

we offer you his Body and Blood,

the sacrifice acceptable to you

which brings salvation to the whole world.

Look, O Lord, upon the Sacrifice

which you yourself have provided for your Church,

and grant in your loving kindness

to all who partake of this one Bread and one Chalice

that, gathered into one body by the Holy Spirit,

they may truly become a living sacrifice in Christ

to the praise of your glory.

Therefore, Lord, remember now

all for whom we offer this sacrifice:

especially your servant N. our Pope,

N. our Bishop, and the whole Order of Bishops,

all the clergy,

those who take part in this offering,

those gathered here before you,

your entire people,

and all who seek you with a sincere heart.

Remember also

those who have died in the peace of your Christ

and all the dead,

whose faith you alone have known.

To all of us, your children,

grant, O merciful Father,

that we may enter into a heavenly inheritance

with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,

with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,

and with your Apostles and Saints in your kingdom.

There, with the whole of creation,

freed from the corruption of sin and death,

may we glorify you through Christ our Lord,

through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.

At the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer the Priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he alone says:

Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honour is yours,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Continue to Communion Rite →

The Communion Rite

The Lord’s Prayer

The congregation stands and the Priest says:

At the Saviour’s command

and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Together with the people, he continues:

Our Father, who art in heaven,Mt 6:9-13

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 alone continues, saying:

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,

graciously grant peace in our days,

that, by the help of your mercy,

we may be always free from sin

and safe from all distress,

as we await the blessed hopeTi 2:13

and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The people conclude the prayer, acclaiming:

For the kingdom,

the power and the glory are yours

now and for ever.

Then the Priest alone says aloud:

Lord Jesus Christ,

who said to your Apostles:

Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,Jn 14:27

look not on our sins,

but on the faith of your Church,

and graciously grant her peace and unity

in accordance with your will.

Who live and reign for ever and ever.

The people reply:

Amen.

The Priest adds:

The peace of the Lord be with you always.Jn 14:27Jn 20:19

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

The Deacon, or the Priest, adds:

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

And all offer one another the customary sign of peace: a handclasp or handshake, which is an expression of peace, communion, and charity.

Breaking of the Bread

During the breaking of the host the following is sung or said:

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,Jn 1:29

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.

After the Lamb of God, the people kneel.

Invitation to Communion

After his private prayers of preparation the Priest genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice says aloud:

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.Rev 19:9

And together with the people he adds once:

Lord, I am not worthy

that you should enter under my roof,Mt 8:8

but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Communion

After the priest has reverently consumed the Body and Blood of Christ the communicants come forward in reverent procession, and make a preparatory act of reverence by bowing their head in honour of Christ’s presence in the Sacrament. They receive Holy Communion standing. The Priest says:

The Body (Blood) of Christ.

The communicant replies:

Amen.

When Communion is ministered under both kinds the minister of the Chalice raises it slightly and shows it to each of the communicants, saying:

The Blood of Christ.

The communicant replies:

Amen.

After the distribution of Communion, if appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung.

Prayer after Communion

Then, the Priest says:

Let us pray.

All stand and pray in silence. Then the Priest says the Prayer after Communion, at the end of which the people acclaim:

Amen.

The Concluding Rites

Any brief announcements to the people follow here. Then the dismissal takes place. Sometimes this takes a more elaborate form than that given below.

Blessing

The Priest says:

The Lord be with you.

The people reply:

And with your spirit.

The Priest blesses the people, saying:

May almighty God bless you,

the Father, and the Son, ✠ and the Holy Spirit.

The people reply:

Amen.

Dismissal

Then the Deacon, or the Priest himself, says:

Either: Go forth, the Mass is ended.

Or: Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

Or: Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

Or: Go in peace.

The people reply:

Thanks be to God.