genuflect as you enter your pew. (shows adoration.)

stand. (shows respect.)

The priest kisses the altar in veneration because it is a table for a meal and a cross for a sacrifice.

Sign of the Cross:

Priest:  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  
All make the sign of the cross.
All:  Amen.

We worship in body and spirit, so we make the physical sign of the cross to mark ourselves as a people belonging to God. God is the reason we are present at the Mass.

Greeting:

Option A: Priest:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. All:  And with your spirit.

Option B: Priest:  The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. All:  And with your spirit.

Option C: Priest:  The Lord be with you. All:  And with your spirit.

“The Lord be with you.” : Establishing that the Lord is present.
Bible Verse: “And with your spirit.” : 2 Timothy 4:22

The priest or another minister may then briefly introduce the Mass of the day, saying something about the readings, the feast, and/or the special occasion being celebrated.

Penitential Rite:

Priest:  
As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ’s love, let us acknowledge our failures and ask the Lord for pardon and strength.
or  Coming together as God’s family, with confidence let us ask the Father’s forgiveness, for he is full of gentleness and compassion.
or  My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.
or similar words of introduction, followed by a period of silent reflection.

Option A: All:  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; through my fault, through my fault, through my most grevious 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.

Option B: Priest:  Have mercy on us, O Lord. All:  For we have sinned against you. Priest:  Show us, O Lord, your mercy All:  And grant us your salvation.

Option C: Minister:  You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy. All:  Lord, have mercy. Minister:  You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy. All:  Christ, have mercy. Minister:  You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy. All:  Lord, have mercy.

Priest:  May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
All:  Amen.

Venial sins are forgiven. We say this as a way to see our need for his mercy. Do not make the sign of the cross after this prayer because that is the sign of absolution in the sacramental sense.

Kyrie:

Priest:  Lord, have mercy.    All:  Lord, have mercy. Priest:  Christ, have mercy.   All:  Christ, have mercy. Priest:  Lord, have mercy.    All:  Lord, have mercy.

Priest:  Kyrie, eleison.     All:  Kyrie, eleison. Priest:  Christe, eleison.   All:  Christe, eleison. Priest:  Kyrie, eleison.     All:  Kyrie, eleison.

Bible Verses:
“Lord, have mercy.” : Tobit 8:4
“Christ, have mercy.” : Jude 1:21
“Lord, have mercy.” : Matthew 20:31

Gloria:

All:  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

Angels sang “Glory to God in the highest” at the birth of Jesus. We join the heavenly choir in giving praise and adoration to the entire Holy Trinity.
Bible Verse: Luke 2:14

Opening Prayer / Collect:

Priest:  Let us pray.
After a time of silent prayer, the priest sings or says the Opening Prayer, which is different for each Mass. At the end, the people proclaim their consent.
All:  Amen.

We collect ourselves and get ourselves ready for Mass. To collect oneself means to consciously gather one’s thoughts, intentions, and spirit to focus entirely on the presence of God.

sit. (shows receptiveness.)

First Reading:

Lector:  A reading from the Book of … 
Different readings are prescribed for each day.
At the end of the reading, the lector proclaims, and the people respond:
Lector: The Word of the Lord.
All:  Thanks be to God!

A reading from the Old Testament.

Responsorial Psalm:

The choir and/or cantor sing or recite the psalm; the people join in the repeated response.

Helps us meditate on the readings.

Second Reading:

A second reading is prescribed for all Sundays and major feasts, but not for most weekdays or minor feasts. The lector’s introduction and conclusion and the people’s response are the same as in the First Reading, above.

A reading from the Epistles. “Epistle” means letter.

stand to praise and honor God. (shows respect.)

Gospel Acclamation:

Choir or Cantor:  Alleluia!   
All repeat:  Alleluia!
During the Season of Lent, a different “Gospel Acclamation” is used, such as “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!” or “Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ!” or “Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!” or something similar.

Jesus is with us in the Word. Acclaims God to the world Alleluia is a joyful hymn. During Lent, as it is a time of penance, we don’t use Alleluia. Singing unites our personal prayer into the group’s prayer.

Gospel:

Before the Gospel Proclamation:
Deacon (or Priest):  The Lord be with you.   
All:  And with your spirit.
Deacon (or Priest):  A reading from the Holy Gospel according to [Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John]
All:  Glory to you, Lord!
Sign of the Cross on the forehead, lips, and heart.

High point of the Liturgy of the Word. “The Lord be with you… and also with you” introduces the Lord in a new way. “Glory to you, Lord” acknowledges this. By making the Sign of the Cross, it means that you are asking the Word to be in your thoughts, on your lips (speaking the Gospel), and in your heart (believing in Jesus with all your heart).

After the Gospel Proclamation:
Deacon (or Priest):  The Gospel of the Lord.   
All:  Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

The priest kisses the lectionary after and asks that our sins be wiped away.

sit. (shows receptiveness.)

Homily:

The bishop, priest, or deacon then speaks to the people, usually focusing on that day’s scriptures and/or on the feast or special occasion being celebrated at that Mass; but the homily may also be based on any liturgical text from the Mass.

Preaches the Word and teaches the truth as directed in the Bible. This should only be done by clergy. If it is a Sunday, the homily is mandatory.
Bible Verse: 2 Timothy 4:1-2

stand. (shows respect.)

Profession of Faith:

NICENE CREED:We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,      maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.  We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,      eternally begotten of the Father,      God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,      begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.      Through him all things were made.      For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven:          [bow during the next two lines:]     by the power of the Holy Spirit      he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.     For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;     he suffered, died, and was buried.     On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures;     he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.     He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,     and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,      who proceeds from the Father and the Son.      With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.      He has spoken through the Prophets.      We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.      We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.      We look for the resurrection of the dead,      and the life of the world to come.  Amen.

APOSTLES’ CREED:I believe in God, the Father almighty,      creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.     He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit         and born of the Virgin Mary.     He suffered under Pontius Pilate,         was crucified, died, and was buried.     He descended to the dead.     On the third day he rose again.     He ascended into heaven,         and is seated at the right hand of the Father.     He will come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,     the holy catholic Church,     the communion of saints,     the forgiveness of sins,     the resurrection of the body,     and the life everlasting.Amen.

States the faith of the Apostles. It leads us to an act of faith in the Trinity and explains what each person of the Trinity does for us.

Prayer of the Faithful:

Lector:  …let us pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord, hear our prayer.  [or a similar response, repeated after each petition]

Petitions, intercessions, and universal prayers for the church, the world, government, the sick and suffering, specific needs, and the deceased.
Bible Verse: Phillipians 1: 3-4

sit. (shows receptiveness.)

Presentation of the Gifts:

If there is no singing during the presentation of the gifts, the priest may say the preceding prayers aloud, and the people may respond. But if a presentation song is being sung, the priest recites these prayers inaudibly, and the people’s response is omitted. Then, after the priest has washed his hands and the music is finished, he invites the people to join in prayer.

Gifts are brought to the altar to be transformed by the priest and given back to the congregation as supernatural gifts. Bread and wine are to be offered in sacrifice to God going back to when people would bring bread and wine from their own homes. This time prepares the priest and people to offer their lives. It is the point in the Mass where we should attach the things in our hearts to the vessel and paten coming forward so God can transform them. Each person’s guardian angel brings their vessel forward and they kneel around the altar.
Guardian angels bring whatever is offered, so offer something!
Catholics are not required to give 10%, but almsgiving is required.
Bible Verse: Matthew 5:23

Preparation of the Altar:

Priest:  Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.
All:  Blessed be God for ever.

Priest:  Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink.
All:  Blessed be God for ever.

• The corporal is opened and spread out on the altar to capture any particles of the host that may fall, so they don’t fall to ground.
• The pall is removed.
• The priest begins with the paten and recites a Jewish meal prayer, which is what Jesus would have said during the institution of the Eucharist.
• The priest takes cruets of wine and water. He puts the wine and a single drop of water into the chalice, which represents Christ’s humanity (water) mixed into the cup of His divinity (wine). Symbolizes that Jesus’ humanity can never be separated from His divinity and the church can never be separated from Jesus.
• The priest quietly says a prayer, then blesses the wine.
• The pall is placed over the chalice to keep bugs out. Anything that enters the cup after consecration must be consumed.
• The priest washes his hands, which is symbolic and practical. If he has any sin on his soul, it will be suspended until the end of Mass, so he can confect the Eucharist. Practically, it’s a physical cleansing.

stand. (shows respect.)

Priest:  Pray, my brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
All:  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 Church.

The congregation’s response is their approval.
Bible Verses:
“Pray, my brothers and sisters…” : Romans 9:5
“May the Lord accept the sacrifice…” : Hebrews 12:28

Prayer over the Gifts:

The priest sings or says this prayer, which is different for each Mass. At the end, the people respond.
All:  Amen.

Specific to the day or liturgical time of year.

Eucharistic Prayer – Preface:

Priest: The Lord be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right and just

A public announcement that we are thankful that God sent His son.
Bible Verses:
“The Lord be with you… and with your spirit.” : Ruth 2:4
“Lift up your hearts.” : Lamentations 3:41
“Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” : Colossians 1:3
“It is right and just.” : Proverbs 21:3

Priest: It is truly right and just, our duty and salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father most holy, through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, your Word through whom you made all things, whom you sent as our Savior and Redeemer, incarnate by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin. Fulfilling your will and gaining for you a holy people, he stretched out his hands as he endured his Passion, so as to break the bonds of death and manifest the resurrection. And so, with the Angels and all the Saints we declare your glory, as with one voice we acclaim:

Eucharistic Prayer – Holy, Holy, Holy (Sanctus):

All:  Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Song of the angels and the cheers that the people gave Jesus as He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Bible Verse: Isaiah 6:3

kneel. (shows humility.)

Eucharistic Prayer – Epiclesis:

Priest: 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.

Invocation of the Holy Spirit. Asks the Father to send the Spirit to transform the bread and wine into Body and Blood.
Bible Verses:
“You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness.” : 2 Maccabees 14:36
“Make holy, therefore, these gifts…” : John 6:53

Eucharistic Prayer – Institution Narrative / Consecration:

Priest:
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.

Beginning of the most sacred point of the Mass! The priest is standing in the person of Christ and Jesus crucified at Calvary is made present.
Note: Rememberance (anamnesis = make present)
Bible Verses: Luke 22:3, John 10:17, Mark 14:22, 1 Corinthians 11:24

Eucharistic Prayer – Mystery of Faith:

Priest:  The mystery of faith: 
All:  When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come again.

Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 11:26

Eucharistic Prayer – Oblation:

Priest:
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.

Angels are created higher by nature, but by grace from the Incarnation and the Immaculate Conception, man was elevated above the angel. Therefore, we now minister to Jesus.
This is the second epiclesis in which the people present are transformed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Bible Verses: Matthew 4:11, 1 Corinthians 10:16

Eucharistic Prayer – Intercessions:

Priest: Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world,
and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Leo our Pope and [name] our Bishop, [and his assistant Bishops] and all the clergy.
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.

Bible Verses:
“Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world.” : 1 Corinthians 13:13,
“Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep…” : 1 Corinthians 15:20,
“Welcome them into the light of your face.” : Psalm 31:5,
“Have mercy on us all…” : Luke 1:42,
“We may merit to be coheirs to eternal life.” : Romans 8:16,
“May praise and glorify you…” : Romans 8

Doxology and Great Amen:

Priest:  Through him, 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.
All:  Amen!  [may be sung more than once]

God (Holy Spirit) offering God (Jesus) to God (Father). We are there as God is paying for the penalty for our sins, which is death.
Bible Verse: Romans 11:36

stand. (shows respect.)

The Lord’s Prayer:

Priest:  At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
All:  Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Priest:   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 hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
All:  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

Only the priest should have his hands open, not the congregation.
Bible Verses:
“Our Father…” : Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4
“Await with blessed hope…” : Titus 2:13
“For the kingdom, the power, and the glory…” : Jude 25

Sign of Peace:

Priest:  Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.
All:  Amen.

Priest:  The Peace of the Lord be with you always. 
All:  And also with you.

Deacon or Priest:  Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
The ministers and all the people exchange an embrace, handshake, or other appropriate gesture of peace with those near them, according to local custom.

Offers us the opportunity to turn to each other for reconciliation.
Bible Verses:
“Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles…” : John 14:27 (one of the only parts of the Mass addressed to Jesus.)
“Peace of the Lord be with you always.” : John 20:19

Breaking of the Bread:

All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.

This text may be sung or recited, and may be repeated several more times until the breaking of bread and the preparation of the communion vessels is finished; but the last phrase is always “Grant us peace.”

The priest places a small piece of the host into the chalice after breaking it, showing the uniting of Christ’s body and blood.
Bible Verse: “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” : John 1:29

kneel. (shows humility.)

Invitation to Communion:

Priest:  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.
All:  Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Bible Verses:
“Behold the Lamb of God…” : Revelation 19:9
“Lord, I am not worthy…” : Matthew 8:8

Communion:

Communion Minister:  The Body of Christ.    
Communicant:  Amen.

When you walk up the aisle, understand that you are the bride walking up to Jesus, the groom. The priest is standing in the person of Christ. While the person before you receives communion, bow at the waist. Then receive the host in the hand or on the tongue. According to GERM, it is standard to remain standing.

kneel at your seat. (shows humility.)

Communion Song:

During the reception of Communion, an appropriate song is sung, or at least a short “Communion Antiphon” is recited.

Period of Silence:

When the distribution of Communion is completed, there may be a period of silence for individual prayer, or a psalm or song of praise may be sung. The people either stand, sit, or kneel during this time, although the posture of the congregation should be unified.

When you return to your seat, thank God.

stand. (shows respect.)

Prayer after Communion:

Priest:  Let us pray.
All pray in silence for a while, unless a period of silence has already been observed. Then the priest sings or says the Prayer after Communion, which is different for each Mass. At the end, the people proclaim their consent.
All:  Amen.

Reflects a specific season.

sit. (shows receptiveness.)

Announcements:

If there are any announcements, acknowledgements, reflections, eulogies, or similar actions, these are best included here, after the Prayer after Communion and before the Concluding Rite.
The people may remain standing, or may be invited to sit, depending on the length of the announcements or activity.

stand. (shows respect.)

Greeting:

Priest:  The Lord be with you.
All:  And also with you.

Establishes that the Lord is present.

Blessing:

Option A:  Simple Form Priest:  May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All:  Amen.

Option B: Solemn Blessing  Deacon or Priest:  Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing. One or more invocations may be spoken, and the people usually respond “Amen” to each one. The following conclusion is always used. Priest:  May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All:  Amen.

Option C:  Prayer over the People Deacon or Priest:  Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing. The priest may choose from several options, depending on the occasion or special need. The following conclusion is always used. Priest:  May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All:  Amen.

Dismissal:

Deacon or Priest:  Go in the peace of Christ.
   or  The Mass is ended, go in peace.
   or  Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All:  Thanks be to God.

Meant to give spiritual strength to transform you.
Bible Verses:
“Go in peace.” : Luke 7:50, Mark 16:15
“Thanks be to God.” : 2 Corinthians 9:15

Recessional and Closing Song:

Although it is traditional in many countries and many parishes to sing a final song or to have some instrumental music played as the priest and ministers process out of the church, this is not prescribed in the Order of Mass.

Remain in your seat until the song is finished.

genuflect as you leave your pew. (shows adoration.)

Sources:
Father Chris Alar from Marian Helpers
https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Missal/Text/MCFL.pdf
https://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass-RM1.htm
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass
https://www.ibreviary.com/m2/messale.php?s=preghiera_eucaristica&id=73