The Order of the Mass

Introductory Rites

The Order of the Mass

The Mass has four primary parts

The The The The

Introductory Rites Liturgy of the Word Liturgy of the Eucharist Concluding Rites

"Liturgy" is the participation of the people of God in the work of God.

Introductory Rites

Coming together, assembling, is at the heart of our Sunday worship. Parishioners are warmly welcomed by Greeters and assisted by Ushers as they enter the Serra Center before Mass. They then dip their fingers in the holy water of the baptismal font and make the sign of the cross. This ritual is a reminder of our Baptism: We were baptized with water and signed with the cross. It is Baptism that brings us to Church. The Introductory Rites bring people into a state of prayer and humility focusing on Christs grace.

Introductory Rites
Entrance P rocession

The entrance song begins and the procession leads with the Altar Server leader, (the Cross followed by the Altar Servers designated as Candles, and Fourth. The Lector follows with the Book of Gospels, and lastly the priest. In certain Masses, the use of incense may be included, too. The Cross that is carried in by the Altar Servers must be present at or near the altar during the Mass. The cross depicts the sacrifice of the cross made present in the Mass.

Introductory Rites
At the end of the Entrance procession

Upon reaching the altar, the Altar Servers, Lector, and Celebrant will make the reverential bow in front of the altar. The cross is placed behind the Altar and the Altar Servers move to their seats, waiting to sit until all are together. The priest then goes on to the altar and kisses it in reverence. The entire procession is a means of focusing and calling the people to prayer. Everyone has a sense of being gathered before the altar to begin the celebration.

Introductory Rites
Greeting
The Presider leads the people in the sign of the cross and then the Greeting. The priest and the faithful make the sign of the cross and the priest greets the faithful, usually with the traditional, "The Lord be with you."

Introductory Rites
The Penitential R ite

During the penitential rite, we reflect on our sins and ask God to forgive us. The most common invocation is, "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy. Sometimes you might hear the same ancient prayer in the original Greek, Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison.

Introductory Rites
The Gloria

Gloria in Excelsis is Latin and means, "Glory in the Highest." This is an ancient Christian hymn of thanks and praise. The Gloria has been a part of the Mass since about the sixth century! Because of the joyful nature of the Gloria, it is skipped in more somber occasions, such as the Advent or Lent. During those seasons, the Mass takes on a simpler and more penitent character.

Introductory Rites
The Opening Prayer

The Opening Prayer is the last part of the Introductory Rites. At the close of this first part of the Mass the priest will ask us to join our minds in prayer, and after a few moments of silence he will collect our intentions into one prayer to which we all respond Amen. Amen is a Hebrew word for So be it.

Introductory Rites
After the Introductory Rites, the Mass continues with the Liturgy of the Word.

These slides were created as a training tool for Mission San Luis Rey Parish Altar Servers. Research for these slides was derived primarily from: A Walk Through the Mass by Thomas Richstatter, OFM featured on www.americancatholic.org and The Order of the Mass by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D., featured on www.catholic-resources.org Information was organized and presented by Laura Chun. Content was reviewed by Fr. Alvin Cachola, OFM