The Catholic

Mass:
Discovering (Or
Rediscovering)
the Fundamentals

John Clark
Did you know?
• The ONLY Christian church in existence for
the first 1,000 years of Christian history was
the Roman Catholic Church.
• Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of
the printing press, was Catholic
– The first book ever printed was the
Catholic Bible
Did you know?
• The Catholic Church is the largest
charitable organization in the U.S.
• The Catholic Church is the largest single
denomination in Christianity.
• The incense used in the Catholic Church
symbolizes prayers rising to heaven.
Did you know?
• Catholics rely more on ritual and ceremony than
do most other Christian religions.
History and Background
• Originated on Holy Thursday (the
Last Supper)
• The earliest Masses were very
much like the Last Supper
• With the bishops of Rome, the form
of the Mass came to look more
“Roman.”
• The Second Vatican Council
Current Mass
Format
Introductory Rites
• Procession
– Priest, deacon, readers, alter servers
• Sign of the cross
– We recall the saving death of Christ on the
cross
– We stand as a sign that we are risen with
Christ
Introductory Rites cont.
• Greeting (the Lord be with you)
– A wish (may the Lord be with you)
– A statement of faith (the Lord is with
us as we assemble to worship)
– We respond “And with your spirit.”
Introductory Rites cont.
• Penitential Rite
– We say the “I Confess Prayer”

• Gloria
– We sing to honor our God as the King
of Kings!
– The Gloria makes the point that God
the Father, Jesus the Son, and the
Holy Spirit are one in glory.
Introductory Rites cont.
• Opening Prayer
– Let us pray
– We are invited in prayer to worship
– The priest leads this prayer
Turn and Talk
• Talk with those seated close to you.
– Was there anything that surprised
you?
– What questions do you still have
about the introductory rites?
Q&A
Liturgy of the Word
• First Reading
– Old Testament or Acts of the Apostles
• Responsorial Psalm
– Antiphon or verse from the Book of
Psalms
• Second Reading
– New Testament
Liturgy of the Word
• Gospel Acclamation
– Alleluia
– Special verse during Lent
• Gospel
– Highest point of the Liturgy of the
Word
– Sign of cross using thumb on
forehead, lips, and heart.
Liturgy of the Word
• Homily
– Uses the reading to help us apply to
daily life
• Creed
– Statement of our faith
– Nicene or Apostle’s Creed
• General Intercessions
– Prayer of the Faithful
– “Lord, hear our prayer.”
Liturgy of the Eucharist
• What is the Eucharist?
• Preparation of the gifts
• Prayer over the gifts
• Preface to the Eucharist Prayer
• Eucharistic Prayer
Liturgy of the Eucharist
• Consecration
– Highest point of the Liturgy of the
Eucharist
– Memorial Acclamation
• Final Doxology
– Great Amen
Liturgy of the Eucharist
• Lord’s Prayer
• Sign of Peace
• Breaking of Bread
– Lamb of God
• Reception of Communion
• Prayer after Communion
Q&A
Concluding Rite
• Announcements
• Blessing
• Dismissal
FAQ
• When is holy water sprinkled during
Mass?
• When is incense used?
• How is the Mass different during
different seasons?
Final Q&A