Introductory Rites
Entrance
The Mass begins with an entrance hymn or chant as the priest and ministers process to the altar. The priest kisses the altar — the symbol of Christ — and the congregation stands.
The Sign of the Cross and Greeting
The priest makes the Sign of the Cross with the people, then offers a trinitarian greeting drawn from Paul's epistles.
Priest
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
People
Amen.
Priest
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Gratia Domini nostri Iesu Christi, et caritas Dei, et communicatio Sancti Spiritus sit cum omnibus vobis.
People
And with your spirit.
Et cum spiritu tuo.
Penitential Act
The faithful call to mind their sins and ask God's mercy. The Roman Missal offers three forms; the most commonly used is the Confiteor.
All (Form A — the Confiteor)
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 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.
Confiteor Deo omnipotenti et vobis fratres, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo, opere et omissione: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, omnes Angelos et Sanctos, et vos, fratres, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.
Priest (absolution)
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Misereatur nostri omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis nostris, perducat nos ad vitam aeternam.
People
Amen.
Kyrie
Lord, have mercy
The one Greek text retained in the Latin Mass — preserved from the ancient Roman liturgy as a testimony to the Church's universality.
Priest / People
Lord, have mercy.
Κύριε, ἐλέησον. — Kyrie, eleison.
Priest / People
Christ, have mercy.
Χριστέ, ἐλέησον. — Christe, eleison.
Priest / People
Lord, have mercy.
Κύριε, ἐλέησον. — Kyrie, eleison.
Gloria
Hymn of Praise
Sung on Sundays outside Advent and Lent, and on all solemnities and feasts. The angels' song at Bethlehem (Lk 2:14) expanded by the early Church into a great trinitarian doxology.
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.
Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili Unigenite, Iesu Christe, Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Iesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.
The Collect
'Let us pray.' The priest 'collects' the prayers of the faithful into a single petition proper to the day. The people respond Amen.
Priest
Let us pray.
Priest (proper to the day)
(The Collect prayer changes with the liturgical day.)
People
Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading
Usually from the Old Testament, except during Easter season when it is taken from the Acts of the Apostles. The lectionary covers a three-year Sunday cycle and a two-year weekday cycle.
Lector (at the end)
The word of the Lord.
People
Thanks be to God.
Deo gratias.
Responsorial Psalm
A psalm sung between the readings, with a refrain sung by the congregation between verses. The psalter is the prayer book of the Church.
Second Reading
From the New Testament Epistles or Revelation. Sundays and solemnities only.
Lector (at the end)
The word of the Lord.
People
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
The Alleluia — the great Hebrew cry of praise. Omitted in Lent and replaced with a Lenten verse.
All
Alleluia.
Alleluia.
The Gospel
The deacon or priest proclaims the Gospel. All stand.
Deacon/Priest
The Lord be with you.
Dominus vobiscum.
People
And with your spirit.
Et cum spiritu tuo.
Deacon/Priest
A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.
Lectio sancti Evangelii secundum N.
People
Glory to you, O Lord.
Gloria tibi, Domine.
(after the reading)
The Gospel of the Lord.
Verbum Domini.
People
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Laus tibi, Christe.
Homily
The priest or deacon preaches on the readings and applies them to the life of the faithful.
Profession of Faith
Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed
On Sundays and solemnities, the people profess together the faith of the Church. The Apostles' Creed may be used in its place, especially during Lent and Easter.
All
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. 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; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with 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. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
At the words 'and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man,' the people bow profoundly — and on the Solemnities of the Annunciation (March 25) and the Nativity of the Lord (December 25), they kneel.
Universal Prayer (Prayer of the Faithful)
Petitions are offered for the Church, civil authorities, those oppressed by any need, and the local community. The people respond after each.
Deacon/Lector
(intention) ... let us pray to the Lord.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Preparation of the Gifts
Bread and wine are brought forward and placed on the altar. A small amount of water is added to the wine — a sign of the union of Christ's divinity with our humanity.
Priest (privately, mingling water with wine)
By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
Priest (after the offerings)
Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
Orate, fratres: ut meum ac vestrum sacrificium acceptabile fiat apud Deum Patrem omnipotentem.
People
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.
Suscipiat Dominus sacrificium de manibus tuis ad laudem et gloriam nominis sui, ad utilitatem quoque nostram totiusque Ecclesiae suae sanctae.
Eucharistic Prayer
The great prayer of consecration
The Eucharistic Prayer is the heart of the Mass. The Roman Missal contains four principal prayers (and several others for specific occasions). All begin with the Preface dialogue, contain the Sanctus, the Institution Narrative ('Take this, all of you, and eat of it...'), the Anamnesis, the Epiclesis, the intercessions, and conclude with the Great Doxology and Great Amen.
Preface Dialogue — Priest
The Lord be with you.
Dominus vobiscum.
People
And with your spirit.
Et cum spiritu tuo.
Priest
Lift up your hearts.
Sursum corda.
People
We lift them up to the Lord.
Habemus ad Dominum.
Priest
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
People
It is right and just.
Dignum et iustum est.
All — Sanctus (after the Preface)
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.
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.
Priest — Institution Narrative (over the bread)
Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.
Accipite et manducate ex hoc omnes: hoc est enim Corpus meum, quod pro vobis tradetur.
Priest — Institution Narrative (over the chalice)
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.
Accipite et bibite ex eo omnes: hic est enim calix Sanguinis mei novi et aeterni testamenti, qui pro vobis et pro multis effundetur in remissionem peccatorum. Hoc facite in meam commemorationem.
Priest — Mystery of Faith
The mystery of faith.
Mysterium fidei.
People (one of three responses)
We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.
Priest — Great Doxology (at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer)
Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.
Per ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso, est tibi Deo Patri omnipotenti, in unitate Spiritus Sancti, omnis honor et gloria, per omnia saecula saeculorum.
People — the Great Amen
Amen.
The Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I) is the most ancient, dating from at least the 4th century. Eucharistic Prayer II is the most commonly used at weekday Masses for its brevity. Eucharistic Prayer III is the standard for Sundays. Eucharistic Prayer IV gives a beautiful synthesis of salvation history.
Communion Rite
The community prepares to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord through the Lord's Prayer, the Sign of Peace, and the Lamb of God.
Priest (introducing the Lord's Prayer)
At the Saviour's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Praeceptis salutaribus moniti, et divina institutione formati, audemus dicere:
All — The Lord's Prayer
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.
Pater noster, qui es in caelis: sanctificetur nomen tuum; adveniat regnum tuum; fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie; et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris; et ne nos inducas in tentationem; sed libera nos a malo.
Priest — Embolism
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.
People
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever.
Sign of Peace — Priest
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.
People
And with your spirit.
Et cum spiritu tuo.
Deacon/Priest
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
All — Lamb of God (during the Fraction)
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.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
Priest — Invitation to Communion
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.
Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccata mundi. Beati qui ad cenam Agni vocati sunt.
All
Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo et sanabitur anima mea.
Communion — Minister
The Body of Christ.
Corpus Christi.
Communicant
Amen.
Minister (chalice)
The Blood of Christ.
Sanguis Christi.
Communicant
Amen.
Prayer after Communion
After a time of silent thanksgiving, the priest prays a concluding prayer proper to the day.
Priest (proper to the day)
(The Prayer after Communion changes with the liturgical day.)
People
Amen.
Concluding Rites
Final Blessing
The priest blesses the people, who sign themselves with the Cross.
Priest
The Lord be with you.
Dominus vobiscum.
People
And with your spirit.
Et cum spiritu tuo.
Priest
May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus.
People
Amen.
Dismissal
The Mass is concluded; the faithful are sent out into the world. From the Latin word for the dismissal — Ite, missa est — comes the very name of the Mass.
Deacon/Priest (one of four forms)
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.
Ite, missa est. — vel — Ite, ad Evangelium Domini annuntiandum. — vel — Ite in pace, glorificando vita vestra Dominum. — vel — Ite in pace.
People
Thanks be to God.
Deo gratias.