The Holy Mass Prayers

  1. Prayers and Devotions
  2. Liturgical Prayers
  3. The Holy Mass Prayers

The Holy Mass Prayers

The Holy Mass, the central liturgical ritual in the Roman Catholic Church, consists of several prayers and parts, which can be divided into two main sections: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Here are the key prayers and parts of the Holy Mass:

Introductory Rites

Sign of the Cross and Greeting

Priest: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Congregation: "Amen."
Priest: "The Lord be with you."
Congregation: "And with your spirit."

Penitential Act

Option A: 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."

Option B: Kyrie Eleison

"Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy."

Gloria (on Sundays and solemnities)

"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."

Collect

The priest prays the opening prayer, which varies depending on the liturgical calendar.

Liturgy of the Word

  1. First Reading
    • A reading from the Old Testament (except during the Easter season, when it is from the Acts of the Apostles).
  2. Responsorial Psalm
    • A psalm, typically sung or recited by the congregation, with a response.
  3. Second Reading (on Sundays and solemnities)
    • A reading from the New Testament letters.
  4. Gospel Acclamation
    • "Alleluia" (except during Lent, when another acclamation is used).
  5. Gospel
    • Priest/Deacon: "The Lord be with you."
    • Congregation: "And with your spirit."
    • Priest/Deacon: "A reading from the Holy Gospel according to [Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John]."
    • Congregation: "Glory to you, O Lord."
    • After the Gospel: "The Gospel of the Lord."
    • Congregation: "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ."
  6. Homily
    • A reflection or sermon by the priest or deacon on the readings.
  7. Profession of Faith (Nicene Creed, on Sundays and solemnities)
    • "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."
  8. Prayers of the Faithful (General Intercessions)
    • Prayers for the Church, world, community, and specific intentions, ending with a prayer by the priest.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

  1. Presentation of the Gifts and Preparation of the Altar
    • Prayers over the bread and wine:
      • "Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life."
      • Congregation: "Blessed be God forever."
      • "Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink."
      • Congregation: "Blessed be God forever."
  2. Prayer over the Offerings
    • The priest prays a prayer over the offerings, which varies.
  3. Eucharistic Prayer
    • Preface
      • Priest: "The Lord be with you."
      • Congregation: "And with your spirit."
      • Priest: "Lift up your hearts."
      • Congregation: "We lift them up to the Lord."
      • Priest: "Let us give thanks to the Lord our God."
      • Congregation: "It is right and just."
    • Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy)
      • "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."
    • Consecration
      • The priest prays the words of institution, consecrating the bread and wine to become the Body and Blood of Christ.
    • Mystery of Faith
      • Various acclamations, such as:
        • "We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again."
        • "When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again."
    • Doxology and Great Amen
      • "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."
      • Congregation: "Amen."

Communion Rite

  1. The Lord's Prayer
    • "Our Father, who art in heaven..."
  2. Sign of Peace
    • Priest: "The peace of the Lord be with you always."
    • Congregation: "And with your spirit."
    • Optional exchange of peace.
  3. Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)
    • "Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. (Repeat) Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace."
  4. 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."
    • Congregation: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."
    • Distribution of Holy Communion.
  5. Prayer after Communion
    • The priest prays a prayer, which varies.

Concluding Rites

  1. Blessing
    • Priest: "The Lord be with you."
    • Congregation: "And with your spirit."
    • Priest: "May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
    • Congregation: "Amen."
  2. Dismissal
    • Priest or Deacon: "Go forth, the Mass is ended." or similar phrases.
    • Congregation: "Thanks be to God."

These prayers and parts constitute the structure of the Holy Mass, guiding the faithful through worship, reflection, and the reception of the Eucharist.