Introductory Rite

     When the chime sounds the congregation stands out of respect for Christ, Who is represented by the priest or the bishop who will celebrate the Holy Mass.  The celebrant of the Mass enters the sanctuary and genuflects towards the crucifix and the tabernacle.  If the Opening Hymn is to be sung, he intones the first line and everyone joins him in singing.  If it is not sung, the Holy Mass begins as follows.

     Make the sign of the cross whenever this  +  appears in the text.

Celebrant:   In the name of the Father  +  and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

  Response:   Amen.

C.:     Lord, bless us with the wisdom to praise You in spirit and in truth, so that by following Your holy will we may gain eternal salvation.

R.:     Amen.

THE  PENITENTIAL  RITE

     The celebrant turns and welcomes everyone.  He then calls upon everyone to confess their sins.  Those who share the Catholic faith and are baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity may take part in the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist. 

     The faithful honor Christ by fasting from food at least two hours before receiving Holy Communion at Mass.

     During this time of reflection, the faithful confess silently their sins to God in a spirit of humility and sorrow while seeking His forgiveness and preparing to receive His Son in the Eucharist.  In the Holy Mass book is a section with a listing of questions for the faithful to use in making an examination of conscience before the Mass begins.  At designated Masses during Advent and Lent the celebrant uses the Rite of the Sacrament of Penance from the PNCC ritual book.

     The faithful acknowledge their sins by saying with the celebrant:

All:    I confess to almighty God,
              in the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
              all the saints and you, my brothers and sisters,
              that I have sinned through my own fault

(Strike your chest three times while continuing)

              in my thoughts, in my words,
              in what I have done or failed to do.
          I ask the Blessed Virgin Mary,
              all the saints and you, my brothers and sisters,
              to pray for me to the Lord, our God.

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

R.:     Amen.

The celebrant imparts the absolution, saying:

C.:     May our Lord Jesus Christ absolve you and with His   authority vested in me I absolve you from all your sins in the name of the Father, + the Son and the Holy Spirit.

R.:     Amen.

THE  ENTRANCE  RITE

     The congregation or choir may sing at this time.  Hymnals for congregational singing are in the pew racks and selections are posted on the hymnal boards.

     The celebrant ascends the steps to the altar.  When incense is used he incenses the crucifix and the entire altar.  The hymn may be sung during the incensing or a musical arrangement may be offered instead.

     The celebrant walks behind the altar and kisses it.  (The altar represents Christ.)  The Entrance Rite is optional, but it is almost always used.  When used the celebrant touches the missal and makes the sign of the cross or at Mass for the dead he signs it with a cross using his thumb.  He joins his hands and reads the Entrance Verse assigned by the Church for this day.  (The Entrance Verse consists of verses taken from the Holy Bible in accordance with the theme of the Mass.)  Except for Mass for the dead and Masses from Passion Sunday through Holy Week (Passiontide), the celebrant concludes the Entrance Verse by saying:

C.:     Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

The following invocations are said or sung:

C.:     Lord have mercy.
R.:     Lord have mercy.

C.:     Christ have mercy.
R.:     Christ have mercy.

C.:     Lord have mercy.
R.:     Lord have mercy.

THE  GLORIA

     This hymn is said or is sometimes sung on Sundays, Saturdays at a Vigil Mass, solemnities and other days prescribed by the Church as announced by the celebrant.  It is not used at Masses of Advent, Pre-Lent and Lent or at Mass for the dead.  While elevating then joining his hands, the celebrant says or sings the first line and then the congregation joins him.

              Glory to God in the highest,
All:              and peace to His people on earth.
              Lord God, heavenly King,
                    almighty God and Father,
                    we worship You, we give You thanks,
                    we praise You for Your glory.
              Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
                    Lord God, Lamb of God,
                    You take away the sins of the world:
                    have mercy on us.
              You are seated at the right hand of the Father:
                    receive our prayer.
              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.

THE  OPENING  PRAYER

The celebrant extends his hands and says or sings:

C.:     The Lord be with you.    [Bishop:  Peace be with you.]
R.:     And also with you.

     The celebrant joins, then extends his hands, saying or singing the Opening Prayer from the missal at the altar.  It is assigned by the Church in accordance to the liturgical season or the theme of the Mass.  This prayer begins and ends as follows:

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