The Sunday Mass Digital Companion Guide

This guide is meant to help non-Catholics participate in prayer and understand the biblical foundation of the mass.

This version currently has the entire Sunday Mass written out. Explanations wil be included at a later date.

SIGN OF THE CROSS
Make the Sign of the Cross while Priest says:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

THE PRIEST GREETING THE PEOPLE
The priest will use one of the following greetings:
V1 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

V2: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

V3: The Lord be with you.

YOU SAY: And with your spirit.

PRIEST: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

A brief pause for silence follows.

As a Church, everyone repents from their sins and failings through one of the following four prayers:

  • PEOPLE SAY
    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,

    And, striking their breast, they say:

    through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; Then they continue: 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

  • PRIEST SAYS — Have mercy on us, O Lord.

    PEOPLE RESPOND — For we have sinned against you.

    PRIEST SAYS — Show us, O Lord, your mercy.

    PEOPLE RESPOND — And grant us your salvation.

    PRIEST SAYS — May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

  • PRIEST SAYS — You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Lord, have mercy.

    PEOPLE RESPOND — Lord, have mercy.

    PRIEST SAYS — You came to call sinners. Christ, have mercy.

    PEOPLE RESPOND — Christ, have mercy.

    PRIEST SAYS — You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us. Lord, have mercy.

    PEOPLE RESPOND — Lord, have mercy.   

  • PRIEST SAYS — You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Kyrie, eleison.

    PEOPLE RESPOND — Kyrie, eleison

    PRIEST SAYS — Christe, eleison

    PEOPLE RESPOND — Christe, eleison

    PRIEST SAYS — You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Kyrie, eleison

    PEOPLE RESPOND — Kyrie, eleison

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

YOU SAY: Amen

The entire Church then gives all Glory and worship to God by saying the Gloria (said on Sundays).

GLORIA

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.

PRIEST SAYS: Let us pray.

There is a moment of silent prayer and then the priest will conclude the introductory rites with a prayer called the Collect.

This prayer changes everyday.

After the prayer:
WE RESPOND: Amen

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

On Sundays, the Church will proclaim and listen to scripture passages from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament letters, and the Gospel.

The First Reading
Lector will introduce the Old Testament scripture passage by saying: “A reading from the Book of _____”

Psalms
The church will pray different portions of the psalms

The Second Reading
Lector will introduce the New Testament scripture passage by saying: “A reading from a Letter of _____”

Gospel Reading
The priest or deacon will then read from one of the 4 Gospels.

Homily
The priest or deacon will preach on the readings and offer insight and reflection.

THE NICENE CREED

On Sundays, the Church will proclaim and listen to scripture passages from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament letters, and the Gospel.

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,


At the words that follow, up to and including and became man, all bow.

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.

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

While the priest and ministers set the altar for the sacrafice of the mass, the Church bring an offering to be offered on the altar—bread and wine.

THE PRIEST SAYS:
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.

THE PEOPLE RESPOND: Blessed be God for ever.

THE PRIEST SAYS:
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.

The priest raises the chalice above the altar saying:

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.

THE PEOPLE RESPOND: Blessed be God for ever.

THE PRIEST SAYS:
[Quietly] Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

THE PEOPLE RESPOND: 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.

THE PRIEST SAYS A PRAYER OVER THE OFFERING:
This prayer can vary depending on the day. It collects prayers and attentions and asks God to receive us along with the offering of bread and wine which are to be changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus.

THE PEOPLE RESPOND: Amen

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

THE PRIEST SAYS:
The Lord be with you.

THE PEOPLE RESPOND: And with your spirit.

THE PRIEST SAYS:
Lift up your hearts.

THE PEOPLE RESPOND: We lift them up to the Lord.

THE PRIEST SAYS:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

THE PEOPLE RESPOND: It is right and just.

NEED to FIGURE OUT 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 cæli et terra gloria tua.
    Hosanna in excelsis.
    Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
    Hosanna in excelsis.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS:
The priest prays various eucharistic prayers — they usually are 1 of 4 prayers below. Based on the first few words said in the prayer, you can deteremine which Eucharistic prayer is being used.

  • To you, therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord: that you accept and bless these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unblemished sacrifices, which we offer you firstly for your holy catholic Church. Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite and govern her throughout the whole world, together with your servant N. our Pope and N. our Bishop,* and all those who, holding to the truth, hand on the catholic and apostolic faith.

    Remember, Lord, your servants and all gathered here, whose faith and devotion are known to you. For them, we offer you this sacrifice of praise or they offer it for themselves and all who are dear to them: for the redemption of their souls, in hope of health and well-being, and paying their homage to you, the eternal God, living and true.

    In communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, † and blessed Joseph, her Spouse, your blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, (James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian) and all your Saints; we ask that through their merits and prayers, in all things we may be defended by your protecting help. (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

    Therefore, Lord, we pray: graciously accept this oblation of our service, that of your whole family; order our days in your peace, and command that we be delivered from eternal damnation and counted among the flock of those you have chosen.
    (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

    Be pleased, O God, we pray, to bless, acknowledge, and approve this offering in every respect; make it spiritual and acceptable, so that it may become for us the Body and Blood of your most beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

    On the day before he was to suffer, he took bread in his holy and venerable hands, and with eyes raised to heaven to you, O God, his almighty Father, giving you thanks, he said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:

    Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.

    In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands, and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

    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.

  • You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness.

    Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

    Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you.

    In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying:

    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.

  • You are indeed Holy, O Lord, and all you have created rightly gives you praise, for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power and working of the Holy Spirit, you give life to all things and make them holy, and you never cease to gather a people to yourself, so that from the rising of the sun to its setting a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.

    Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you: by the same Spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration, that they may become the Body and Blood of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.

    For on the night he was betrayed, he himself took bread, and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:

    Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.

    In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice, and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing, and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

    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.

  • We give you praise, Father most holy, for you are great and you have fashioned all your works in wisdom and in love.

    You formed man in your own image and entrusted the whole world to his care, so that in serving you alone, the Creator, he might have dominion over all creatures. And when through disobedience he had lost your friendship, you did not abandon him to the domain of death. For you came in mercy to the aid of all, so that those who seek might find you. Time and again you offered them covenants and through the prophets taught them to look forward to salvation.

    And you so loved the world, Father most holy, that in the fullness of time you sent your Only Begotten Son to be our Savior. Made incarnate by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, he shared our human nature in all things but sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation, to prisoners, freedom, and to the sorrowful of heart, joy. To accomplish your plan, he gave himself up to death, and, rising from the dead, he destroyed death and restored life.

    And that we might live no longer for ourselves but for him who died and rose again for us, he sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father, as the first fruits for those who believe, so that, bringing to perfection his work in the world, he might sanctify creation to the full.

    Therefore, O Lord, we pray: may this same Holy Spirit graciously sanctify these offerings, that they may become the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for the celebration of this great mystery, which he himself left us as an eternal covenant.

    For when the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, Father most holy, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end: and while they were at supper, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

    Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you.

    In a similar way, taking the chalice filled with the fruit of the vine, he gave thanks, and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

    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.

PRIEST SAYS: The Mystery of Faith:

THE PEOPLE RESPOND:

(One of the following prayers)

OPTION #1 — We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

OPTION #2 — When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

OPTION #3 — Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

Eucharistic Prayers Continued:

  • Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion, the Resurrection from the dead, and the glorious Ascension into heaven of Christ, your Son, our Lord, we, your servants and your holy people, offer to your glorious majesty from the gifts that you have given us, this pure victim, this holy victim, this spotless victim, the holy Bread of eternal life and the Chalice of everlasting salvation. 93. Be pleased to look upon these offerings with a serene and kindly countenance, and to accept them, as once you were pleased to accept the gifts of your servant Abel the just, the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith, and the offering of your high priest Melchizedek, a holy sacrifice, a spotless victim.

    In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God: command that these gifts be borne by the hands of your holy Angel to your altar on high in the sight of your divine majesty, so that all of us, who through this participation at the altar receive the most holy Body and Blood of your Son, may be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing.

    Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Remember also, Lord, your servants N. and N., who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace.

    Grant them, O Lord, we pray, and all who sleep in Christ, a place of refreshment, light and peace.

    (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

    To us, also, your servants, who, though sinners, hope in your abundant mercies, graciously grant some share and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs: with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, (Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia) and all your Saints; admit us, we beseech you, into their company, not weighing our merits, but granting us your pardon, through Christ our Lord. Through whom you continue to make all these good things, O Lord; you sanctify them, fill them with life, bless them, and bestow them upon us.

  • Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you. Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with N. our Pope and N. our Bishop* and all the clergy.

    Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face. Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with the blessed Apostles, and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ.

  • Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the saving Passion of your Son, his wondrous Resurrection and Ascension into heaven, and as we look forward to his second coming, we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.

    Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your Church and, recognizing the sacrificial Victim by whose death you willed to reconcile us to yourself, grant that we, who are nourished by the Body and Blood of your Son and filled with his Holy Spirit, may become one body, one spirit in Christ.

    May he make of us an eternal offering to you, so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect, especially with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs (with Saint N.: the Saint of the day or Patron Saint) and with all the Saints, on whose constant intercession in your presence we rely for unfailing help.

    May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation, we pray, O Lord, advance the peace and salvation of all the world. Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity your pilgrim Church on earth, with your servant N. our Pope and N. our Bishop,* the Order of Bishops, all the clergy, and the entire people you have gained for your own. Listen graciously to the prayers of this family, whom you have summoned before you: in your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself all your children scattered throughout the world. To our departed brothers and sisters and to all who were pleasing to you at their passing from this life, give kind admittance to your kingdom. There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory through Christ our Lord, through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.

  • Therefore, O Lord, as we now celebrate the memorial of our redemption, we remember Christ’s Death and his descent to the realm of the dead, we proclaim his Resurrection and his Ascension to your right hand, and, as we await his coming in glory, we offer you his Body and Blood, the sacrifice acceptable to you which brings salvation to the whole world.

    Look, O Lord, upon the Sacrifice which you yourself have provided for your Church, and grant in your loving kindness to all who partake of this one Bread and one Chalice that, gathered into one body by the Holy Spirit, they may truly become a living sacrifice in Christ to the praise of your glory.

    Therefore, Lord, remember now all for whom we offer this sacrifice: especially your servant N. our Pope, N. our Bishop,* and the whole Order of Bishops, all the clergy, those who take part in this offering, those gathered here before you, your entire people, and all who seek you with a sincere heart. Remember also those who have died in the peace of your Christ and all the dead, whose faith you alone have known. To all of us, your children, grant, O merciful Father, that we may enter into a heavenly inheritance with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and with your Apostles and Saints in your kingdom. There, with the whole of creation, freed from the corruption of sin and death, may we glorify you through Christ our Lord, through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.

DOXOLOGY:

PRIEST SAYS: 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.

PEOPLE RESPOND: Amen.

THE COMMUNION RITE

PRIEST SAYS: At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

ALL SAY:
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.

PRIEST SAYS: 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 Savior, Jesus Christ.

PEOPLE SAY:
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.

PRIEST SAYS: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.

PEOPLE SAY:
Amen.

PRIEST SAYS: The pecae of the Lord be with you always.

PEOPLE SAY:
And with your spirit.

PRIEST SAYS: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

THE SIGN OF PEACE — Everyone in the Church offers each other a sign expressing peace, communion and charity. Usually it is a handshake, wave, or a smile depending on the culture.

PRIEST SAYS:
May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it.

PEOPLE SAY:
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.

PRIEST SAYS:
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.

ALL PEOPLE SAY:
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 COMMUNION:
The members of the Church gather to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. All those that have been baptized, believe that this is Jesus in the Eucharist, and profess full communion with the Catholic Church may come to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

If you do not meet all three of these but still would like to participate, you may come up and receive a blessing. You may signal this by crossing your arms when you reach the minister so that they know to give you a blessing.

PRIEST SAYS:
Let us pray. Priest then prays the Prayer after Communion.

THE CONCLUDING RITES

PRIEST SAYS:
The Lord be with you.

PEOPLE SAY:
And with your spirit.

PRIEST SAYS:
May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

PEOPLE SAY:
Amen.

Usually the mass will end with a concluding song as the priest and ministers process out of the sanctuary.