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IMPORTANT VOCABULARY!
Priest:
An ordained minister in the Catholic Church who has the authority to oversee the celebration of certain sacraments (including the Eucharist)
Rite:
A religious ritual
Congregation:
Penitential Rite
Sometimes we say the Confiteor (I confess to Almighty God) We always say the Kyrie (Lord, have mercy)
After the Gloria (which is a hymn of praise to God) the Priest leads the congregation in an Opening Prayer by saying, Let us pray
This is followed by a brief period of silence, followed by an Opening Prayer recited by the Priest (this prayer is different at every Mass).
After the Opening Prayer, everybody sits. The Opening Prayer leads us directly into the first MAJOR part of the Massthe Liturgy of the Word.
IMPORTANT VOCABULARY!
Old
Testament: Also called the Hebrew Scriptures. The stories of the Jewish people (remember, Jesus was Jewish, and so these stories are very important for Christians as well).
Psalms:
Testament: The Christian Scriptures, including stories about Jesus life, the letters of St. Paul, etc.
The stories about Jesus life, death and resurrection that are part of the New Testament.
Gospel:
Alleluia!
Alleluia means Praise the Lord! During the Alleluia, the Priest raises the Gospel. This introduces the most important part of the Liturgy of the Word. During Lent, we never say Alleluia, because it is an exclamation of praise to the Risen Lord.
Profession of Faith
Following the Homily, the congregation stands and recites the Nicene Creed.
We believe in one God
The Nicene Creed summarizes everything that the Church has taught for the past 2,000 years.
General Intercessions
From the chair, the priest invites the people to pray. LECTOR: let us pray to the Lord. RESPONSE: Lord, hear our prayer. Repeated after each prayer petition.
IMPORTANT VOCABULARY!
Altar:
The place of sacrifice, as well as the table from which Christians are fed. It is the central focus of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Collection basket is passed around; sign of support for the ministry of the church.
In procession, people bring the gifts (bread and wine) forward to the priest. This is called the offertory procession. This act echoes offerings of early church, when people would bring the bread and wine (and other stuff) they made in preparation for the Lords Supper.
1. TAKEN
Priest accepting the gifts of the community that are brought forth
2. BLESSED
3. BROKEN
4. GIVEN
IMPORTANT VOCABULARY!
Paten:
A small plate, usually made out of silver or gold, used to hold Body of Christ (the consecrated bread).
Chalice:
A standing cup, usually made out of silver or gold, used to hold the Blood of Christ (the consecrated wine).
When he receives the gifts, the priest recites prayers based on those used during the Jewish Passover meal.
The priest lifts the paten of bread above the altar.
PRIEST: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, through your goodness
The priest does the same thing with the chalice of wine.
Eucharistic Prayer
After washing his hands the priest invites the community to prepare for the Eucharist with him.
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The Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy) The community prays the prayer to Christ from the Book of Revelation The priest then chooses one of several Eucharistic Prayers to recount the story of the Last Supper
The Consecration
During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the priest is acting in persona Christi (as the person of Christ). At the moment of the consecration, the priest is Jesus.
1. TAKEN
Priest accepting the gifts of the community that are brought forth
2. BLESSED
The consecration of the bread and wine during the Eucharistic Prayer
3. BROKEN
4. GIVEN
Communion Rite
The Communion Rite opens in the model of Jesus with the Lords Prayer. While holding hands, we either sing or recite the Lords Prayer (Our Father). The Lords Prayer is followed by the Sign of Peace.
Sign of peace was once used to resolve conflicts with a neighbor before receiving the Eucharist
1. TAKEN
Priest accepting the gifts of the community that are brought forth
2. BLESSED
The consecration of the bread and wine during the Eucharistic Prayer
3. BROKEN
The breaking of the bread by the priest, following the sign of peace
4. GIVEN
Saying Amen is another way of saying Yes, I believe that this is truly the Body of Christ. After receiving Holy Communion, we go back to the pew, kneel (or sit) and pray silently for a few minutes, or sing the Communion song
1. TAKEN
Priest accepting the gifts of the community that are brought forth
2. BLESSED
The consecration of the bread and wine during the Eucharistic Prayer
3. BROKEN
The breaking of the bread by the priest, following the sign of peace
4. GIVEN
After a closing prayer, the priest blesses and dismisses the people
The name Mass comes from the Latin Ite, missa est (roughly translated as Go, you are sent forth), the priests final words