The Gratia Mission

Understanding Catholic Worship

The Holy Mass: A Beginner’s Guide

A simple, chronological guide to what happens at Catholic Mass, what each part means, when to stand, sit or kneel, and when the congregation responds.

Everyone is welcome to attend Holy Mass. If it is your first time, use this guide to follow the celebration from the moment you enter the church until the final dismissal.

01
Preparing your heart

Before Mass

The church is a sacred place where Catholics gather to worship God. Arriving several minutes early gives you time to settle, pray and prepare for the celebration.

  • Silence your phone before entering the church.
  • Speak quietly so that others can pray and prepare for Mass.
  • If holy water is available, Catholics may use it while making the Sign of the Cross as a reminder of Baptism.
  • Catholics normally genuflect toward the tabernacle when the Blessed Sacrament is reserved there.
  • If the tabernacle is located elsewhere, a profound bow is ordinarily made toward the altar.
  • Enter your pew and spend a few moments praying quietly.
If you are not Catholic

You are still welcome to attend. You are not required to use holy water, genuflect or know every prayer. Enter respectfully, find a seat and follow along as best you can.

02
The beginning of Mass

The Introductory Rites

The Introductory Rites gather the congregation together and prepare everyone to hear God’s Word and celebrate the Eucharist.

  1. Stand

    Entrance Procession

    The priest, deacon and other ministers enter while an entrance hymn or chant may be sung.

  2. Stand

    Sign of the Cross

    Mass formally begins in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

    People respond

    Amen.

  3. Stand

    Greeting

    The priest greets the gathered people using one of the approved forms from the Roman Missal.

    People respond

    And with your spirit.

  4. Stand

    Penitential Act

    The congregation acknowledges sin and asks God for mercy. Different approved forms may be used.

    Important distinction

    The Penitential Act is not the Sacrament of Reconciliation and does not replace individual Confession when Confession is required.

  5. Stand

    Lord, Have Mercy

    The congregation calls upon Christ for mercy. This may be included within the Penitential Act or follow it.

  6. Stand

    Gloria

    The Gloria is a hymn of praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is normally used on Sundays outside Advent and Lent, as well as on solemnities and feasts.

  7. Stand

    Collect

    The priest gathers the prayers of the congregation into the opening prayer. Its wording changes according to the liturgical day.

    People respond

    Amen.

03
Listening to God

The Liturgy of the Word

During the Liturgy of the Word, Sacred Scripture is proclaimed and explained. Catholics believe that Christ is present when Scripture is proclaimed in the Church.

  1. Sit

    First Reading

    At Sunday Mass, the First Reading normally comes from the Old Testament. During the Easter Season, it normally comes from the Acts of the Apostles.

    After the reading

    Thanks be to God.

  2. Sit

    Responsorial Psalm

    A cantor or reader proclaims or sings the verses. The congregation repeats the appointed response.

  3. Sit

    Second Reading

    On Sundays and solemnities, the Second Reading normally comes from the New Testament. Weekday Masses normally have only one reading before the Gospel.

    After the reading

    Thanks be to God.

  4. Stand

    Gospel Acclamation

    The congregation stands to welcome Christ in the Gospel. “Alleluia” is normally used, except during Lent when another approved acclamation is used.

  5. Stand

    Gospel

    The Gospel is proclaimed by a priest or deacon. Many Catholics trace a small cross on their forehead, lips and heart before the Gospel begins.

    Before the Gospel

    Glory to you, O Lord.

    After the Gospel

    Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

  6. Sit

    Homily

    The priest or deacon explains the readings and applies them to Christian faith and daily life.

  7. Stand

    Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed

    On Sundays and solemnities, the congregation normally professes the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, commonly called the Nicene Creed. The Apostles’ Creed may be used in certain circumstances.

    The Creed professes faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Church, Baptism, the resurrection of the dead and eternal life.

    Gesture of reverence

    During the words concerning Christ becoming man, the congregation makes a profound bow. On the Annunciation and Christmas, the prescribed gesture is genuflection.

  8. Stand

    Prayers of the Faithful

    The congregation prays for the Church, public authorities, those in need, the local community and the salvation of the world.

    A common response

    Lord, hear our prayer.

04
The Eucharistic sacrifice

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Bread and wine are prepared, the Church gives thanks to the Father, and the Eucharistic Prayer is offered. Catholics believe that, through God’s power, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

  1. Sit

    Preparation of the Altar and Gifts

    Bread and wine are brought to the altar. These gifts will become Christ’s Body and Blood.

  2. Sit

    Collection

    A collection may be taken while the altar and gifts are prepared. Giving is voluntary, and visitors should not feel pressured to contribute.

  3. Stand

    Invitation to Prayer

    The priest invites the congregation to pray that the sacrifice may be acceptable to God.

    People respond

    Follow the complete approved response in the parish missal or worship aid.

  4. Stand

    Prayer over the Offerings

    The priest asks God to accept the gifts and prepare the Church for the Eucharistic mystery.

    People respond

    Amen.

  5. Stand

    Preface Dialogue

    The priest calls the congregation to lift up their hearts and give thanks to God.

    People respond

    And with your spirit.

    People respond

    We lift them up to the Lord.

    People respond

    It is right and just.

  6. Stand

    Holy, Holy, Holy

    The congregation joins the praise of heaven. The full approved text may be spoken or sung.

  7. Kneel

    Eucharistic Prayer

    The Eucharistic Prayer is the centre and high point of the celebration. The priest offers the prayer to the Father on behalf of the whole Church.

  8. Kneel

    Consecration

    The priest invokes the Holy Spirit and speaks Christ’s words over the bread and wine.

    Catholics believe that the whole substance of the bread and wine is changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The outward appearances remain, but Christ is truly, really and substantially present.

    Transubstantiation

    This change is called transubstantiation. Catholics do not believe the Eucharist is merely a symbol or reminder of Jesus.

  9. Kneel

    Memorial Acclamation

    The congregation proclaims the mystery of Christ’s death and Resurrection. The exact response depends on which approved acclamation is used.

  10. Kneel

    Great Amen

    The congregation affirms the entire Eucharistic Prayer.

    People respond

    Amen.

05
Preparing to receive Christ

The Communion Rite

  1. Stand

    The Lord’s Prayer

    The congregation prays the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, beginning with “Our Father.”

  2. Stand

    Sign of Peace

    The priest prays for Christ’s peace and may invite the congregation to offer a respectful sign of peace to those nearby.

    People respond

    And with your spirit.

  3. Stand or kneel

    Lamb of God

    As the consecrated host is broken, the congregation addresses Christ as the Lamb of God and asks for mercy and peace.

  4. Kneel

    Invitation to Communion

    The priest shows the Eucharist to the congregation. The people respond with the approved prayer expressing humility and trust in Christ.

  5. Process forward

    Reception of Holy Communion

    Catholics who are properly prepared approach to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

    When the minister presents the Eucharist

    Amen.

  6. Sit or kneel

    Prayer after receiving Communion

    After returning to the pew, the faithful spend time thanking Christ and praying quietly.

  7. Stand

    Prayer after Communion

    The priest asks that the sacrament received may bear fruit in the lives of the faithful.

    People respond

    Amen.

Who should receive Holy Communion?

Everyone is welcome to attend Mass, but attendance and reception of Holy Communion are not the same thing. Holy Communion expresses full sacramental communion with the Catholic Church.

  • Catholics receiving Communion should be properly disposed.
  • A person conscious of grave sin should ordinarily receive sacramental absolution before receiving Communion.
  • Catholics normally observe a one-hour Eucharistic fast, apart from water and medicine.
  • Those who are not Catholic ordinarily do not receive Holy Communion at a Catholic Mass.
  • Anyone not receiving may respectfully remain in the pew.
06
Sent to live the Gospel

The End of Mass

  1. Sit

    Announcements

    Brief parish announcements may be made when necessary.

  2. Stand

    Final Greeting

    People respond

    And with your spirit.

  3. Stand

    Final Blessing

    The priest blesses the congregation in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

    People respond

    Amen.

  4. Stand

    Dismissal

    The congregation is sent out to glorify God and live the Gospel.

    People respond

    Thanks be to God.

  5. Stand

    Closing Procession or Hymn

    The priest and ministers leave the sanctuary. A closing hymn may be sung according to local practice.

The Mass continues in our lives

The dismissal does not simply mean that the service is finished. Catholics are sent to carry Christ into their homes, workplaces and communities through faithful living and love of neighbour.

Prayer reference

The Congregation’s Prayers at Mass

This section gathers the longer prayers in one place so someone following Mass can find them quickly. The exact current wording must be copied unchanged from an authorised Roman Missal.

The Gloria

Said or sung after the Penitential Act when prescribed

A hymn praising the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Glory to God in the highest, 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 sin 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.Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace to men of good will. We praise You. We bless You. We adore you. We glorify You. We give You thanks for Your great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father: you Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You Who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You Who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are holy. You alone are the Lord. You alone, O Jesus Christ, are most high. Together with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed

Said after the Homily on Sundays and solemnities

The congregation professes the central truths of the Catholic faith.

I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created; Of one essence with the Father through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.

Response at the Preparation of the Gifts

Said before the Prayer over the Offerings

The congregation asks that the sacrifice be accepted for God’s glory and the good of the Church.

During the preparation of the bread and wine, the priest normally says the offering prayers quietly. If the priest says either prayer aloud, the congregation responds:

All: “Blessed be God forever.”

Afterward, the priest invites everyone to pray that the sacrifice will be acceptable to God. The congregation responds:

All: “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 Memorial Acclamation

Said or sung after the Consecration

The congregation proclaims Christ’s death and Resurrection.

Immediately after the Consecration, the priest announces the Mystery of Faith. The congregation then responds using one of three approved Memorial Acclamations:

1. We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection until you come again.

2. When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again.

3. Save us, Savior of the world, for by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.

Only one of these responses is used during the Mass. During your first Mass, wait to hear which response is being used and follow along with the congregation, as the chosen response may differ between Masses.

The Lord’s Prayer / Our Father

Said at the beginning of the Communion Rite

The congregation prays the prayer taught by Jesus.

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
Amen.

Lamb of God

Said or sung during the breaking of the bread

The congregation addresses Christ as the Lamb of God and asks for mercy and peace.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Prayer Before Communion

Said before approaching for Holy Communion

The congregation responds to the priest’s invitation with humility and trust in Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ,
may your holy body be my food.
May your holy blood be my drink.
May your sufferings and death strengthen me.
Lord Jesus Christ, hear me.
Hide me in your holy wounds and let me never be separated from you.
Lord Jesus Christ,
keep me from the evil one,
be merciful to me in the hour of my death,
that with all the elect I may praise you,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Copyright acknowledgement

Excerpts from the English translation and chants of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Gratia Mission does not claim ownership of the official Roman Missal translation and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by ICEL.

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References

Sources and Further Reading

This guide was prepared using the official liturgical and catechetical sources listed below.