The Mass: Christ’s Action
The Holy Mass is the holiest reality on earth, because it is the action of Jesus Christ Himself.
What Christ did once on Calvary, He makes present again on the altar:
He offers His Body and Blood to the Father for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of the world.
The Mass is not primarily something we do.
It is something Christ does, and into which we are invited to enter with faith, reverence, and attention.
Before Mass Begins
The church is a place of silence and prayer.
As we enter:
We bless ourselves with holy water, recalling our Baptism
We genuflect toward the tabernacle, acknowledging Christ truly present
We take our place quietly, preparing for worship
In the sacristy, the priest vests, praying to be clothed inwardly with Christ.
The chalice is prepared with the corporal, purificator, pall, and burse, which rests on top until the altar is prepared.
The Introductory Rites
The Church is gathered and prepared
The Entrance Chant or Hymn accompanies the procession to the altar, marking our movement from ordinary life into sacred worship.
When the priest reaches the sanctuary:
He bows and kisses the altar, which represents Christ Himself
If incense is used, the altar, crucifix, and patron saint are incensed
The Mass begins with the Sign of the Cross, invoking the Holy Trinity.
We gather not in our own name, but in the Name of God.
The priest greets the people:
“The Lord be with you.”
This greeting is complete in itself. Nothing more is needed.
The Penitential Act
The Mass is a sacrifice offered for the forgiveness of sins.
Immediately, the Church invites us to acknowledge our sins.
We call them to mind and express true sorrow.
The Penitential Act:
does not forgive mortal sins (Confession is required for that),
but it does forgive venial sins,
and deepens our sorrow for sins already forgiven.
Those who come to Mass with real repentance receive strength against temptation and confidence in God’s mercy.
The Kyrie eleison (“Lord, have mercy”) expresses this humble plea.
Gloria (Sundays and Solemnities)
Having asked for mercy, the Church turns to praise.
The Gloria is an ancient hymn, echoing the angels’ song at Christ’s birth:
“Glory to God in the highest…”
Forgiven by God, we give thanks.
The Collect (Opening Prayer)
The priest says:
“Let us pray.”
A moment of true silence follows.
The priest then prays the Collect, which gathers all the silent prayers of the people into one prayer offered to the Father.
We respond:
Amen — “So be it.”
The prayer is always offered through Jesus Christ, because only the prayer of the Son reaches the Father with perfect effect.
The Liturgy of the Word
God speaks; the Church listens
The Mass has two great parts:
The Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Liturgy of the Word takes place at the ambo.
When the Scriptures are proclaimed in the liturgy, Christ Himself speaks to His Church.
We listen attentively, because God speaks in order to teach us how to believe, how to live, and how to reach heaven.
After each reading we say:
“Thanks be to God.”
This is an act of gratitude that God addresses us personally.
The Responsorial Psalm allows us to pray God’s Word back to Him.
The Gospel
All stand for the Gospel as a sign of reverence for Christ who speaks.
The Alleluia (“Praise the Lord”) announces the joyful arrival of the Gospel, the high point of the Liturgy of the Word.
Before the Gospel:
We should ask for grace to listen and live what we hear
The priest and people sign themselves on the forehead, lips, and heart
The Book of the Gospels may be incensed and is kissed at the end
The Homily
The homily explains the Scriptures and applies them to Christian life.
It is not entertainment or commentary, but preaching rooted in God’s Word and the mystery being celebrated.
Creed and Prayer of the Faithful
On Sundays and solemnities, the Creed is proclaimed.
Having listened to God, we now respond in faith.
The Prayer of the Faithful follows, as the Church prays for the needs of the world, the Church, and the living and the dead.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Sacrifice of Christ is made present
The Liturgy of the Eucharist takes place at the altar, because a true sacrifice is about to occur:
the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross made present sacramentally.
The altar is prepared:
The burse is removed
The corporal is unfolded
The sacred vessels are arranged carefully
Preparation of the Gifts
Bread and wine are brought forward. What we offer is small, but it must represent us.
Each person should place on the altar:
their work and duties
their struggles and weaknesses
their joys and hopes
If we allow ourselves to be distracted at this moment, the gifts may be offered by others—but not by us.
If incense is used:
the gifts are incensed
the priest is incensed
the people are incensed
This shows that the whole Church offers itself to God.
The collection represents the offering of our material goods for the life of the parish.
The priest mixes water with the wine, praying that we may share in Christ’s divinity as He shared in our humanity.
The water represents us. We are meant to be changed as the wine will be changed.
The priest washes his hands, praying for interior purification.
“Pray, brethren…”
The priest says:
“Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.”
The sacrifice is Christ’s—but it is also ours, if we have united ourselves to it.
The Eucharistic Prayer and Consecration
The Eucharistic Prayer is the great prayer of thanksgiving.
At the Consecration, when the priest speaks Christ’s words:
“This is my Body… This is the chalice of my Blood”
the bread and wine are changed in their substance into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Only the outward appearances remain.
This is transubstantiation.
When the Host and Chalice are elevated, we adore.
With the eyes of the body we see bread and wine; with the eyes of faith, we recognise the Lord Himself.
At this moment, we are on Calvary.
Christ offers Himself to the Father.
The whole Church is present: saints, angels, and the faithful on earth.
Holy Communion
Christ gives Himself to His people
The Communion Rite begins with the Lord’s Prayer, followed by prayers for peace and deliverance from evil.
The Lamb of God expresses our unworthiness and our trust in Christ’s mercy.
The priest shows the Host and says:
“Behold the Lamb of God…”
We respond humbly:
“Lord, I am not worthy…”
We approach Holy Communion in procession, a sign of our pilgrimage toward heaven.
Holy Communion is the greatest gift possible.
We should receive with faith, love, and recollection—not routinely or carelessly.
After Communion, silence allows the mystery to sink deeply into the soul.
The Prayer after Communion asks that the sacrament bear fruit in daily life.
The Concluding Rites
Sent to live what we have celebrated
The priest blesses the people and sends them forth to:
love and serve the Lord
live the faith they have celebrated
carry Christ into the world
The Mass ends, but the Christian life continues.
After Mass
Once Mass has ended, it is fitting to remain for a few moments in thanksgiving.
These are precious moments.
Christ has given Himself to us.
There is no better time to ask for graces:
for yourself
for loved ones
for the Church
for the world
Do not waste them.
Final Reflection
The Holy Mass is not merely a gathering or a remembrance.
It is Calvary made present,
heaven opened on earth,
and the source and summit of Christian life.
To attend Mass well is to stand with Christ at the Cross—and to be sent forth transformed.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 