Sunday Prayers

Below you will find information about the Mass and how to pray the Mass well.  All content is original to the Diocese of Kalamazoo. Click on each section to read more.

What is the Introductory Rite?  This is the begining of Mass, the priest will process in, he will greet everyone and he will start Mass with the sign of the Cross.  He may give some instruction for the Mass, or a brief overview of the readings and themes.

Why do we stand?  The priest is in the person of Jesus Christ.  Due to his ordination an ontological (a part of the nature of who he is) is changed to conform to Christ.  This means even if he is a sinful man, this part of his nature still conforms to who Christ is and when he prays a Mass he is Jesus Christ at that Mass.  We stand to greet not the priest, the man, but who he represents and stands in for, Jesus Christ.  Just like we would stand if a dignitary walked in the room, we stand out of respect because Jesus is walking into the room.

How am I worshipping God during this time?  By recognizing and respecting Jesus as He enters the Church, we are giving honor to God.  We are acknowledging that He is someone to respect.  We are also taking the time to enter into a different space in our mind and our hearts.  Understanding that we are on sacred ground and about to partake in the greatest thing humanity can do.  

What are the Penitential Rites?  These are the Rites during the begining of Mass when we admit we are sinners and we ask God for mercy.

Why do we stand?  The standing posture is one of attention and focus. We stay standing as we are in the presence of Jesus Christ still.  We are also now begging our Lord for a favor in asking for mercy.  (Sometimes during Lent or other penitential Masses or seasons we may kneel during this time to recognize we are sinners asking for a favor.)

How am I worshipping God during this time? We are admitting our proper place.  That we are sinners, that none of us have lived up to what God is asking us to be, and that we have all fallen short.  This is both personal and communal.  We pray this together.  By knowing that God is the sinless and our Lord, and realizing we are the creation and needing His mercy, we are placing ourselves in the right mindset to truly be able to worship God.  We are laying down at the begining of Mass anything that is preventing us from worshipping God, anything that we might be worshiping instead, such as money, or sports, or relationships, or fame, or power etc.

What is the Gloria?  The Gloria is a song of praise sung at the beginning of the Mass.  The words of the Gloria hearken to the angels’ song of praise at the birth of Jesus.  It is omitted during the seasons of Lent and Advent as these are more penitential seasons where we scale down and remember the awaiting of a savior or the need for salvation.

Why do we stand?  When we are singing songs of praise we stand, giving honor to the one of whom we are praising.  The Gloria gives us this opportunity at the beginning of Mass to stand and honor God with a song of praise.  

How am I worshipping God during this time? We are united with the shepherd who first heard the Angels sing this song of praise about Jesus.  The shepherds rose and went with haste to see this new born king.  We now enter our spirits into that same haste and desire to see the King of kings.  This song of praise reminds us of the coming of the Lord in Glory, and prepares our hearts to wait for His coming in the Eucharist.  

What is the Opening Prayer (Collect)?  The opening prayer, also called the collect, brings together (or collects) all the prayers of those who are present and unites them as one prayer to the Father.  This is set at the beginning of Mass after we have admitted our sinfulness and praised God for His salvation.  We now bring before the Lord our prayers and the priest unites them as one.  This signifies the entirety of Mass as the action of Mass is the Priest offering prayers, supplications, and the Body and Blood of Jesus to the Father for all those present, as a worship of God.

Why do we stand?  We are bringing before the Lord our needs, and desires.  We do that standing.  Often at how someone might go to their knees when they are asking for something, but these prayers are more than just asking, they can be prayers of praise, thanksgiving, etc.  So, we stand to honor God while we pray before Him.   

How am I worshipping God during this time? If you notice there is a pause between the priest saying "Let us Pray" and the collect being prayed by the priest.  It is during this small pause that we in our hearts unite our prayers together and offer them to the Lord.  It is good practice to have said these prayers before Mass. To know what we are offering up at Mass for this day, and to be ready so in our hearts we can unite these prayers together before the opening prayer.
 

What are the Readings?  The readings are from the Bible.  The first is typically taken from the Old Testament, and the second from the New Testament.  There is usually a Psalm sung (or proclaimed) in between these, though it sometimes from another part of the Old Testament.  

Why do we sit?  We sit during the readings because this is a time of instruction.  The Bible is the word of God written by human hands.  While it has the language, and the influence of the human author, God is speaking to us through the readings.  We sit when we are learning something.  So, we sit to listen to and learn what God may be speaking to us through the Scriptures.

How am I worshipping God during this time? By listening intently to the Word of God we are taking in what He has to say to us.  The God who created all things wants to be in communication with us.  So, by listening as intently as we are able, given our circumstances, we are giving honor to the One who wrote the message for us.

What is the Gospel?  The Gospel is the reading by the Deacon or Priest directly from one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John).  These are the direct reading about the life and words of Jesus Christ.  (The other readings are either from the Old Testament - the readings that are precursor to Jesus and point to who Jesus is, or they are from the New Testament - the readings from the early life of the Church that reveal Jesus). 

Why do we stand?  We stand for the Gospel because it is the life and words of Jesus and so it represents Jesus is a unique way.  Just as the priest represents Jesus throughout Mass, there is a presence of Jesus in the Gospel.  In fact, you will see at a Mass with a bishop the bishop actually kisses the book of the Gospels. Due to the presence of Jesus we stand again out of respect to Him.  

How am I worshipping God during this time? Because these are the life, words, and actions of Jesus; we are honoring His time here on Earth by listening, meditating, and thinking through His life.  

What is the Homily?  During the Homily, the priest gives the faithful an exhortation on the readings and the Gospel.  The priest ought to connect the readings together with the teachings of the Church and how they apply to the faithful today.  This is an opportunity for the faithful to be encouraged in their faith, learn more about their faith, and enter into the readings in a more spiritual way. 

Why do we sit?  Just like for the readings we sit as a time of instruction.   

How am I worshipping God during this time? As we learn more about God and his loving plan for each of us, we are worshipping God and praising Him by growing closer in knowledge of Him.  

What are the Creed and Universal Prayers?  The creed is the part of the Mass where we unite together to proclaim what it is we believe.  Each of us individually renew our own belief in the essential teachings of the Faith.  At some times during the Liturgical Year we actually replace the Creed with a Renewal of our Baptismal Promises. 

The Universal Prayers are more commonly known as the Prayers of the Faithful.  At this time the Church brings together the necessary prayers for the world and for all those present.  These are modeled off the prayers sung at the Good Friday Liturgy.

Why do we stand?  We stand whenever we are making a declarative statement about what we believe.  We continue to stand for the prayers as we are bringing before God our most precious needs.  We stand out of respect while bringing these needs to God.  

How am I worshipping God during this time? By stating that we firmly believe all that God has given us, we are reconfirming our belief and desire to follow what he has taught.  

Bringing our own prayers and uniting them to the universal prayers we worship God in our belief that He has ultimate care and concern for us.  We are also, admitting that He is the creator and we are creation and in need of His help.  
 

What are the Preparation Rites?  During these Rites the Altar is prepared, the gifts from the people are collected, and the offerings are brought forth.  In some areas of the world the offerings still include offerings of materials, animals, and food; not money as we collect.  These offerings are used for the good of the Church and the good of the people.  The Bread and Wine are also offered.  All these gifts represent who we are.  They are an offering of ourselves to God.  During this Rite the priest will offer up the bread to the Lord, he will also mingle water into the wine (representing the humanity and divinity of Jesus), he will also wash his hands as a representation of being cleansed of sin and worthy to offer the Eucharistic sacrifice (note that even if the priest is a sinful man, because he stands in the place of Jesus, God fulfills what is lacking in the man).

Why do we sit?  This is a time of transition and preparation.  We are transitioning from the Liturgy of the Word that focuses on God speaking to us in His Word, to the Liturgy of the Eucharist that will focus on God coming to us in person.  We sit as part of that transition and to prepare ourselves to enter into this new phase of the Mass.  

How am I worshipping God during this time? The Preparation Rites are when we actually offer to God not just money, or goods, but who we are.  Throughout Scripture there are offerings to God, this is the time during Mass.  What we offer represents what we are willing to give to God.  This is why tithing is usually explained as giving from the top, not from what is left over.  We do not want to give to God what is left, but the best.  During this time, we should see our lives, our burdens, our struggles, all being taken and laid upon the Altar, so God may transform it all into His blessings to us. 
 

What is the Preface?  The preface start from the "Pray, my brothers and sisters, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father" and goes through the Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy).  These are the introductory prayers for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. They prepare our minds and hearts for what we are about to participate in, and ask for us to be united to those angels and saints in heaven.  

The Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy) is a song of praise, the first part is first found in the scriptures in Isaiah.  It is also found in the fourth chapter of Revelation.  This takes place directly after John is taken to Heaven to see the heavenly worship of God.  It is at this time that Heaven and Earth are joined together.  From this point on in the Mass we are mystically present in Heaven and though we cannot see it all the saints and angels are present around us.  

Why do we stand?  Much like other times we are standing out of respect.  We are about to enter into the holiest of times in the liturgy and in our week.  We stand in preparation to be "swept" up to heaven as John is in the book of Revelation.  

How am I worshipping God during this time? Opening up our spirit to be prepared to enter into the heavenly worship, this is the time to make sure our mind and heart are prepared to celebrate in the next part of the Liturgy, where Jesus will become present to us in a unique but real way.  By joining the saints and angels in singing the Sanctus we are united in heavenly worship using words given to us directly by God through the Scriptures.

What is the Eucharistic Prayer?  The Eucharistic Prayer is the heart of the Mass.  It is during these prayers that the bread and the wine are transformed into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ (as Catholics we believe that there is a substantial change and we no longer have bread and wine but truly a unique presence of Jesus even as it continues to appear to be bread and wine).  It is during this prayer that Heaven and Earth are united in a mystical way and the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus is made present to us.  While we do not crucify Jesus again, we do experience during this prayer the crucifixion as it originally happened, represented to us in a mystical way.  So, while we cannot see it, the Crucifixion is happening at Mass at this time.  Jesus is being offered to the Father for the healing and remission of our sins.  This is the ultimate sacrifice to the Father and the highest form of worship of God.  If you pay close attention you can see certain movements and actions of the priest that simulate this.  The priest may bow or hunch over as under the weight of the Cross, the Eucharist is lifted as a supplication to the Father and so we may see Him lifted like on the Cross.  The words of consecration (what actually changes the bread and wine) are straight from Jesus, the priest who is "in the person of Christ" says them in the first person. This is also why we have priests and not just pastors or clergy, it takes a priest to offer sacrifice to God. The priest is offering the sacrifice of Jesus at every Mass for each of us.  This is why we do not say the Eucharistic Prayer with the priest as well, only the priest can offer the sacrifice. 

Why do we kneel?  Kneeling is a great form of Adoration.  This is what is due to God, the highest form of worship is adoration.  Therefore, as we anticipate, and then witness the transformation of bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ we kneel in adoration. There is a second reason for the kneeling and that is the sign of servitude.  We realize that we are truly at the service of Jesus who is our Lord.  We kneel because we know that we are not equal to God.   

How am I worshipping God during this time? By meditating on the mystery of what is present before us, we can enter into prayer during the Eucharistic Prayer by placing our heart and mind to the Crucifixion, witnessing it in our hearts as it mystically is present before us.  When we see the Host lifted, we can look upon it realizing God is physically present before us.  We can give an exaltation of love to our God who is present before us.  By focusing on the great act of Love God had for us in Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection, and by thanking Him for that Love during this prayer we are truly offering to God our worship.  With the priest we can offer up to the Father the life of Jesus Christ upon the Altar.  

What is the Our Father?  The Our Father is the prayer that Jesus gave to us. He said, when you pray, pray like this Our Father... Now with Jesus truly present before us we pray in the words that He has given us, offering the perfect prayer to the Father.  This is in preparation for receiving "our daily Bread", Jesus whom we need for the spiritual and physical growth in faith.  

Why do we stand?  We are again praying directly to God.  United in voice and petition we stand before our God and offer to Him the prayer that was given to us by Him.  

How am I worshipping God during this time? We are actually using the words of Jesus at this time in the Mass.  In this we are praying in the way we were instructed to do so.  We do that with Jesus right there in front of us, physically on the Altar.  We unite with Jesus as we pray these words.
 

What is the Sign of Peace?  "Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Mt 5:23-24). This time is an opportunity to show that we do not have anything to be reconciled with anyone else.  It is a sign that we have peace with all those around us, we symbolize this by offering some sign of peace to those in close proximity, but it is intended to symbolize all those present and those who are not.  If we do have a quarrel with others that is not taken care of, we should not approach Communion.   

Why do we stand?  We are symbolizing the peace we have with others, and are showing that peace to each other, so we stand as it is easier to move and make this sign of peace.   

How am I worshipping God during this time? By showing that we can ask for forgiveness and forgive others we are doing what the Lord has taught us.  We are worshipping God by respecting all around us and not allowing hatred and anger to rule in our hearts.
 

What is the Agnus Dei [Lamb of God]?  This is when we intone with the Choir the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy of us (grant us peace).  Agnus Dei is the Latin for Lamb of God.  We transition from this to the priest showing us the Eucharist and saying, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, blessed are those who come to the supper of the Lamb".  This references a few things.  One when Pontius Pilate brings Jesus out at His trial and says, "Behold the man", when John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the Lamb of God, and the book of revelation that refers to the Lamb's wedding feast (supper).  Our response, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof ..." refers back to the centurion in MT 8 that asked for Jesus to heal his servant.  We too are not worthy but ask God to prepare us to receive Him.

Why do we stand and kneel?  In the older rite of the Mass people would kneel at the beginning of the Agnus Dei.  We stand now as we typically are proclaiming this in song.  Right after we kneel as Jesus, our Lord, is about to be lifted up for us to see.  We give the highest of praise to Jesus at this time, recognizing Him as our Lord and God and as we prepare to consume Him.   

How am I worshipping God during this time? By transitioning to a kneeling position, we are recognizing that Jesus is our God, and that the bread and wine are no longer mere bread and wine, but are now the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.  By using the words of the centurion we are admitting our own failings and asking God to provide whatever it is we lack. During the Lamb of God, the priest will be doing the Fraction Rite.  He will break the Host, representing how Jesus is broken and to be shared with all.  He will mingle a piece of the Body, into the Chalice of the Blood, representing the unity of the Body and Blood.  The Body and Blood are present fully in both species (appearance of bread, and the appearance of wine).
  

What is the Reception of Communion?  At this time, we process up to receive Jesus.  We need to heed St. Paul's words in First Corinthians to not eat or drink unworthily, or they are sinning against the Body and Blood of the Lord.  Now we just prayed about how unworthy we are, so what does this mean?  If we receive the Lord but are in a state of mortal sin we receive unworthily.  If we have mortal sin we are in complete separation from God and therefore cannot unite with Him in His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in receiving the Eucharist.  Also, if we have anger toward any of our neighbors, we must make peace before we can receive.  Finally, if we have no desire to amend our ways, to turn away from sin and seek God, we are receiving unworthily.  The reception of the Eucharist is medicine for the soul.  This means we must have a desire to have our soul cleansed, we must be in a state to receive that medicine (not in mortal sin) so we do not reject it, and we must be willing to allow that grace to transform us to more closely resemble Jesus.

Why do we process?  Processions remind us of the traveling of the People of God in transitioning toward God.  We see the traveling in Abram who moves from Ur to the land unknown God has prepared for him, the Israelites from Egypt back to the promised land, etc. In these moments of Salvation History God is moving His people not just physically, but spiritually closer to Himself.  The procession during this time (beside having a practical reason of getting the faithful to where they can receive Jesus) reminds us of these movements is salvation History.  It points to our own conversion and acceptance of God's calling to come and be transformed into a people in deep relationship with Him.  

How am I worshipping God during this time? By respectfully approaching the Lord in the procession we symbolize our own movement from Sin to approaching God in heavenly worship and receiving Jesus to be brought into intimate relationship with Him and also transformed by Him away from Sin into life.  When we receive Jesus, we know we are consuming our God.  There is no more intimate way to be united with God then the consumption of His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.  Knowing that it is God we are receiving we should take utmost care in how we receive.  We are to approach the Lord, bow before receiving Him, and then respectfully receive him.  For the next fifteen minutes or so, we should be cognizant of the fact that we have become little tabernacles.  Until He is digested, we hold our God inside our bodies.  So, does anyone else who has received.  We need to make sure we treat others in that way.  Although, the above is the norm for receiving in the United States, the rubrics for receiving can include, kneeling to receive, or genuflecting before receiving instead of kneeling. The normative way to receive the Eucharist has traditionally been on the tongue in which you would place your tongue out and wait until the priest has removed his hand before bringing your tongue in.  While doing this it is highly unlikely for any touching of the tongue by the priest.  For receiving on the hand, an indult was given about 50 years ago for those in America to receive on the hand, you would place your dominate hand under your less dominate hand making a throne.  After, Jesus has been placed in your hand you would use your dominate hand to pick up the Host and place in your mouth.  You do not walk away until you have done this.  Make sure there are no particles left in your hand.  We know that any particle of the Host is still fully Jesus and should be consumed.  
 

What is the Prayer after Communion?  After the reception of Communion there is some time for individual prayer.  It is often encouraged to have some silent time after Communion for this.  Sometimes parishes will have a choir sing a meditative song.  During this time the vessels are purified at the Altar or at a side table.  One can think about how we are being purified through our reception of Jesus, just as the vessels are now being purified.  

After this time of purification and silent prayer the prayer after Communion will take place.  This prayer again unifies the prayers of all those present and offers them directly to God through the prayer of the priest.  There is not typically a silent moment between the "Let us pray" and the prayer as that silence should have just taken place.

Why do we stand?  As with the other times during prayer we stand in honoring God. We are united in bringing our prayers and petitions before the Lord.  

How am I worshipping God during this time? By having the time to praise God for what He has done for you, and offer up prayers while Jesus is present inside you, you are now worshipping God by uniting with everyone else in offering prayer to God. 
 

What is the Final Blessing?  After the prayer after Communion we are given a final blessing by the priest.  Looking through the scriptures there are many examples of the blessings of God being given to people.  Each week the priest is able to impart this blessing on the faithful that they may be strengthened to go out and bring the good news of God to others.  

Why do we stand?  It is important that we stand to receive the blessing.  Standing both honors God but also shows that we are being honored by God.  This also symbolizes our readiness to go with this blessing out into the world.

How am I worshipping God during this time? By respecting the fact that we need the blessing of God in order to go out and bring His good news to all we meet, we are honoring and worshipping God as the one from whom all blessings flow. 
 

What is the Dismissal?  "Go, proclaiming the Gospel by your lives."  Or something similar is used at the end of the Mass.  The Latin is "Ite Missa Est". "Go! You are sent!" is the direct literal translation.  The word Missa (sent) is where the Mass actually gets its name.  The dismissal is just that a sending.  We are to take the Good News we have received; we are to take the Body of Christ we have received, and go out into the world.  We are on a mission to take these to all we meet.

Why do we stand?  We are ready to go, to take our marching orders and go out into the world.

How am I worshipping God during this time? By understanding not only what we have received but what our mission is.  We must now praise and worship God by actually being changed by the Mass.  We must be different from when we entered the Church, and we must now be the difference in the World.  Going, and doing the works of mercy.