The Mass: Structure

In its structure, the Mass has always included 2 basic parts:

1. The Liturgy of the Word (readings from the sacred Scriptures); and
2. The Liturgy of the Eucharist (breaking of the bread, thanksgiving and consecration).

The Liturgy of the Word begins with a time of repentance from sin and of preparation to hear God's Word and to receive him in the Eucharist. This penitential rite is then followed by a brief time of worship - on Sundays and holy days with the "Gloria".

The Word of God is then proclaimed. First are readings from the Old or New Testaments (or both) followed by the responsorial psalms. Then the priest gives a reading from one of the 4 Gospels. These readings are selected by the Catholic Church as part of a cycle over a 3 year period on Sundays, and on weekdays over a 2 year period. A sermon/homily is then usually given.

On Sundays and special feast days we then profess the Nicene Creed - a profession of the Catholic Faith. The Prayer of the Faithful, following the homily or Nicene Crede then presents to God the prayers and petitions of the gathered community, so that they may be offered to God the Father in union with Christ who constantly intercedes for us to the Father.

The final part of the Liturgy of the Word is the Offertory of the Mass. Here the priest offers to God the prayers of the community, and the bread and wine which will later become the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. It is at this point that the Catholics at Mass are offering all that they have done in the past day or week, humbly asking God to accept and purify that offering, and to unite it with the eternal offering of Jesus himself.

First, the priest prays that the Holy Spirit will make this offering of bread and wine acceptable, an offering "in spirit and in truth". This is called the invocation of the Holy Spirit, or epiclesis.

Following this are the words of the consecration that Jesus himself gave us - "This is my body...This is my blood..." and "Do this in memory of me...". As the priest speaks in persona Christi (in the person of Christ), it is at this point that the bread and wine truly change in substance to become the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ physically present on the altar. This is called transubstantiation.

After the Consecration, the saving death and resurrection of Christ is commemorated explicitly, and another epiclesis is offered, this time calling down the Holy Spirit on the congregation. Prayers are then offered for the whole Church, the pope and bishops, and all the church's members, living and dead.

In immediate preparation for receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the congregation prays the Lord's Prayer together and usually at this point greet one another with a sign of peace (handshake), to express unity, peace and reconciliation with each other and with the Lord. All Catholics who are not living in a state of serious unrepented sin are then encouraged to receive the Lord's Body and Blood in Holy Communion.

The Mass then draws to a conclusion with the final prayers and the dismissal.

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