Text of the English Roman Catholic Mass

Catholic Mass with standing, kneeling & sitting guidelines cues and Eucharistic Prayers

Comments on sitting and standing, Special to the Washington standard, Thursday, June 3, 2004, by Father Walter, Archdiocese of Washington's secretary for parish life.

P = Priest, D = Deacon, C = Congregation, A = All, L = Lector

Show a list of sections of the Mass

Comment: Catholic liturgy calls for the involvement of the whole person, spirit, soul and body. The bodily postures that the congregation adopts at Mass-- whether standing, kneeling, or sitting--accord with the nature of the rites being celebrated.

Before Mass begins, members of the congregation or assembly, once they have entered the church and genuflected in adoration before the tabernacle, normally sit in silence in their pew, perhaps after kneeling briefly to offer a few preparatory prayers. As Mass begins with the entrance song and procession, all stand in acknowledgement that Christ, the High Priest, is present in the Eucharistic assembly to lead it in the worship of His heavenly Father.

The congregation remains standing throughout the Mass's Introductory Rites: the Sign of the Cross and Greeting, the Act of Penitence, the Gloria, and the Collect.

These rites dispose the congregation to a grateful and attentive reception of the word of God that will be proclaimed in the Liturgy of the Word that follows.

Introductory Rites

Greeting

P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen

Comment: Depending on the day, or time of year, the Priest says one of the following:

Introductory Rites Form A

P. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.

C: And with your spirit

Introductory Rites Form B

P. Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

C: And with your spirit

Introductory Rites Form C

P: The Lord be with you. (or a Bishop says "Peace be with you")

C: And with your spirit.

Penitential Act

Comment: The Priest, or a Deacon, or another minister, may very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of the day. Depending on the day, or time of year, the Priest recites one of the following, inviting the faithful to make the Penitential Act:

Penitential Act Form A

P: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

A: I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
And, striking their breast, they say:
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

P: May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.

C: Amen.

Penitential Act Form B

P: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

Have mercy on us, O Lord.

C: For we have sinned against you.

P: Show us, O Lord, your mercy.

C: And grant us your salvation.

P: May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.

C: Amen.

Penitential Act Form C

P: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins,
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

A brief pause for silence follows. The Priest, or a Deacon or another minister, then says the following or other invocations* with:

P: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart:
Lord have mercy. or Kyrie, eleison.
C: Lord have mercy. or Kyrie, eleison.

P: You came to call sinners: Christ have mercy.
C: Christ have mercy. or Christe, eleison

P: You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord have mercy. or Kyrie, eleison.
C: Lord have mercy. or Kyrie, eleison.

P: May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
C: Amen

If A or B was used then choose either of the following: (Omit if form C of the Penitential Act was used)

P: Lord have mercy. C: Lord have mercy. P: Christ have mercy. C: Christ have mercy. P: Lord have mercy. C: Lord have mercy.	P: Kyrie, eleison. C: Kyrie, eleison. P: Christe, eleison. C: Christe, eleison. P: Kyrie, eleison. C: Kyrie, eleison.

Gloria

Comment: The congregation remains standing. Then, when it is prescribed, this hymn is either sung or said:

(Omit during Advent and Lent)

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.

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.

Comment: The congregation remains standing.

P: Let us pray ... (prayer)

And all pray in silence with the Priest for a while. Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Collect prayer, at the end of which the people acclaim:

C: Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

Comment: The congregation sits so that it may comfortably and effectively listen to and absorb the word of God proclaimed by the readers.

First Reading - Old Testament, or NT letters

L: Reads from Scripture, after which is said:
The word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm - Often sung

The psalmist or cantor sings or says the Psalm, with the people making the response.

Second Reading

If there is to be a Second Reading, a reader reads it from the ambo, as above. To indicate the end of the reading, the reader acclaims:

L: (Reads from Scripture then says) The word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Comment: The congregation stands, at the time of the proclamation of the Gospel, for whereas in the first two readings the word of God is communicated in the words of the prophets and apostles of the Old and New Testaments, in the Gospel it is the Word of God Himself, our Lord Jesus Christ, who speaks to the assembly.

Alleluia

Comment: The congregation remains standing, the Alleluia is often sung and has a short sentence of the Gospel message interweaved in the song.
There follows the Alleluia or another chant laid down by the rubrics, as the liturgical time requires. Meanwhile, if incense is used, the Priest puts some into the thurible. After this, the Deacon who is to proclaim the Gospel, bowing profoundly before the Priest, asks for the blessing, saying in a low voice: Your blessing, Father. The Priest says in a low voice:

May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips,
that you may proclaim his Gospel worthily and well,
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Deacon signs himself and replies:

Amen

If, however, a Deacon is not present, the Priest, bowing before the altar, says quietly:

Cleanse my heart and my lips, almighty God,
that I may worthily proclaim your holy Gospel.

Gospel

Comment: The congregation remains standingThe Deacon, or the Priest, then proceeds to the ambo, accompanied, if appropriate,
by ministers with incense and candles. Then he says:

P (or Deacon): The Lord be with you.
C: And with your spirit.

P (or Deacon): A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.
C: Glory to you, Lord.

P: (Reads from Scripture then says) The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:

Through the words of the Gospel
may our sins be wiped away.

Homily (the Priest presents a teaching on the readings)

Comment: The congregation sits to listen to the homily preached by a Priest or Deacon on all Sundays and Holidays of Obligation; on other days,
it is recommended. The congregaton remains sitting during the period of silence after the homily

Profession of Faith

Comment: The congregation stands to profess its faith and exercise its baptismal priesthood by offering prayers and petitions on behalf of the Church and the world. The Liturgy of the Word concludes with this Prayer of the Faithful.At the end of the Homily, the Symbol or Profession of Faith or Creed, when prescribed, is either sung or said:

Nicene Creed

A: I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
At the words that follow up to and including
and became man,
all bow.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Apostles Creed

Instead of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, especially during Lent and Easter Time, the baptismal Symbol of the Roman Church, known as the Apostles’ Creed, may be used.

A: I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
At the words that follow, up to and including
the Virgin Mary,
all bow.
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

General Intercessions

Then follows the Universal Prayer, that is, the Prayer of the Faithful or Bidding Prayers.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts

Comment: All sit as the altar is prepared for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. (In some churches, all the members of the congregation rise from their places to bring their monetary offerings forward for the needs of the Church and the poor.) Selected members of the congregation then bring forward the bread and wine that will be consecrated in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Then all stand.

P: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life.

Then he places the paten with the bread on the corporal. If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Priest may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people may acclaim:

C: Blessed be God for ever.

The Deacon, or the Priest, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly:

P: By the mystery of this water and wine
may we come to share in the divinity of Christ
who humbled himself to share in our humanity.

The Priest then takes the chalice and holds it slightly raised above the altar with both hands, saying in a low voice:

P: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the wine we offer you:
fruit of the vine and work of human hands,
it will become our spiritual drink.

Then he places the chalice on the corporal. If, however, the Offertory Chant is not sung, the Priest may speak these words aloud; at the end, the people may acclaim:

C: Blessed be God for ever.

Invitation to Prayer

Comment: Congregation remains standing, the Priest, bowing profoundly, says quietly:

P: With humble spirit and contrite heart
may we be accepted by you, O Lord,
and may our sacrifice in your sight this day
be pleasing to you, Lord God.

If appropriate, he also incenses the offerings, the cross, and the altar. A Deacon or other minister then incenses the Priest and the people.
Then the Priest, standing at the side of the altar, washes his hands, saying quietly:

P: Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

Standing at the middle of the altar, facing the people, extending and then joining his hands, he says:

P: Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters),
that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.

C: 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.

Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer over the Offerings, at the end of which the people acclaim:

C: Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer I, II, III, IV

Preface: Comment: The congregation kneels (In many places throughout the Catholic world, the congregation kneels only at the time of the
Consecration and remains standing for the rest of the Eucharistic Prayer.) The long-standing custom in the United States and in other places is
for the congregation to remain kneeling throughout the whole of the Eucharistic Prayer below. What is the meaning of this posture during the
Eucharistic prayer? Sometimes, in liturgical practice, kneeling signifies sorrow for sin, as when one kneels to confess one's sins in the Sacrament of Penance.
At other times it signifies adoration, as one kneels in front of the tabernacle. The kneeling that takes place during the Eucharistic Prayer is primarily a
posture of profound self-offering in which the congregation unites itself to the Sacrifice of Christ enacted on the altar.
The congregation stands to begin the center and summit of the entire Mass, the Eucharistic Prayer.

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And with your spirit.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them up to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right and just.

A: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Eucharistic Prayer I

P: To you, therefore, most merciful Father,
we make humble prayer and petition
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord: that you accept
He makes the Sign of the Cross once over the bread and chalice together, saying:
and bless these gifts, these offerings,
these holy and unblemished sacrifices,
which we offer you firstly
for your holy catholic Church.
Be pleased to grant her peace,
to guard, unite and govern her
throughout the whole world,
together with your servant N. our Pope
and N. our Bishop,*
and all those who, holding to the truth,
hand on the catholic and apostolic faith.

Remember, Lord, your servants N. and N.
and all gathered here,
whose faith and devotion are known to you.
For them, we offer you this sacrifice of praise
or they offer it for themselves
and all who are dear to them:
for the redemption of their souls,
in hope of health and well-being,
and paying their homage to you,
the eternal God, living and true.

In communion with those whose memory we venerate,
especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary,
Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ,
† and blessed Joseph, her Spouse,
your blessed Apostles and Martyrs,
Peter and Paul, Andrew,
(James, John,
Thomas, James, Philip,
Bartholomew, Matthew,
Simon and Jude;
Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus,
Cornelius, Cyprian,
Lawrence, Chrysogonus,
John and Paul,
Cosmas and Damian)
and all your Saints;
we ask that through their merits and prayers,
in all things we may be defended
by your protecting help.
(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Show different seasons (Nativity of the Lord,
Epiphany of the Lord, Easter, Ascension Pentecost etc.)

On the Nativity of the Lord and throughout the Octave:
Celebrating the most sacred night (day) on which blessed Mary the immaculate Virgin brought forth the Savior for this world, and in communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, †

On the Epiphany of the Lord: Celebrating the most sacred day on which your Only Begotten Son, eternal with you in your glory, appeared in a human body, truly sharing our flesh, and in communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, †

From the Mass of the Easter Vigil until the Second Sunday of Easter: Celebrating the most sacred night (day) of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh, and in communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, †

On the Ascension of the Lord: Celebrating the most sacred day on which your Only Begotten Son, our Lord, placed at the right hand of your glory our weak human nature, which he had united to himself, and in communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, †

On Pentecost Sunday Celebrating the most sacred day of Pentecost, on which the Holy Spirit appeared to the Apostles in tongues of fire, and in communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, †

P: Therefore, Lord, we pray: graciously accept this oblation of our service, that of your whole family; order our days in your peace, and command that we be delivered from eternal damnation and counted among the flock of those you have chosen. (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Or: From the Mass of the Easter Vigil until the Second Sunday of Easter
Therefore, Lord, we pray: graciously accept this oblation of our service, that of your whole family, which we make to you also for those to whom you have been pleased to give the new birth of water and the Holy Spirit, granting them forgiveness of all their sins; order our days in your peace, and command that we be delivered from eternal damnation and counted among the flock of those you have chosen. (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.) Be pleased, O God, we pray, to bless, acknowledge, and approve this offering in every respect; make it spiritual and acceptable, so that it may become for us the Body and Blood of your most beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

P: On the day before he was to suffer,
he took bread in his holy and venerable hands,
and with eyes raised to heaven
to you, O God, his almighty Father,
giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
broke the bread
and gave it to his disciples, saying:

He bows slightly.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

He shows the consecrated host to the people, places it again on
the paten, and genuflects in adoration.

P: In a similar way, when supper was ended

he took this precious chalice
in his holy and venerable hands,
and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing
and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

He shows the chalice to the people, places it on the corporal,
and genuflects in adoration.

P: The mystery of faith.

C: We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
Or:
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
Or:
Save us, Savior of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.

P: Therefore, O Lord,
as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion,
the Resurrection from the dead,
and the glorious Ascension into heaven
of Christ, your Son, our Lord,
we, your servants and your holy people,
offer to your glorious majesty
from the gifts that you have given us,
this pure victim,
this holy victim,
this spotless victim,
the holy Bread of eternal life
and the Chalice of everlasting salvation.

Be pleased to look upon these offerings
with a serene and kindly countenance,
and to accept them,
as once you were pleased to accept
the gifts of your servant Abel the just,
the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,
and the offering of your high priest Melchizedek,
a holy sacrifice, a spotless victim.

In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God:
command that these gifts be borne
by the hands of your holy Angel
to your altar on high
in the sight of your divine majesty,
so that all of us, who through this participation at the altar
receive the most holy Body and Blood of your Son,

may be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing.

(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Remember also, Lord, your servants N. and N.,
who have gone before us with the sign of faith
and rest in the sleep of peace.

Grant them, O Lord, we pray,
and all who sleep in Christ,
a place of refreshment, light and peace.

(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

To us, also, your servants, who, though sinners,

hope in your abundant mercies,
graciously grant some share
and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs:
with John the Baptist, Stephen,
Matthias, Barnabas,
(Ignatius, Alexander,
Marcellinus, Peter,
Felicity, Perpetua
Agatha, Lucy,
Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia)
and all your Saints;
admit us, we beseech you,
into their company,
not weighing our merits,
but granting us your pardon,

through Christ our Lord.

Through whom
you continue to make all these good things, O Lord;
you sanctify them, fill them with life,
bless them, and bestow them upon us.

Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.

C: Amen

Eucharistic Prayer II

Although it is provided with its own Preface, this Eucharistic Prayer
may also be used with other Prefaces, especially those that present
an overall view of the mystery of salvation, such as the Common Prefaces.

P: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father most holy,
through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ,
your Word through whom you made all things,
whom you sent as our Savior and Redeemer,
incarnate by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin.
Fulfilling your will and gaining for you a holy people,
he stretched out his hands as he endured his Passion,
so as to break the bonds of death and manifest the resurrection.
And so, with the Angels and all the Saints
we declare your glory,
as with one voice we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

You are indeed Holy, O Lord,
the fount of all holiness.

Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,
by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall,
so that they may become for us
the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the time he was betrayed
and entered willingly into his Passion,

he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

In a similar way, when supper was ended,
he took the chalice
and, once more giving thanks,
he gave it to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

The mystery of faith.
C: We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
Or:
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
Or:
Save us, Savior of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.

P: Therefore, as we celebrate
the memorial of his Death and Resurrection,
we offer you, Lord,
the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation,
giving thanks that you have held us worthy
to be in your presence and minister to you.
Humbly we pray
that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,
we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Remember, Lord, your Church,
spread throughout the world,
and bring her to the fullness of charity,
together with N. our Pope and N. our Bishop*
and all the clergy.
____________________
In Masses for the Dead, the following may be added:
Remember your servant N.,
whom you have called (today)
from this world to yourself.
Grant that he (she) who was united with your Son in a death like his,
may also be one with him in his Resurrection.
____________________
Remember also our brothers and sisters
who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,
and all who have died in your mercy:
welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on us all, we pray,
that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with the blessed Apostles,
and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages,
we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life,
and may praise and glorify you
through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.

C: Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer III

P: You are indeed Holy, O Lord,
and all you have created
rightly gives you praise,
for through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
by the power and working of the Holy Spirit,
you give life to all things and make them holy,
and you never cease to gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name.

Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you:
by the same Spirit graciously make holy
these gifts we have brought to you for consecration,
that they may become the Body and Blood
of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.

For on the night he was betrayed
He takes the bread
and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:
he himself took bread,
and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

In a similar way, when supper was ended,
He takes the chalice
and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:
he took the chalice,
and, giving you thanks, he said the blessing,
and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

The mystery of faith.
And the people continue, acclaiming:
We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
Or:
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
Or:
Save us, Savior of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.

Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial
of the saving Passion of your Son,
his wondrous Resurrection
and Ascension into heaven,
and as we look forward to his second coming,
we offer you in thanksgiving
this holy and living sacrifice.

Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your Church
and, recognizing the sacrificial Victim by whose death
you willed to reconcile us to yourself,
grant that we, who are nourished
by the Body and Blood of your Son
and filled with his Holy Spirit,
may become one body, one spirit in Christ.

May he make of us
an eternal offering to you,
so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,
especially with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs
(with Saint N.: the Saint of the day or Patron Saint)
and with all the Saints,
on whose constant intercession in your presence
we rely for unfailing help.

May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation,
we pray, O Lord,
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity
your pilgrim Church on earth,
with your servant N. our Pope and N. our Bishop,*
the Order of Bishops, all the clergy,
and the entire people you have gained for your own.

Listen graciously to the prayers of this family,
whom you have summoned before you:
in your compassion, O merciful Father,
gather to yourself all your children
scattered throughout the world.
† To our departed brothers and sisters
and to all who were pleasing to you
at their passing from this life,
give kind admittance to your kingdom.
There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory

through Christ our Lord,
through whom you bestow on the world all that is good. †

Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.
C: Amen.
____________________________________________________________
When this Eucharistic Prayer is used in Masses for the Dead,
the following may be said:
† Remember your servant N.
whom you have called (today)
from this world to yourself.
Grant that he (she) who was united with your Son in a death like his,
may also be one with him in his Resurrection,
when from the earth
he will raise up in the flesh those who have died,
and transform our lowly body
after the pattern of his own glorious body.
To our departed brothers and sisters, too,
and to all who were pleasing to you
at their passing from this life,
give kind admittance to your kingdom.
There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory,
when you will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
For seeing you, our God, as you are,
we shall be like you for all the ages
and praise you without end,
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you bestow on the world all that is good. †
_______________________________________________

Eucharistic Prayer IV

It is not permitted to change the Preface of this Eucharistic
Prayer because of the structure of the Prayer itself, which
presents a summary of the history of salvation.

It is truly right to give you thanks,
truly just to give you glory, Father most holy,
for you are the one God living and true,
existing before all ages and abiding for all eternity,
dwelling in unapproachable light;
yet you, who alone are good, the source of life,
have made all that is,
so that you might fill your creatures with blessings
and bring joy to many of them by the glory of your light.

And so, in your presence are countless hosts of Angels,
who serve you day and night
and, gazing upon the glory of your face,
glorify you without ceasing.

With them we, too, confess your name in exultation,
giving voice to every creature under heaven,
as we acclaim:

A: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

P: We give you praise, Father most holy,
for you are great
and you have fashioned all your works
in wisdom and in love.
You formed man in your own image
and entrusted the whole world to his care,
so that in serving you alone, the Creator,
he might have dominion over all creatures.
And when through disobedience he had lost your friendship,
you did not abandon him to the domain of death.
For you came in mercy to the aid of all,
so that those who seek might find you.
Time and again you offered them covenants
and through the prophets
taught them to look forward to salvation.
And you so loved the world, Father most holy,
that in the fullness of time
you sent your Only Begotten Son to be our Savior.
Made incarnate by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary,
he shared our human nature
in all things but sin.
To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation,
to prisoners, freedom,
and to the sorrowful of heart, joy.
To accomplish your plan,
he gave himself up to death,
and, rising from the dead,
he destroyed death and restored life.
And that we might live no longer for ourselves
but for him who died and rose again for us,
he sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father,
as the first fruits for those who believe,
so that, bringing to perfection his work in the world,
he might sanctify creation to the full.

Therefore, O Lord, we pray:
may this same Holy Spirit
graciously sanctify these offerings,

that they may become
the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ
He joins his hands.
for the celebration of this great mystery,
which he himself left us
as an eternal covenant.

For when the hour had come
for him to be glorified by you, Father most holy,
having loved his own who were in the world,
he loved them to the end:
and while they were at supper,
He takes the bread
and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:
he took bread, blessed and broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

In a similar way,
He takes the chalice
and, holding it slightly raised above the altar, continues:
taking the chalice filled with the fruit of the vine,
he gave thanks,
and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

The mystery of faith.
And the people continue, acclaiming:
We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.
Or:
When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again.
Or:
Save us, Savior of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.

Therefore, O Lord,
as we now celebrate the memorial of our redemption,
we remember Christ’s Death
and his descent to the realm of the dead,
we proclaim his Resurrection
and his Ascension to your right hand,
and, as we await his coming in glory,
we offer you his Body and Blood,
the sacrifice acceptable to you
which brings salvation to the whole world.
Look, O Lord, upon the Sacrifice
which you yourself have provided for your Church,
and grant in your loving kindness
to all who partake of this one Bread and one Chalice
that, gathered into one body by the Holy Spirit,
they may truly become a living sacrifice in Christ
to the praise of your glory.
Therefore, Lord, remember now
all for whom we offer this sacrifice:
especially your servant N. our Pope,
N. our Bishop,* and the whole Order of Bishops,
all the clergy,
those who take part in this offering,
those gathered here before you,
your entire people,
and all who seek you with a sincere heart.
Remember also
those who have died in the peace of your Christ
and all the dead,
whose faith you alone have known.
To all of us, your children,
grant, O merciful Father,
that we may enter into a heavenly inheritance
with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
and with your Apostles and Saints in your kingdom.
There, with the whole of creation,
freed from the corruption of sin and death,
may we glorify you through Christ our Lord,
through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.

Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.
The people acclaim:
Amen.

Communion Rite

Lord's Prayer

Comment: The congregation stands for the first two components of this rite, the recitation of the Lord's Prayer and the Rite of Peace.
It remains standing for the Fraction, when the consecrated Bread is broken for distribution to the assembly, as the (Lamb of God) is sung or recited.

P: At the Savior’s command
and formed by divine teaching,
we dare to say:

A: 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.

Doxology

P: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Conclusion of Prayer

C: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.

Sign of Peace

P: Lord Jesus Christ,
who said to your Apostles;
Peace I leave you, my peace I give you;
look not on our sins,
but on the faith of your Church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.

C: Amen.

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And with your spirit.

If appropriate, the Deacon, or the Priest, adds:

P: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Comment: If the priest says "Let us offer each other the sign of peace." The congregation turns to those near them and shakes hands or hugs them of some other
appropriate gesture. The priest should not leave the sanctuary to greet people unless it is an extraordinary situation, such as a funeral Mass or a Mass with particular
dignitaries present.

And all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion, and charity. The Priest gives the sign of peace to a
Deacon or minister. Then he takes the host, breaks it over the paten, and places a small piece in the chalice, saying quietly:

P: May this mingling of the Body and Blood
of our Lord Jesus Christ
bring eternal life to us who receive it.

Breaking of the Bread

A: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.

P:Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who, by the will of the Father
and the work of the Holy Spirit,
through your Death gave life to the world,
free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood,
from all my sins and from every evil;
keep me always faithful to your commandments,
and never let me be parted from you.
Or:
May the receiving of your Body and Blood,
Lord Jesus Christ,
not bring me to judgment and condemnation,
but through your loving mercy
be for me protection in mind and body
and a healing remedy.

Communion

Comment: The congregation usually remains kneeling until it is time to come forward to receive Holy Communion. The normal posture for receiving Communion
in North America is standing, but kneeling is also acceptable. Communion may be received on the tongue directly from the priest or in the hand. If received in the hand,
it should be eaten immediately. As a sign of reverence to our Lord in the sacrament, communicants bow their heads, or genuflect, as the communicant in front of
them receives the Sacred Host. The same is done when receiving the Precious Blood from the chalice.

The Priest genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, while facing the people, says aloud:

P: Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

A: Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.
After this, he takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants. The Priest raises a host slightly and shows it to each of the communicants, saying:
p: The Body of Christ.

The communicant replies:
Amen.
And receives Holy Communion.

Comment: Customarily, after receiving Communion and returning to their pew or chair, communicants begin a period of prayerful meditation.
There is no designated posture for this period of meditation. Some communicants prefer to remain kneeling. Some prefer to sit.

P: What has passed our lips as food, O Lord,
may we possess in purity of heart,
that what has been given to us in time
may be our healing for eternity.

Prayer After Communion - Then the Priest may return to the chair. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung.
Then, standing at the altar or at the chair and facing the people, with hands joined, the Priest says:

P: Let us pray.

All pray in silence with the Priest for a while, unless silence has just been observed. Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer after Communion,

C: Amen.

Concluding Rite -

Blessing

Comment: Congregation remains standing. The priest recites one of the following:

In a Mass that is not Pontifical

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And with your spirit.

Then the celebrant receives the pastoral staff, if he uses it, and says:
P: May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

In a Pontifical Mass

The celebrant receives the miter and, extending his hands, says:

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And with your spirit.
P: Blessed be the name of the Lord.
C: Now and for ever.
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
C: Who made heaven and earth.

Then the celebrant receives the pastoral staff, if he uses it, and says:
P: May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

____________________________________________________________

Dismissal

Comment: Congregation remains standing. Then the Deacon, or the Priest himself, with hands joined and facing the people, says:
P: Go forth, the Mass is ended.
Or:
Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
Or:
Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
Or:
Go in peace.

C: Thanks be to God.

Then the Priest venerates the altar as usual with a kiss, as at the beginning. After making a profound bow with the ministers, he withdraws.
If any liturgical action follows immediately, the rites of dismissal are omitted.