Here I Am, Lord. Aaron Ametorwo
Gloria: This is an ancient hymn, in which the Church, assembled in the Holy Spirit, praises and entreats the Father and the Lamb. It is sung on all Sundays and Solemnities except during Lent and Advent. If any Solemnity falls in the season of Lent or Advent, the Gloria is sung.
· Opening prayer or Col ect: The Opening prayer or Col ect ends the Introductory Rites.
Liturgy of the Word
Through the Scripture readings God speaks to His people. Al are expected to remain silent and attentive to the Word of God. Movements should be minimized at this point so as to avoid distracting attention.
· First Reading: Read by a Lector, usually (but not always) from the Old Testament
· Responsorial Psalm: Usually led by the Cantor (song leader) but may be recited. It is never omitted.
· Second Reading: Usually from the New Testament Letters or Epistles. Also read by the Lector. On most weekdays, there is no second reading. When incense is used at Mass (especially during weddings and
funerals), the thurifer should find out if there will be a second reading or not. This enables him to know when to go out for hot coals in the thurible for use during the Gospel reading.
· Gospel Acclamation: This is the verse before the Gospel reading, and it is either read or sung by the lector or Cantor. During the singing of the Alleluia or other chant (as done during the season of Lent), if incense is used, the Priest puts some into the thurible. If the Book of the Gospels is on the altar, the
Priest or Deacon takes it and proceeds to the lectern, while the Servers, carrying the thurible and candles walk ahead of him.
· Gospel: Taken from one of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), it is read by the Priest or Deacon.
· Homily: By Priest or Deacon, explaining the Scriptures. While some call this part homily, others call it sermon. The difference between homily and sermon would be looked at later in this book.
· Profession of faith: The symbol of the profession of faith in the Mass serves as a means by which the Priest and people gathered give assent to the words of Scripture and cal to mind the truths of faith. As an obligation, it is said by all on Sundays and on Solemnities.
· The Universal Prayer: We also cal these the Prayer of the Faithful. As a rule the sequence of intentions is to be:
i.
For the needs of the Church
ii.
For public authorities and the salvation of the world
i i.
For those oppressed by any need
iv.
For the local community.
In particular celebrations, such as confirmations, marriages, funerals, the series of intercessions may refer more specifically to the occasion (GIRM 70).
Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Eucharist or Lord's Supper, is the central rite of the Christian religion, in which bread and wine are consecrated by an ordained minister and consumed by the minister and members of the congregation in
obedience to Jesus' command at the Last Supper, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
The Liturgy of the Eucharist is made up of the fol owing components:
· Presentation of the gifts: This is also cal ed the offertory. Usually, the cross-bearer, the candle-bearers, the thurifer and boat-bearer, go and lead the people bearing the gifts up to the altar. Meanwhile other Servers help prepare the altar. The purificators, the chalice and the Roman Missal are also placed on the altar. Servers then accompany the Priest to receive the offertory gifts.
· Preparation of the Gifts: Here the focus is on the praise of God rather than on offering. The Priest, with both hands, slightly raises the paten with the bread above the altar and says the accompanying prayer.
Then he places the paten with the bread on the corporal. Next, as a Server presents the cruets, the Priest stands at the side of the altar and pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying the accompanying prayer softly. He returns to the middle of the altar, takes the chalice, raises it a little with both hands, and says the approved prayer. Then he places the chalice on the corporal and may cover it with a pal .
· Incensation: Incense is a traditional symbol of prayer rising to God. If incense is used, the Priest incenses the gifts and the altar. A Server incenses the Priest and the congregation. During the
incensation of the altar, the Roman Missal and other books are taken from the altar and returned after the Priest has been incensed.
· Washing of Hands: While the incensation of the altar is going on, other Servers get ready with water in a bowl and a finger towel, which the Priest uses in washing his hands and drying them after incensation.
The washing of hands by the Priest is a sign of desire for inner purity.
· Eucharistic prayer: It is the center and summit of the entire celebration of the Mass. There are various Eucharistic prayers, but the responses you need to know are pretty much the same for each. Here are
parts of the Eucharistic prayer you should know:
¨
Preface: It is basical y a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
¨
Sanctus: (Holy, Holy, Holy Lord) This is the acclamation.
Ëpiclesis: It is the invocation of the Holy Spirit upon the gifts and the whole assembly.
¨
Narrative of institution: These are either the direct words of Jesus or paraphrases of the words of
Jesus.
Änamnesis: This is the Mystery of Faith
Öffering
Ïntercessions
¨
Final Doxology: Trinitarian Gloria
A little before the consecration, the Server may ring a bell as a signal to the faithful. Depending on local custom, he also rings the bell at the showing of both the host and the chalice.
· Communion rite: This part begins with the Lord’s Prayer and ends with the Post-Communion Prayer.
There are several prayers you should know here. After the sign of peace is the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).
Before communion, a Server rings the bell immediately after the Priest has drunk from the chalice as a
signal to the faithful that it is time for communion. During communion, Servers accompany the Priest or Eucharistic ministers with a communion plate which they hold under the chin of communicants. After
communion Servers place the communion plate on the altar, which will be purified with the chalice by the Priest. Another Server, at the side of the altar, carries water in a cruet, which the Priest uses in purifying the chalice. Next, the chalice, communion plate, empty ciborium, and Roman Missal are removed from
the altar and are put at their appropriate places in the sanctuary (usually on the credence table). After a brief silence the Post-Communion Prayer follows.
Concluding Rites
· Brief announcements may be made here.
· Greeting and blessing: There are varied forms for this to which you respond.
· Dismissal: The Priest sends the congregation