Word of God
We listen to the Lord
In the Liturgy of the Word, the assembly listens to the Scriptures, welcomes the Gospel and responds in faith. The Word proclaimed illuminates the life and prepares the heart for the Eucharistic celebration.
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The Holy Mass
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Mystery of Faith
A Holy Mass
Holy Mass is the celebration of the Eucharist, memorial of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. In it, the Church gathers to listen the Word of God, offer the sacrifice of praise and receive the Bread of Life.
The center of the Christian life
The Church teaches that the Eucharist occupies the central place of the Christian life, because in it is Christ himself, our Passover. The Holy Mass unites the faithful to the sacrifice of Christ, nourishes the communion of the Church and sends every Christian living what he celebrated.
Memorial of Christ
The Mass makes present the mystery of the Lord's death and resurrection.
Bread of Life
In the Eucharist, the Church receives Christ, the spiritual nourishment of the faithful.
Fountain of Grace
From the liturgy, especially from the Eucharist, springs the grace that sanctifies.
Meaning of the Mass
In the Mass, Christ offers himself and the Church unites herself to him
The Eucharistic celebration is not just a gathering, but a sacred action in which the Church participates in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ.
Eucharistic Liturgy
Introducing the bread and wine
In the preparation of the gifts, bread and wine are brought to the altar, elements of the that recall the gestures of Christ at the Last Supper and that will be offered in the thanksgiving of the Church.
Eucharistic Prayer
We give thanks to the Father
In the Eucharistic Prayer, the Church praises God for the work of salvation. Through this central prayer of the Mass, the mystery of Christ is celebrated with faith, praise and worship.
Real Presence
Christ is present
The Catholic faith professes that in the Eucharist Christ is truly present. The Mass leads the faithful to the encounter with the living Lord in the sacrament of the altar.
Communion
We Receive the Body of Christ
Through Communion, the faithful participate in the Eucharistic banquet. The Eucharist strengthens union with Christ and builds communion among the members of the Church.
Mission
We are sent into the world
The Mass continues in life. Those who participate in the Eucharist are called to bear witness Christ in choices, in service, in charity and in daily life.
Parts of the Holy Mass
A journey of encounter with Christ
The celebration follows a liturgical structure that leads the assembly from the initial welcome to listening to the Word, from the Eucharistic offering to communion, and from communion to missionary sending.
1
Initial Rites
The assembly is assembled in the name of the Holy Trinity. The sign of the cross, the greeting, the penitential act, the Gloria when foreseen and the collect prayer they help the faithful to place themselves before God with faith and recollection.
2
Liturgy of the Word
God speaks to his people through the biblical readings, the psalm, the Gospel and the homily. The assembly is responsible for the profession of faith and prayer presenting to God the needs of the Church and the world.
3
Eucharistic Liturgy
The Church presents the bread and wine, gives thanks to the Father and celebrates the memorial of Christ. In the Eucharistic Prayer, the Church unites herself to the sacrifice of the Lord, worshiping, praising and supplicating God.
4
Rites of Communion
The Lord's Prayer, the Rite of Peace, the Breaking of the Bread and the Communion prepare the faithful to receive Christ and live communion with God and with his brothers.
5
Final Rites
The blessing and farewell remind us that the Mass sends the faithful into the world. The celebration ends, but the commitment to live the Gospel begins in daily life.
How to participate well in Holy Mass?
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1
To participate with faith, recollection and attention to the mystery celebrated.
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2
Listen to the Word of God and allow it to illuminate one's life.
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3
To unite oneself inwardly to the prayer of the Church and to the sacrifice of Christ.
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4
Receive Communion with reverence, faith and spiritual disposition.
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5
Leave the celebration willing to witness to Christ in daily life.
From celebration to life
The Holy Mass leads the faithful to the encounter with Christ and sends them out to live as disciples in the world. The Eucharist received must mature in attitudes of charity, unity, service, forgiveness and Christian witness.
Conscious and fruitful participation
The liturgy calls for true interior participation. It is not enough to be present externally: it is necessary to unite the heart to words, gestures and grace that God offers in the celebration.
Vatican sources
All the content on this page has been prepared from documents and catechesis available on the official Vatican website.
The Mass is encounter, communion and mission
In the Holy Mass, Christ gathers his Church, speaks to his people, offers himself to the Father, nourishes the faithful with his Body and Blood and sends everyone to live the Gospel with love and fidelity.