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Church of the Risen Christ
encourages teens to embark on a journey of faith in a relationship with
God through Jesus Christ and His Church. At a weekly LIFE Mass,
youth experience the depths of God's love through the Word, the
community, and the Eucharist. All youth are welcome to gather to
intimately experience the Eucharistic celebration every Sunday evening.
Mass
refers to the celebration of the Eucharist that recalls the actions of
taking, blessing, breaking and giving of bread and wine by Jesus at the
Last Supper when He transformed the bread and wine into his Body and
Blood.
Parts of the Mass
In general, the Mass can be divided into two parts: the Liturgy of the
Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Order of the Mass
Entrance Procession
Priest, deacon, altar servers and lectors enter the church or designated
place for celebration of the liturgy.
Entrance Hymn/Song or Gathering Hymn
The song/music which takes place during the entrance procession.
Veneration of the Altar
The reverencing of the altar with a kiss by the bishop or priest who
presides at the service followed by the other bishops, priests and
deacons, and the optional use of incense.
Greeting
The celebrant greets all present at the liturgy, announcing the presence
of the Lord to the assembled community.
Penitential Rite
A general acknowledgment of sinfulness by the entire assembly,
accompanied by requests for God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Gloria
Ancient hymn of praise to glorify God. It is used on all Sundays
(outside of Advent and Lent) and solemn celebrations. The text
originates from the Christmas narrative in the Gospel of Luke (Luke
2:14).
Opening Prayer
This prayer by the celebrant expresses the general theme of the
celebration.
Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Word consists of Scripture readings that are
proclaimed and reflected upon. Usually, there are three readings: an Old
Testament selection, a New Testament selection (from the books other
than the Gospels), and the Gospel reading. A responsorial psalm occurs
between the Old and New Testament readings.
Responsorial Psalm
Between the first and second readings, a psalm is spoken or sung by the
entire assembly. The response is repeated after each verse. If sung, a
cantor or choir sings the verses of the psalm.
Alleluia Acclamation
This acclamation of praise to God follows the second reading and
prepares the assembly for the Gospel.
Homily
The homily (sermon) is a reflection by the celebrant or other minister
on the Scripture readings and the application of the texts in the daily
lives of the assembled community.
Profession of Faith
The assembly together recalls and proclaims the fundamental teachings of
the Roman Catholic faith. The Profession of Faith, also referred to as
the Creed, is used on all Sundays and Holy Days. The Profession of Faith
may be either the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed.
General Intercessions
Prayers of intercession for the Church, civil authorities, those with
various needs and for the needs and salvation of the world. The
celebrant invites all to pray, another minister proclaims the prayers of
petition and the assembly responds by asking God to hear and to grant
their requests.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the section of the celebration when the
gifts of bread and wine are prepared and the Eucharistic Prayer is
proclaimed by the celebrant, and the Blessed Sacrament (Eucharist,
Communion) is distributed to the assembly.
Preparation of the Gifts
The bread and wine to be used in the celebration are brought to the
celebrant, usually by representatives of the faithful.
Offertory Hymn/Song
Music used during the presentation of gifts to the celebrant and as the
altar is prepared for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Washing of Hands
An expression of the desire for inward purification. The celebrant
washes his hands in symbolic cleansing to prepare himself just as the
gifts have been prepared as an offering to the Lord.
Prayer Over the Gifts
The prayer by the celebrant asking that the gifts to be offered be made
holy and acceptable in the eyes of the Lord.
Preface Dialogue
The introductory dialogue between the celebrant and assembly in which
all are invited to join in prayer and thanksgiving to God called the
Sanctus or Holy, Holy, Holy. The community responds to the preface and
continues the general theme of praise and thanks.
Eucharistic Prayer
The prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. It is the center and high
point of the celebration. During the Eucharistic Prayer, the Church
believes that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus
Christ. Included in the Eucharistic Prayer are the:
Consecration: The prayer and blessing during which the
bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
Intercessions: A series of prayers for the Church, the
world, the Pope, clergy and laity, and the dead.
Final Doxology: A final prayer of praise of God.
Amen: Also called the Great Amen. It is the acclamation
by the people expressing their agreement with all that has been said and
done in the Eucharistic prayer.
The Lord ’s Prayer (Our Father)
The prayer of petition for our needs and forgiveness of our sins.
Doxology
The response of the people acclaiming the sovereignty of God.
Sign of Peace
Before sharing the Body of Christ the members of the assembly are
invited to express their love and peace with one another, usually
through shaking hands or a kiss.
Breaking of the Bread
The celebrant carries out the gestures of Christ at the Last Supper when
He broke the bread to give to His disciples. The action signifies that
in communion the many are made one in the one Bread of Life which is
Christ.
Lamb of God (Agnus Dei )
An invocation during the breaking of the bread in which the assembly
petitions God for mercy and peace.
Holy Communion
After saying a preparatory prayer, the celebrant (or other designated
ministers) gives communion (the consecrated bread and wine) to himself
and the other ministers at the altar, and then communion is distributed
to the congregation.
Communion Song
The music that is sung as the consecrated bread and wine – the Body and
Blood of Christ – is distributed to the faithful.
Prayer After Communion
The final prayer by the celebrant in which he petitions that the
Sacrament be beneficial for all.
Concluding Rite
The brief rite which consists of the celebrant’s greeting to all
present, final blessing and dismissal; followed by a concluding song and
concluding procession.
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