Explanations as to what the priest and servers or doing and where they are standing are provided to help you follow along. The instructions in red text are generally based on local customs at our local parish in the Arlington Diocese. But they are just suggestions as there are no hard and fast rules for the congregation. The church where you attend Mass may have slightly different customs. You should follow those.
Note: The altar boys make all of the responses on your behalf in the Extraordinary Form. The congregation is largely silent at a Low Mass. You are free to simply pray. (With the caveat about local customs noted above.)
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Prayers at the Foot of the Altar
Father is in the center
The priest, after processing in and placing the veiled Chalice on the altar and opening the Missal in preparation for Mass, meets the servers at the foot of the altar. Bowing down, he makes the Sign of the Cross while the servers and faithful kneel, and says in Latin:
KNEEL
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, ☩ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then joining his hands before his breast, he begins the Anthem in Latin:
P. I will go in unto the altar of God.
S. To God who giveth joy to my youth.
The priest alternates with the server in reciting this psalm to express his desire, joy and confidence in going to the altar of the Sacrifice.
Ps. 42, 1-5.
P. Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation which is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man.
S. For Thou, O God, art my strength: why hast Thou cast me off? and why go I sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me?
P. Send forth Thy light and Thy truth: they have conducted me and brought me unto Thy holy mount, and into Thy tabernacles.
S. And I will go into the altar of God: to God who giveth joy to my youth.
P. To Thee, O God, my God, I will give praise upon the harp; why art thou sad, O my soul, and why dost thou disquiet me?
S. Hope in God, for I will still give praise to Him: the salvation of my countenance and my God.
P. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
S. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The priest repeats the Anthem in Latin:
P. I will go in unto the altar of God.
S. To God who giveth joy to my youth.
The priest, signing himself with the Sign of the Cross, says in Latin:
P. Our help ☩ is in the Name of the Lord.
S. Who made heaven and earth.
Then, joining his hands, and humbly bowing down, he says the Confiteor in Latin:
P. I confess to almighty God, to the blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you, brothers, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, Here he strikes his breast thrice through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, brothers, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
S. May almighty God be merciful to thee, and forgiving thy sins, bring thee to everlasting life.
The priest answers:
P. Amen.
The servers say the Confiteor in Latin. You may wish to pray these words silently to yourself in either Latin or English. It would be appropriate to bow your head slightly as you pray this since it is a penitential prayer.
S. Confíteor Deo omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo, beáto Joánni Baptístæ, sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo, ómnibus Sanctis, et tibi, pater: quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo et opere: Strike breast thrice mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa. Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, beátum Michaélem Archángelum, beátum Joánnem Baptístam, sanctos Apóstolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te, pater, orare pro me ad Dóminum, Deum nostrum.
S. I confess to almighty God, to the blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, Strike breast thrice through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
Then the priest, with his hands joined, says in Latin:
P. May almighty God be merciful to thee, and forgiving thy sins, bring thee to everlasting life.
S. Amen.
The servers (and you if you wish) make the Sign of the Cross, with the priest saying in Latin:
P. May the ☩ almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.
S. Amen.
Bowing down, the priest proceeds in Latin:
P. O God, Thou wilt turn again and quicken us.
S. And thy people shall rejoice in Thee.
P. Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.
S. And grant us Thy salvation.
P. O Lord, hear my prayer.
S. And let my cry come before Thee.
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
The priest extends then joins his hands and, after audibly saying “Oremus” (“Let us pray”), he ascends to the altar while saying the following prayer silently in Latin.
Let us pray.
Take away from us our iniquities, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be worthy to enter with pure minds into the Holy of Holies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
His hands joined, and bowing down over the middle of the altar, the priest says:
We beseech Thee, O Lord, by the merits of Thy Saints, whose relics are here, and of all the Saints, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to forgive me all my sins. Amen.
Introit
Father is on the right (Epistle side)
Moving to the Epistle-side (the right side) of the altar, the priest makes the Sign of the Cross and reads the Introit in Latin. The Introit is the first of the variable texts, often called “the propers,” that change depending on the Mass of the day.
Ps. 80:17.
He fed them with the best of wheat, alleluia; and filled them with honey from the rock, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 80:2
Sing joyfully to God our strength; acclaim the God of Jacob.
He fed them with the best of wheat, alleluia; and filled them with honey from the rock, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Kyrie
Father is in the center
The priest moves to the middle and alternates with the servers saying the only Greek words in the Mass:
P. Kýrie, eléison.
(Lord, have mercy.)
S. Kýrie, eléison.
(Lord, have mercy.)
P. Kýrie, eléison.
(Lord, have mercy.)
S. Christe, eléison.
(Christ, have mercy)
P. Christe, eléison.
(Christ, have mercy)
S. Christe, eléison.
(Christ, have mercy)
P. Kýrie, eléison.
(Lord, have mercy.)
S. Kýrie, eléison.
(Lord, have mercy.)
P. Kýrie, eléison.
(Lord, have mercy.)
Gloria
Afterwards, standing at the middle of the altar, extending and then joining his hands, and bowing slightly, the priest says the Gloria. (The Gloria is omitted during Lent, Advent and in Requiem Masses.)
Gloria in excelsis Deo Et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis. Laudámus te. Benedícimus te. Bow head Adorámus te. Glorificámus te. Bow head Grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam. Dómine Deus, Rex coeléstis, Deus Pater omnípotens. Dómine Fili unigénite, Bow head Jesu Christe. Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris. Qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis. Qui tollis peccáta mundi, Bow head súscipe deprecatiónem nostram. Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis. Quóniam tu solus Sanctus. Tu solus Dóminus. Tu solus Altíssimus, Bow head Jesu Christe. Cum Sancto Spíritu ☩ in glória Dei Patris. Amen.
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee. We bless Thee. Bow head We adore Thee. We glorify Thee. Bow head We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. O Lord Bow head Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Who takest away the sins of the world, Bow head receive our prayer. Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou only are holy. Thou only art the Lord. Thou only art most high, O Bow head Jesus Christ. Together with the Holy Ghost ☩ in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Then the priest kisses the altar, and turning to the people says:
P. Dóminus vobíscum.
S. Et cum spiritu tuo.
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Collect
Father is on the right (Epistle side)
The Collect is the collected prayers of all the faithful assisting at the Holy Sacrifice. It changes with each Mass. Raising his voice, his hands, and his sentiments to God, the priest excites the faithful to unite their prayers with his. The priest returns to the Epistle-side of the altar and says in Latin:
P. Oremus.
P. Let us pray.
O God, You Who in this wondrous sacrament have left us a memorial of Your passion, grant us, we beseech You, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood that we may ever experience within us the effect of Your redemption.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
S. Amen.
The Epistle, Gradual and Alleluia
The Epistle, or lesson, is like the second reading in the Ordinary Form in that it is frequently (though certainly not always) from St. Paul. Along with the Gradual and Alleluia, the Epistle changes depending on the Mass of the day.
Epistle
Lesson from the first letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
1 Cor. 23-29.
Brethren: I myself have received from the Lord – what I also delivered to you, – that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which He was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks broke, and said, Take and eat. This is My Body which shall be given up for you; do this in remembrance of Me. In like manner also the cup, after He had supped, saying, This is the new covenant in My Blood; do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you shall eat this Bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until He comes. Therefore whoever eats this Bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the Body and the Blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of the cup; for he who eats and drinks unworthily, without distinguishing the Body, eats and drinks judgment to himself.
R.Thanks be to God.
S. Thanks be to God.
After the Epistle is finished, Father will place his left hand on the altar and the servers respond “Deo gratias.” One server moves to stand to the right of the priest at the corner of the altar. After Father finishes the Gradual and Alleluia (or the Tract which replaces the Alleluia in penitential seasons), the server moves the Missal to the left side, where Father will proclaim the Gospel.
Gradual and Alleluia
Gradual
Ps. 144:15-16.
The eyes of all look hopefully to You, O Lord; and You give them their food in due season.
V.You open Your hand; and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Alleluia, alleluia.
John 6:56-57
V.My Flesh is food indeed, and My Blood is drink indeed. He who eats My Flesh, and drinks My Blood, abides in Me and I in him.
Sequentia
O Sion, thy Redeemer praising,
Songs of joy to Him upraising,
Laud thy Pastor and thy Guide:
Swell thy notes most high and daring;
For His praise is past declaring,
And thy loftiest powers beside.
‘Tis a theme with praise that gloweth,
For the bread that life bestoweth
Goes this day before us out;
Which, His holy supper taking,
To the brethren twelve His breaking
None hath ever called in doubt.
Full, then, be our praise and sounding,
Modest and with joy abounding
Be our mind’s triumphant state;
For the festal’s prosecution,
When the first blest institution
Of this feast we celebrate.
In the new King’s new libation,
In the new law’s new oblation,
Ends the ancient Paschal rite;
Ancient forms new substance chaseth,
Typic shadows truth displaceth,
Day dispels the gloom of night.
When He did at supper seated,
Christ enjoined to be repeated,
When His love we celebrate:
Thus obeying His dictation,
Blood and wine of our salvation,
We the victim consecrate.
‘Tis for Christian faith asserted,
Bread is into flesh converted,
Into blood the holy wine:
Sight and intellect transcending,
Nature’s laws to marvel bending,
‘Tis confirmed by faith divine.
Under either kind remaining,
Form, not substance, still retaining,
Wondrous things our spirit sees:
Flesh and blood thy palate staining,
Yet still Christ entire remaining,
Under either species.
All untorn for eating given,
Undivided and unriven,
Whole He’s taken and unrent;
Be there one, or crowds surrounding,
He is equally abounding,
Nor, though eaten, ever spent.
Both to good and bad ‘tis broken,
But on each a different token
or of life, or death attends:
Life to good, to bad damnation;
Lo, of one same manducation
How dissimilar the ends.
When the priest the victim breaketh,
See thy faith in no wise shaketh,
Know that every fragment taketh
All that ‘neath the whole there lies:
This in Him no fracture maketh,
‘Tis the figure only breaketh,
Form, or state, no change there taketh
Place in what it signifies.
Bread, that angels eat in heaven,
Now becomes the pilgrim’s leaven,
Bread in truth to children given,
That must ne’er to dogs be thrown.
He, in ancient types disguised,
Was the Isaac sacrificed,
For the feast a lamb devised,
Manna to the Fathers shown.
Bread, whose shepherd-care doth tend us,
Jesu Christ, Thy mercy send us,
Do Thou feed us, Thou defend us,
Lead us where true joys attend us,
In the land where life is given:
Thou all ken and might possessing,
Mercies aye to us largessing,
Make us share Thy cup of blessing,
Heritage and love’s caressing
With the denizens of heaven.
Amen. Alleluia.
Munda Cor Meum
Father is in the center
As the server transfers the Missal to the Gospel-side of the altar, the priest moves to the middle of the altar and bowing down says in Latin:
Cleanse my heart and my lips, O almighty God, who didst cleanse the lips of the prophet Isaias with a burning coal, and vouchsafe, through Thy gracious mercy, so to purify me, that I may worthily announce Thy holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Give me Thy blessing, O Lord. The Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that I may worthily and in a becoming manner, proclaim His holy Gospel. Amen.
Gospel
Father is on the left (Gospel side)
Except for Solemn Mass, when he will remain in the middle, the priest moves from the middle to the left side of the altar, and begins in Latin:
STAND
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Continuation ✠of the Holy Gospel according to John
R.Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
John 6:56-59.
At that time, Jesus said to the crowds of the Jews: My Flesh is food indeed, and My Blood is drink indeed. He who eats My Flesh, and drinks My Blood, abides in Me and I in him. As the living Father has sent Me, and as I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also shall live because of Me. This is the Bread that has come down from heaven; not as your fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this Bread shall live forever.
At the conclusion of the Gospel…
S. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
P. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.
Sermon
SIT
After the Gospel, if there is to be a sermon, the priest will return to the middle of the altar and remove his maniple, which signifies that there is a pause in the celebration of the Mass. The servers will also move to the middle, genuflect and then take a seat at the sedilia (chairs) in the sanctuary. After the sermon, the priest will return and put the maniple back on his arm and then continue as below.
Creed
Father is in the center
On Sundays and certain Feasts the priest recites the Creed, a summary of the Catholic Doctrine. This profession of faith was drawn up in the General Councils of Nicaea in 325 and Constantinople in 381 to condemn heretics who denied that Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are God.
STAND
Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipoténtem, factórem coeli et terræ, visibílium ómnium et in visibílium. Et in unum Dóminum Bow head Jesum Christum, Fílium Dei unigénitum. Et ex Patre natum ante ómnia saecula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lúmine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Génitum, non factum, consubstantiálem Patri: per quem ómnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos hómines et propter nostram salútem descéndit de coelis.
Here kneel down. Et incarnátus est de Spíritu Sancto ex María Vírgine: Et homo factus est. Rise.
Crucifíxus étiam pro nobis: sub Póntio Piláto passus, et sepúltus est. Et resurréxit tértia die, secúndum Scriptúras. Et ascéndit in coelum: sedet ad déxteram Patris. Et íterum ventúrus est cum glória judicáre vivos et mórtuos: cujus regni non erit finis.
Et in Spíritum Sanctum, Dóminum et vivificántem: qui ex Patre Filióque procédit. Qui cum Patre et Fílio Bow head simul adorátur et conglorificátur: qui locútus est per Prophétas. Et unam sanctam cathólicam et apostólicam Ecclésiam. Confíteor unum baptísma in remissiónem peccatórum. Et exspécto resurrectiónem mortuórum. Et vitam ☩ ventúri saeculi. Amen.
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things, visible and invisible. And in one Lord Bow head Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. And born of the Father, before all ages. God of God: Light of Light: true God of true God. Begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven.
Here kneel down. And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: and was made man. Rise.
He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, of whose kingdom there shall be no end.
And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, proceeding from the Father and the Son. Who together, with the Father and the Son, is Bow head adored and glorified: Who spoke by the prophets. And in one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead. And the life ☩ of the world to come. Amen.
Offertory
The priest kisses the altar, and turning to the people says:
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
SIT
Then the priest reads the Offertory verse, a short quotation from Holy Scripture which varies with the Mass of each day.
Lev 21:6
The priests of the Lord offer incense and loaves to God, and therefore they shall be sacred to their God and shall not profane His name. Alleluia.
This being finished, he offers the bread and wine, which, by virtue of the words of consecration, he is going to change into the adorable Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. He takes the paten with the host and offering it up, says in Latin:
Accept, O holy Father, almighty and eternal God, this unspotted host, which I, Thy unworthy servant, offer unto Thee, my living and true God, for my innumerable sins, offenses, and negligences, and for all here present: as also for all faithful Christians, both living and dead, that it may avail both me and them for salvation unto life everlasting. Amen.
Making the Sign of the Cross with the paten, he places the host upon the corporal. He pours wine and water into the chalice, blessing the water before it is mixed. He pours a few drops of water into the chalice containing wine, in remembrance of the water and blood which flowed from the side of Jesus when pierced by the soldier’s lance.
O God, who, in creating human nature, didst wonderfully dignify it, and still more wonderfully restore it, grant that, by the Mystery of this water and wine, we may be made partakers of His divine nature, who vouchsafed to be made partaker of our human nature, even Jesus Christ our Lord, Thy Son, who with Thee, liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God: world without end. Amen.
We offer unto Thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, beseeching Thy clemency, that it may ascend before Thy divine Majesty, as a sweet savor, for our salvation, and for that of the whole world. Amen.
Accept us, O Lord, in the spirit of humility and contrition of heart, and grant that the sacrifice which we offer this day in Thy sight may be pleasing to Thee, O Lord God.
Raising his eyes towards heaven, extending and then joining his hands, the priest makes the Sign of the Cross over the host and the chalice, while he invokes the Holy Spirit.
Come, O almighty and eternal God, the Sanctifier, and bless ☩ this Sacrifice, prepared for the glory of Thy holy Name.
Lavabo
Father is on the right (Epistle side)
The priest washes his fingers to symbolize the great purity and inner cleanliness of those who offer or participate in this great Sacrifice, and then says in Latin:
Ps. 25. 6-12
I will wash my hands among the innocent: and I will compass Thine altar, O Lord That I may hear the voice of praise: and tell of all Thy wonderous works. I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of Thy house and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked: nor my life with blood-thirsty men. In whose hands are iniquities, their right hand is filled with gifts. But I have walked in my innocence: redeem me, and have mercy on me. My foot hath stood in the direct way, in the churches I will bless Thee, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity
“This majestic prayer of offering to the Most Holy Trinity states in detail the particular purpose for which the holy Sacrifice is offered.”1
Father is in the center
Receive, O holy Trinity, this oblation which we make to Thee, in memory of the Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honor of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, that it may avail unto their honor and our salvation, and may they vouchsafe to intercede for us in heaven, whose memory we celebrate on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Orate Fratres
The priest kisses the altar and turns towards the people, extending, then joining his hands, and say audibly “Orate, fratres.” He then turns back to the altar and continues silently in Latin:
P. Brethren, pray that my Sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father almighty.
The server answers in Latin:
S. May the Lord receive the Sacrifice from thy hands, to the praise and glory of His Name, to our benefit and that of all His holy Church.
The priest answers in a low voice:
P. Amen.
Secret
This prayer is one of the variable parts of the Mass, called the propers, which changes based on the Mass being celebrated and is prayed silently. It is “the completion of the Offertory and introduces the actual oblation of the Sacrifice in the great prayer of the Canon”1 of the Mass.
Graciously give Your Church, we beseech You, O Lord, the gifts of unity and peace which are betokened by the gifts we offer.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
S. Amen.
Preface
The priest begins the Preface, a call to render thanks to God the Father, through Jesus Christ, in union with all the heavenly spirits. The prayer of thanksgiving and praise varies with important Feasts. The priest begins the Preface, holding his hands over the altar, and says audibly in Latin:
P. Dóminus vobíscum.
S. Et cum spíritu tuo.
P. Sursum corda.
S. Habémus ad Dóminum.
P. Grátias agámus Dómino, Deo nostro.
S. Dignum et justum est.
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
P. Lift up your hearts.
S. We have lifted them up to the Lord.
P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
S. It is right and just.
The particular Preface changes for certain Masses, with the Preface of the Holy Trinity used on most Sundays.
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord: not in the oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what we believe by Thy revelation of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation. So that in confessing the true and everlasting Godhead, distinction in persons, unity in essence, and equality in majesty may be adored. Which the Angels and Archangels, the Cherubim also and Seraphim do praise: who cease not daily to cry out, with one voice saying:
Sanctus
Immediately at the conclusion of the Preface the priest begins the Sanctus and the bells are rung three times. It is customary to Cross yourself at the Benedictus.
KNEEL
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus, Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. ☩ Benedíctus, qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory! Hosanna in the highest! ☩ Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
Canon
The Canon of the Mass is made up of the fixed forms of the prayers from the Sanctus to the Pater Noster. It is said silently by the priest.
Prayers for the Church
We therefore, humbly pray and beseech Thee, most merciful Father, through Jesus Christ; Thy Son, our Lord, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to accept and bless. these ☩ gifts, these ☩ presents, these ☩ holy unspotted Sacrifices, which in the first place we offer Thee for Thy holy Catholic Church to which vouchsafe to grant peace, as also to preserve, unite, and govern it throughout the world, together with Thy servant N. our Pope, and N. our Bishop, and all orthodox believers and professors of the Catholic and Apostolic Faith.
Commemoration of the Living
Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants and handmaidens, N. et N. and of all here present, whose faith and devotion are known unto Thee, for whom we offer, or who offer up to Thee, this sacrifice of praise for themselves, their families and friends, for the redemption of their souls, for the health and salvation they hope for; and who now pay their vows to Thee, the everlasting, living and true God.
We pray in union with and honor the memory, especially of the glorious ever Virgin Mary, mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ: as also of the blessed Joseph, her Spouse, and of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon, and Thaddeus; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy Saints, through whose merits and prayers, grant that we may in all things be defended by the help of Thy protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers at the Consecration
Spreading his hands over the oblation, the bells are rung one time to signal that the Consecration is approaching and the priest says in Latin:
We therefore beseech Thee, O Lord, graciously to accept this oblation of our service, as also of Thy whole family; and to dispose our days in Thy peace, preserve us from eternal damnation, and rank us in the number of Thine Elect. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Which oblation do Thou, O God, vouchsafe in all respects, to bless, ☩ approve, ☩ ratify, ☩ make worthy and acceptable; that it may be made for us the Body ☩ and Blood ☩ of Thy most beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Consecration of the Host
Who, the day before He suffered, took bread into His holy and venerable hands, and with His eyes lifted up towards heaven unto Thee, God, His almighty Father, giving thanks to Thee, He blessed ☩ it, broke it and gave it to His disciples saying: Take and eat ye all of this,
The words of the Consecration of the Host:
FOR THIS IS MY BODY.
After pronouncing the words of the Consecration, the priest, kneeling, adores the Sacred Host; rising, he elevates It, then placing It on the corporal, again adores It. After this he never disjoins his fingers and thumbs, except when he is to take the Host, until after the washing of his fingers during the ablutions.
You may wish to look up at the Sacred Host, with faith, piety, and love, saying to yourself: MY LORD and MY GOD!
Consecration of the Wine
In like manner, after He had supped, taking also this excellent chalice into His holy and venerable hands He blessed ☩ , and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take and drink ye all of this,
The words of Consecration of the Chalice:
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL TESTAMENT, THE MYSTERY OF FAITH; WHICH SHALL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY UNTO THE REMISSION OF SINS.
The priest kneels and adores the Precious Blood; rising, he elevates the Chalice, and setting it down he covers it and adores it again.
You may wish to look up at the Chalice and say to yourself something such as: BE MINDFUL O LORD, OF THY CREATURE, WHOM THOU HAST REDEEMED BY THY PRECIOUS BLOOD!
After the elevation of the Chalice, the priest says in a low voice in Latin:
As often as ye do these things, ye shall do them in remembrance of Me.
Prayers After Consecration
The priest continues silently in Latin:
Wherefore, O Lord, we Thy servants, as also Thy holy people, calling to mind the blessed Passion of the same Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, and also His Resurrection from the dead and His glorious Ascension into heaven: do offer unto Thy most excellent Majesty of Thine own gifts, bestowed upon us, a pure ☩ Victim, a holy ☩ Victim, an unspotted ☩ Victim, the holy ☩ Bread of eternal life, and the Chalice ☩ of everlasting salvation.
Upon which vouchsafe to look with a propitious and serene countenance, and to accept them, as Thou wert graciously pleased to accept the gifts of Thy just servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our patriarch Abraham, and that which Thy high priest Melchisedech offered to Thee, a holy Sacrifice, and unspotted Victim.
We most humbly beseech Thee, almighty God, command these offerings to be borne by the hands of Thy holy Angels to Thine altar on high, in the sight of Thy divine majesty, that as many as shall partake of the most holy Body ☩ and Blood ☩ of Thy Son at this altar, may be filled with every heavenly grace and blessing. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Commemoration of the Dead
Remember also, O Lord, Thy servants and handmaids N. and N., who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and peace; Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
The priest says the first words, “Nobis quoque peccatoribus” in a somewhat elevated tone of voice, to symbolize an act of public self-humiliation; at the same time he strikes his breast in a token of contrition.
To us also, Thy sinful servants, confiding in the multitude of Thy mercies, vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with Thy holy Apostles and Martyrs, with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and with all Thy Saints, into whose company we beseech Thee to admit us, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses. Through Christ our Lord.
By Whom, O Lord, Thou dost ever create, sanctify, ☩ quicken, ☩ bless, ☩ and give unto us all these good things.
He uncovers the Chalice, and genuflects: then taking the Host in his right hand, and holding the Chalice in his left, he signs with the Sign of the Cross five times across the Chalice, saying:
By Him, ☩ and with Him, ☩ and in Him ☩ is to Thee, God the Father ☩ almighty, in the unity of the Holy ☩ Ghost, all honor and glory.
Replacing the Host, and covering the Chalice, he kneels down, and rising again, he says in Latin:
P. World without end.
S. Amen.
Pater Noster
In the Extraordinary Form, the priest alone says the Our Father. The faithful are invited to silently pray along with him.
Let us pray. Instructed by Thy saving precepts, and following Thy divine institution, we are bold to say:
Pater noster, qui es in caelis, Sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in coelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie. Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem:
S. Sed libera nos a malo.
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.
S. But deliver us from evil.
P. Amen.
The priest continues silently in Latin:
Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come; and by the intercession of the Blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and of the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, and of Andrew, and of all the Saints, mercifully grant peace in our days, that through the assistance of Thy mercy we may be always free from sin, and secure from all disturbance.
Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.
Who with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth God,
P. World without end.
S. Amen.
P. The peace ☩ of the Lord be ☩ always with ☩ you.
S. And with thy spirit.
He puts a Particle of the Sacred Host into the Chalice, saying in Latin:
May this mixture and consecration of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ be to us who receive it effectual unto eternal life. Amen.
Agnus Dei
He covers the Chalice, genuflects and rises; then bowing down and striking his breast thrice, he says in Latin:
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi: Strike breast miserére nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi: Strike breast miserére nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi: Strike breast dona nobis pacem.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Strike breast have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Strike breast have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Strike breast grant us peace.
Prayers for Holy Communion
With his hands joined and resting on the altar, standing inclined, he says the three following prayers in Latin:
O Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst to Thine Apostles: Peace I leave you, My peace I give you: regard not my sins, but the faith of Thy Church; and vouchsafe to grant her that peace and unity which is agreeable to Thy will: Who livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, according to the will of Thy Father, with the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, hast by Thy death given life to the world; deliver me by this Thy most sacred Body and Blood, from all my iniquities and from all evils; and make me always cleave to Thy commandments, and suffer me never to be separated from Thee, Who livest and reignest, with the same God the Father and the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Let not the partaking of Thy Body, O Lord, Jesus Christ, which I, though unworthy, presume to receive, turn to my judgment and condemnation; but let it, through Thy mercy, become a safeguard and remedy, both for soul and body; Who with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.
Communion of the Priest
The priest genuflects, rises and says in Latin:
I will take the Bread of heaven, and will call upon the Name of the Lord.
Slightly inclining, he takes both halves of the Host between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand; then striking his breast with his right hand, and raising his voice a little, he says in Latin “Domine, non sum dignus…” three times devoutly and humbly while the bells are rung:
V. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed.
V. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed.
V. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed.
Then with his right hand, making the Sign of the Cross with the Host over the paten, he says:
The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto life everlasting. Amen.
He then reverently receives both halves of the Host, joins his hands, and meditates a short time. Then he uncovers the Chalice, genuflects, collects whatever fragments may remain on the corporal, and purifies the paten over the Chalice, saying:
What return shall I make to the Lord for all He has given to me? I will take the chalice of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord. Praising I will call upon the Lord, and I shall be saved from my enemies.
After the priest consumes the Host, the servers move to the credence table to put away the bells and retrieve the patens they will use during the distribution of Communion.
The priest takes the Chalice and making the Sign of the Cross with it, says:
The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto life everlasting. Amen.
Then he receives all the Precious Blood, together with the Particle.
Holy Communion
In many places there is often no longer a second Confiteor, however it is still a pious custom of many of the faithful to pray it quietly on their own even if the altar boys or sacred ministers do not recite it.
Confíteor Deo omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo, beáto Joánni Baptístæ, sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo, ómnibus Sanctis, et tibi, pater: quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo et opere: Strike breast thrice mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa. Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, beátum Michaélem Archángelum, beátum Joánnem Baptístam, sanctos Apóstolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te, pater, orare pro me ad Dóminum, Deum nostrum.
I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, Strike breast thrice through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and you, Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me. May almighty God have mercy upon me, forgive me my sins, and bring me unto life everlasting. Amen. May the almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, ☩ absolution, and remission of my sins. Amen.
Elevating a particle of the Blessed Sacrament and turning towards the people, he says:
Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccáta mundi.
Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who taketh away the sins of the world.
And then he says three times in Latin the following.
In some places it is a custom for the congregation, even at a Low Mass, to quietly pray these words in Latin outloud:
Strike breast Dómine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo, et sanábitur ánima mea.
Strike breast Dómine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo, et sanábitur ánima mea.
Strike breast Dómine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo, et sanábitur ánima mea.
P. Strike breast Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.
P. Strike breast Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.
P. Strike breast Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.
If you will be receiving Communion, now is typically an appropriate time to get up and go to the altar rail.
Note: In the Extraordinary Form, Communion is received on the tongue while kneeling at the altar rail (if there are no physical impediments).
You do not say “Amen”, the priest says it at the end of the prayer.
The priest, making the Sign of the Cross with the Host, says the following prayer as he administers Holy Communion to you:
P. The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve thy soul unto life everlasting. Amen.
Ablutions
Father is in the center
After Communion, the priest returns to the altar and says silently:
Grant, O Lord, that what we have taken with our mouth, we may receive with a pure mind; and from a temporal gift may it become to us an eternal remedy.
Then he holds out the Chalice to the server who pours wine into it for the first ablution, then the priest proceeds:
May Thy Body, O Lord, which I have received, and Thy Blood which I have drunk, cleave to my bowels; and grant that no stain of sin may remain in me, who have been fed with this pure and holy Sacrament; Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
The priest then washes his fingers and receives the second ablution at the right side of the altar. Then he covers the chalice and folding the corporal, places it on the chalice, as at the beginning of Mass.
Communion and Post Communion Verses
Father is on the right (Epistle side)
The Communion and Post Communion verses are the final two propers, or variable parts, of the Mass. The priest goes to the Missal on the epistle side and says the Communion verse.
1 Cor. 11:26-27.
As often as you shall eat this Bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until He comes. Therefore whoever eats this Bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Alleluia.
Father returns to the middle, kisses the altar and the returns to the epistle side where he says the Post Communion.
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech You, O Lord, that we may be filled with that everlasting enjoyment of Your Godhead, as foreshadowed here on earth by the partaking of Your precious Body and Blood.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
S. Amen.
Conclusion
Father is in the center
The priest turns to the people and says:
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
P. Go, the Mass is ended.
S. Thanks be to God.
The priest turns back to the altar and says silently in Latin:
May the performance of my homage be pleasing to Thee, O holy Trinity: and grant that the Sacrifice which I, though unworthy, have offered up in the sight of Thy Majesty, may be acceptable to Thee, and through Thy mercy, be a propitiation for me, and for all those for whom I have offered it. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
He kisses the altar, turns to the people and raising his eyes, extending, raising and joining his hands, he bows down his head and says:
May almighty God the Father, Son, ☩ and Holy Ghost, bless you.
S. Amen.
Last Gospel
Father is on the left (Gospel side)
Then turning to the gospel-side of the altar, the priest says:
STAND
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
This Gospel is recited at the end of most Masses. In it “St. John declares that Christ, the Word made Flesh, is the source of life on earth, the light in the darkness, and the love that will last forever.”1 The priest traces the Sign of the Cross, first upon the altar, and then upon his forehead, lips, and breast, and says:
The beginning ✠ of the holy Gospel according to John.
S. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
John. 1, 1-14.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was made nothing that was made: in Him was life, and the life was the Light of men; and the Light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to testify concerning the Light, that all might believe through Him. He was not the Light, but he was to testify concerning the Light.
That was the true Light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him to them He gave power to become sons of God, to them that believe in His Name, who are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Here all kneel. And the Word was made flesh, Rise
and dwelt among us: and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
R. Thanks be to God.
Leonine Prayers
KNEEL
Father is in the center
If a Low Mass was celebrated, Father will return to the middle of the altar, kneel with the altar boys and lead the people in the Leonine prayers in English after Mass. These prayers include three Hail Marys, the Hail Holy Queen, and the Saint Michael prayer.
Recessional
STAND
After Mass, and after the conclusion of the recessional hymn, it is customary for the faithful to kneel for a moment in thanksgiving for the Holy Mass just offered. You may wish to add prayers of thanksgiving for the priest who celebrated the Mass; your parish and bishop; holy priests, religious and faithful persecuted for their fidelity; and for the great gift of Summorum Pontificum, which Pope Benedict XVI gave us in 2007.
1 “Latin-English Booklet Missal,” Coalition in Support of Ecclesia Dei, Fourth Edition, 2008.